Hi, Hope for some advice on a stage 4 prolapse that my consultant has said the best way forward is to have a hysterectomy and a repair, its all a bit of a shock at present, I have had a pessary fitted that has elevated the symtoms a little but been told not to stand for more than an hour or lift anything, have been really groggy for a week and am due for the operation in a week. would most appreciate any advice.
best wishes Ann
Hi Ann
I feel for you, prolapses are so very uncomfortable. I can only tell you that having the hysterectomy was the best thing I have ever done, even though I was told the success rate is only 37% and that there was a possibility my bladder would not cope (it was referred to as tissue paper) and talk of a bag etc. It put me off for a while, but as well as my bladder going south, my bowel decided to join it. In the end I thought the op has got to be better than this. It was spoiling all my keep fit, which I love, and even walking the dog was extremely uncomfortable. He! he! I am laughing about pessaries, I had one fitted and it was fine for about a week and then I lost it down the toilet! I was so very sore after that, so I refused to have another fitted.
There is another twist to my little tale, my surgeon, Mr El Gorigor is a fantastic man who has had to put me through my paces with measuring my over active bladder, leading me through giving up lots of foods so that the bladder and bowel are not irrirated and then he did my op. My first sight when I came round was my surgeon waving his arms in the air and saying 'tell me I am wonderful, it was a complete success, everything had gone left and down, so I have replaced the bowel higher up and the bladder higher up, then I looked at your womb and because it was a perfect specimen for a woman of 65 and because you had done the work to get ready for this op, I decided to put it back!' He did make me laugh, and I remember thinking, gosh I must be okay because I am laughing! Apparently the womb being reinserted keeps everything in place so less chance of another prolapse!
I had to put my feet up for 2 hours midday every day. It certainly helped with the pressure.
I had no pain with the op, can you believe that? I have sailed through recovery, from day 1 I was walking and climbing stairs, and Day 3 I was back walking my dog (she is very gentle on the lead) and every day I increased my walking. Now starting week 6 and feel amazing. I just cannot thank my lovely surgeon enough for giving me my quality of life back.
No one can advise you Ann, it is your decision, but having a stage 4 prolapse, it is not going to get any better without the surgery, but you must do all the instructions to the letter when you are in recovery. No lifting, rest in between walking, drink plenty and you will be fine.
Let me know what you decide.
Love
Jacqui 
Hi Jacqui, oh you have made my day to receive such a lovely message, you sound as if you have a wonderful doctor but you seem to have been the perfect patient and I am so happy to. Hear you are progressing so well after a difficult time.
this all happened last week really so the main problem was that the prolapse went very South and of course I couldn't stand and everything
internally became very painful, I did have a pessary fitted within a day by my GP, after 2 attempts and it was so painful she realised I had a infection too, I actually felt sorry for her as she knew something had to happen and
persevered bless her unfortunately it came out that night so I was back to square one, I realised that I needed to see a specialist who does this sort of thing all of the time, she was marvellous and explained that in her
opinion a hysterectomy was the best option with a repair, but this includes my womb but hopefully not ovaries. I travel quite a lot and I am always
busy particularly with my. Grandchildren, I like to play golf when I have the time so I suppose it makes sense to have the belt and braces approach.
it really helped to hear from you but wasn't quite sure if you had a vaginal hyterectomy or not, I do hope you soon get back to A1 fitness and keep in touch.
love and appreciation Ann x
Hi Ann. I had a vaginal hysterectomy with posterior and anterior repair on 24th February. Mine was also done very quickly from referral. It was much easier than I expected. Because of both repairs I had to stay in two nights as the catheter wasn t removed until two hours before discharge. I came home and felt really well apart from being tired. Bladder worked straight away and bowel action resumed after four days. I was so well I even went supermarket shopping with hubby on day six. Short outing and I did nothing but walk in the shop! Unfortunately I developed a chest and an internal infection the following day and was re admitted to hospital. This was just bad luck. I am now ten weeks post op. Everything is good and we had a holiday abroad at eight weeks. I was discharged after my six week review. I wouldn't t hesitate to have it done . My life is so much better without the prolapse problem I had suffered in silence for ages. This forum is really supportive and helpful. Good luck and keep in touch. Message me if you want to ask anything. Claire
Hi Ann
Lovely to hear from you. Yes I had a vaginal hysterectomy, from listening to the ladies on this forum this does seem to have the fastest recovery rate. Also right from the start you can bend and stretch a bit and are quite flexible.
I know you will be out of action with regard to your golf and picking up the grandchildren etc but I think it is well worth it to be fighting fit again and get your quality of life back.
