Before the Procedure:

Always tell your doctor or nurse what drugs you are taking, even drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription

During the days before the surgery:

• You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (advil, Motrin), warfarin (Coumadin), and any other drugs that make it hard for your blood to clot.
• Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.

On the day of your surgery:

• You will usually be asked not to drink or eat anything for 6 to 12 hours before the surgery.
• Take the drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
• Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.

Your doctor will test your urine make sure you do not have a urinary infection before starting your surgery.

After the Procedure:

You may return from surgery with a Foley catheter (tube) in place. This catheter will drain urine from your bladder for a little while. It will be removed before you leave the hospital.

You will not be using the artificial sphincter for a while after surgery. This means you will still be incontinent. Your body tissues need this time to heal.

About 6 weeks after surgery, you will be taught how to use your pump to inflate your artificial sphincter.

You will need to carry a wallet card or wear medical identification that tells health care providers you have an artificial sphincter. The artificial sphincter must be turned off if you need to have a urinary catheter placed.

Women may need to change how they do some activities (such as bicycle riding), since the pump is placed in the labia.

Outlook (Prognosis):

Urinary leakage decreases for many people who have this procedure. But you may still have some leakage. Over time, some or all of the leakage may come back.

There may be a slow erosion (wearing away) of the urethra tissue under the cuff, and this tissue may become spongy. This may make the device less effective.

A new artificial sphincter can help control leakage.