Overactive Bladder
Altaviva: how long does the procedure take?
The short answer
Placement is usually a short outpatient procedure, often under an hour, using local numbing and sometimes light sedation.
Most people go home the same day and return to light activity soon.
When to come in
If you're interested, schedule a visit to see if Altaviva fits you.
Asking about PTNS?
Needle PTNS sessions aren’t something we provide. For overactive bladder, our urologists offer tibial neuromodulation with Altaviva Therapy by Medtronic, a small device implanted under the skin near the ankle.
Talking it over with us
We’d be glad to talk this through with you at our Snellville Clinic & Surgery Center, 1557 Janmar Rd, Snellville, GA 30078, or our Conyers Clinic, 1366 Wellbrook Circle Suite B, Conyers, GA 30012. You can ask for a particular urologist by name, or let our scheduling team find the first opening.
How our urologists approach this
We start by making sure overactive bladder is really what’s behind the urgency, because infections, stones and some medicines can cause similar symptoms. If bladder pills and habit changes haven’t given enough relief, our Snellville and Conyers urologists talk through the next steps Advanced Urology offers, including Altaviva, InterStim and Botox. For Altaviva, we explain where the small device sits near the ankle, how charging works, and what follow-up looks like, so nothing about the day of the procedure feels like a surprise.
What to expect when you see us
At your visit we’ll go over how often you urinate, how strong the urges are, and any leaks. Keeping a bladder diary for a few days before you come in helps a great deal. Please bring a list of your medicines. We may check a urine sample, and we’ll leave time for every question you have about the implant.
When to call us
Call us if the urges or leaks come back after you’ve been doing well, if the incision near your ankle looks red or swollen, or if you’re unsure how to use the charger.
Watch a short video
Hearing from someone who chose Altaviva can make the decision feel more real.
Keep reading
This is general education, not a diagnosis. All articles