Conventional slings

A conventional sling uses tissue from your own body to support the bladder neck. The surgeon collects the tissue to make the sling from either your abdomen or thigh. The surgeon then makes an incision in the vagina to place the sling below the urethra at the bladder neck. From an incision in the abdomen, the surgeon stitches each end of the sling to the abdominal wall.

A conventional sling typically requires a larger incision than a tension-free sling. You might need an overnight stay in a hospital and usually a longer recovery period. You may also need a temporary catheter after surgery while you heal.

This procedure is associated with a higher risk of difficulty emptying the bladder. Therefore, it's typically reserved for women who have had another incontinence procedure but still experience urinary incontinence.