The surgeon I have seen told me that he wanted to treat my rectocele with mesh because the weakened wall has buldged out into my vaginal wall. and then suspend the bladder. I have read a lot of the forum posts.. My question is are there different kinds if mesh? Is there an alternative surgery to the mesh? I'm afraid of a reaction to the mesh. What should I expect as far as pain after surgery and what can I buy to prepare for after care of the surgery? Recovery time I know depends on the person. What has been your experience thus far. I encourage all to respond. Thank you
Very interested in seeing answers to your questions as well. Thanks for posting.
Hi Gypsy,
We are all so different but we share a problem. I had both a bladder and uterine prolapse. Six weeks, 4 days ago, I had a hysterectomy with antierior and posterior repair. Where are you from? That matters because in Europe, you have Movicol available whereas we don't in North America. Today is my 71st birthday so age is not always an issue - medical conditions are. If you are being offered the surgery, I would say go for it while you can. I have had to take medication for years to allow my bladder to empty and on Friday, my urologist said there is no more problem. And not dealing with the prolapses is a blessing. Lynn has a device which is helpful but having the surgery and getting rid of the problem in the end is so much easier.
There is no question that the first week is the week from hell. But each day after that is better and better. The common problems I have seen on all the forums has been constipation (use Movicol if it is available to you); fatigue - it's major surgery. Urine leakage - it goes away with time (none for me for the last 3 days) and swelling - that can last a coupld of months. They don't tell you of any of these things because not everyone gets them. I have a friend who had the surgery 10 years ago and had no post-op problems at all. Some have had more than I have. You did say you know recovery depends on he person. Absolutely true. In my case, once I dealt with the constipation, I was fine in just over two weeks and have been declared totally fit to do anything I want last Friday (6 weeks exactly) by my uro-gynocological surgeon - say that fast 3 times!
Whatever you decide, most here are happy to help in any way we can. I do know I would have gone totally mad without this forum in the first two weeks post surgery not knowing what was going (remember my friend with no issues!).
Good luck and God bless. Let us know how you are faring out.
Nickie
Hello. There has been some controversy about the mesh but if you live in the UK the use of the mesh is very closely monitored and is only used by Urogynaecologists who have undergone specialist training so it can't be used by just any surgeon. The research into it's use is still ongoing and not every woman is a suitable patient. But rest assured your consultant will put your needs first. As far as pain is concerned everyone is different. I know of ladies who haven't needed any pain relief, others that have needed it for a few months. The important thing is to ensure you have your bowels opened regularly and you'll be given medication to help. You've put up with this prolapse for a long time, if it's concerning you perhaps the time is right for surgery.
Hello
i am scheduled for cystocele surgery in October and my urogyn will be using what is called A Cell for my bladder prolapse repair. This is tissue from a cadaver, human or animal. I understand this is the strong and after about three months it dissolves and blends with your own tissue for bonding. I am in the US and don't know if this is available where you are.
Thank you and the best to you.
My prolapse was repaired using porcine membrane and after 5 years it is still holding well.
I live in Austin Texas and I'm seeing a rectol and colon surgeon.
I'm in Austin Texas and will show my surgeon your response and ask about this option as well.
I wonder if it is the same type of tissue that I am getting.
Thats great news!
Probably is frances because it is used a lot
I had mesh inserted but don't know what kind. I lived with my recocele for several years - it just kept getting worse. It caused bowel leakage - I never knew when I'd have to go clean myself. It kept me from wanting to have sex to being concerned about being out in public. I always wore a panty liner, kept wet wipes with me, and often an extra pair of underpants, in case. I was miserable. I am nearly 60 - but that has nothing to do with it...
Since the surgery I have not had that issue. That has been a blessing. I will say the first weeks after the surgery was very painful - whether the additional work because of inserting the mesh, I don't know.
I am having some problems with urine leakage but at the time of the surgery did not have much so the surgeon didn't address it. I'm doing Kegel exercises and trying to empty my bladder more often. Now I'm wearing panty liners for that reason but have had no major accidents.
