Any positive prolapse surgery stories out there?

Women's health
1

Hello,

Just wondering if anyone happens to read this who has a positive story about long term recovery from prolapse surgery? There are a lot of scary stories about surgery but I would love to hear from any one who is happy with their surgery and if possible what type of prolapses/procedures they had. I'm planning to have surgery soon and just want to be 100% sure I choose the right procedure. Ive researched for ages and decided to spend the money and go private (gulp, lots of money!) but it has been like trying to make a decision in the dark- lots of horror stories, conflicting advice from specialists and I dont know of anyone who has had the surgery so I can ask them.

Thank you, any info appreciated!

2

I really hope you get some replies to this, I've asked similar questions in so many forums in the last few years and gotten no real replies. I think the problem is that when you have a problem and get it fixed you live your life and don't go on forums about that problem anymore, so I'm sure there are many success stories, we just don't hear about them. I'd also love to hear some though because I'm thinking about surgery (not that I've been offered any yet) and all the horror stories and even the less than perfect outcomes make me terrified and so discouraged. I hope you get some answers and things work out for you, best of luck :-)

3

I'm also wondering if there are any success stories.  I need surgery badly, but the mesh usually doesn't hold up until you get home from the hospital.

Could anyone tell me if they have the same symptoms as I do...you can actually feel the bladder coming through the vaginal wall, and it builds up urine, but it has a very hard time coming out.  Sometimes you get a tsp. out and then fifteen minutes later you have to run to the bathroom, and yet, it is still hard to get it all out of the bladder.  I feel bloated much of the time and I can gain as much as five lbs. in one night, and don't lose it for a few days.  I would appreciate any information I can get.  I am 67 yrs. old, and that is one reason I'm so concerned...age wise....thank you all!!

4

Dear Carole,

Google Double Voiding Technique - you need to wee, stand, do a few 'hoola hoops' with your hips and sit back down again. Use a toilet stool (raise your feet to wee and poo) You are 3 x more likely to suffer with rectal prolapse as well and need not to strain.

Managing your prolpase is key here, to stop it getting worse and from other organs from dropping down too.

Hope this helps.

S

5

It's just over 5 years since I had an anterior and posterior prolapse repair and I have never regretted it for one minute. Actually it's not completely true, when I had post op pain for a few weeks I did wonder if I'd done the right thing but I soon got over that. I returned to work after 13 weeks and after 6 months I was lifting again, nothing too heavy but after a year I carried on with life as I had done before. I had a very good Urogynaecologist who continues to do lots of research in this area so I was lucky but there's no reason why you can't have the same great outcome Jeen.

6

I am one week post op and so far doing okay.  My only problem has been not being able to sit in a chair or sofa.  I had a cystocele and they used cadaver tissue called A Cell to hold up my bladder. 

i am 66 so I too was concerned about my age.  

I did a lot of research also.   

Best of luck.  

7

Thank you, Kegal:  I really appreciate your advice..I am willing to give anything a try at this point.  I don't like surgery at all....

8

Hi Jeen,

I am in Canada and am 71 years old.  On July 3rd, I had a hysterectomy with anterior and posterior repairs.  The bladder prolapse was so bad that I could hardly pee at all sitting down pre-surgery.  I had to manually move stuff out of the road, void a little, wait a while, stand up and let gravity do its thing, sit down again, etc.  It was not fun.  Meanwhile, because of having bladder problems for so long it had bloated to a very large size which caused a stage 4 tear in my rectum which is why I had to have the posterior repairs. You asked what kind of surgery I had.

The first two weeks post surgery were no fun.  The main problem was constipation and urine leakage as well as some blood seepage. Sitting for about 6 weeks was "interesting" - I had a cushion with me at all times.  But with the support of the ladies in this forum, I got through those difficult days.

Two weeks post surgery, I was given permission by the surgeon to drive locally (I live in a rural area) during the day.  Three weeks post surgery I was allowed to drive anywhere.  Four weeks post surgery, I was allowed to go back to my part-time desk job (3 days a weeks).  Six weeks post surgery, the surgeon gave me the go ahead to go back to my normal life which includes looking after a country house (1/2 acre of grass to cut; salt to bring in for the water conditioner, etc) as well as returning as main caregiver for my disabled husband. 

I had one slight complication - a small blood clot which passed in 3 voids - painful and scary but as it turned out not serious.  This happened in week 7.  I am having a cystocopy on November 10th to confirm all is well - the urogynacologist I had is one of the best in the nearest city and she did a fine job. She did tell me when I saw her again in week 7 after the blood that it takes 6 months for most of the inner healing to take place and one year to be completely healed and so to call her if anything else happened but repeated that I resume normal life.  So far, nothing else.

Incidentally, she did use the mesh because she explained that given my age and my thin tissue, this gave me the best chance of long term success.  Only 1 out of more than 100 patients ever have issues with the mesh anyhow but of course the press and lawyers ignore these stats for their own reasons. And it was used by a very competent urogynacologist - not a gynacologist.

