Single Urogynecology Robotic Surgery Changes NJ Woman’s Life
July 03, 2024
When Wendy Young walked out of her “trifecta” surgical procedure on July 25, 2023, she says she wanted to “shout from the rooftops” about her incredible experience that freed her from frequent trips to the bathroom, possible risk of ovarian cancer and further uterine prolapse.
Wendy, age 66, is a practice facilitator at Hackensack Meridian Health. She also owns a small farm, raises llamas, enjoys her two rescue dogs and three adorable cats, and is physically active. She’s certified as an end-of-life doula who provides support for the dying and those close to that person.
Wendy had a hysterectomy with sacrocolpopexy, mid-urethral sling and rectocele repair done by urogynecologist Nina Jacobson, M.D., at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The surgery brought her much-needed relief from ongoing, inconvenient, and uncomfortable issues. She had pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, or loss of bladder control, which bothered her the most.
“Uterine prolapse means her uterus was dropping down,” Dr. Jacobson says. She explains that a rectocele occurs when the posterior vaginal wall is weak, allowing the rectum to push toward the front, into the vagina, when a woman bears down.
“Prolapse is very common,” she says. It occurs as a result of various risk factors, including age, previous pregnancies, pelvic floor trauma or previous pelvic surgeries, chronic straining or coughing, and genetics. I see patients in their 30s with this condition, too.”
Dr. Jacobson performed a sacrocolpopexy to correct Wendy’s prolapse, which is “considered the gold standard for this type of prolapse,” she says. It requires using a Y-shaped mesh to lift up the vagina or cervix and attach it to a very strong ligament along the backbone.
The procedure can be performed robotically, which is a minimally invasive approach, she says. Robotic surgery allows for very small incisions and short recovery time, with minimal pain.
“I have five little scars across my abdomen,” says Wendy. “And when I walked out of the hospital the next day, having taken nothing stronger than an ibuprofen for my pain, that was the best feeling.”
She also lauds the “phenomenal” skills of her surgeon and “her great bedside manner.”
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“I am 100 percent glad I did this, and I would strongly encourage other women having similar, multiple problems to consider it,” Wendy says. “Everything is better, including my sex life, and even my IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).”
“It’s important for women to know their options and to be educated about choices,” Wendy says.
“Many women simply live with prolapse and incontinence issues for a lifetime and resort to measures like constantly wearing pads,” Dr. Jacobson says. “They don’t realize they don’t have to keep dealing with the issues because help is available. And not just that—some of these conditions are curable.
“There is a false notion that if a woman has had a vaginal delivery, problems like Wendy’s are just expected,” says Dr. Jacobson. “They might say, ‘I figured this was normal.’”
Dr. Jacobson says that up to 25% of women who have had a vaginal delivery will have some type of pelvic floor disorder. “Some women put up with this for 20 years, and others who experience it for a few weeks are ready to do something right away,” she says.
“I wasn’t about to let this continue,” says Wendy. “Once Dr. Jacobson told me that I had all these things happening at once, everything started to make sense. She presented me with options to take care of each one and said we could do them all at the same time, which was just right for me.”
She says she has her life back “at 100 percent. It’s hard to enjoy life when you have to plan everything to be close to a bathroom, and normal things that should feel natural cause you pain and discomfort. Dr. Jacobson gave me my life back.”
Next Steps & Resources
- Meet our source: Nina Jacobson, M.D.
- Jersey Shore University Medical Center was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report for having the best obstetrics and gynecology program in New Jersey. Find a gynecologist at our award-winning hospital.
- To make an appointment with a urogynecologist near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
