I am currently waiting for a posterior prolapse repair operation which should be done early Feb! GP had told me may need hysterectomy but gynocologist I've seen today says not necessary just prolapse repair. Said he would happily do it if I wanted it though. My question is, should I opt for both while having one op or stick with the posterior repair and see how I go! I have a lot of urine leaking problems however he tells me bladder ok?? Very sore when I walk, which I think is due to bulge/pressure. Had a essay ring fitted 2 weeks who which has been a life saver 
Any advise on length of recovery greatly appreciated as he gave me very little info. I'm 37 with 2 children (13 and 12)
thanks xx
Hello jill. I presume you don't want any more children or the consultant wouldn't have mentioned the hysterectomy. It's difficult for anyone here to make that decision but speaking as someone who had to have a hysterectomy at 37 I have never regretted it. Your recovery time will be the same.
Hi Jill. I had a hysterectomy/bladder repair at 40 for same reasons as you. I never looked back. I was off work for three months, no lifting, reaching, bending etc. My children, three of them were so helpful doing things I couldn't like cleaning, ironing, anything which was needed really. My hubby took some holiday and helped out the first week I was home which was 10 days after surgery then, (1984)! I gradually got back to normal but was glad of three months away from work. If you don't want any more children, ever, it's probably your best option to do both at the same time. Best wishes. Pollyanna UK
Hello, thank you for your reply. No I definitely don't want anymore children! What would be the benefits of a hysterectomy at the same time? I am a private patient so self funding and the cost doesn't go up much for both procedures together.
I would rather have both done at same time but don't want us neccessary operation if not required if you understand. How would a hysterectomy benefit me from a prolapse point of view?
Thanks xxx
Thank you for your reply, this forum is great. I don't know anyone else who has experienced these problems and feel a bit embarrassed talking to friends! Thank you for your advise
Get a second opinion. My doctor gave me very little info also, and I regret I had her do the surgery....complications!
Yes I thought about doing that earlier. The problem I have is I am struggling to walk as so sore (grade 4 prolapse) so I have gone private. Can't afford 2nd opinion and if I wait on NHS could be weeks/months!!!!
Thansk for your reply xx
I can't see how a hysterectomy would help a rectocele. I thought the only kind of prolapse that a hysterectomy would help is a uterine prolapse.
I have a rectocele too and have read up a lot and not run across that recommendation.
Because you will not have pressure from the womb to contend with at a later date, which is a possibility if you're proan to them. Also will save time if you should need it done later. I had another prolapse, bowel or Rectocele in my fifties and this had to be repaired eventually but I had a good 15 years without all the problems prolapses can cause. I've been told this week that it's not such a good idea for older women to have these ops, (I'm 72 now) as the tissues get weaker with age. I've prolapsed again in the last two years because of that. Not sure of my next step until I've seen the gyne again as they're going to make me Plan! 
Watch this space! lol 
I also have a mild uterine prolapse hence the initial recommendation! Not at the same grade 4 stage the rectocele is at but will it eventually get worse?? That is my suspicion and do not want to go though another op!
Ah, that makes much more sense! Maybe you could ask your doctor when they guess that you will need a hysterectomy if you don't have one now. Needing surgery in 5 years is very different than needing it in 30 years.
Good idea to ask consultant how long before he thinks the uterine prolapse will need doing. It surely will if it's started already! If you're in the UK, I'm sure you will get a true answer. Can't speak for anywhere else though. lol Buy one get one almost free! Make your mind up time Jill. Good luck and keep us posted. X
I also had grade 4 prolapse. It started to affect my kidneys, as the urine backed up because the grade 4 kinked the ureters. Long story short..I would have gone into kidney failure and needed dialysis if I didn't get the repair. The docs don't caution about this because it only happens in less than 4% of the patients....but I was one of them...so get a second opinion if you can. The surgery is difficult,...make sure your doctor has done many of these. My doctor was young and inexperienced...and I found out that she let the Resident do the surgery. These young doctors need practice...but not on me anymore. The only way you can be sure that your doctor will actually do the surgery is to write on the consent form, that you are only consenting if your doctor does the surgery...then sign your initials next to your note. After that you can sign your name at the bottom of the form, and it will be legal.
Hi,
it's a very difficult decision for you but if you've aready got the start of a prolapse I would go for the hysterectomy. These things could stay the same but they don't get better and usually get worse.
