Anyone with rectal prolapse surgery (rectopexy) experience?
Posted , 3 users are following.
After a lifetime of IBS issues and finally being diagnosed with an internal rectal prolapse about 4 years ago, I began taking Colace daily in an effort to keep my stool soft and passable. I knew surgery would eventually be necessary, but I'd been hoping for more time. I'm a 28 year old female, never had kids, and am otherwise in pretty good health. After going on vacation and suffering with severe constipation, I noticed the prolapse was worse and "coming out more." I took a pic (charming I know) and sent it to my gastro, who asked to see me right away. To my surprise, she said I needed surgery ASAP. That was late November, and my surgery is scheduled for early February. Since then, the prolapse has gotten worse, but I'm thankful I haven't yet suffered with incontinence or anything like that. It's such an embarrassing condition. Thankfully my husband, family, and in-laws have been super supportive. I have to have a decography and colonoscopy leading up to the surgery, both of which I've had before thanks to my years of mysterious bowel issues. I'm currently driving over an hour each week to see a physical therapist for biofeedback, since retraining my butt how to poop correctly is helpful to prevent reoccurance after surgery. She told me that my resting sphincter is super tight, and it could be part of why my digestive tract is so slow to evacuate. Additionally, I don't use my abdominal muscles to stimulate a bowel movement, only my rectal/sphincter muscles, which is another problem I'm working on. Otherwise I'm lucky to have a functioning pelvic floor and no paradoxical contraction, which can be a common cause of prolapse.
I was curious if anyone else has had similar problems or had a procedure for rectal prolapse before? I don't know anyone who has had anything remotely similar done. I don't know all of the surgery details yet, only that my doc will be performing the rectopexy through a c-section like incision in my abdomen, which I've heard has a lower chance of recurrence than perineal surgery.
She said she may have to remove "redundant colon" in the event that there's a lot in there, but she won't know if that's the case until she's started. Wouldn't she be able to tell that from a colonoscopy? I'm hoping it doesn't come to that, as I'd prefer the surgery be as minor as possible, especially since a resectioning can lead to additional complications. My doc says there's only a 1% chance of leakage at the seams where the colon is reconnected, but I don't want anymore chances at bad luck. I'm also hoping there's no mesh involved, since I've heard some horror stories about infections and recalls.
Anyway, sorry for the novel, but I'm interested in everyone else's experiences and wanted to offer my own as well.
0 likes, 1 reply
susan556 sam0443
Posted
Hi Sam i cant say ive experienced your problem but now im wondering am i as i was told last year i had slight prolapse of the anus area and ive been for last 3 months experience the same as you, constipation and this dreadful digestive problems, swelling and nausea, im now wondering if like you its the lower end affecting my digestive problems too. Im now wondering if my rectal sphincter s some all all of my problems. do you get swelling of the upper abdomen, feel sick and bloated sometimes all day as though some one is pumping you up with air. I also feel the urge to hold all my clothing away from me like around the waist area and even my bra as it feels very restrictive by towards the evenings. Let us know how it all goes with you please.
Sue