Opting out of vaginal repair surgery

[TutuB]

Ladies, I wonder if any of you have backed down from vaginal repair surgery? I have a Grade 2 rectocele (and cystocele) but the latter isn't bothering me and the consultant has recommended an operation to repair it. However, I've been reading some horror stories on this topic and I'm seriously re-considering having the surgery and just living with my symptoms. Is there is a non-surgical solution out there I wonder? Any replies from ladies who have perhaps had the operation and fared well afterwards would be much appreciated. Apparently, lots of women suffer from some form of prolapse after child birth but only a small number decide to seek medical intervention. Many thanks from one worried older but very healthy mum! TutuB

Yes you're a star pinkfrocks - thank you so much for all that info, haven't really had time to digest it all. Manic week at work, will have to wait for weekend.
Agoodbook thank you for FB Pops group - I've asked to join but haven't been accepted yet.
For now, I've put my op on hold until I figure out my options. Will have to rethink my keep fit regime as well.
Gosh it's tough being a woman sometimes isn't it ladies?? TutuB

Doyouthinktheysaurus, I feel for you. I know how you feel about running - I get such a rush of endorphins after a run and it's a great social thing for me as well, not to mention one of the few free things in life! I'm loth to give it up totally so for now will cut it down to once a week on grass. This whole business has got me down a bit and I need something "normal" to get me back on track. There's got to be life after POP! TutuB xx

I would second everything pinkfrocks has said. I was first offered surgery after a nasty forceps delivery. I was vaguely aware of an issue but it did not cause me any problems. Roll on 20 years and now it does. Age, gravity and carrying a too heavy suitcase last summer. I'm a bit older than you and my decision is that there is nothing I can do to improve things other than surgery. And that I now need to get this sorted whilst I am able to recover quickly.

Operation next week!

So advice is that if its not bothering you just take care, do the exercises, be careful what you lift, keep your weight down and look at topical creams. If you get to the point where you feel this is not enough consider surgery.

That said that I have been studiously avoiding google and reading about possible outcomes.

Puts head firmly back in the sand.

Saw doc today, awaiting bloods back but she said oestrogen cream is really for menopausal ladies. I have no evidence of thinning tissue, and no other symptoms i.e. pain or dryness . I actually think my oestrogen is high at the moment. That last frenzy of ovarian activity before it all slows down...but I will go back if I'm not happy. Trouble is I have unavoidable lifting in my job.
TutuB would swimming or yoga be an alternative to your running from an endorphin point of view?

Hi piggychops I don't like swimming so that wouldn't be an option for me. I do like yoga and am trying to find a local class but I doubt that's going to give me an endorphin rush - think it's the very physicality of running that brings on the endorphins.
Hi alteredimage - good to hear from you. Good luck on your op next week and please come back and let us know how you recover. I'd be interested in how it turns out.
I also have a lowish cervix and interesting point someone made is that the rectocele and cystocele are dragging it down so once they are removed, it should spring back up again. So I may turn to surgery in a couple of months .... TutuB