Rectocele & Repairs continued....

[CAZ1958]

Rectocele & Repairs...continuation

Hiya Ladies...
Don't know if this will work, above is the Subject Title
Don't want to lose my friends.
Will come back with a link if poss !!!
Fingers crossed
ZZZ

I know!! I was strangely mute although I had a million questions afterwards!! Lol he didn't even say if I'd gad a prolapse or anything?!??? Although I'm presuming it's not just my imagination as he reffered me...?!? Well hopefully I'll have some answers in 4 weeks... (better start around down some questions!! Lol)

*writing

Ifonly- I was the same and I am used to white coats ect, I think just actually setting the ball rolling is such a huge relief everything else goes out the window or down the pan lol . But a referal to Gyn is one step nearer. Can someone go in with you? I know most surgeons/medics are ok with this as long as you are comfortable x My DH was with me for one consultation and he was able to fill me in on bits I missed x Maybe your mum/sister?. Keep us informed.x

Surewoman- I origonally consented for TVTo and posterior repair (coil too) but when I came round the consultant had done cystocele. He said I got 4 for 1 lol. apparently it was worse than they thought. No probs with voiding or residual volumes on removal of catheter. The TVTo apparently is better than the TVT(so I have been informed) less likely to cause complications ie post voiding issues and flow and urethral erosion, and has a slightly higher success rate not much though. I do think there is a slightly higher risk of disturbing the orbturator muscle/nerve which can cause leg pain but this will depend on skill of surgeon I think. I was happy to go with my surgeons advice no one I spoke to either in medical or nursing profession had a bad word to say about him including people who had proceedures done by him so I was not disturbed that I had something done which had not origonally consented for :) All the research I have read points to getting the maximum work needed all done for the maximum effect so to speak.

Cocolepew- Cant wait to hear how things go tommorrow :). Hope all is well, You are 100% right in saying that it is important to take things easy. Being a busy working mum and an independent person lol bloody stubborn my hubby would say I had this impression of back on my feet after 4 wks and the rest of the time off enjoying myself. I actually had the audacity to think the consultant was mad to think I would need at least 12 wks off work. Boy! was I stupid, this is why I was so grateful for this site and all the advice and info from yourselves and our predecessors. I basically was deluded in my recovery time and the effect this would have on me mentally and physically. But all this as with everything else I have experienced in life will only make me a better nurse, more aware of peoples experience and problems. In some respects I feel humbled as I seem to have lesser issues than most and feel embarrased to go on about a little discomfort from my TVTo/bowel. But I am still grateful from the comfort and support given x

I know I waffled on a bit but forgot to say no leaking when coughing, sneezing, jumping or even bending . I can go most of night with only needing to pee once overnight, Can hold in longer than before a bigger volume too. And no interuptions when my DH and I start to get intimate can be more spontaneous now lol I know this is a combination of cystocele repair and TVTo, do still have some urge problems but I know I exacerbate this with coffee and vino :) x

Happy, thanks for that info. I was told I would probably need a TVT-o later but as they haven't touched the cystocele yet only the rectocele, don't know when - maybe I'll know more after tomorrow.

It's true how much this knocks you mentally; I also wasn't prepared for that as I am NEVER ill!!!! lo,l and am always the one looking after everyone else. I truly don't think I have every felt so down as after this (even cheating husbands, nasty divorce, single parenthood, etc. etc. wasn't as bad, as that was only mental healing not physical too) - perhaps it was the effect of the anaesthetic that took a while to wear off.

Finally felt like myself again today(other than my fanjo full of sewing) which had an amazing affect on the SEN kids I work with!!! Never heard them talk so much, lol!!

Oh to go through the night without frequent wees [envious] x

Hi folks
I was wondering if I can join your discussion. I found it while searching for details on rectocele repair. I had an appointment to see gynae today and he has referred me for rectocele repair, although he says it isn't huge it is causing me problems, especially with BM's. I had a hysterectomy 3 years ago because of severe endometriosis and have lots of adhesions so I am a bit apprehensive about having more surgery, although I know it is for the best. I'm so glad to have found somewhere I can get some information first hand from people who have gone through the same :-)

Hi Doombar and Huskymummy - please do join in (only recently joined myself having been stalking this site since my posterior repair in November).

