While a descending bladder, also called a prolapsed bladder, is a common female condition, living with a constantly leaking bladder is both annoying and embarrassing. When the tissue supporting your bladder weakens, the organ will move downward from its normal position and press against the vagina. There are a number of reasons for this condition that may include menopause, several vaginal birth deliveries, obesity, straining while moving your bowels, a gynecologic operation, and even stress. Any one of these situations can contribute to inconvenient, and even painful, pressure when urinating, bladder infections, difficulty having sex, and, most frequently, unexpected and uncontrollable urine leakage when laughing, coughing, or sneezing.
When non-surgical treatment does not provide any improvement, your Glendora General Surgeon can perform a cystocele repair surgery that will lift your bladder back into its natural position. Your surgeon will evaluate your current physical condition and all of your medical history to determine the most effective form of surgery to correct your descended bladder so that you can regain normal urinary functions.
You will be given post-operative care instructions and a list of potential side effects both before the surgery and before you leave the hospital. Full recovery from cystocele surgery will take four to six weeks, during which time you will need to refrain from having sex, doing any strenuous activities, or taking any sit down baths. You will also be scheduled for a follow-up office visit with your surgeon.
Bladder Life Repair
Whether your cystocele surgery is performed as a traditional open procedure or as a laparoscopic operation, the actual surgical site will be either your abdomen or your vagina. Your surgeon will discuss the best approach with you.
Abdominal Operation
For the open surgery, one long incision is made in the lower belly area just above the pubic hairline so that your surgeon has access to your bladder. For the laparoscopic procedure, a few small incisions are made in the same lower belly area. A thin laparoscopic instrument that has a light and a camera attached is inserted into one incision, so your surgeon is able to view of the surgery area on an external screen.
Vaginal Operation
For this type of operation, a vaginal speculum is used to hold your vagina open and to give your surgeon access to surgery area, and an incision will be made in the vagina. Your bladder will be lifted back to its original position using healthy tissue from your own body or with the use of a mesh fabric, the muscles and ligaments surrounding the bladder and the vagina will be strengthened, and excess vagina tissue will be cut away and sutured closed. A tampon may be placed in the vagina area to absorb any post-surgery bleeding, and it will be removed before you leave the hospital. A catheter will be put into your bladder, and it will be removed before you leave the hospital. At the end of the operation, all medical instruments are removed and all incisions will be closed with sutures. This form of surgery generally requires one hour to complete.
