Grade III cystocele, Grade II rectocele and Grade II uterine descent
Posted , 7 users are following.
I have finally received a report concerning the problems I have been experiencing with prolapse, and it seems I have a grade III cystocele, a grade II rectocele and a grade II uterine descent. Although I have tried vaginal pessaries, both the ring ones and shelf pessary ones, they don't seem to work for very long. Either they are too uncomfortable and have to be removed, or they actually fall out. The doctor has indicated that he feels they are pretty much at the upper limit on what size pessary can be safely inserted through the introitus without causing trauma.
At the moment I don't have a pessary fitted as the last one fell out after a few days and I thought it might be wiser to give it a rest for a week or so before returning to the clinic to discuss other options. The option obviously will be surgery, but I am unsure what questions I need to ask to ensure I get a full picture of what will be involved. Will the surgeon actual repair all problems at once, for example. What actually is involved at the time of the surgery. And of course, what is the recovery likely to be. And what do i need to do or not do to ensure a complete and full recovery.
Having been following various discussion threads over the last weeks and months, it appears that many people have serious problems with recovering from these repairs. I live alone and it might be difficult for me to care for myself following such surgery.
Any advice, help, etc would be most welcome. Especially on what sort of questions I should ask the surgeon at my next visit. I want to be as fully informed as possible.
To be honest, I would still rather keep to the pessary route, but from the report from the doctor, it appears he feels that there is little more that can be done conservatively and I would need to go for the option of prolapse surgery.
Many thanks in advance for your help and guidance.
1 like, 22 replies
robyn94818 jacqueline31772
Posted
Main thing I want to check is hopefully you are under a Urogynaecologist? Nothing you do now is going to improve those prolapses. Probably they will still keep getting worse. There's a big chance the surgery for you could be very successful. As lots are. The worse the prolapses get the more extensive the surgery will need to be. Opt for surgery.
jacqueline31772
Posted
I thought I would update you on my visit today to have yet another pessary fitted. A gellborn pessary and yes, I know I can' have sex, that isn't a problem as I am now 70 and live alone! But the doctor did say, that if this one doesn't work, then it does look like the only option is to have an operation. He mentioned that the cystocele would be repaired and the rectocele and also dropped very causally that if found necessary, they would remove my uterus. Why do doctors casually say these things? I did ask him closely about the need for this, and his answer was that if it was felt necessary, it might need to be done. This operation is getting more and more complicated. He did say that i wouldn't be able to go swimming for about three or four months, which is a bit more realistic than the first doctor who talked only of six weeks recovery way back when I started on the pessary route. So the latest is, I wait to see if this pessary stays in place, and is comfortable. If so, I carry on. And if not, then it seems I will have to have surgery.
Thank you to everyone for all your advice and support on this problem. I am aware that people normally only post messages when problems have occured, and those that have had successful surgery, don't feel the need to post messages. Will let you know what happens.
thanks
Imnotadoctor jacqueline31772
Posted
Hi Jacqueline,
It was the gelhorn that was mentioned to me but at 53 not a realistic option. If you find it comfortable then it could be the answer.
If you don't want the hysterectomy then make that clear to them, they shouldn't take it unless there is a good medical reason. I wish I still had mine!
I hope it all works out well for you, I would be interested to hear how you get on with it.
robyn94818 jacqueline31772
Posted
Totally dig your heels in over the very unnecessary removal of your uterus. I have read on here that some male surgeons are taking it out for the hell of it!!! You do wonder whether they do it as a training younger Dr.'s excuse!! Both your prolapses are very commonly repaired with success with NO lame excuse to remove uterus as well. Having that gone, & especially with it not being fully justified, can lead to a whole lot of new problems. Make him fully explain exactly what scenarios when he gets inside there during the surgery, of what would justify what seems a totally unnecessary part of the operation. He is a Urogynaecologist right?