I don't know anything about TVT but the others do. With rectocele repair (also known as posterior repair) they sometimes find you have an enterocele aswell, especially after hysterectomy. I had both and am 12 weeks post op. Bowel problems are completely sorted so far (as long as I still take lactalose, a softener) and I've managed to retrain my bowels quite easily to do the job every morning before work, so in that respect very good . However I've had stitches problems which will be looked into tomorrow, hopefully, and have still got to sort out my cystocele and possible TVT-o, so not out of the woods yet... Also have that 'need-a-wee-all-the time' sensation but mine is definitely prolapse related. Feels like everything is heading south, lol!

Hope you both get answers on this site xxxx

Hi ladies, so many brave ladies on here ((((((((hugs)))))))) to help with your campaign, the programme embarrassing bodies did prolapse surgery on my sister I think it aired in 2007. it was fairly controversial and my sister was on this morning raising awareness ect. She went to embarrassing bodies because the nhs wouldn't do a repair just a hysterectomy. I have had a quick look on YouTube and some of the interviews are still on there, I can't access them all in aus but they are there if you want to have a look and use it as ammo, I'm sure she won't mind. After all it was shown on c4 and I know she still gets calls about it.

Ps my problems began with last child, his head descended prematurely into the birth canal and I was left for hours in agony until a space became available on the labour ward, apparently if your under 34 weeks it has to be a dr that examines you and i was only 30 Delivered son seconds after the dr examined me. Not been the same since... :( although feel pretty good at the mo after the repair :)

Morning! Just a quickie before school run, anyone with weeing problems have you been offered any medication? My GP never mentioned any but a gynae Dr prescribed me Vesicare, it dries you up a bit! It really did help.

x

Did anyone hear Womens Hour this morning on TVT's? If you missed it it will be on listen again on the BBCradio 4 website later today. Really interesting.

cantbeliev- no didnt cant get good redeption here, go on what did it say :) x
Bruffyj- is that not really spooky , having been reading this forum since may last year many people were inspired by your sisters story OH MY! I love this kind of thing like fate :)

To all who have Dr visits over next few days good luck xx

Doombar- You are further along than I am , only 10wks post TvTo , I posted just above you and certainly I have been much better. From about 2wks felt a difference and this has improved an odd bad day but usually if I have been on feet for too long, still have discomfort not sure if this will be forever, hopefully not. I had cystocele done too and from my surgeons point of view it was better to get it all done at once so as to feel maximum benifit.
Have you been back in discussion with cons? I know the figures for success are something like 80% much improved 15% slightly better and 5% no better. Maybe you need the cystocele done more urgently?? I sometimes have to fight the urge to pee "just incase" as I have spent so many years planning my toilet stops lol and I have to wean myself off panty protection as they have been my serious comfort blanket for years :) x

Hi huskymummy/ doombar glad you found your way here and hope you found the thread quicker than I did every time I googled rectocele/cystocele etc I found really clinical information which while really useful is not the same as "peer support " and this forum certainly has lots of that :-).

