What is prolapse surgery like nowadays after the mesh scandal?

[Lupyto]

I feel I may need surgery some time in the future. But I am so scared by the mesh stories. I believe the mesh isn’t completely banned and still in use now? Does anyone know how successful the surgery without mesh is?

[RitaFaircloughsWig]

I think you need to update your knowledge on this . Have a bit of a Google.

It says this on the NHS site: At the moment, it's not possible to have vaginal mesh surgery for pelvic organ prolapse on the NHS unless there's no alternative and the procedure cannot be delayed, and after detailed discussion between you and a doctor.

I had TVT surgery in 2010 and it has changed my life. Check this out www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/surgery/

[Lupyto]

I don’t have urinary incontinence, just the prolapse. So not sure how this would change what surgeries would be considered. Thanks for your reply. I do need to educate myself on it all.

[WoolyMammoth55]

OP, I'm not a medic, but am in the same boat as you and may need the surgery in the future.

I had a meeting with a surgeon during which we agreed the surgery isn't required yet, and asked your questions, and was told the following:

• instead of mesh they now routinely use tissue from the surrounding area for the repair;
• that the surgery has a relatively high rate of failure, and about 1 in 3 need to be re-done. This is one factor for me in not rushing into it;
• that different prolapses have different success rates - mine is a rectocele which from memory he said had a higher success rate cystocele;
• that a huge factor in the surgeries failing is over-exerting, both during recovery and for ever after. There are strict limits on weights to be lifted EVER AGAIN, etc. This was the other factor in me deciding not to proceed yet - I have little kids and no way could I commit to not lifting them.

I think from what he said that for a lot of women, the presence or absence of mesh wouldn't affect the success of the surgery. There were always alternatives, it was just (mis)sold as a convenient aid to the surgery - not that prolapse repair surgery without it would be worse or have worse outcomes.

Hope someone expert will pop along in a minute with more info - but this is what I remember. Best of luck.

[Lupyto]

Thanks that’s interesting. I think my pelvic floor strength is good. But the prolapse can’t really reverse no matter how much kegels I do. I am managing it day to day but would like to be able to exercise again without thinking about it. But from what you say maybe there will still be a lot of restrictions in place after surgery anyway.

[SenoraAveiro]

My GP checked mine and said if it were her she'd do whatever she could to avoid surgery. So not a ringing endorsement!

[Lupyto]

When was that senora? I am hoping that treatments may improve over time and perhaps in future

[SenoraAveiro]

A few months ago...

[RitaFaircloughsWig]

@Lupyto

I don’t have urinary incontinence, just the prolapse. So not sure how this would change what surgeries would be considered. Thanks for your reply. I do need to educate myself on it all.

Apologies but I believe similar treatments? I just wanted to say that yes there are lots of mesh horror stories but there are other ways of doing this and mine was hugely successful.

[kellyjo4]

They don't use mesh anymore they use something different. Im having prolapse repair surgery pretty soon. It was supposed to be last week but got cancelled last minute.I was told no amount of kegel exercises will ever fix it and after 6 years finally going down the surgery route. I've found nothing but horror stories online with the odd success story in between. My consultant said the success rate depends on how well you look after it afterwards. He said most peoples fail because they think they're healed and start getting back to things they shouldn't really be doing too soon. He also said it won't last forever and may need redoing in 10-15 years but If you get 10-15years of it been good then surely it's worth it. I'm feeling really positive about it and hoping for a good outcome

[ChickpeaPie]

I was under the impression that even after surgery you shouldn’t be going for a run etc as it would put too much strain on your pelvic floor

[Lupyto]

Wishing you well for the operation kellyjo it’s very frustrating that there isn’t a better and more reliable solution for us

[charlielimacharlie]

@Lupyto please look up Hypopressive's and particularly this one - hypopressivescotland.com - the trainer is amazing and does online 1-2-1 sessions x

[daretodenim]

Have you been to see a pelvic floor physio? I ask because you say you're doing kegels and that's unlikely to be what they'd suggest. In many cases they do more harm than good.

Anything at all you can do with your pelvic floor that is professionally advised and personally tailored (ie by a specialist physio) will be better than surgery if the two offer solutions. And if surgery is the only solution, the specialist physio will not hesitate to advise that and refer you on.

[kellyjo4]

@Lupyto

Wishing you well for the operation kellyjo it’s very frustrating that there isn’t a better and more reliable solution for us

Thank you. Very frustrating but after been to different physios and trying numerous devices to help I've accepted now that surgery is my only option. I might regret it but then again it might be life changing 😬😊

[Lupyto]

Thanks I think I might contact that lady about hypopressives. I have heard of them before but haven’t had an explanation from a professional

[a2hlb]

Hi, I am 4 weeks post laparoscopic rectopexy surgery with mesh. I have struggled to find anyone else’s experiences online regarding this. So far, it is going as well as can be expected. If anyone would like to ask anything about the op and recovery at different stages so far, I would be willing to answer you.

[WoolyMammoth55]

Thanks for posting! Hope you are feeling ok?

My cheeky questions, if you really don't mind? Was your op for a rectocele repair, and what grade was it before? What symptoms did you have pre-op and how do you hope/have you found the op has improved things?

Also did your surgeon offer you a mesh-free op or was mesh the only option in your case?

I'm really aware that there's a decent chance it'll be me on the table within a decade so really appreciate your experience - thanks again.

[a2hlb]

Hi, I had a high grade internal prolapse with a large rectocele. I struggled to empty my bowels pre-op, sometimes needing to go 7 times a day and having to use a finger, which I was so fed up with. I experienced bloating, wind and general discomfort.
Post-op, I am now able to empty my bowels🎉 It took 4 do so after the op and I am having to ensure I do not become constipated by using movicol. I have a very good diet, so I only take one sachet, every 1-2 days.
I was well informed about the use of mesh. My consultant said he would do without, depending if this was possible, once I was on the operating table. They use a different type now - prolene.
I could not have continued without some kind of operation, as I had tried everything else. Pelvic floor physio, mucopexy, etc.
I am experiencing bloating and some internal searing pains if I walk too far. I would say half hour or more. This should improve over time. I hope to return to work in two weeks time.
Happy to answer your questions. 🙂

[a2hlb]

Just to clarify, 20x4cm mesh was used.

[WoolyMammoth55]

So glad you have already seen an improvement! Wish you a very speedy continued recovery from here - please keep us posted with how you get on.

Thank you for sharing your experience, it's much appreciated