Vaginal Prolapse

[roo89]

ive been to my doctor today and she sed ive got a front wall prolapse and it needs repairing,ive had 4 children and im 41,could any 1 tell me anything about the operation and wot to expect after the op,will sex be painfull,will my bladder be bk to normal,please get bk to me soon,thanks.

[mic]

Hi Roo89! Wanted to reply to you as I have just had major pelvic reconstructive surgery on October 15th with placement of three mesh slings (TVT). I am doing wonderful and it was one of the best decisions I have made. I was devasted when the doctor told me of the surgery required and had no one to speak with so I joined this forum and it has been a pleasure. I am 44 years old, had a hysterectomy in 2004, two children with were delivered 100% natural-no pain medicine here at all. As you may know there is no one item you can point to that may have caused any of the prolapses but my doctor did mention that during surgery he was able to confirm my pelvic muscles and tissue are very weak.
When I woke up in recovery I didn't have any signs the doctor had mentioned such as burning and pressure in the vaginal area. I was very comfortable; however, towards the end of my time in recovery I did feel like I had to urnitate. I was told that was expected because as of that point I wasn't hooked up the to catheter. They took me to my hospital room within a few minutes and hooked the catheter up right away. In a matter of less than 15 minutes the need to urinate went away. During my hospital stay of three days I would say the most bothersome issue was the tightness in my leg muscles. They felt like I was running a marathon. In my second week I still have muscle soreness but one can definitely live with that and it does get better each day.
The decision will be yours but just to let you know I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE SURGERY! Take care and keep me posted on your success. MIC

[kr_32]

The sex is great to

[mic]

I've discovered there are a few different ways the surgery is performed. As I have mentioned my surgery consisted of mesh sling placements done both vaginally and with groin incisions. After the surgery I was very minimally uncomfortable. As far as sexual intercourse I haven't gotten to that point just yet in my recovery. I am scheduled to have therapy with my doctor starting November 19th with the use of estrogen cream and vaginal dialators (think of a tampon with level 1 small and increasing in size with each level). My doctor assures me that intercourse will be exactly if not better than before I had children.

[ddeiman]

I am 35 yrs old and my 1st baby was born this past July. It was a hard labor (pushing stage) and I had a bad tear too. I was just diagnosed with POP and I can see my cervix inside. I am very uncomfortable and have my son that I need to care for as I'm a stay at home mom and have no help. I am scheduled to see a urogynecology surgeon at Washington Hosp Ctr for a surgery consult. My question is anyone who has had this surgery are you able to lift afterwards? I understand there is a 12 week recovery but after that? How am I supposed to care for my son? We wanted one more child but I am too scared that it would make things worse and I can't go on like this so I feel surgery is best. It so hard to find information on this and I want to educate myself as best I can before I have anything done.

[mic]

Hi ddeiman, I am in my 4th week of recovery from my prolapse surgery. As mentioned in previous posts I had 3 mesh slings placed to hold my urethra, bladder, and vaginal wall (hysterectomy done in 2004). I have started the estrogen cream therapy and return to my gyn doctor 11/19 for the therapy to enlarge my wall to assist with a more comfortable sexual relationship with my husband. This therapy will stretch the wall out to a size more suited for penis entry and good relations. As far as lifting I am still not to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk but do notice an extreme difference over the last four weeks as far as strength is concerned. My strength is building up back to the normal level. I strongly suggest you share with the doctor you wanting to have another child because depending on the stage of your prolapse they may be able to assist and postpone the surgery for you until a more suitable time. Having a young child to care for may make your recovery harder than others. If you have friends send a shout out for assistance or if you belong to a church mention something to your ladies group and perhaps they may offer some support. I am assuming your husband is working and depending on the number of years he has with his current employer he may be eligible for an FMLA leave to care for you while recovery. Just some thoughts and suggestions for things to consider. Good Luck with your consultation. Mic

[ddeiman]

