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Hysterectomy or not ? for stage 4 prolapse

Posted , 4 users are following.

ann27271
ann27271

Hi, Hope for some advice on a stage 4 prolapse that my consultant has said  the best way forward is to have a hysterectomy and a repair, its all a bit of a shock at present, I have had a pessary fitted that has elevated the symtoms a little but been told not to stand for more than an hour or lift anything, have been really groggy for a week and am due for the operation in a week. would most appreciate any advice.

best wishes Ann

1 like, 25 replies

25 Replies

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  • jacqueline67292
    jacqueline67292 ann27271

    Posted

    Hi Ann

    I feel for you, prolapses are so very uncomfortable.  I can only tell you that having the hysterectomy was the best thing I have ever done, even though I was told the success rate is only 37% and that there was a possibility my bladder would not cope (it was referred to as tissue paper) and talk of a bag etc.  It put me off for a while, but as well as my bladder going south, my bowel decided to join it.  In the end I thought the op has got to be better than this.  It was spoiling all my keep fit, which I love, and even walking the dog was extremely uncomfortable.  He! he! I am laughing about pessaries, I had one fitted and it was fine for about a week and then I lost it down the toilet!  I was so very sore after that, so I refused to have another fitted.  

    There is another twist to my little tale,  my surgeon, Mr El Gorigor is a fantastic man who has had to put me through my paces with measuring my over active bladder, leading me through giving up lots of foods so that the bladder and bowel are not irrirated and then he did my op.  My first sight when I came round was my surgeon waving his arms in the air and saying 'tell me I am wonderful, it was a complete success, everything had gone left and down, so I have replaced the bowel higher up and the bladder higher up, then I looked at your womb and because it was a perfect specimen for a woman of 65 and because you had done the work to get ready for this op, I decided to put it back!'  He did make me laugh, and I remember thinking, gosh I must be okay because I am laughing!  Apparently the womb being reinserted  keeps everything in place so less chance of another prolapse!  

    I had to put my feet up for 2 hours midday every day.  It certainly helped with the pressure.  

    I had no pain with the op, can you believe that?  I have sailed through recovery, from day 1 I was walking and climbing stairs, and Day 3 I was back walking my dog (she is very gentle on the lead) and every day I increased my walking.  Now starting week 6 and feel amazing.  I just cannot thank my lovely surgeon enough for giving me my quality of life back.  

    No one can advise you Ann, it is your decision, but having a stage 4 prolapse, it is not going to get any better without the surgery, but you must do all the instructions to the letter when you are in recovery.  No lifting, rest in between walking, drink plenty and you will be fine.

    Let me know what you decide.  

    Love

    Jacqui lol

    • ann27271
      ann27271 jacqueline67292

      Posted

      Hi Jacqui, oh you have made my day to receive such a lovely message, you sound as if you have a wonderful doctor but you seem to have been the perfect patient and I am so happy to. Hear you are progressing so well after a difficult time.

      this all happened last week really so the main problem was that the prolapse went very South and of course I couldn't stand and everything

      internally became very painful, I did have a pessary fitted within a day by my GP, after 2 attempts and it was so painful she realised I had a infection too, I actually felt sorry for her as she knew something had to happen and

      persevered bless her unfortunately it came out that night so I was back to square one, I realised that I needed to see a specialist who does this sort of thing all of the time, she was marvellous and explained that in her

      opinion a hysterectomy was the best option with a repair, but this includes my womb but hopefully not ovaries. I travel quite a lot and I am always

      busy particularly with my. Grandchildren, I like to play golf when I have the time so I suppose it makes sense to have the belt and braces approach.

      it really helped to hear from you but wasn't quite sure if you had a vaginal hyterectomy or not, I do hope you soon get back to A1 fitness and keep in touch.

      love and appreciation Ann x

    • jacqueline67292
      jacqueline67292 ann27271

      Posted

      Hi Ann

      Lovely to hear from you.  Yes I had a vaginal hysterectomy, from listening to the ladies on this forum this does seem to have the fastest recovery rate.  Also right from the start you can bend and stretch a bit and are quite flexible.  

      I know you will be out of action with regard to your golf and picking up the grandchildren etc but I think it is well worth it to be fighting fit again and get your quality of life back.  

