There are many types of operations used to cor-rect urinary incontinence. Your doctor's evaluation will help decide if your incontinence occurs from lack of support at the bladder neck or from weakness of the bladder neck itself.

The most common cause of incontinence in women is lack of support at the bladder neck. This type of incontinence can be treated with three basic procedures:

• Abdominal incision
• Vaginal surgery
• Needle suspension (a more minor procedure)

The abdominal incision has the highest long-term success rates. It is also more serious surgery. You and your doctor will need to think about many factors before choosing the surgery that is right for you. They include:

• Your age
• Your lifestyle
• Need for hysterectomy or treatment of pelvic prolapse
• Whether you've had radiation or prior surgery for incontinence
• Your general health

Some of the complications that may occur after surgery include:

• Difficulty emptying your bladder
• Bladder spasms
• Bladder infection
• Injury to the bladder during surgery
• Recurrence of incontinence

Bladder spasms are short-term in most cases. They last while the bladder is going through the healing process and can be controlled with medication. Not being able to empty your bladder after surgery may occur, but it also is short term. You may need to wear a catheter for a few weeks. Or, you may be taught to empty your own bladder with a small catheter that can be thrown away.

Finally...

Urinary incontinence is a common problem. If you have symptoms of urinary incontinence, or if they affect your daily living, tell your doctor. A complete and thorough exam is needed to find the cause of the problem. In most cases, urinary incontinence can be treated with success.