Huskymummy where has your gynaecologist referred you to for repair of the rectocele ? is it to colorectal or to a urogynaecologist ?did they suggest that this problem could have been caused by your hysterectomy ? Sorry for the 101 questions but the reason I ask is that I first attended my GP 2 years ago with bladder problems and told her I thought I had a prolapse she said i didnt have a prolapse I was just going through the menopause .I went back again and told her I was sure I did have a prolapse & she said it was very slight, was refered to gyn and Iwas diagnosed with a cystocele and referred to a specialist physio who was excellent. I attended a classes with 5 other woman with either cystocele or rectocele symptoms which were excellent the physio explained the anatomy of the pelvis with a model of the pelvis and the organs it contained , she taught pelvic floor exercises,provided bladder training advice on BM etc. I also saw her individually were she measured the prolapse , muscle tone etc & I had high hopes of improving my symptoms without surgery ,unfortunately I took a respiratory infection which resulted in a cough which lasted 3 weeks and resulted in me having problems with BM as well as worsening problems with bladder. The physio referred me back gyn consultant who diagnosed a possible enterocele as well as the cystocle & advised that I should have a TVM repair but as she did not perform this procedure she referred me to her colleague who was a urogynaecologist. When I saw the new consultant he said it could only find a cystocele and my reply to him was that was because he had examined me lying down (previous cons & physio asked me to stand for just a few mins ) he totally ignored my comment.When I met him again just before my op ( 5 wks ago )I told him that I knew I had other problems was really concerned he was missing something & was concerned he would concentrate on cystocele & I would be left with other issues. It turned out I had vaginal vault prolapse with pelvic descent basically as a result of my hysterectomy 12yrs ago everything had "gone south" he had performed a total repair with mesh i.e posterior, anterior repair & lifted the apex (sacropexy). Further to my op I have discovered that vaginal vault prolapse is very common in woman post hysterectomy and that there has been discussion around whether support should be put in place at the same time as the hysterectomy is performed. I cant understand why I had to convince my GP & consultants (who were aware I had a hysterectomy) that I had a prolapse if it is quite common argh !!!!
Sorry this turned into a really lengthy post everyone xx

Just came back from visit to consultant to find out what was going on with the stitches only to be told that as I now felt much better he wasn't even going to have a look as I was still full of sewing and to come back in 4 weeks, or he could discharge me then and there!
WTF - he had me lined up to operate on again last Saturday and now seems completely non-plussed, but did say he'd had someone else in on Monday night with the same problem as me!... I originally went to him for cystocele which he hasn't even touched and when I asked what I was supposed to do about my cystocele and bladder problems he said we'd discuss that next time.

I think the time has come to find someone else to sort me out - is it worth trying to find a urogynae on NHS? I've heard they are the more experienced? The thing that worries me is that everyone else seems to have 4in1 ops where everything is corrected in one go, whereas my consultant only looked at the enterocele/rectocele and ignored everything else. I just want it all sorted now .

Any advice welcome!!! x

Coco - good luck for tomorrow x

Footle - you have to stay on as none of us have even started discussing sex issues yet!!!!!

Happy my sister has been giving me advice since I had the op. she is doing really well she is now a gym junkie running miles and miles everyday so op obviously worked well for her.

I spoke too soon about being all good, one of my port holes has started to weep, my pants were stuck to the skin :( what a bummer. Had to have a good squeeze, bit of dark blood and fluid not really puss, had a lump in it since day 5 its shrunk, its not looking so angry now so maybe just a residual clot. Should i wait for consultants app on Monday? I so hate antibiotics they make me feel like crap.

Surewoman I take my hat off, you must have been sitting on your hands because I would have throttled him. He is giving you the runaround, he don't give a damn that you have been suffering for weeks. No harm in looking for a gyn.

Welcome all new ladies x

Lol footle, your going to have to come up with a sex guru name now and go incoqnito.

surewoman how awful for you !!! its unbelievable the way that some of the people on here have been treated. Like you I assumed I would get the opportunity to speak with the cons at the pre op but was seen by a nurse who assured me that I would get the opportunity to discuss any concerns/ ask questions on admission as the consultant would meet with me to discuss the op & obtain consent which he did. I work with GPs so had been able to seek advice but also read as much as possible about POP and the most successful outcomes seemed to be when all problems were rectified at once. One article I read compared it to getting a run in a pair of tights which you stitched but if there was a weakness somewhere else another run would start etc. I made my mind up to take the bull by the horns before the op & insist I had everything looked at. Another piece of advice I was given was to ask the cons what would you reccomend/ do if this was your wife, daughter etc. You are entitled to ask for a 2nd opinion take care xx

