Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment in Seoul

How Podo treats stress incontinence

Vaginal laxity is measured numerically rather than judged by hand. Pelvic ligament suspension surgery was developed by Dr. Mo Hyung-jin, the clinic's medical director. The technique restores pelvic support by re-anchoring the patient's own lax pelvic ligaments. It is used for stress urinary incontinence, cystocele, rectocele and uterine prolapse. The clinic performs both operations for stress urinary incontinence: pelvic ligament suspension, which uses the patient's own ligaments without synthetic mesh, and the mid-urethral synthetic mesh sling. Which one suits you is decided after examination and measurement.

First we confirm it is stress incontinence and not an overactive bladder, or both: history, examination, a cough test, and measurement of pelvic support. Vaginal endoscopy imaging shows the state of the vaginal wall; laxity is measured numerically rather than estimated by hand.

For mild leaking, supervised pelvic floor training and lifestyle changes come first. When leaking limits your life or the supports have clearly failed, surgery is discussed. Podo's own technique is pelvic ligament suspension, which re-anchors the ligaments that support the bladder neck.

The six steps

1. 01 Consultation and measurement
   History, examination, cough test, vaginal endoscopy imaging and laxity measurement.
2. 02 Pre-operative check-up
   Blood and urine tests, review of medications and previous surgery.
3. 03 Anesthesia
   Planned for the procedure and for you under the four-step protocol. Ligament suspension for incontinence alone is performed under IV sedation.
4. 04 Surgery
   Performed in the clinic's operating room.
5. 05 Recovery suite
   In a private single-occupancy recovery suite. After ligament suspension for incontinence alone you go home the same day; overnight stays are also available.
6. 06 Check-up and documents
   Final check 5 to 10 days after surgery, English discharge instructions, insurance documents, 24-hour nurse line.

Anesthesia follows a four-step protocol tailored to the procedure and the patient. Pelvic ligament suspension for incontinence alone is performed under IV sedation, with same-day discharge. Tell us about previous anesthesia experiences and current medications during pre-consultation.

Recovery and flying home

No overnight stay is usually needed.

Most patients are cleared to fly 5–10 days after surgery.

• Day 0Surgery under IV sedation, then rest in your recovery suite. We confirm you can pass urine comfortably before you go home the same day.
• Day 1Walking is encouraged.
• Days 2–7Rest with short walks. Avoid coughing fits where you can (treat colds early), straining and lifting.
• Check-upFinal check 5 to 10 days after surgery, with a cough test, then travel home when we confirm healing.
• Weeks 2 to 8No lifting over 10 kg (about 22 pounds) for 8 weeks, and no high-impact exercise until cleared. Pelvic floor training resumes when we say so, to protect the repair.

Recovery rooms are private single-occupancy suites. Patients have a 24-hour nurse contact line after surgery. Results and recovery vary from person to person.

Cost

USD 2,900 for pelvic ligament suspension or USD 3,500 for the mid-urethral mesh sling, about KRW 4,205,000 or KRW 5,075,000 at the reference rate of 1,450 won per dollar

We provide a written estimate after consultation. Sedation anesthesia (USD 180) and a premium recovery room (USD 140 per night) are separate items on the schedule. Prolapse repairs are not on the published schedule and are quoted after examination.

What the written estimate covers

• Surgery and operating room
• Anesthesia
• An overnight stay in a recovery suite, if chosen
• Follow-up check-up before departure
• Insurance claim documents

Prices are from the clinic's 2026 international patient fee schedule and are listed in US dollars; the schedule uses a reference rate of 1,450 Korean won per dollar. A written estimate confirms the items that apply to your case. Pelvic ligament suspension, without synthetic mesh (listed as "Vaginoplasty — Ligament Fixation"), is USD 2,900; the mid-urethral mesh sling (listed as "Incontinence Sling Surgery") is USD 3,500, including urodynamic ultrasound. We prepare the documents international insurers typically require: an itemized English receipt, a medical certificate, procedure codes and a completed claim form. Whether a procedure is reimbursed depends on your policy; we provide documentation, not coverage decisions.

For international patients

Consultations are available in English. We prepare the documents international insurers typically require: an itemized English receipt, a medical certificate, procedure codes and a completed claim form. Payment can be made by international credit card. Plan for 5 to 10 days in Seoul. Keep a two-day bladder diary before you travel (what you drink, when you go, when you leak); it makes the first consultation more precise.

Sources

1. NICE NG123: Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women: management
2. ACOG patient FAQ: Surgery for Stress Urinary Incontinence
3. American Urological Association / SUFU: Surgical Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence guideline
4. IUGA Your Pelvic Floor: Stress urinary incontinence