What is a bladder sling?

A bladder sling, also known as a urethral sling, is a surgical procedure that helps treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The sling supports the muscles that help the urethra and bladder neck close. The goal of the procedure is to reduce the leaks that happen when you laugh, cough, sneeze, lift heavy items or exercise.

patient walking outside with a friend after undergoing bladder sling procedure

Types of bladder sling

There are two types of urethral slings used to treat urinary incontinence:

Why might I need bladder sling surgery?

A bladder sling is used when other treatments are unsuccessful and can be performed for both men and women:

Women

A vaginal sling procedure is used to treat stress urinary incontinence, which is urine leakage that occurs when laughing, coughing, sneezing, lifting or exercising.


Men

A male sling procedure is used to treat urinary incontinence after prostate surgery, particularly for men who have had a radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. It's best for men who wet one to three pads per day or less.

How to prepare for bladder sling surgery

Before your surgery, you'll undergo a preoperative evaluation to help the surgeon determine the best method for creating and placing your urethral sling. During this time, your healthcare provider will also provide detailed instructions on how to prepare for the procedure.

How to prepare

  • Stop taking certain medications (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, blood thinners) as advised by your care team.
  • Quit smoking at least a week before surgery to reduce complications; even quitting a day before helps. Ask your care team for support if needed.
  • Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, as you will receive anesthesia.

The bladder sling procedure

Bladder sling surgery is usually an outpatient procedure. Once you arrive and check-in, you can expect the following:

Before the procedure

Your care team will give you instructions about when to arrive, when to stop eating and drinking, and whether you should take any medications on the day of your procedure. Follow them closely.

You can shower before you arrive but do not use any lotions, perfumes or deodorants. It’s also a good idea to remove nail polish.

Understanding the outcomes

Urethral sling procedures are very safe and have few complications. More than 90% of women are satisfied with the results, according to the American Urogynecologic Society.

In some cases, however, the procedure may not address stress urinary incontinence. If that happens, your OBGYN or urogynecologist can discuss other options, such as colposuspension, in which your bladder is moved into the correct position.