Surgery for Female Urinary Incontinence in Barcelona

For some women, the symptoms of stress incontinence or overactive bladder do not respond to conservative treatments. Therefore, surgery may be the best option when conservative measures have been tried and urinary incontinence continues to affect your quality of life.

Surgery for urinary incontinence is more invasive and carries a higher risk of complications than other therapies. However, it provides a long-term solution in all cases.

The sling supports the urethra and helps keep it closed, especially when coughing or sneezing, preventing urine leakage.
Surgical options depend on the type of urinary incontinence you have. Most surgical options for urinary incontinence address stress incontinence. 

The procedure to treat stress incontinence is surgery for female urinary incontinence with a sling.

Surgery for stress urinary incontinence is typically performed using the mid-urethral sling technique, which is the most common surgical intervention for addressing stress urinary incontinence.

The sling is made of synthetic material. To place it, a small incision is made beneath the urethra through the vagina, and the sling is positioned just below the urethra using special needles. 

The procedure can be done in two ways:

• Placing the sling behind the pubic bone through two small incisions in the abdomen.
• Placing the sling beneath the pubic bone through small incisions at the top of the thigh.

The most commonly used and most effective surgery for female urinary incontinence is the synthetic suburethral sling technique.

When the time comes for the procedure, the first step will be hospital admission at the Clínica Ntra. Sra. del Remei for surgery for female urinary incontinence with a sling.

This surgery lifts and supports the connection between the bladder and the urethra, effectively eliminating the symptoms of urinary incontinence and restoring control over your daily routine.

Finding an effective solution for urinary incontinence can take time and may involve several steps along the way. If conservative treatment hasn’t worked for you, the best course of action is to consult a specialist to explore the surgical options best suited to your case.

If you are considering surgery for female urinary incontinence, you can book a free consultation with no waiting list with the Dr. Carles Xavier Raventós Busquets at the Clínica Ntra. Sra. del Remei in Barcelona. During the appointment, you will meet the doctor, and he will assess your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.

If you would like more information before booking your appointment, feel free to contact the Operarme team via the contact form, by calling at +34 91 141 33 56, or by clicking on the image below.

Once you’ve requested your consultation, one of our patient service advisors will contact you to answer any questions you may have and to confirm that the date and time of the appointment suit your availability.

Do you have incontinence issues?

Request now a free surgical consultation with our Urology specialist to evaluate your case for Female Urinary Incontinence Surgery.

Make an appointment

After the consultation, our patient service team will contact you to ask how everything went and whether you’ve made a decision regarding the surgery. 

If you decide to proceed, they will explain the next steps, schedule your preoperative appointments and anesthesia consultation, and address any questions you may have throughout the process.

On the scheduled day for your preoperative assessment for female urinary incontinence surgery, you’ll need to bring the required documents and will be accompanied through the three main tests necessary to determine the appropriate anesthesia and confirm you are fit for surgery:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): To assess your heart’s condition.
• Chest X-ray: This is not always required; it will be ordered if the doctor considers it necessary. Besides checking for signs of pulmonary issues, it helps confirm that the trachea is properly aligned.
• Full blood work: This includes a complete blood count, basic coagulation profile, kidney function tests, glucose levels, and a urine test to rule out infections.

You’ll also have a consultation with the anesthesiologist, during which you should inform them about any allergies, current medications (prescribed or not), previous surgeries, etc. Based on this consultation, the type of anesthesia to be used during the surgery will be determined.

If the anesthesiologist confirms you’re fit for surgery, the next step will be to return to the hospital for the procedure.

Upon arriving at the clinic, you’ll need to present all the required administrative documents (our patient service team will have helped you prepare these in advance) and identify yourself as a patient with Operarme.

You’ll then be escorted either to your private room—which includes a companion bed—where you’ll remain until the time of your surgery, or to a waiting area until you're called into the operating room.

Once you’re called, you’ll go to a preparation room where you’ll change into surgical clothing and an IV line will be placed to administer medication and anesthesia. After this, you will be taken to the operating room.

In the operating room, you’ll once again meet with the Dr. Carles Xavier Raventós Busquets, the anesthesiologist, and several members of the surgical nursing team, who will already be prepared to begin the procedure.