My surgeon said the mesh they use now should cause no problems. I don't know what alternatives there might be - we didn't discuss any options. I do know that here in the US there is a clinical trial for an alternative - I wish I had more info for you.
After surgery, rest, rest, rest. Have someone to help you, bring food, etc.. Have some cold packs so you can keep one or two in the freezer to switch out. Use whatever pain meds the doctor prescribes, but be aware that some can cause constipation. That may be a huge issue - it was for me. Start with a mild laxative (Miralax for me) before you go in for surgery and keep taking it so you don't get constipated. Even though the surgeon didn't touch the rectum, because it is up against the vagina it stretches the vagina when you have to go. So do not get constipated.
If you have other specific quesstions, please continue the discussion. Hope this has helped.
Hello Raesue,
I have at last found someone who has had a positive surgery as far as anal prolapse is concerned.
I am also your age and this has been a nightmare for the last 5 years.
I have been in contact with a few very unhappy ladies with unsuccesful surgeries.
There is no garment for this type of prolapse.
If one cannot do these exercises to help the pelvic and anal muscles because of discomfot you are left just getting worse.
Not many ladies realise how diffiuclt it is to live with this type of prolapse which in my case is connected with a mobile uterus at entrance of vagina, and a bladder which at present is behaving itself.
Get a little leakage here and there.
Eager to hear a little bit about you symtoms prior to surgery if you dont mind me asking.
Also could you let me know what this clinical trial for an alternative is and where are these trials in the States.
I wake with discomfort early morning from lying on back and bottom.
Sitting even worse.
Relieved with standing and walking but remains still there in a subtle way.
I have no constipation, but have been told internal prolapse which appears to be more than contreversal.
I have some incomplete evacuation with a need to wipe several times.
All this is getting worse and finally ventral rectopexy offered, however have found some ladiies who have had surgery with no success.
Very few people post on here after a successful result and I am more than pleased to make contact.
Best Sandra
Well I met with the Physical Therapist today to start working on pelvic floor exercises. I also called my OB and expressed my hesitation of inserting the mesh and that I wanted to try the skin fold procedure first. Its a asurgery she can do verses the rectal/ colon surgeon that wanted to so the mesh. I am still keeping my consult with him on the 31st to hear him out and I have one set up with my OB on the 9th to hear her out. OPTIONS! In the mean time I will work on my pelvic floor exercises.
Hello Matron,
Can I ask who did your surgery.
I have been offered surgery for the anal end Ventral Rectopexy with mesh non biological.
I am assuming yours was a uterine suspension surgery.
I have had some conflicting gynaecological and colorectal advice, however I do not think any prolapse is that straight forward.
If I have a hysterectomy and anterior repair this may not help the sliding of my bowel.
I have anal discomfort on waking and sitting.
This now has led to weak anal sphincter muscles.
And some faecal accidents.
So I am getting worse.
So very hard to do anal sphincter exercises when you have a feeling on an object in you bottom.
I am assuming your surgery was mesh with uterine surgery to suspend the womb and bladder.
All the best.
Raesue,
Just asking was your surgery ventral recopexy.
Mesh inserted via the tummy?
So really good to hear positivity just cant believe it.
Thanks
Hello sandra. I had an anterior and posterior prolapse (bowel and bladder). I had a hysterectomy in 1990. I had my prolapse surgery 5 years ago and porcine membrane was used, not the mesh that is used now. I had trouble having my bowels opened due to the position of the prolapse. When I was referred I insisted I was seen by a Urogynaecologist as apposed to a gynaecologist. This was because for a surgeon to be called a Urogynaecologist he/she must have undergone considerably longer training at a specialist gynaecology department. Hope that helps.
If you are told what is going to be used prior to surgery and have the right kind of surgeon, I would not worry.
I am just over 7 weeks post hysterectomy with both cystocele ane rectocyle repairs. I was assured that the mesh they use now is very different from that used some years ago which deteriorated. There is still some fear of "mesh" but I am not concerned. My Uro-Gynocologist does this surgery exclusively. She has no patients of her own - you need a referral from another specialist to get her. I am 71 but was driving for short periods 2 weeks post surgery; full driving 3 weeks post surgery and back to work 4 weeks post surgery. At the six week check-up, I was given go ahead to do anything I used to do before surgery except for long baths and pools.
