When I found out I had a prolapse I felt relieved there was a reason for the stress incontinence which after relentless pelvic floor exercises has got no better. I currently live an active life with the miserable inconvenience of wearing Tenna pads. When I found out about the prolapse I thought that something could be done to help but now after reading so many post Op threads it doesn't look as simple as that. Has anyone had surgery which has left them fully fit and active? I've read so many stories now about not being able to ever lift children again, limited activities, is there any hope of a full recovery?
Hello sharon. There are hundreds of women on this forum who have had surgery and fully recovered. Who is the scaremongerer who says you'll never be able to lift children again? Rubbish! Of course you can't for about 8 weeks or so as with a lot of surgery. Surgery is preferential choice and you would obviously discuss this with your consultant. Some women have intensive physiotherapy with specialist physiotherapists. Of course something can be done. It's your choice as to what you decide.
Hi Sharon,
I too suffered from terrible stress incontinence so I had a TVT repair together with pelvic floor repair last February which has cured the incontinence but unfortunately I now have a bladder and bowel prolapse.
I am not sure if you are aware but you can't lift any heavier than 5 kilos ever and you cannot do any impact sport i.e running, zumba etc. I wasn't told this before the op and I started this again after 12 weeks which I do think contributed to the prolapse. I am glad the incontinence is cured but the reasons for me getting the op do not apply anymore as I can no longer run or go to zumba etc where I was having to wear tenna ladies. I would never have any surgery again and I am only 42!!
Thank you for your comments Matron but as you can see from the following comment by Debi, there is many of the opinion that lifting and impact sports are a no no post Op. The only reason I want something done is so that I can run, jump and lift with stress incontinence, if an Op means you can't do these things what's the point of surgery?? I don't understand!
debi I don't know who did your surgery but mine was performed by a urogynaecologist. I ensured this was the case not by going privately but by using the Choose and Book system so I could choose where I had the surgery and who would perform it. I had the operation a few years ago. I do Zumba, run and lift things over 5 kilograms ie my grandchildren and have had no ill effects. In fact after my 2nd follow up appointment I was told it was ok to do so. I would go back to your GP and ask for a referral to a urogynaecologist who will have done extra training to earn that title.
If you weren't told that you couldn't do impact sports or lift post Op, who has since given you this information?
Sharon you can't do these things at first but see my reply to debi.
I'm still waiting for first appointment with hospital and haven't got my head round whose who and what's what, is there a choice between who you are treated by, what's a urogynaecologist?
You do have a choice when it comes to your treatment and I think that's so important especially with delicate surgery as this. I suppose as a nurse with friends who are also nurses I ensured I got the right advice. A urogynaecologist is a consultant gynaecologist who has undertaken extra training prior to becoming a consultant. This training is up to an extra 6 years working alongside other urogynaecologists operating on ladies who need bowel, bladder and uterine repairs. It's a complicated type of surgery because of all the pelvic floor muscles and it's so important to ensure these are properly supported. I would not have been happy if a gynaecologist had done my operation. It's ok for hysterectomies etc but not repairs. Hope this helps. If you know who you are seeing Google his/her name or look on the hospital website.
Hi, I just had my 6 week follow up. I went to a urogynocologist. She is terrific. I am so happy I don't need to wear a pessary. Yes, recovery is difficult bc you need to rest rest rest...no bending at all, and doing the steps only 3/5 x a day. I stayed in bed for a full week...only walking 3-4 mins every hour. I found that even lifting 2bath towels was heavy. What I did learn using this site has been very valuable. As well, in Ontario, Canada., the doctors stress never stresses pelvic lifts after surgery, just REST. My specialist told me to easy slowly into activities. Each person is different. I will have another follow up with her in 6 months. I am so happy I did the surgery. Each one of us is different. Look into a urogynocologist.
OK thanks, I've just had my first appointment cancelled and waiting to receive information about booking a new appointment, very frustrated. Nice to hear these is hope of a full recovery, worth going along to see what they say at least!
OK so there are normal gynaecologists and urogynaecologists, are there any other types of surgeons who I might come across re this problem, it's clear uro... are more experienced and better trained!
Absolutely. Listen to the options. The urogynaecologist who performs operation has 2 physiotherapists working alongside him. They see women who don't opt for surgery or women who may not be suitable for the operation. They are specialist physios who help women to improve their bladder control. My friend is having her operation in 2 weeks time. She opted for the consultant who performed my operation because of the excellent results I've had. She's also a nurse and has been very impressed with his knowledge etc. Remember sharon it's your body and your choice. Don't cut corners with an operation like this one. Insist on the best!
Hello Sharon
Just saw that you tried pelvic floor exercises, did you also try kegals relentlessly as well? I did the kegals three times a day and 30 kegals each time and it took three months to notice the difference of not having to pee so often.
I also didn't want the operation because I walk for miles each day and do like to exercise and also have to lift heavy things from time to time. I created a support prolapse panty that will be on the market very soon, but its just in its test pilot stages right now in California. There is another support garment called Fembrace but that garment seems to work better on pregnant women. Mine is for everyone and it is very affordable and not confining at all but does the job of support your prolapse if it has fallen down to your opening of you lady parts.
I hope you did try the kegals faithfully because they did work for myself and other ladies I have spoke to on the internet. Not saying it works for everyone. Good luck with it all and I wish you the best no matter what your final decision is.
Hello lynn. I and I'm sure a lot of other women are looking forward to you launching your product. I'm sure it will benefit so many women.
Thanks Matron, it really will help them. I felt like a million dollars the first time I put my home made creation on my own prolapse bladder. It was such a weight lifted off my shoulders to be able to walk around and no longer have this prolapse rear its ugly head.
I first made it for myself without any thoughts after that. Until I realized how many other women were just like me, not in pain, not wanting an operation but just trying to keep their prolapse up inside of themselves. I am so happy if I can do something to change their lives and give them the same relief that I felt when I first felt the support.
I hope everyone can find a solution that works for them. Thats what counts, if you can find the right solution and you are happy with it, thats the key.
I think what you are doing is wonderful. Surgery isn't right for everyone and even if it is the time just may not be right and then of course there's the waiting list! Something like this could give women time to delay the inevitable or even give them the option not to have surgery. Just think of a young mum with young children. I couldn't have had surgery at that time. Good luck lynn.
That is my goal Matron. To just try to help those who are in distress at the moment. Those who are just learning what this is and what their options are. It was terrifying when I first felt that lump coming out of myself. I thought it was a tumour growing. No one ever told me about a prolapse bladder and I had no idea the bladder could start falling down and protruding out of our vagina. That was just not something any women wants to even think about, let alone experience it. Do you know that prolapse is the world largest secret epidemic. Nobody wants to be the poster girl for prolapse bladder and no one wants to talk about it when you mention it, until I tell someone I have one and then they open up all of a sudden. There are women out there suffering silently all the time because they are either afraid to go to the doctor or they are just so embarrassed and ashamed they don't know what to do. Its very sad and I am going to bring prolapse out of the closet. I write for five newspapers and I am going to have them do a feature article on prolapse and try to reach some of those women who are afraid or alone.
I look forward to reading about it
I will let you know when if publishes. I have to line up all my ducks in a row. So first my test pilots must be completed and them my new web site will be set up. This is not something that can be rushed but its just around the corner. I have been working on this for months now to get to this place in my work. Thanks for your support Matron.