Urinary Incontinence Surgery
Urinary Incontinence Treatment: Surgical Options
You may be experiencing involuntary urine leakage while playing with your grandchildren, lifting weights at the gym, or having a good laugh with a friend and we're here to tell you that you are not alone.
At our clinic, the majority of women that come through our doors experience urinary incontinence too. We believe that you deserve the best quality of life without worrying about a leak during the moments that mean the most.
If you have ever considered having surgery for urinary incontinence (leaking), you should first consider laser. It is safer, equally effective for many women, and is painless, with no downtime and with almost no risk.
Surgery may be the right choice for some women. Please give our clinic a call or book an online, free appointment to discuss.
Laser or Surgery?
Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type of incontinence. The discussion below mostly pertains to ‘stress (pressure) urinary incontinence’. This is the type of leaking that happens with a cough, sneeze, or lifting, bending or standing up.
This is NOT the type of leaking happening with a sudden urge to void and complete loss of control immediately thereafter. Laser can sometimes be helpful for this type, and surgery rarely is, but I advise that you get a full assessment if you have this type of ‘overactive bladder’ symptoms and it would be a good idea to see your primary caregiver first. If you have seen blood in your urine, have pain when you urinate or have difficulty urinating, I strongly advise you to get an urgent assessment.
We are thrilled to provide our clients with truly revolutionary laser technology that delivers better results using less invasive practices. For truly premium results, we recommend pelvic floor physiotherapy as part of your holistic program. You can read more about our laser procedures for urinary incontinence.
If you are interested in or really require surgery however, there are two options. Your doctor can refer you to a specialist for treatment within your local public health system. The reality in all Provinces of Canada is that Medicare is under stress, and the wait times can be very long – an average of four years across Canada. Our laser treatments may be appropriate to relieve your symptoms while you wait for surgery.
The second option is to pay for procedures to be done at a private surgical center. Recently, more Canadians have been willing to travel to other jurisdictions for medical treatment. Traditionally, this has meant the US or Mexico, but recently more options are available closer to home. There are already many precedents in Canada for this, and the specialty of orthopedics has led the way. For urogynecology conditions, Dr Murphy has built a relationship with with Mount Royal Surgical, a premier private surgical facility in Calgary, Alberta, and can now offer a private surgical option on an accelerated timeline without the need for a referral.
Recovery
Recovery from surgery depends on the procedures done. All private surgery will be done as day surgery, and the procedures will be appropriately selected.
Expect to be ready to travel back home in a day or two.
All surgery carries the risk of complications. Dr Murphy will explain the procedures, the benefits and risks, and answer all your questions during an initial consultation.
Results
Surgery for stress incontinence has been shown to be highly effective. Dr. Murphy can discuss this in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but we will provide a letter that you can submit to your insurance provider or Health Benefits account manager. We do not submit to insurance companies directly.
However, you may be eligible for a medical expense tax deduction. Be sure to check with your accountant to see if you qualify.
Short-term incontinence can happen for many reasons, but when incontinence lasts longer, it may be due to a weak bladder or pelvic floor muscles, which often can be treated by laser.
For laser, an initial series of three sessions is $2,600.00 plus tax (total for the three sessions.)
Annual follow-up treatment is $700.00 plus tax.
Surgical options are more expensive, and vary depending upon your specific needs.
Our team will discuss options with you and come up with an individualized care plan based on your needs. Reach out to us today to get started.
This is not covered by Medicare and is an out-of-pocket expense for patients. We will provide a letter you can submit to your insurance provider or Health Benefits account manager – we do not submit to insurance companies directly. You may be eligible for a medical expense tax deduction, be sure to check with your accountant to see if you qualify.
Patients can call our office directly for a free discussion and consultation with Dr. Murphy, or book online directly through the website.
Unfortunately, not everyone will be an appropriate candidate for private surgery and Dr. Murphy will only be able to assess whether you are a candidate after having information about your specific problem and a personal medical history.
If surgery may be appropriate for you, Dr Murphy can advise on public and private options, as he has extensive experience practising and teaching in the field.
Recently, Canadians have been willing to travel to other jurisdictions for treatment. Traditionally, this meant the US or Mexico, but recently, more and more people are looking closer to home. There are already many precedents in Canada for this and the specialty of orthopedics has led the way. For urogynecology conditions, there have been no private options until now.
After thirty years of working and operating exclusively in the public system, I have teamed up with Mount Royal Surgical, a premier private surgical facility in Calgary, Alberta, to offer private surgery for vaginal prolapse, pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence as well as select cosmetic gynecology surgery. These services are available for Canadian residents from any Province and Territory of Canada on an expedited timeline and with no referral required. Private surgery will get you much quicker treatment.
Please call the clinic,1-403-692-0440, for more information.
We have worked hard to put in place a clear and supportive process for patients to access private surgery here in Calgary.
1) Initial contact, usually by phone. This will be an overview screening to discuss the main aspects of your problem and your overall health status. We will explain the expected timeline and costs which will depend on the procedure(s) required. We can suggest medical finance companies you may choose to consider, if interested.
2) The date of surgery is determined, and the payment deposit is collected if a surgical slot is allocated. The surgery itself is day-surgery and does not require an overnight hospital stay.
3) Arrangements may have to be made for travel and stay in Calgary. If you live locally, you can probably travel from home and back on the same day, but otherwise, you will need a hotel or other accommodation for one or two nights if having surgery for incontinence and up to four nights for prolapse.
3) In-person consultation with Dr. Murphy before surgery. This might include clinic tests such as urodynamics and/or cystoscopy. Your final payment will be determined and collected, which may vary depending on the final decision on the procedure(s).
4) Day Surgery under general or sedation anesthesia at Mount Royal Surgical Centre. Most cases will require general anesthesia.
5) Discharge to hotel.
6) Post-surgery checkup a day or two after surgery (usually only for prolapse surgery).
7) Travel back to your home.
8) Delayed post surgery follow up as appropriate and if needed; usually six weeks or more after surgery.