I went up a very steep hill we have here in Norfolk the other day and I wasn't puffing or panting at all, well maybe Rosie the Shih Tzu was! So I have my full fitness back, even without doing my Zumba, cannot do that for at least 3 months and maybe longer, but I am doing 25 flights of stairs a day and increasing each week. The neighbours think I am a bit funny, but what the heck!
Take care
Love
Jacqui
Hi Claire, thank you so very much for your message, you have put my mind at rest re. Bladder and bowel problems that the consultant said could occur, I am not looking forward to the catheter part though.
i have also been told that we are given antibiotics which is a bit of a problem for me as I am so allergic to many of them and to certain anathetics .
i am so pleased to hear that you have made such a good recovery although I you must have had difficult times.
so pleased to hear you have had a holiday too, did you fly?
i live in France part of the time so was told not to fly until 8 weeks after theop.
i have a wonderful holiday booked early August with my grandchildren so want to be fit for that, I am missing picking them up at the moment and the y are missing me doing lots of things with them.
i am not very good at stopping still!
so thankyou again for you heartwarming response.
kindest regards Ann x
Hi Jacqui, wow! That's amazing that you are climbing hills and stairs, don't worry about the neighbours I bet they think you are a very deternined lady, you are certainly an inspiration to me as like you I would like to do as much as I can to get my fitness back slowly and surely.
i am now starting to feel that I will go ahead withe hysterectomy, my consultant is away in Italy this week so I don't know much more than she can fit me in next Thursday.
thank you again, and keep well.
love Ann x
Hi again Ann. Don t worry about the catheter. You really won t notice it and I felt nothing when it came out. The worst thing is the pack in the vagina which stayed in until the morning after the op. It's just uncomfortable with the pressure. We flew to Majorca for the holiday and it was no problem. The flight was two and half hours. We re also due to fly to Madeira which is four hours later this month. I was back driving my car at three weeks. Post op. Please don t hesitate to ask any other questions. Claire
Hi Claire, thanks for the info. I think because everything is happening so quickly it's just sinking in, really would like to ask the consultant a few more questions before hand. I wonder if there will be a pre op discussion, at present I am booked in for an 8am surgery next Thursday.
i am pleased to hear the catheter isn't a problem.
I have problems with my knees and wonder about the operation with my
legs in strirups for the operation too.
I do have a few problems with meds and have past history of problems.
I don't want to be perceived as a troublesome patient and let them have
the wrong idea ofmy concerns.
i love Majorca too and that is where we are going in August.
not long returned from a cruise through Panama canal and South America then on to NZ. For a month.
thanks again it's great to receive some reassurance.
love Ann x
Ann I have had seven major orthopaedic surgeries to my leg and ankle in the past six years and my ankle is now fused. I told the anaesthetist on admission and he ensured I was fine in the stirrups. I have a leg length difference so was concerned. I had no problems with the leg post op. I got to see a Gynae doctor the morning of surgery and you could discuss concerns then if you can t get to speak to them before admission.
Thanks Claire, that's good advice, oh dear you have been through it bless you, hope you will continue to have good health.
thanks again, I will discuss my concerns as you suggest.
Ann x
Hi Ann
I am now post op after a vaginal hysterectomy and anterior (bladder) repair and I feel brilliant!! I had a stage 3 prolapse and suffered discomfort more than pain but I did not want it to get worse (particularly as I was in a new relationship!)
I was first on the list for my op at 9.30. By lunchtime I was sitting up in bed eating lunch and 3 cups of tea. I had no pain or discomfort at all and apart from a little soreness on the first night, I had nothing thereafter. I was signed off for 6 weeks which felt more like a holiday than convalescence. Was jogging again at 5 weeks and back to work at 6 weeks. I can honestly say I didn't feel as if I had had an operation at all. I know from other discussions I've read, I am one of the very lucky ones but all I can say to you is don't worry about it at all, particularly if you are having a vaginal procedure as the recovery rate is very good.
Best wishes and don't worry as the worrying is worse than the op!!
Shani
xx
Hi Shani, Thanks for the message it is great to hear from you and to know how well you have come through, Yes you are right about the worry, I think because it is happening quite fast it is the logistics and planning for the coming weeks, it doesnt help that I dont live in the UK all the time and the doctor said not to travel for 4 weeks before the op, I am waiting to hear from consultants secretary today to know about a pre-op discussion. I wondered if you had any swelling with your prolapse as my tummy seems very swollen and all my clothes feel tight including my bra, I suspect that this will also be the case afterwards too.
Thanks for your help, this really is a very reassuring forum for us all.
