Question:
Does WLS help with urge incontinence?

I have severe urge incontinence. I have tried medications which only worked for awhile. I was part of a medical study in which I used a skin patch, It worked but I had to drop out of the study because the patch irritated my skin. My urologist also did a urodynamics test which came back normal. Not a day or night goes by that I don't have an accident. I'm hoping WLS will help the problem.    — [Anonymous] (posted on October 5, 2001)

October 5, 2001
I'm not sure about "urge" incontinence, but I definitely suffered from what they referred to as "stress" incontinence before my weight loss. For me, sneezing, coughing, running, jumping, sit-ups - virtually anything that created a pressure or tightening of abdominal muscles - also resulted in a release of urine. This is dramatically improved with the loss of 100 lbs. The only time I have an issue now is when my apron actively hits against my bladder area (like if I am trying to run or jump). -Kate-
   — kateseidel

October 5, 2001
YES!!! The funny thing is, tho, that I didn't really even notice it was gone until about 8 months after surgery when one day it just hit me that I wasn't leaking after sneezing, coughing, moving, etc. It sure is wonderful that it is gone, and it certainly isn't missed! (((HUGS))) Pat
   — nealp

October 5, 2001
I always thought I had stress incontinence - but what I really had was a constant leak. Just a little dripple and then sometimes when I would sneeze I would leak. I didn't like the medicines because then I couldn't go when I needed to. I am 5 weeks post op, I sneezed the other day and felt a dribble - but I haven't had the constant dribble that I used to.
   — [Anonymous]

October 5, 2001
I am only 2.5 weeks out but I haven't had a single instance of stress incontinence since my surgery. To be fair, it's much harder for me to drink enough liquid these days (I struggle to drink more than 1 liter of water each day; I used to easily drink 3 liters), but it is still much improved. I am down 27 lbs, and in a related area, I can actually reach to wipe my bum with NO problem! The small things are the ones that make your life better. :-)
   — Julia M.