This morning, there seemed to be a lot of pressure on my bladder when I got up and I couldn't go immediately. I had not had any hesitation in voiding since the surgery - not even 12 hours post surgery. Suddenly there was a small pain and I voided. When I got up, there was a blood clot! Needless to say I was on the phone with the surgeon's office - there is always a doctor on call who answers. Apparently passing small blood clots preceded by some pain occurs in many patients from week 7 to week 12-13 so unless I start bleeding like a period, there is nothing to worry about. It is the residual from the "melting" of the sutures around the new mesh used. Who knew.
I have had a full day with shopping, housecleaning and the usual "stuff" plus care-giving for my husband. All is still OK since this morning.
This kind of thing is really frightening and then you are told - oh that happens often, don't worry about it. Call back if the bleeding resumes like a period then the surgeon will see you immediately. Further bleeding is unlikely but it's the first time I have been given any information BEFORE it happens.
My beef is WHY DO THEY NOT TELL YOU OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. Not all of us are going to suffer from all the possible post-surgery maybes and knowing this could happen would have saved me a lot of grief until I spoke with a doctor this morning.
Let us know what you decide Gypsy. This forum is a lifeline.
Hello - I am brand new here and I want to thank you for sharing information re your experiences. I have not sought medical help yet but since menopause (last period Nov. 2014) seems to have begun, issues are getting a bit worse. Reading about your experience and those of others is helping me to take the first steps in dealing with my issues. No pain, just bulging of vaginal wall outside body (like a ball or a balloon) as well as having to manually assist in bm's due to uterus leaning back on top of bowel and bowel prolapsing into vagina. Problem began in 1993. Right now I am in the learning phase so I want to thank everyone who has posted here since this information is so very important to those of us who don't know what (if anything) do do about these embarrassing and private issues.
Dear Annarbor,
If you have specific questions, please ask. What you have is called a "rectocele". I suffered with mine - having often bowel (and flatulence) incontenence which my doctors couldn't' diagnose. I finally did some Internet research and realized my problem was from that bulge that you describe. I went to my gyn and told him that the rectocele is causing the bowel incontenence and he immediately refered me to a surgeon.
Since healing from my surgery the incontenence has mostly disappeared. I so grateful that I followed through with this as it was affecting my self-confidence. It was a difficult surgery to recover from. I'm 59...
The ladies on this forum are very helpful. Hope you get your questions answered!
Hi Ann Arbor - You will have read that I am 71 and had a hysterectomy with anterior (uterus falling out and detached) and posterior (everything leaning on rectum and it was severely torn causing problems at that end too) 8 weeks ago today. It was very successful and if you have the right uro-gynocologist doing the surgery, I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone. My only issues were post surgery. They normally tell you nothing because apparently, some people don't have these issues. Reading these forums would make me think this is unlikely but my best friend had the same surgery in her 40s and had no post-op issues. Bottom line is that the problems have been fixed and my life is great compared to pre-surgery - once the post-op issues were resolved. I had a new one this week - a sudden blood clot. The pain was atrocious - as bad as the day after surgery - but that too is passed. The operation is major so it's no picnic but well worth it in the long run. I was told the first 6 weeks post-op are important but "stuff" can happen for 3 months, then 6 months and complete healing takes one year. But if you can do everything you want, go for it.
These forums saved my sanity post-op. Because I was not told of any of the possible issues, and my best friend had had none, I thought I was going mad or that I would never be well again. The most common problems seem to be with temporary incontinence - mine took 6 1/2 weeks to go away and CONSTIPATION. That hurts and is so not inevitable.
No issue is private here. We all share stuff you would not mention to your husband. I did learn one important thing - call the doctor if he/she is available. They will tell you what is "normal" post-op for some people and what is not and what is allowed and not allowed for YOU. And if you can't reach anyone, there is always all of us to pass on any experiences and encourage you in any way we can.
Keep in touch - we do care for each other.
Again, important question to ask of surgeon - do they have someone do answer your questions post-op.