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How surgery for stress urinary incontinence helped Julie get back to her active lifestyle

“Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) affects a lot more women than we probably know, and the treatment is life-changing in such a positive way that you will never doubt getting it
taken care of.” – Julie

The birth of a child is one of life’s most precious miracles. But going through multiple pregnancies and labors can damage muscles that support a woman’s pelvic organs, often resulting in stress urinary incontinence (urinary leakage).

In Julie’s case, she began to notice leakage after the birth of her third child — especially while exercising.

She could no longer do the cardio classes she previously loved due to the constant fear of wetting herself. Though she tried to mask her symptoms — even tried jogging in the rain — nothing was working. Discouraged by not being able to do the activities she loved and the thoughts of having to wear adult diapers for the rest of her life, Julie began to look for answers.

Meeting with a urogynecologist

A friend suggested Julie meet with a urogynecologist to find help for her incontinence. After her initial appointment, Julie began physical therapy to help improve her pelvic floor muscles. This provided temporary relief, but after a while her symptoms returned.

Julie went back to see her urogynecologist, who administered tests to determine how much leakage she had and if she was a candidate for surgery. They discussed the test results and decided that surgery was the best option for her.

“I wasn’t surprised; I was actually relieved that it wasn’t just me drinking too much water or drinking too much coffee. I just wanted to get it taken care of — I didn’t want to live with it anymore.” – Julie

Surgery, recovery and beyond

The outpatient surgery lasted about 45 minutes, and Julie went home the same day. She experienced soreness for a couple of days following the procedure. In Julie’s case, she was able to get up and walk around shortly after and had resumed all her normal activities after just four weeks.

Since her surgery, Julie is getting back to the things she loves again, such as exercising and playing with her three children, without limitations from urinary incontinence.

“I can do whatever I want in my exercise class, and I don’t feel limited at all. It’s really exciting, and I feel like I’m young again.” – Julie

Coloplast invited Julie to share her story. Each person’s experience is unique; your results may not be the same. Talk with your doctor about whether this product is right for you.

Looking for more information on urinary incontinence?

Understanding urinary incontinence

What are surgical treatment options?

Finding the right doctor

Important safety information

Altis® Single Incision Sling System
Patient Materials (Direct to Consumer)

Important Safety Information:

Stress urinary incontinence is a condition in which urine involuntarily leaks out of the urethra (the tube that brings urine from the bladder to the outside of the body) during times of high pressure such as coughing, sneezing or exercising. Stress urinary incontinence can be treated with a surgical procedure in which an incontinence sling is implanted to support the urethra. An incontinence sling is intended to provide support to the urethra to help stop urine from leaking and to help control when urine is emptied from the bladder.

The Altis Single Incision Sling System is indicated for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) resulting from the urethra not closing properly (urethral hypermobility) and/or weakness of the urethral sphincter (intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD)).

The Altis Single Incision Sling System is not for females who have the following: are pregnant or have desire for future pregnancy, potential for further growth (e.g., adolescents), known active urinary tract infection and/or infection in operative field, taking blood thinning medication (anti-coagulant therapy), abnormal urethra (e.g., fistula, diverticulum), intraoperative urethral injury, any condition, including known or suspected pelvic pathology, which could compromise implant or implant placement, and sensitivity/allergy to polypropylene. Check with your Physician on the warnings, precautions and risks associated with the use of this mesh sling.Check with your Physician on:

  • Alternative incontinence treatments that may be appropriate
  • The reason for choosing a mesh sling procedure
  • The postoperative risks and potential complications of transvaginal mesh sling surgery
  • The mesh sling to be implanted is a permanent implant
  • Some complications associated with the implanted mesh sling may require additional surgery; repeat surgery may not resolve these complications
  • Serious adverse tissue responses or infection may require removal of parts of the mesh sling, or the entire mesh sling, and complete removal of the mesh sling may not always be possible
  • Individuals who have varying degrees of collagen laydown that may result in scarring
  • Certain underlying conditions may be more susceptible to postoperative bleeding, impaired blood supply, compromised/ delayed healing, or other complications and adverse events, as with all surgical procedures

You should consider the risks and benefits of the Altis Single Incision Sling System.
Any future pregnancy could negate the benefits of this mesh sling surgical procedure.
You should report any bleeding, pain, abnormal vaginal discharge or sign of infection that occur at any time.

A mesh sling is implanted inside the vagina to support the urethra. The operation to place a mesh sling is considered major surgery.

A mesh sling procedure is a surgical solution that has risks such as: mesh extrusion, pelvic/urogenital pain, groin pain, hip pain, urinary retention, bleeding, new onset (de novo) urgency, delayed wound healing, painful intercourse (dyspareunia), inflammation, nausea, overactive bladder, pain, pelvic hematoma, reaction to antibiotic, slight discomfort upon return to work, urinary tract infection, urine stream decreased, and voiding dysfunction.

Adverse events are known to occur with transvaginal synthetic mesh sling procedures and implants. Adverse events following mesh implantation may be new onset (de novo), persistent, worsening, transient, or permanent.

Additional potential complications include, but are not limited to: abscess (acute or delayed), adhesion/scar formation, allergy, hypersensitivity or other immune reaction, bleeding, hemorrhage or hematoma, dehiscence, delayed wound healing, extrusion, erosion or exposure of mesh sling into the vagina or other structures or organs, fistula formation, infection, inflammation (acute or chronic), local irritation, necrosis, new onset (de novo) and/or worsening painful intercourse (dyspareunia), neuromuscular symptoms (acute or chronic), pain, partner pain (acute or chronic) and/or discomfort during intercourse, perforation or injury of soft tissue (e.g., muscles, nerves, vessels), structures, or organs (e.g., bone, bladder, urethra, ureters, vagina), seroma (pocket of fluid build-up), sling migration, suture erosion, bladder storage dysfunction (e.g., increased daytime frequency, urgency, nocturia, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence), ureteral obstruction, urinary tract infection, voiding symptoms (e.g., painful urination (dysuria), urinary retention, incomplete emptying, straining, positional voiding, weak stream), granulation tissue formation, palpable mesh (patient and/or partner), sexual dysfunction, vaginal discharge (abnormal) and vaginal scarring or tightening.

The occurrence of these events may require one or more revision surgeries, including removal of the mesh sling.

Complete removal of the mesh sling may not always be possible, and additional surgeries may not always fully correct the complications.

There may be unresolved pain with or without mesh sling explantation.

This treatment is prescribed by your physician. Discuss the treatment options with your physician to understand the risks and benefits of the various options to determine if a mesh sling is right for you.

Caution: Federal law (USA) restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Minneapolis, MN
PM-03328 02/2021