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Original poster

Any Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery success stories?

350 replies

littlecabbage · 10/08/2018 21:21

I have a grade II cystocoele and a grade I rectocoele (following instrumental delivery during childbirth). I am going to see my GP soon to ask for referral to a women’s healh physio to help with my symptoms, but have been told I will need surgery at some point.

It’s very easy to find negative stories about surgical repairs breaking down, and how they become more and more difficult to repair each time, but I am hoping this is just because women are more likely to post when things have gone wrong and it is on their mind more.

Has anyone had surgery to improve/resolve POP and had (so far) a good outcome? How long ago did you have the surgery? How old were you? What type/grade of prolapse(s) did you have beforehand? Did you do pelvic floor physio before and/or after, and did that help? Do you do any high impact exercise now, or is that too risky? Are your symptoms completely resolved, or just improved?

Thanks for any info you are able to share.

OP posts:
SleepySofa · 03/11/2018 17:29

Just coming back to complain that my rectocele, which relapsed a bit in the summer then seemed to get much better on its own, is troubling me again because I have a chest infection and keep coughing. I coughed just as I was about to go to the toilet when out for lunch today and basically did a bit of wee on the floor - it was just as I was sitting down on the loo so luckily I already had my pants down and my skirt up. So rubbish.

SleepySofa · 03/11/2018 17:30

I’ve named changed btw but was posting on here regularly in August.

timeisnotaline · 04/11/2018 00:46

Sleepy it’s probably temporary while you are ill. I had a cold a few weeks back and basically abandoned exercise for the week. Even so my pf was completely shot by the end of a week with a cold. Rest up afterwards and it should spring back. And remember to stop walking etc and contract before every cough / sneeze as much as you can. My physio said it’s a reflex which needs relearning for many women after giving birth.

SleepySofa · 04/11/2018 06:17

Thanks @timeisnotaline! I've been clenching as much as possible, I'll just keep doing that and doing my pf exercises. DS is at his grandparents this weekend and I woke up at 5.30 coughing away and had to go in the spare room so I don't disturb DP! This WAS meant to be a romantic weekend but instead I've spent it coughing up my guts and feeling gross because of pf issues.

Lapsingpro · 17/11/2018 22:11

Hi, just wondering if anyone has advice on what happens at combined clinic appointment? Prolapse was diagnosed last year and have had regular physio since but due first meeting with gynae/colorectal/physio team soon and not currently really sure what to expect..

Original poster
littlecabbage · 19/11/2018 09:27

Sorry, I haven’t had a combined appointment like that so can’t advise. Surely it can only be a good thing that the three specialisms are working together like that?

OP posts:
Hay666 · 03/12/2018 14:18

Hi is anyone still active on this thread? Could really do with some advice, feel like I'm going crazy following posterior (rectocele repair) Sad

Original poster
littlecabbage · 03/12/2018 14:53

Hi Hay666, sorry to hear you’re having problems. I think there are still quite a few of us who check this thread. I haven’t had surgery myself so don’t know whether I can offer advice, but why not explain what’s happening, and hopefully someone will be along to help.

OP posts:
divadee · 03/12/2018 15:35

I have just been to the hospital this morning to meet the surgeon with regards to my rectal prolapse. Still need 2 more embarrassing tests to find out what operation he will do but its looking like a STARR op will be happening. I have a rectocele and intussusception grade 3 but no one has explained what grade 3 is.

I'm tempted to cancel all the tests and just live with it. The operations sound horrendous, I have a massive and i mean massive phobia of hospital stays (out patients i am fine as i know i am leaving!), and i doubt they will discharge me within the day will they? If it was day surgery it would be ok. If not I may have to self discharge.

Hay666 · 03/12/2018 16:05

Hi both, thanks for replying,
So I had an op for rectocele/posterior repair 3 weeks ago, and whilst I'm happy with the healing I have a constant irritating urge to go for a pee, I also feel as though I can't relax my pelvic floor muscles if I try to my immediate reaction is to draw them back up again. If I do relax them then it feels as though I might pee myself, although I don't funny enough. I went in with not too many concerns around bladder function it was to straighten everything out so to speak so I could poop properly without feeling I'd left something behind, so at the moment I'm feeling pretty devastated that the surgery has brought on a new symptom. Or is it just part of the healing process? I didn't have it up until about 4 days ago Sad

IveHitPeakTumeric · 03/12/2018 16:08

I had a rectocele and enterocele repair (not sure what grade) a couple of years ago. I’m tip top down there now. Best thing I ever did.

