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

Fivehours, Du, Footle et al - thanks x
Dudrop - so sorry to hear about your mum x
I didn't have an option about the op as I had such a large enterocele that had to get fixed or all my guts would have been on the floor!!! .

Question: The problem with sex after posterior repair is pain from scar(?), tight vagina (?) or no room/length (?). Just wondering what everyone has been told as I haven't got a clue. Also, haven't got a partner at present and don't want to think that the very last time in my life I was to have had sex was when I was 42 - still, if I'd had a partner he would have had a lacerated penis by now (that's what the anaesthetist told me last week!!!)

Have a good day all x

Hi all still lurking around wishing everyone well xx
Pre op had exam lying down and on side, asked to cough...at which point I wet examination couch and very thorough questioning by doctor. Oh and had pelvic scan also xx
Now 14 weeks post recrocele/cystocele(without mesh) and Tvto, I have done the sex deed several times now, no probs except the Tvto area. When I went for pre-op was very specific about my sex life I had read up and dyspareuia (painful sex) is very common after pelvic floor repair especially if mesh is used, I had informed the consultant that I didnt want mesh if it was entirely possible to avoid it and he was in agreement. The use of mesh depends on several factors like age, hormonal changes, severity of prolapse, obesity. He also said that the more work done the more tightning of the vaginal space. It is made shorter and tighter so I suppose it would figure that it may be a tighter squeeze .
I have a friend who's had recent pelvic floor repair done after mine, she had mesh for posterior part but not cystocele unfortunately issues with cystocele and needs redo with mesh. The consultant has told her that sex my be uncomfortable but do-able Will require physio ect ?dilators for combination of scarring which causes strictures in the otherwise elastic tisssue . I personally think the mesh causes more probs, but thats just my opinion lol having said that if he had needed to do it I would have accepted it, my Tvto the only part of my repair with mesh is uncomfortable during sex not entirely painful but none the less I am aware of it. I also have small area of mesh at surface of vaginal wall which I have made apt to see about which is definately very uncomfortable if I touch it.
Had urine infection after op probably due to insertion af catheter during op(very common) Pain suprapubically ( sorry above pubic bone) and lower back, increased frequency of urine which did smell a bit stronger and nausea...hope that helps x
To all you ladies who are still struggling at the moment stay strong it does get better although you dont think so at the time xx

Ps I know I seem obsessed about the sex thingy ....... not a nymphomainic but big part of any relationship at any age lol. My consultant however did say it is refreshing to have women honest with him about such things ..so dont be afraid to talk openly with the Doc's male/female. If it is important to you then let them know ..... but if you would rather have a fish supper then fair doo's.......xxx

Happy - if we are all honest I'm sure we are all obsessed with the 'sex' thing, and why shouldn't we be? lol !! After all, that's one of the reasons we have a vagina in the first place. I think we are lead to believe that women don't talk about 'it' and it's a men's thing .

Footle - I was told the bit by the cervix is stitched to the rectum bit so if the penis went under the cervix before, it now can't - maybe that's what is causing the blockage for you? But, I suppose if it is all supposed to stretch naturally, then with time it should give a bit. Is it getting any better?

I don't understand why I get period pains now every time a pee? What's that all about??? Also, very uncomfortable sitting down - maybe it's the different type of suture thread?? Aaargh! I don't seem to have the same symptoms as those who have had a bladder infection.

Thanks for all the replies x

Hi folks. No change here, but it's good to see that progress can be made.