The surgery proceeds as follows:

1. Antibiotics are administered to prevent infection, followed by general anesthesia to ensure you feel no discomfort during the procedure.
2. Once anesthesia takes effect, a catheter is inserted through the urethra to empty the bladder.
3. A gynecological speculum is placed in the posterior vaginal wall to allow visibility of the anterior wall. A gentle traction of the Foley catheter helps locate the bladder neck.
4. Two small incisions are made: one in the anterior vaginal wall, approximately 1 cm below the urethral opening, and two in the lower abdomen.
5. Using blunt scissors, the vaginal wall is dissected on both sides of the mid-urethra to create a channel for the sling.
6. The first needle is inserted vaginally and guided through the tissues until it exits at the previously made abdominal incision.
7. Once the needle tip emerges from the abdominal incision, a cystoscopy is performed to confirm that the bladder has not been injured. The bladder is then emptied again.
8. The procedure is repeated on the opposite side with the second needle.
9. Once the sling is positioned in a U-shape beneath the urethra, it is adjusted to minimize urine leakage and achieve continence. The plastic sheath is then removed.
10. The vaginal incision is sutured after the sling is properly adjusted.
11. The ends of the sling emerging through the abdominal incisions are trimmed and left beneath the skin without stitching. The abdominal incisions are closed with sutures, completing the surgery.

The total duration of the surgery is 30 to 45 minutes, and the full recovery period typically ranges from 5 to 10 days, during which any discomfort should subside.

Do you have incontinence issues?

Request now a free surgical consultation with our Urology specialist to evaluate your case for Female Urinary Incontinence Surgery.

Make an appointment

After the procedure, you will be moved to a recovery room, where you’ll stay until you are fully awake and stable from the effects of anesthesia. 

You will then return to your private hospital room, where you’ll remain for approximately 24 hours under medical supervision, before being discharged to go home.

Following urinary incontinence surgery, it is recommended that you begin walking as soon as possible. This helps stimulate blood circulation and reduces the risk of blood clots. Pain or mild discomfort is common and can be managed with prescribed pain medication.

A slight vaginal discharge or light bleeding is expected post-surgery. You should use sanitary pads—not tampons—for hygiene. Before discharge, your urinary catheter will be removed, and the medical team will ensure that you can urinate on your own.

Once at home, it's essential to follow your surgeon’s instructions carefully to ensure a proper recovery and successful outcome. 

Recovery time varies from person to person, but most patients report discomfort resolving between 4 to 10 days, although some cases may take up to two weeks.

In general, you’ll be able to resume your normal daily routine within a few weeks, but it's important to adhere to the following postoperative guidelines:

• Avoid lifting heavy objects (bags, luggage, children, etc.) or pushing anything heavy for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery to protect the pelvic floor muscles.
• Use stairs cautiously, taking your time going up and down.
• Prevent constipation by maintaining a diet high in fiber.
• If you have your period during the first 4 to 6 weeks, do not use tampons—use sanitary pads instead.
• Do not resume sexual activity for at least 4 to 6 weeks after the procedure.
• Avoid sports and high-impact physical activities for 6 to 8 weeks.
• Go for short walks several times a day, gradually increasing the duration and intensity as you feel better.

By following these recommendations and attending your follow-up appointments, you can help ensure a safe recovery and long-term relief from urinary incontinence symptoms.

The total cost of female urinary incontinence surgery in Barcelona is 4.290 €. This is a fixed, all-inclusive price, with no hidden fees.

This comprehensive price covers everything necessary to ensure the success of the procedure. 

Below is a detailed breakdown of what is included:

• Operating room reservation and use
• Private hospital room with a companion bed, meals, and accommodations for up to 1 day
• Complete preoperative testing
• Postoperative follow-up visit
• Surgeon’s fees
• Anesthesiologist’s fees
• Nursing team fees
• All surgical materials required for the operation
• Anesthesia and use of the recovery room
• Complication insurance coverage

If you're interested in scheduling a free consultation with no waiting time with the Dr. Carles Xavier Raventós Busquets at the Clínica Ntra. Sra. del Remei in Barcelona, please click the Request Appointment button below to begin the process and take the first step toward resolving urinary incontinence.