When I saw the consultant for what I thought was a repair but with the bladder as well she said hysterectomy too and I was shocked and I said why and she just said otherwise you'll be back ,it won't last. She was very brusque and I wasn't happy and my doctor was shocked so I asked if I could have a second opinion otherwise I was going to pay for one . I did a lot of research and chose where to go in London and the doctor said I can refer you on the NHS ! so I went to a top consultant and I just said I'm confused,don't really want an op etc and they said exactly the same as the other one that I needed 2 repairs and a hysterectomy and I asked why and they said there would be not enough support, it would just come down again et cetera et cetera but no doubt I was quite bad and also I am older . I still did not really understand as so many people have just repairs but I trusted them. So 7 weeks ago I had it all done and the result does feel amazing but you can never be sure because you are so often sore and weak etc for some time. Yesterday I went back and had my checkup and they said all is absolutely fine , it's a very good result and that there is still healing going on for a few weeks, take it easy etc. Having read so much and heard all the horror stories I asked what are the chances of it lasting. They said well about 30% do fail at some point there is no guarantee with it but if you are sensible with no heavy lifting and try to avoid constipation etc the chances are it will last.
I felt I didn't have much choice but was pleased with the outcome. With you it's so hard to know how the future would be. I was living happily with the prolapse for some years but then it deteriorated quite rapidly and that's the point, you don't know if yours would stay the same or not.Get all the advice you can and make sure you have a good urogynaecologist with experience . Best of luck.
hallo Matron, It is 7 weeks since my rectocele repair. On the day I went in hospital the consultant came to see me on the ward and said Hysterectomy I said no, a rectocele op....He confused me, he may have meant should he remove uterus too! I'd had no problems or bleeding.. I worry that I should have had it removed as I don't need it due to being 70 Lol....still having bm problems.....seems as though I have a pouch in left buttock and have to push it sideways to expel! sorry to be so explicit but worried.... No follow up date with consultant.. I note on my permission form it says 'elective' surgery! so is that why no follow up, have a GP appointment next week so will tell of my problems..Disappointed that I am not alright !
Hi Jill
I was originally booked in for just a laparoscopy to remove my ovaries due to endometriosis. I had a posterior prolapse for many years and had really agreed to have it done this time whilst I was having surgery anyway and it was getting worse. I had a big discussion about having a full hysterectomy with the registrar and it was a case of not broken don't fix it !
On the morning of my surgery when the consultant came to see me he asked me again about the hysterectomy as I know what was his personal recommendation (the registrar was a woman !). So after me pointing out that the last thing I wanted was for him to wake me up from surgery and tell me I will need a hysterectomy in the future I gave him full consent to basically do whatever he felt was necessary.
To my surprise he didn't remove my uterus. Saying that i did end up having both anterior/posterior repair and he has done something to the top aswell !! I think my brain was on overload at this point so didn't really take the 3rd repair info in ! Really must ask him about that next time !!
I hope I don't regret that decision in the future but I know he is a consultant who was very pro full hysterectomy and I gave him consent to do so but when I woke he hadn't and said no need to !!! but I do want to add that I had I had the full hysterectomy I don't think it would have made any difference to recovery rate ! And I agree with the other ladies get as long off as you can to recover.
X
Hello pat. Elective surgery means planned surgery so you should be getting a follow up appointment. Ring your consultants secretary because you shouldn't have to be manually pushing to enable you to have a bm. I suppose if you're not having any problems with your uterus there wasn't any need to remove it but sometimes doctors prefer to just so it doesn't cause problems in the future.
Having a hysterectomy can prevent a lot of problems in the future particularly malignancy of which cervical cancer is the most common.
When I saw my consultant the other day he changed my vaginal ring pessary to a smaller one which was much better going in, however today when I'm walking I feel so sore! Nothing seems to be rubbing and sudocrem has helped but it's very red and swollen, has anyone else experienced soreness with prolapse? I had this prior to having the ring fitted so don't think it's connected, On the plus side, today I received letter from hospital with my date for surgery-5th Feb so not to long to wait, I cant wait to get this problem sorted!!!
Hello jill. I've never had a pessary fitted but seen lots of ladies who have. Soreness is common if the pessary isn't fitted properly or isn't the correct size. If you're having surgery on 5th February the last thing you want is any soreness in that area so my advice would be to stop using the pessary and allow that area to heal to avoid any infection prior to or following surgery.