XX

Sure- I think very true, I remeber when I split with my ex...... oh so many yrs ago DID not miss him but did miss intimacy, wasnt ready for emotional commitment for yrs but did yearn for the mechanics lol xx
When you are peeing are you straining in anyway? could it be that you are just iritated inside remember you have had some one rummaging about inside not once but twice in the last few months ??? Also when I had issues with merina that pain was all consuming and when I got it out I realise I had other aches and pains which had paled into insignificance in comparision with the perforation ... so maybe you are noticing some aches that were masked before ...just a thought xx

Hi everyone. I had a strange experience this morning. I have had considerable swelling in the left pubic area after the TVT removal and put it down to the procedure and the fact that there had been a laparoscopic instrument in there, but this morning i felt it and it sort of made a crumbling feeling like dried coffee grounds. I am now thinking it could have been a haemotoma and the blood has dried. I am kicking myself for not going back to my consultant as It may have been drained initially and now it obviously can't be. I know someone had an experience with a haemotoma but I can't remember who as the thread has got so long!
I rang the vet...I know that sounds mad, but dogs get haemotomas in their ears if they shake them and I was wondering what they do for them. The answer was that they drain them before the area gets deformed...well thats another area of my body that is never going to be the same again isn't it!
Keep warm, ladies xx

Jackie - sounds like it could have been; but surely the swelling will eventually subside? Ears aren't supposed to swell but our bits are, so you probably won't be permanently deformed!!! lol - ringing the vet, hope you didn't tell him why you were asking? Maybe we should book ourselves in for a vetinary procedure instead

Happy, when peeing I'm not straining atall just waiting for the pee to finish (does seem to take forever) but I suppose it could be post op rummaging that has shifted things a bit? Have spent the afternoon in bed as I had to leave work due to pain and am feeling a bit better now so maybe I have been over doing things x
Impatient, that's all I suppose, lol x

Advice please ladies! I tried to get a more firm idea of my operation date today (despite getting a delaying tactic 'when are you available?' letter). I was told my surgeon is leaving so may not even be the one to do my operation. Have no idea what to do now???
Sure - of course you've been overdoing things! Hopefully you can have a peaceful week now though (and more time if you need it and can get it). The horrible feelings might be to do with your nerves getting a bit 'twanged' and settling down again, but I would definitely call if things don't settle - better safe than sorry.
Definitely feeling it after driving for over four hours this pm - reminded me why I want to get myself sorted!

For those who don't know, I have a grade 2 cystocele, rectocele and uterine prolapse . I have problems emptying my bladder and with constipation, and have 'low down' pain like someone's pulling on my cervix. I also have a feeling like 'something's there' in my vagina, especially when I'm tired or have been doing a lot. Can anyone give me advice as to how I move forward from here? I know I'm not the only one waiting for surgery but don't want to wait longer because my local hospital is having a change of staff...
Oh and I'm also worried because I had endometriosis and know I have a lot of adhesions in my right side....
P.S. I'm single and have been for three years and would hate to think I'm finished sex-wise at the age of 46!!!!

Sure, hopefully I won't be horribly deformed! I did explain to the vet what the problem was as she asked if I could bring 'the dog' in!!!
Actually I had a laugh with a different vet in Sept 2010 when I had the first, disastrous bowel operation. We were taking bets on her doing a better job and leaving me in less pain! I would have willingly laid out on that table (after a quick wash with disinfectant, the table that is, not me!!)
X

Fengirl - maybe the hospital is joining forces with another? I know there are lots of cut backs at the moment in the NHS. Perhaps go back to GP and ask advice about another referral? I'd definitely keep plugging away to get sorted as it is not a 'quick' fix, takes lots of time to heal, and I've heard to be realistic about a year til you feel more 'normal', so you and I will be menopausal by the end of it!lol

Had a look on dating sites for a bit of amusment and we have to tick the 46-59 box now!!! Aaaargh, as I still feel about 30! Had I known my last sexual encounter was The Last, I would have stayed up all night and made the most of it!

Jackie - you'll be complaining of flees and ticks next !!!!

Has anyone had mini arc sling? Only seen on here the TVTO one mentioned.

Hi 11Kitty - No mini arc I have TVTO but some of the other girls may be along later who have had different one x
Are you post proceedure or about to have it done? ... are you having probs ?
sorry loads of questions lol anyway hope somebody can help soon x

Hello ladies, I've been lurking for a while, and this thread gave me the courage to go to my GP. She referred me to a consultant, a member of whose team who I saw last week.