Hay666 · 03/12/2018 16:26

I'm really glad to hear that I've Hit Peak, did you have any irritating symptoms following surgery, I guess it's hard to remember now for you x

IveHitPeakTumeric · 03/12/2018 16:30

No, I don’t remember any weird after effects. It all went really well and I was just so, so happy that I didn’t have to use my fingers to push poo out the other side of my vaginal wall that I was ecstatic for months afterwards. If you’re still having any discomfort at all, go back to your doc. Fuck putting up with that for a second longer than you have to. Men wouldn’t put up with that shit.

Original poster
littlecabbage · 03/12/2018 16:45

I think it's fairly common to experience cystitis-like symptoms after any surgery in the pelvic area, as the bladder is inevitably affected by there being inflammation close by. (I'm a vet, and have seen this happen in animals too).

Definitely worth checking with your HCPs about it, but I suspect it will settle down in time. It's still very early days.

OP posts:
Hay666 · 03/12/2018 21:39

Thank you, I'll give it tobthe fnd if the week but I'm constantly needing a wee, I'll go and then literally within five minutes feels like I need to go again, I've never had this kind of problem before. I also get shooting and stabbing pain. It feels so prickly in there too, I guess it's the sutures

Original poster
littlecabbage · 03/12/2018 21:53

Please keep us posted on how you get on. I hope these symptoms resolve soon Flowers

OP posts:
Hay666 · 03/12/2018 22:25

Thank you littlecabbage Wink

icannotremember · 06/12/2018 09:18

I finally gathered the courage to go and see my go today and she confirmed what I already knew, that I have a posterior prolapse in need of repair. She did say it will likely need more than just a simple repair and could be quite tricky but I'm not 100% sure what she meant and feel like a twit not for not asking more questions. She said a pessary is unlikely to help. But she said she was confident things could be sorted out so that made me feel better.

Part of me feels so relieved I've actually seen someone and been referred and had advice about managing things whilst waiting. Part of me is very scared about surgery and what else might be needed.

Original poster
littlecabbage · 06/12/2018 11:25

Well done icannotremember for getting the courage to go. It is frightening sometimes, isn't it?

There are quite a few positive stories of surgery on this thread now, so hopefully you will be posting the same within a year.

OP posts:
icannotremember · 06/12/2018 13:35

This thread was big in helping me decide to go, so thank you to all of you who have posted on here :)

BedknobsnBroomsticks · 07/12/2018 09:30

Hey

I sure if I am jumping on a thread that isn't active. Have been spying g for ages since my last DD who is now 1. I know I have a rectocele and want a repair, would like to go private and would love to hear any experiences of

  1. The surgery itself
  2. Private Vs NHS treatment
  3. Any surgeon recommendations
  4. The sex bit after ward (blush blush!!)

Thanks for taking the time to read

Original poster
littlecabbage · 07/12/2018 12:18

Hi BedknobsnBroomsticks, this thread is still fairly active. I can't offer advice but hopefully this will bump to someone who can. I think a lot of us on here are pre-surgery but some people who have had it have posted.

OP posts:
BedknobsnBroomsticks · 07/12/2018 12:34

Super thanks 🤞🤞

icannotremember · 07/12/2018 15:50

I know this is a bit if a how long is a piece of string question, but (mostly because I am going to really struggle with arranging a medical absence from work etc) what sort of waiting times between initial referral and actual operation have people experienced?

Miamia25 · 18/01/2019 14:03

Im 25 years old and i can feel things have changed downstairs. I feel something is at the enterance and i managed to push it in upwards and it moved I feel so scared and angry that we're not educated about prolapses and how they can happen to anyone of any age... I've never had children and have always wanted them. I attempted to have sex but it was far too painful. I have not come across any positive stories which makes me feel so hopeless. I just cant believe this is happening to me. I have an appointment with my Dr soon. I just want to be fixed and have a normal life again..