Thanks so much! My husband is a teacher and is looking into HR about FMLA. I also contacted our insurance company about in home care after surgery. I am scheduled to get a pessary fitting next week Hoping that will help keep things in until I see the surgeon in Jan. I also asked to be on a cancellation list hoping to get in sooner. I am really too afraid of having another baby and making things worse than they are and then harder to repair. My husband says he'd rather me be ok than have another baby so we're leaning towards surgery. What is estrogen therapy? You also mentioned making the vaginal walls bigger? I'm confused I thought you'd want things tight to hold things in place? Could you explain more? Did you have abdominal or laparascopic? The surgeon I'm seeing does a lot with laparascopic, here's a link to his info
http://www.whcenter.org/documents/Physician%20Publications/PhysicianNov06.pdf
I'm so scared about all of this! I just wish I could get help already. Did you have a pessary at all? Does anyone know when you go for the fitting what they do? How long does it take to order one? Thanks and wish you a successful recovery!

[mic]

You are quite welcome! I too was so devastated when I was given my diagnosis but do not regret having the surgery at all. In regards to having another child there is always the option of a cesarian delivery versus a vaginal delivery. You really should discuss the possibility of having another child with your gyn/ob before having the surgery. I don't know all the details but had a sister in law who had a weak cervix/uterus but was actually stitched for support so she could carry her children. The medical world is so sophisicated today you would be surprised. The estrogen therapy (Estrace cream)is a vaginal cream. Since I no longer have my uterus my estrogen levels are low which creates vaginal dryness. The cream is a synthetic replacement. I've included the name of the cream if you would like to find out more out the cream. In regards to the vaginal walls with the placement of the slings to hold things in place my pelvic region after the surgery was made tight. This is done for the muscles to adhere properly to the mesh slings and then stretch them out to a comfortable size. Basically my doctor said my vaginal region after the surgery will be exactly if not better than after child bearing. Not to sound terrible but my doctor has told me sex will be better than ever after I complete the therapies. The slings actually are the holders and your muscles have to adhere to them. Once this is done you then stretch the muscles to a comfortable size...small, medium, larger which ever is comfortable for you and your husband. My surgery was vaginal with laproscopic. I have small incisions in my groin (inner thigh crease) which were glued and two incisions on my buttocks that were stitched (maybe about 1" in length). I didn't have a pessary because my prolapses were at a stage 4 (worse case scenario). To size for a pessary they simply measure your internal dimensions. It is not painful at all. I had a pessary inserted by a urologist for urodynamic testing. I don't believe you would have to wait long (maybe even receive it the same day) as these should be standard supplies at the doctor's office. You mentioned you have a front wall prolapse...it your prolapse just your vaginal wall? My prolapses consisted of my bladder and vaginal wall. Recovery is coming along well!

[ddeiman]

Well I got a pessary and it helps a little but things are still bulging and then I have to adjust where the pessary is and then it feels better but as soon as I start doing a lot of things it always has to be moved around again. I guess it'll have to do until I see the surgeon in Jan. How is your recovery going?

[mic]

Hi ddeiman! My recovery is going well. I don't have any experience with a pessary at all because I became a stage 4 (highest-surgery required) very quickly. From previous conversations I have found that most people using pessaries say they are always having to adjust. I am very happy that I had the surgery and to be able to stand up and not have this huge buldge between my legs is wonderful. So far during my recovery I have been able to pitter patter around the house, no lifting, and no running the sweeper. I still become very tired during the day and do my best to try and get an hour nap or so to rejuvenate myself. I have been doing estrogren cream therapy for two weeks and return to my doctor tomorrow at which point I believe he will start therapy. The therapy is to enlarge or return my vaginal wall opening back to a comfortable size. When the slings are inserted your pelvic area is tightened and then with this therapy it will be enlarged to a comfortable size for sexual intercourse. My doctor advise this is a process that must be performed in steps otherwise you could tear what was corrected during surgery. My doctor normally performs therapy on the 4th week but he found out my muscles were very weak when he performed surgery. Because of this he pushed my therapy back to the 6th week. I have been off from work ever since my surgery but believe he may release me to work part time at my visit. We shall see! Take care and please keep me posted!