She has said that I need anterior and posterior vaginal repair, and possibly a hysterectomy as well. I was expecting her to say that everything was ok, so I just sat with my mouth open whe she said I needed the operations.

I was so shocked that I didn't ask any questions at all. Of course, I now have lots, so I'm going to read back over this thread as I'm sure all the answers are here.

We have Private health insurance, so I'm considering researching a consultant to see privately for a consultation and the procedure. My question to you all is, how do I find a good one? I'm only 43 and only one of my friends has had a hysterectomy, so I can't ask for personal recommendations.

I'm in the West Midlands.

Hi Littlefish - welcome to this thread!!!

Why does the consultant think you need a hysterectomy? If it's heavy periods, there is always ablation (which gets rid of the lining, so lessening them). Problem with having a hysterectomy is that you end up losing the support structure for your vagina and from what I've read/heard this makes future prolapses more likely i.e. vagina vault, bladder, rectum, etc. Sometimes, just strengthening the vaginal walls via anterior/posterior repair can help hold the uterus/cervix up in place therefore avoiding the need for a hysterectomy.

I was all for having one done too but am now glad I didn't, having learnt more, plus I can have a natural menopause etc. I'm 45 so only a bit older than you and have just had posterior repair but they didn't touch the anterior (yet) although they said they were going too! Hope this helps answer some of your questions x

Bye the way, most consultants also work for the NHS so I honestly don't think in terms of skill there is much difference, only that you will probably get looked after/spoilt a bit more going privately and not have any waiting lists x

Hi Littlefish and hi everyone else.
Been off this thread for a while - things have been too raw for me to be able to offer much support to anyone else. But, Littlefish, I wanted to post a couple of thoughts. When I was considering my options for surgery I sought 3 opinions from different surgeons. The recommendation I got from each was different and my own research and much discussion with the surgeon I decided to go with lead me to the conclusion that a surgical recommendation may be based on that particular surgeon's preferences for a particular way of managing a problem. In short, there's more than one way to skin a cat, and the recommendation you had that you may need a hysterectomy might not be set in stone.
One of the surgeons I saw said that I may need a hysterectomy. This was massively shocking to me and had never been mentioned by the other two. I asked the surgeon I decided I would stick with what his opinion of her assessment was and why he had never mentioned it as a possibility. He said that if you go by textbook surgery, she is correct - hysterectomy would be the 'best' way to solve that particular problem. But he knew that it would not be acceptable to me (we had a pretty strong understanding of one another by this point) and he was determined to find a surgical way to preserve my uterus. If you are faced with this kind of recommendation, do get a second and even a third opinion. And I would strongly recommend going privately. I take what sure says about the same consultants work on the NHS as work privately. But you might not be able to access the best person for you on the NHS. Firstly, you might get stuck with their registrar. Secondly, you will get referred to the person who happens to work at the NHS hospital where you happen to be eligible for treatment. That person may to may not be the best for you - it's the luck of the draw. If you go privately, you can see the best person for you. You have to get this right. You have health insurance - use it!
If you felt that coming to London would be possible - even if its just to get a second opinion, I can strongly recommend my surgeon. He heads a tertiary centre for urogynaecology, is a fantatsic person and a brilliant surgeon.

Thank you everyone for your messages. It really helps to have people to discuss this with.

When she was examining me, the consultant said that she thought my uterus might be ok, but if, when they were operating, they felt it was coming down, they may want to do a hysterectomy at the same time. She also said that I may well need a hysterectomy in a few years time anyway, so I might want to consider having it done anyway. As I said, I was so shocked that I needed any surgery at all, that I didn't ask any questions.

I've phoned my insurance company and they've given me a couple of names of consultants in my area. I'm going to go and see my GP on Wednesday and see if there is anyone she would recommend.

