What to Expect

GYNECARE TVT™ Tension-free Support for Incontinence is a 30-minute, minimally invasive, effective treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Here’s what you can expect.

What happens during the procedure?

GYNECARE TVT™ is designed to stop urine leakage by supporting your urethra with a tape-like strip of mesh. Your doctor inserts the mesh in an outpatient procedure under local, regional or general anesthetic. Depending on your specific needs, the procedure may be performed using very small incisions. Your doctor can tell you specifically what will happen during your treatment.

The mesh acts as a backboard to close the urethra when an activity such as a cough or sneeze occurs, thus preventing the bladder from leaking. Learn more about how GYNECARE TVT™ works or find a doctor who can provide treatment to discuss if it’s right for you.

What happens after the procedure?

Patients treated with GYNECARE TVT™ usually return home the same day. The rate of complications is low with GYNECARE TVT™, and most patients can expect a short recovery period.

While recovering, you should be able to resume most daily activities quickly, however, your doctor may advise you to avoid heavy lifting and sexual intercourse for 4 weeks.

Most patients experience immediate results with significantly less or no bladder leakage. Moreover, 93% of women surveyed following treatment with GYNECARE TVT™ were still dry or had significantly less bladder leakage 11 years later!¹

Long-term, most patients treated with GYNECARE TVT™ experience minimal or no scarring and report high effectiveness over time.

What are the risks with GYNECARE TVT™

All surgical procedures present some risks, so be sure to talk to a doctor about whether GYNECARE TVT™ is right for you.

Complications associated with the procedure include injury to blood vessels of the pelvis, difficulty urinating, pain, scarring, pain with intercourse, bladder and bowel injury.

There is also a risk of the mesh material becoming exposed. Exposure may require treatment. Synthetic mesh is a permanent medical device implant. Therefore, you should carefully discuss the decision to have surgery with your doctor and understand the benefits and risks of mesh implant surgery before deciding how to treat your condition.

The GYNECARE TVT™ procedure should not be performed in pregnant patients. Additionally, because the mesh-like tape will not stretch significantly, GYNECARE TVT™ should not be used in women who plan future pregnancy.

For a complete description of risks related to this treatment, please see the Adverse Reactions section of the Risk Information.

This information represents no statement, promise or guarantee by ETHICON, INC., concerning insurance coverage, levels of reimbursement, payment, or charge. Please consult your payor organization with regard to local or actual coverage determination processes.

Stop Coping. Start Living.™

Get the conversation started today.

Based on your condition, there are questions you might want to ask your doctor or surgeon. The following questions are designed to help you find out more information about your particular condition and the kinds of treatment that may be right for you. The more informed you are, the more comfortable you'll be with the decision you, your family, and your doctor make together.

1. What type of incontinence do I have?
2. What course of treatment do you recommend for me?
3. What are the least Invasive treatment options for the type of Incontinence I have?
4. Am I a candidate for treatment with GYNECARE TVT™ Tension-free Support for Incontinence?
5. Will treatment affect my ability to have children?
6. What are the risks associated with GYNECARE TVT™?
7. How soon after treatment can I resume my normal activities?
8. May I talk to one of your patients who has been treated with GYNECARE TVT™?
9. Can you take care of this problem or can you refer me to a doctor specializing in treating stress urinary incontinence?

Click here for a printable version of these questions to ask your doctor (2.8 MB)

Remember to learn all you can, and ask questions about the issues that are most important to you. This is the best way to feel confident that you are making the best decision possible. For added support, consider bringing a friend who can ask the questions you feel embarrassed about or may forget to ask.

Click here to find a doctor who has treated patients with GYNECARE TVT™.