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Operation for prolapse repair

(33 Posts)
Claudiaclaws Sun 29-Sept-19 23:33:15

I am due to have an operation for repair of bladder, rectum and vagina. I am extremely concerned that my bladder and urethra which are extremely uncomfortable will be worse or indeed become incontinent after the op. My vagina is very painful too.
Does anyone have any experience of this, and have any advice please.

Persistentdonor Mon 30-Sept-19 08:04:21

No advice, sorry, but wishing you well. flowers

Nortsat46 Mon 30-Sept-19 08:12:07

So sorry to hear this.
I have experience of waiting for an operation which is needed and dreaded. That can be a lonely place, even with the support of family and friends.
I have no advice to offer, but am sending you every good wish. ?
I hope you will post again, when you are well on the road to recovery.

Auntieflo Mon 30-Sept-19 08:15:56

Claudiaclaws. My sympathy to you.
Tomorrow I am going in for a prolapse repair.
It's title is Sacro Spinal Fixation, but doesn't include the rectum.
I'll let you know how I get on, when I am compos mentis again

Merelina Mon 30-Sept-19 10:07:16

I had a Sacro Spinous fixation on 1st July. I was in hospital for two nights, the first day I had a pack and a catheter. I was dreading the catheter coming out and like you fearful of water works problems. I had none. All was fine, and I can't tell you how (12 weeks on) wonderful it is not to have a sagging undercarriage. I don't think I realised just how debilitating I was finding it. I took it easy for the first two weeks, (Wimbledon luckily) and then felt fine. I was, and am still being, careful about lifting and general overexertion. Very good luck with the op - you will feel SO much better for it.

Merelina Mon 30-Sept-19 10:08:54

Also Good Luck to Auntieflo - will think of you tomorrow.

GrandmaMoira Mon 30-Sept-19 10:54:45

Claudia - I had hysterectomy with bladder and rectum repair for prolapse. When I first got out of bed after the op I could not believe how much better I felt - I could move and sit comfortably without a "tennis ball" in the way. I had very little pain though it was quite a long time to get my energy back.

newnanny Mon 30-Sept-19 11:27:00

For those of you having surgery, I think you are very brave. Just keep thinking about how much better you will feel once it is all over. Best of luck. Let us know how it goes.

glammanana Mon 30-Sept-19 11:35:34

I hope you all feel as good as I did after this procedure,take all the help offered by friends and family.

Sparklefizz Mon 30-Sept-19 11:55:51

And if you are getting the start of a prolapse of any sort, I recommend following the exercises (much more than basic pelvic floor exercises) on this DVD to pull it all up yourself and thus avoid surgery. hab-it pelvic floor DVD for incontinence, prolapse or pelvic floor pain, available from "that South American river website" (not sure if I'm allowed to mention it grin

I had prolapses front and back and not only have I saved myself surgery, but I did not even have to work my way through the whole DVD!! As a top-up I do a quickie version for a few minutes each morning along with some yoga stretches, and 4 years later all is still well.

Auntieflo Mon 30-Sept-19 14:42:46

Merelina thanks for the encouraging post, and best wishes and good luck to all who have impending operations.

Claudiaclaws Mon 30-Sept-19 20:08:37

Hi Everyone, Thank you for all your replies. Sorry I havent answered sooner but I have only just logged on.
Merelina, mine is to be a Spinofixation as well. I did have a repair in 2012 which was successful, but needed very badly again. Last time when I had the catheter removed the nurse was really rather quick and rough, and I am determined to ask them to be gentle and do it slowly.
I can't tell you all how worried I am, I am suffering from a shocking back as well and sciatica,but must go ahead, I'm becoming incontinent as well which is so upsetting.
Last time I was in for 5 days but I'm sure they are discharging patients sooner, because of the bed shortage and the risk of infection.
Auntieflo, I hope all has gone well for you, and look forward to reading your updates.
Thank you to you all for your posts. all so supporting. X

Claudiaclaws Mon 30-Sept-19 20:12:54

That should have been supportive!

nanou Mon 30-Sept-19 20:19:19

Sorry everyone probably a silly question but how do you know you have a prolapse vagina, bladder or rectum?

Jane43 Tue 01-Oct-19 10:37:49

Nanou, your GP will tell you what kind of prolapse you have. I have a rectocele and I found out from Google that is is a prolapse of the rectum. A prolapse of the bladder is called a cystocele, not sure what terminology is used for the other types.

Jane43 Tue 01-Oct-19 10:45:49

I am being fobbed off about having surgery for my rectocele. I have put up with it for 6 years now and am recently finding the ring which is fitted every six months keeps slipping out of position. It is very restricting not being able to walk for long periods of time because I have always loved walking. I know my GP doesn't want me to have surgery for something that can be managed because I am 76 but apart from having a lumpectomy for breast cancer last December I am in good health, not overweight and my Blood Pressure is fine. My DH says I need to be more assertive but I’m not good at that.

Thanks for the posts which have reassured me that I would be doing the right thing to push for surgery. I just have to get my first mammogram over at the end of this month then I will ask the GP to refer me.

Alexa Tue 01-Oct-19 12:28:48

I was a junior nurse in a gyn ward 1951. These repairs were common. After the op the women had their bladder -emptying carefully checked to make sure all the urine had been emptied. This was checked for a few days only until the bladder muscles had recovered. I remember no undue complications whatsoever and the ops were straightforward plastic surgery repairs.

Merelina Tue 01-Oct-19 23:54:08

Jane43 I was 76 when I had my repair in July. Like you had a lumpectomy a year ago. All I can say is go for it. I now have a new lease of life. I have bought a step counter and try to walk more each day,. After months , years even, of avoiding walking because it was so uncomfortable my legs are a bit feeble. Getting better every day.

Auntieflo Thu 03-Oct-19 11:53:51

Hello all who have ongoing problems.
I am home after my op. Went in on Tuesday morning and was home on Wednesday afternoon. I felt fine and managed the required measured urine output. I thought I would have to stay until I had had a bowel movement, but no, so came home with a laxative. Which I took last night and a Senna!
TMI, but I did 'go' this morning, but now I am very uncomfortable. We are told not to strain, but what else can you do, when you want to 'go', but it just won't move. Sorry for the details ?
I am now sitting on the settee, after 2 paracetamols and a coffee, and a sore backside

Greenfinch Thu 03-Oct-19 12:31:51

Hope it settles down soon Auntieflo.Sounds very uncomfortable.

Auntieflo Thu 03-Oct-19 12:56:46

Thanks. It is getting slowly better.

Gonegirl Thu 03-Oct-19 13:05:33

I am now desperately doing my pelvic floors. "And suck and hold. And suck and hold." "And do NOT let it drop any further".

Gonegirl Thu 03-Oct-19 13:05:51

Glad it's getting better.

GrandmaMoira Thu 03-Oct-19 13:14:01

I'm glad all went well with your op. I also had the same problem as you after the op. It soon improved.

Auntieflo Thu 03-Oct-19 15:36:56

GrandmaMoira, I'm glad that I am not the only one!
Anyway, I have been tucked up on the settee all day, just being lovely and lazy. I had a sleep earlier.
No lunch needed, but DH has made me a welcome cup of tea. I was trying to concentrate and crochet, with not much luck.
Gransnet is a boon, as I keep dipping in and out.
DH has asked what we want for supper, I am leaving it up to him to delve in the freezer and surprise me.
It certainly will, but I shall be thankful for small mercies ?