Can I ask you for your experiences of prolapse surgery?!

[MockCroc]

I have three children - no more! I have had gynae problems since the first one was born back to back, after a long second stage, with her arm out like superman... I don’t have a particularly clear understanding of my problems, but I have both vaginal and anal prolapses. Since my second child there has been something very off with my perineum which feels very short (if that makes sense). It is like the bit that used to be at the vagina end isn’t there anymore.
Anyway, the symptoms are not so bad that I must have surgery but they are intrusive and make me rather miserable. I have been offered surgery by the NHS but, because of my job (not a doctor) I have a fair bit of experience of people who have had bad outcomes. I have never heard of a positive story, mostly because people don’t really talk about this stuff. So I was wondering whether anyone would share their experiences, thoughts and advice - particularly about types of surgery, any surgeon recommendations in the northern Home Counties and basically anything you were glad you knew or wish you had known. I am terrified of the idea of surgery, but I am only (!) 40 and don’t want to live the rest of my life with bowel evacuation issues, scared about sex and feeling a bit grubby and grotty.

Thank you!!

I can offer a positive story - fingers crossed.

I had a repair around 25 years ago. I had a lift of my uterus, a bladder repair and a slight rectocele repair. I had it done privately. I had to take great care afterwards- 2 months- and arrange relatives to come and stay, DH to work from home etc as no lifting or anything heavy for ages. I had 2 DCs both under 5.

I was in hospital for around 5 days- had to have a catheter fitted due to swelling and unable to wee.

Since then, surgery seems to have moved on and women here talk about being allowed home much quicker. I had no pain, no 'packing' which people talk about here, but did have anti biotic injections to prevent any infection.

Since the op I have been advised by physios etc to never run, jog, do anything to impact on the pelvic floor, so overall you have to be careful for life.

Are you able to have this done privately or are you NHS? You will probably get a lot more choice of surgeon is you went to London where there are some very good pelvic surgeons.

Thank you Polly. That is really helpful. I have three under 5 so the recovery seems a bit intimidating but it is really good to read a positive result. I have private healthcare which I’ve never used, so now might be the time to look into it! X