What is it?

Among women, morbid obesity is a common cause of  urinary stress incontinence (uncontrollable urine loss).  A large, heavy abdomen and weakening of the pelvic muscles due to morbid obesity may cause the valve on the urinary bladder to weaken, leading to leakage of urine with coughing, sneezing, or laughing.

How is it affected by bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery has been found to improve urinary stress incontinence.  Less weight is placed on the bladder, and other physical changes take place to improve this condition.

What success have patients found through bariatric surgery?

A 2000 study of 500 patients showed 97% resolution of urinary stress incontinence in patients after gastric bypass surgery.