Just found out that the man above my consultant in the NHS hospital is a family friend - when asked about my consultant he did say that he sometimes questions his decision making ! Ha, got him now!!! The top consultant gave my mum his mobile no. and said I could ring him anytime - so here's to tomorrow!!! . I can't help but feel that I've been messed up for good and will now never get my life (or should I say a desired part of it) back on track.

maisied - what did you have done, I can't remember and to be honest can't be bothered to go back pages to refresh my memory, sorry! x

Surewoman -how frustrating and to think you paid(so to speak) him for the privilege of doing this to you , what worries me is that he said he had somebody else in with a similar problem that speaks volumes to me. I am a great advocate for the NHS, mainly because I work there but also most consultants do work for NHS hospitals(in Scotland anyway) , I can apreciate that it is a nicer environement ect but the skills of the surgeon are the same. Dont get me wrong I have utelised my husbands health insurance in the past to go private due to waiting times to see a particular consultant ( ironically this was for a work related injury) but this was 10yrs ago and here at least waiting times appear to be better now. It might not do any harm to at least check out what and who is available. Like maisied said all the information/literature I had read indicated it was better to fix all at one time.

Bruffyj glad to hear about your sis one brave woman to get her bits out on national TV , I bow down to her lol xxx much respect xx

Footle absolutely fab sex guru at 64 lol love it, I hope it is me xx I am having some fun trying again :) some discomfort from stitch line and Tvto not enough to put me off though, consultant advised me at my check up go away and have lots of sex,drugs and rock and roll, said I would try the sex substitute the drugs for the vino and as for rock and roll I am quite partial to a little dance on the tables now and then

Oh again takes me too long to type lol glad you've got a new doc surewoman x

Great news surewoman I hope the new doc is sympathetic as happy2beme mentioned in her post consultants working in private & nhs hospitals carry out the same procedures. I was told by the 1st cons I saw that the consultant who did my operation is an "expert in the field of mesh repair " he works in two private hospitals & NHS.
I had a transvaginal mesh repair using prolift wont go into it but have attached the link:
www.pelvichealthsolutions.com/gynecare-prolift-about

I was well informed of the risks but so far (5 weeks post op ) it seems to be a success bladder function great from the minute catheter removed, bowel fine took latulose for 1 week now only taking fresh orange vegetables etc. so no concerns with either re function.Was really concerned when I 1st posted on here as i could feel something jagging internally and thought it was the mesh coming through into the vagina but I contacted the consultants secretary and I got a message back from him saying it was internal stitches which will not dissolve for another few weeks. The one thing I do have is considerable pain and a heavy/dragging feeling to the rear which I am hoping will ease off soon .

happy2beme i am glad things are going well for you how many weeks post op are you now ? x

Happy - I also am a great advocate for the NHS but I do feel that as patients we are often treated as 'lesser beings' in terms of what 'they' feel we need to be told/informed.

Probably as the work load in NHS hospitals is heavy there is a tendency to be a bit rushed in the consultancy room and the consultants don't offer much information unless asked, and if, like me, you trust that they have your best interests at heart and will explain everything to you, you will come away disappointed and confused.

In my case, I am sure the surgeon/con has 'good hands' on the operating table, but I do think that everything was not 'fixed' on the day as I had to go through day-surgery and each one of us was allocated 1hour per operation to get us all 'done' and out the door. I suspect my 'hour' was used up fixing the enterocele which if he had bothered to examine/talk to me prior to the op he would have seen before hand and known what he was in for! It would also have been nice to have a chance to talk to him afterwards but on the day I was told he had 'gone home'. I didn't get to seem him with my pre-op question until a month after surgery and that was after a battle (the GP told me I would have to pay and see him at his private practice to advance my appointment!!) ..
Feeling angry still as I have no answers as yet and feel I am being completely fobbed off as my sixth sense tells me that the consultant knows he messed up (judging by the look of awkward embarassment on his face during an examination re. the cutting of stitches)
Sorry to rant first thing in the morning - I've been awake since 3.30 worrying about all this and getting myself in a state xxxxx

Hope you all have a good day x

Coco- good luck x