I was told something similar by the surgeon from whom I sought a second opinion - that she wouldn't know whether I needed a hysterectomy until she got in there and that she thought I'd need one in a few years anyway. Bloody scary, isn't it? I could hardly breathe from the shock when she told me. I really feel for you. When I had my surgery with the other guy, he told me that it was all quite a bit worse when he got in there than he had anticipated and he needed to do some extra procedures to suspend the uterus correctly. If I'd gone with the second opinion surgeon, I am convinced I would have come out of it minus a uterus. I have one child and I am 40. Even if I don't/can't have another child, I don't want a hysterectomy. If you want to retain your uterus, you need to find a surgeon who is committed to finding a way to do that. OK, it's not going to be possible in all cases - if you've got a 4th stage prolapse that is now external to your body, you're unlikely to be able to keep it. But in your case, which seems to have some similarities to my own, it may be possible to retain it. Glad you are going for a second opinion, and good luck with that. Do a bit of research yourself - look these people up on line. See how senior they are, what their areas of expertise are. Are they publishing research? Have they been awarded any prizes? Do they seem to be cutting edge and pushing the boundaries, or do they seem to be doing little that it new? Really wish you the best of luck. X

Hi Cardamom - really good advice; just wished I'd got second opinions too, or thought to ask for them as I had to rush into surgery due to a massive enterocele and I just trusted others expertise and knowledge (how I now know differently).

I do feel they (the consultants) tend to charge ahead with removing a uterus as an 'easy fix' but that, in itself, can create so many more problems (such as an enterocele which is really common post hysterectomy and vaginal vault prolapse... etc. - why I had and enterocele I've no idea, unless it's something to do with my retroverted uterus!!??? as I have not had a hysterectomy).

My second opinion, post op, totally contradicted everything my original consultant had said (turns out the second man was above my original consultant in the NHS trust) so it just goes to show that you need more info prior to surgery and do not just 'take their advice' as standard!! I have definitely learnt my lesson the hard way, as I am 4 months post op now and back to square one , still with urinary problems and a cystocele (although I can poo now!!!) and a new lot of stitches in my vagina ... etc.

Littlefish - you are in a big pond now of consultants with varying opinions, so don't rush into anything unless you feel you can totally trust the consultant in question - and go for a uro/gynae if poss as they specialise in this area xxx

Cardamom - are you ok?? You haven't posted for a long while, what's up?xxx

What great information. Thank you so much for replying, cardamom and sure. I've got a really silly question. If I'm having an anterior and posterior repair, does that mean I've got a rectocele and cystocele?

No question is ever silly Littlefish. Yes - an anterior prolapse is a cystocele, where the bladder and urethra prolapses causing the front vaginal wall to collapse. A posterior prolapse is a rectocele where the rectum prolapses causing the back vaginal wall to collapse. What often happens is that when you fix one bit of a prolapse, any remaining bits get worse as they now have the room to collapse to the full extent that they always wanted to. That maybe one of the things that's on that surgeon's mind - the front and back wall prolapse may be helping to hold up the uterus and if she fixes them, the uterus may start to prolapse.
Sure - no not really OK! Had my first operation (Burch's colposuspension and uterine suspension) at the end of November, had some more steriod injections in my back (knackered my coccyx and damaged my pelvis when I gave birth as well) last week. I'm doing well - everyone is very pleased with me and I'm making progress with physio. But it still hurts, I'm still tired, I still can't lift DD as much as I need to, I;m still dependent on childcare to help me, I still can't fit into my clothes cos of the swelling and tenderness, my rectocele is getting worse, and I'm fed up fed up fed up!! I'm also having "correspondence" with the hospital where I gave birth and their most recent letter has upset me. Have another round of surgery later this year (looks like will have to delay though cos DH needs to have surgery that will means he won't be able to lift for 6 weeks) which will be rectocele repair, repair of the puborectalis muscle, and sorting out all the scar tissue. So I still have quite a way to go. I've got a fab team fixing me and I have complete confidence in them. But I still feel completely traumatised that this happened to me when I gave birth and I just want to have a normal life again! Like everyone on this thread does! So. That's me up to date in a nutshell X