Vaginal Prolapse

[determined]

I recently had surgery for bladder and rectal prolapse. After the surgery, I had a pack removed from the vagina which was placed after surgery to absorb bleeding. The pack was to be removed the next day. Unfortunately, due to a lot of bleeding there had actually been 2 packs placed but only one was removed. 24 hours later I started complaining of "pressure on my bottom" but I said that it was tolerable. I was becoming puffy/swollen in the face and eyes and red in colour and the pain increased until later that day I was immobile and grasping the bars of the hospital bed. I was incoherent and in pain. The nurse assigned was not helping me. Finally I had a large and very painful bowel movement and felt like I tore inside. I almost passed out from pain. After the bowel movement, I saw a white and red material protruding out of me and pulled out about one foot of gauze. At the time I didn't know what it was. I stumbled out of the bathroom and pressed a nurse call button. The desk nurse came and pulled out about 3 to 4 more feet of the bloody gauze out of me. I finally was no longer in pain. I had another bowel movement. The nurse wrote up an incident report. I am concerned that this error of the 2nd pack not being removed/all the pressure I placed to have a bowel movement may have compromised my surgical results. The instructions are not to become constipated or strain but due to this error, I am worried about any adverse impact. If anyone has any thoughts on this, it would be appreciated.

[bladderdoc]

It is possible that you have not compromised the operation although only your surgeon will know for sure. Continue to follow all post-operative instructions as directed.

[determined]

I am the writer of the post you replied to and appreciate the response. May I ask if you are a doctor since your posting says "bladder doc"?
I have recently learned that the pack left inside me was 6 feet long. I have level one prolapse at 9 weeks post-op (may have occurred before this timeframe). I believe my surgical outcome was compromised due to inept post-op care and will be taking appropriate action. Thank you for your response.

[kimme]

For me personally I would have sued them right of. That is what I call negligence on their part, you could have gotten an infection or some clot or something that could have killed you. Those people were not reading their notes on your condition or else this would not have happened to you at all. But I pray that everything is going well with you at the moment.