Anyone had surgery for prolapse?

[Sparrowlegs248]

I saw the GP yesterday about what I thought was a minor prolapse I had since my second (massive) child ws born. He's nearly 1. I'd asked before and they said to continue pelvic floor exercises which I've done. There's been no improvement.

GP said it ws "quite obvious even laying down" and offered a pessary/ring insertion or referral to gynaecologiSt to discuss surgery.

Has anyone any experience of this? What to expect, recovery etc?

I have a minor prolapse and physio helped me a lot. Have you been referred to physio? I found even though I was doing pelvic floor exercises, being taught exactly how to do them as well as other coping skills, helped a lot. I also had urinary incontinence and it pretty much cleared up after the physio (though now I'm pregnant again, so it flares up sometimes). My GP mentioned the surgery as well, but I talked with a few people and did my research and decided it was not for me. There seem to be some pretty unpleasant side effects and some people have long lasting pain as a result. My prolapse, though unpleasant and annoying, is not severe enough to take the risk of that.

I haven't been referred to physio, no. I'm pretty sure she didn't mention that. I've been doing team environment excuses religiously and there's been no improvement since a few months after birth.

Hi

I suffer from a bladder prolapse after the birth of DC1. I was referred for physio and also independently went to see a urologist-gynaecologist. He had a look and told me that no about of pelvic floor exercises would pull everything back into the right place, so Surrey was the only option.

I don't suffer from incontinence and am now pregnant with DC2 so haven't been back but I will definitely consider surgery following the birth of DC2. PP is right in that there is a lot of bad publicity regarding pelvic prolapse surgery, but this was mainly because surgeons were using a certain type of vaginal mesh which is not used now.

I'll go and talk it through. It is uncomfortable at times. I struggle with coughing and sneezing, and lifting. Thank you.

There is SO much that can be done with physio. My prolapse is caused by something called levator avulsion- some (most) of my main pelvic floor muscles were torn off my pubic bone during delivery. It’s one of the worst case scenarios as far as prolapse prognosis goes. With the help of my physio (and a pessary) I’m now having a lot of symptom free days at 15 months post partum. My specialist is one of the world leaders in prolapse and pelvic floor trauma and he said as a general rule he won’t operate on a woman until she’s three years post partum as there is so much healing that can happen. I have noticed a difference since I’ve cut back on breastfeeding so if you’re still feeding then you still have that going for you too.
Surgery really shouldn’t be done lightly. My plan is to wait as long as possible and hope that medical advances over the next decade give us much better surgical outcomes.

Thank you. I think the GP wasn't very clued up on this as she didn't know which sort of prolapse it ws, "I think it's a bit of both" bladder falling back and bowel forward?

So maybe the referral to a gynaecologist wI'll help explain options. Ivery hardly ridden (horse) since having children but having ridden a few times recently I thought that had helped a bit.

I don't want the pessary.

Hi Nottalotta,

If you can get referred to a pelvic floor clinic (ie hospital appointment, not a private clinic) that would be the best. You should see a women's health physiotherapist but also have access to a surgeon (urogynaecologist). A general gynaecologist should have an idea but urogynaecologist would be best.
They'll try physio first. If they mention surgery, do check what type and ask about all risks and % of good/poor outcomes (the vaginal mesh scandal is about certain types of surgery using mesh and leaving some women disabled/in agony/nuchal worse than they were).

The pessary was mentioned to me and personally I found the idea horrid. I might reconsider if surgery is the only option left but for now I'd rather be left alone.

Thank you battersea, I'LL keep your post for when I see the gynaecologiSt.

I saw a gyno surgeon and she referred me to women's physio. I also had some piles which were exacerbating the rectal prolapse. I had 9 months of physio and the piles banded until they fell off and the whole thing is so much better now.

Hi ya. I have a prolapse. 😢. After my third I was wetting me self.... any way after 3 months of pelvic floor excercises it was all better..... so o thought..
I didn't realise that was a prolapse just thought it was week actually never heard of a prolapse 😬.
Any way a year on (still Breast feeding) doing the 30 day shred and jogging daily feeling fab....
(I did think it was a little weird that when I jumped I felt like I needed to poop). Any way went to do a poop and something dropped through my lady parts 😩😢.
Went to the gp found out it was a prolapse. I have had physio but bm are still an issue. By others drop when I cough big other than that are in the right place (no idea what that means 🤷🏼‍♀️).
But my bladder is very strong she every said bet you don't wet yourself...)
It's all the back. Just a pain. Pelvic floor kinda worked

Ah so hopefully physio will be an option first.