KIndest regards Ann x
Hi Ann
I was fortunate in a way that I didn't have much in the way of symptoms before my prolapse was diagnosed - just an episode of feeling swollen underneath when I had a shower. During the time I had to wait for a doctor's appointment this wore off and my symptoms went away, so I was quite shocked when the doctor diagnosed a grade 3 prolapse. The consultant gave me the option of just leaving it to see how it progressed, having a pessary inserted to hold things in (which would need medical intervention to change it periodically - yuk!) or to have a hysterectomy and a bladder repair (apparently what I could feel down below was my bladder falling out!) - I decided that I would go straight for the hysterectomy and repair. I'm 61, so no decision with regard to future babies and through the menopause and with a very new relationship to think about, I just wanted it sorted permanently. I have to say I think it was the best decision I could have made as I feel fitter and better in myself since it was done. I would strongly recommend that if they don't mention having the procedure done vaginally then ask them. From the posts I have read on this forum it is far and away the best option as you have no external wound to worry about. I had no pain or discomfort at any time during my post op weeks and I'm sure it was mainly due to not having the op done abdominally.
Best of luck - let us know how you get on.
Shani
x
Hi Ann
I was reading your post to Shani, I was just like you, a very swollen tummy, it felt quite lumpy in places, I kept getting hubby to have a look as I thought something very untoward was going on, and everything was tight, but it was just where all the organs were out of place. A lot of the ladies told me about 'swelly belly' after the op, so I got lots of baggy clothes ready, but I did not need them thank goodness, I went straight into my tight jeggings, and leggings and tight tops, he! he! I feel 30 years younger and I am dressing like a teenager but what the heck! I am 7 stone 6 pounds, my correct weight minus 2 pounds, my surgeon says this is the optimal weight to stay at for my newly placed organs not to have any strain on them. So I am enjoying wearing clothes again.
Sorry I am rambling again, it is the joy factor, what I am trying to say is that not everyone is swollen up after the op. Not sure if it is luck or how your body reacts to the op. Hopefully you will feel wonderful after your op, just the fact that your organs will be back in their rightful place will make you feel a million dollars!
Love
Jacqui
Hi Ann
Thank you so much for your lovely words. I just want you to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel (sorry no pun intended!) and to assure you that once your prolapses are back in their rightful place, you will be absolutely amazed at how good you feel. You get so used to the pressure and uncomfortableness and it becomes the norm so when everything is fixed it is life changing.
I live on a retirement complex and two other ladies had their ops before me, and to watch their progress and how they soon bounced back to fitness really encouraged me.
The only problem you are going to have is keeping yourself in check and not doing certain things until you are allowed, because you will feel so fit. So don't worry about your fitness level, just having the op will put you ahead of where you were before.
That would be brilliant if you could have your op next Thursday, you will be on the road to recovery in no time.
Love
Jacqui
Hi Jacqui,
Thanks again for your encouragment it has made such a difference.
I have now heard all is scheduled for next Thursday and I will go for the pre-assessment early next week.
My own doctor rang me today who further explained that because my uterus has dropped too that the hyterectomy is the way forward, at present my only concern is that my tummy seems very swollen so I have been told that if it becomes painful or I have a temperature I must ring them.
It is so lovely to be in touch with lovely ladies like you as it has really helped me come to terms and I do now feel it is the right decison.
So keep well and happy and I will think f all you have said.
love Ann xx
Hi Ann
So glad everything is in place for you. Don't forget to take some oil of peppermint with you. 2/3 drops in a glass of water 3 times a day, stops the 'gas' pain, works a treat. Have you got your case packed yet?
He! he! I bet your mind is all over the place thinking what needs to be done etc etc. Just stay calm, remember it helps the healing process the calmer you are before the op. There are some amazing relaxing meditation videos on YouTube, I have recorded lots and use them for hubby and me twice a week. Keeps us sane.
Let me know how you get on Ann, stay in touch. I agree this forum is wonderful, it has been of great help to me.
Love
Jacqui
Thanks Jacqui, you did make me laugh, no haven't packed the case yet! Just gathering the goods, had to go and buy big knickers and some baggy trousers for my extended tum, I much prefer fired clothing.
will get the peppermint oil, it's on the list!
yes I will keep in touch and let you know how I get on at the pre-assessment.
thanks again, could do with you coming with me!
lots of love Ann x
Hi Shani, thanks for your lovely message, I really feel fortunate to receive all the experience and advice, spoken to my doctor today who has also confirmed that vaginal is the best way forward, I will be ready armed with all the advice, coming to terms with it all now and if I am honest I know it has to happen, hope my swollen tummy will go down after the op!
like you I am in my 60's but in spirit 39, so need to get back to a fitter self and doing all the things I like.
look after yourself will keep you updated.
love Ann