I am totally back to a normal life - certainly more normal than I have had in years.  I am almost four months post surgery and I have never felt better.  I would NOT go back to my pre-surgery days for all the tea in China and I would not put up with the discomfort I had for so long.  I only wish I had not been afraid and and had had the surgery sooner.

I have to say that instructions for patients vary from country to country - rules are more stringent in the UK.  They are different in Canada and the US.  I would certainly follow any instructions given to me by a urogynacologist anywhere.

To conclude, one of my best friends had this exact same surgery about 20 years ago.  She was totally fine after one week and had has no recurrence or complications since then.

So I agree with Matron.  Most of us go through this surgery with the expected discomfort but are delighted with the results.  I would not hesitate for one instance having the surgery but I would ensure it is done by a urogynacolosit.

Hope this helps.

Nickie

9

Jeen , I want to wish you the best with your surgery. You have done the right thing by asking others for their results and their experiences. There are both the horror strories you have mentioned as well as wonderful success stories that are indicated by the ladies on this forum.

If I were in pain, couldn't go to the bathroom properly , I would certainly be doing a lot of research to find the best surgeon and the best procedure. I would also be making sure I do everything the doctor suggests to do prior to that surgery to help maintain a good outcome.

So keep searching, keep asking questions and hope you find the best surgeon you need for your particular prolapse.

You have to do what is right for you and no matter what positive outcomes or negative outcomes you have read about, you make the final decision. Don't let anyone sway you one way or another. Once you find that right surgeon and you talk to other women who have used that surgeon and hear how they are doing, you will have your answer that you are so carefully looking for.

 

                      Blessings to you

                      Lynn

                                            

10

Jeen I'm sure your surgery and convalescence will go well and if course you've always got this website to fall back on if you need any advice or support. I had my surgery in a private hospital and benefitted from the high ratio of nurses to patients. Please remember surgery is often the last resort because of the other options available. Take care.

11

Hi Matron, I wonder if you have any advice for me, I am in the U.K and had a posterior repair op in January when I came to was told I need a anterior repair and hysterectomy which I had on 4th August so 12 weeks ago, I am still getting backache and pelvic pain, just had a post op  internal very painful. I am now having oestrogen pessaries for 3 months, when can I expect to feel better? Please 

12

Hello lesley. You have had 2 major operations within quite a short period of time so it will take a bit longer for you to recover. Most Urogynaecologists say it will take up to a year for you to recover and feel more "normal" again. One if the main reasons for the backache is due to the operation. Your legs are put into lithotomy poles and there has to be some pulling and pushing to perform the surgery. The oestrogen pessaries will help (I was prescribed them as well). They will help to thicken the vaginal wall and ease the discomfort that you felt when you were examined. I would expect your feeling weary and tired. This is probably due to the anaesthetic or in your case two of them plus any drugs you've been given. I think it's probably going to take another few months before you feel better lesley unfortunately so listen to your body and take things easy.

13

Thanks Matron because I was told by the consultant that the backache would be nothing at all to do with the surgery nor the pelvic pain but if I am on my feet more than an hour and a half I really ache. If I go to my doctor I get told it is because of the surgery, so very confusing. All I know is that before these 2 surgeries and having a ring fitted in between them both, I did not have any pain in my back or pelvis and I feel very down about it all and have been made to feel like I am making a fuss. Thanks for your reply 

14

The pain will settle lesley. Are you taking ibuprofen at all? That should help.

15

Hi Jeen,

Your original question was about positive post-surgery stories.  I answered you about my friend Judy and I's experience and great success.  Of course there are risks to anything - you take your life in your hand crossing the road...  but I can only repeat that the people I met in my surgeon's office post surgery in the four times I have seen her so far had all had positive outcomes.  I think your real research is in finding a really good surgeon.

Good luck.

Nickie

16

Hello,

I had a double rectocele in June this year, I am delighted with the overall result! My recovery was slow because I had a recurring infection, severe enough to be readmitted to hospital.  Four months on, apart from feeling very tired after doing very little, all is well. I cannot comment on sex as I am not in a relationship. I hope this is of help. My Surgeon would not use or even considering using mesh. I don't know where you live but to the best of my knowledge, in Scotland the mesh has been banned. 

Feel free to ask any questions!

 

17

You're correct ann currently mesh isn't being used in Scotland until the results of the research in England is completed. I think Wales is the same as well. However there are only a handful of Urogynaecologists in England who are taking part in the research and if a woman is referred to a consultant taking part she has the option of declining and it doesn't affect her care. 

18

hi sorry battery went I did take some in beginning but not now, I have a bad tummy but told if I have an omeprazole in morning I can take so may try again thanks

19

Yes Omeprazole is excellent for protecting your stomach lining if you take ibuprofen. Hopefully it will help you. Take care.

20

thanks, you take care to