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.
• If you smoke, try to stop. Your doctor can help.

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.

You may be asked to shave your pubic area before the operation.

After the Procedure:

Most people will have a catheter in their urethra or above their pubic bone after this surgery so that urine can drain from the bladder. Some people may need to go home with a catheter still in place, or they may need to perform intermittent catheterization. This is a procedure where you use a catheter only when you need to urinate. You will be taught how to do this before you leave the hospital.

Many patients leave the hospital 2 or 3 days after this surgery.

You may have gauze packing in the vagina after surgery to help stop bleeding. It is usually removed 24 to 36 hours after surgery.

Outlook (Prognosis):

Urinary leakage decreases for most women who have this surgery. But you may still have some leakage. This may be because other problems are causing your urinary incontinence. Over time, some or all of the leakage may come back.