      I went up a very steep hill we have here in Norfolk the other day and I wasn't puffing or panting at all, well maybe Rosie the Shih Tzu was!  So I have my full fitness back, even without doing my Zumba, cannot do that for at least 3 months and maybe longer, but I am doing 25 flights of stairs a day and increasing each week.  The neighbours think I am a bit funny, but what the heck!  

      Take care

      Love

      Jacqui lol

    • ann27271
      ann27271 jacqueline67292

      Posted

      Hi Jacqui, wow! That's amazing that you are climbing hills and stairs, don't worry about the neighbours I bet they think you are a very deternined lady, you are certainly an inspiration to me as like you I would like to do as much as I can to get my fitness back slowly and surely.

      i am now starting to feel that I will go ahead withe hysterectomy, my consultant is away in Italy this week so I don't know much more than she can fit me in next Thursday.

      thank you again, and keep well.

      love Ann x

    • jacqueline67292
      jacqueline67292 ann27271

      Posted

      Hi Ann

      Thank you so much for your lovely words.  I just want you to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel (sorry no pun intended!) and to assure you that once your prolapses are back in their rightful place, you will be absolutely amazed at how good you feel.  You get so used to the pressure and uncomfortableness and it becomes the norm so when everything is fixed it is life changing.  

      I live on a retirement complex and two other ladies had their ops before me, and to watch their progress and how they soon bounced back to fitness really encouraged me.  

      The only problem you are going to have is keeping yourself in check and not doing certain things until you are allowed, because you will feel so fit.  So don't worry about your fitness level, just having the op will put you ahead of where you were before.    

      That would be brilliant if you could have your op next Thursday, you will be on the road to recovery in no time.

      Love

      Jacqui lol

    • ann27271
      ann27271 jacqueline67292

      Posted

      Hi Jacqui,

      Thanks again for your encouragment it has made such a difference.

      I have now heard all is scheduled for next Thursday and I will go for the pre-assessment early next week.

      My own doctor rang me today who further explained that because my uterus has dropped too that the hyterectomy is the way forward, at present my only concern is that my tummy seems very swollen so I have been told that if it becomes painful or I have a temperature I must ring them.

      It is so lovely to be in touch with lovely ladies like you as it has really helped me come to terms and I do now feel it is the right decison.

      So keep well and happy and I will think f all you have said.

      love Ann xx 

    • jacqueline67292
      jacqueline67292 ann27271

      Posted

      Hi Ann

      So glad everything is in place for you.  Don't forget to take some oil of peppermint with you.  2/3 drops in a glass of water 3 times a day, stops the 'gas' pain, works a treat.  Have you got your case packed yet?  

      He! he! I bet your mind is all over the place thinking what needs to be done etc etc.  Just stay calm, remember it helps the healing process the calmer you are before the op.  There are some amazing relaxing meditation videos on YouTube, I have recorded lots and use them for hubby and me twice a week.  Keeps us sane.  

      Let me know how you get on Ann, stay in touch.  I agree this forum is wonderful, it has been of great help to me.  

      Love

      Jacqui lol

    • ann27271
      ann27271 jacqueline67292

      Posted

      Thanks Jacqui, you did make me laugh, no haven't packed the case yet! Just gathering the goods, had to go and buy big knickers and some baggy trousers for my extended tum, I much prefer fired clothing.

      will get the peppermint oil, it's on the list!

      yes I will keep in touch and let you know how I get on at the pre-assessment.

      thanks again, could do with you coming with me!

      lots of love Ann x

    • jacqueline67292
      jacqueline67292 ann27271

      Posted

      Hi Ann

      Would love to come with you and be your cheerleader, only thing is they would throw me out because we would be laughing too much!  I bet you won't need those baggy knickers when you have had the deed done.  I had great delight in filling a charity bag with all the loose clothing.  I bought belly dancer bottoms as they are baggy, but because I am only 5' 1" they looked really stupid, still didn't have to wear them.  He! he! I packed my makeup, and an hour after being bought back to the ward there I was applying it.  He! he! it didn't look very good, bad lighting and all that, but I felt better and it made hubby laugh when he arrived, he thought I would be screaming in agony and looking terrible!  So did I!  

      Love

      Jacqui lol

    • ann27271
      ann27271 jacqueline67292

      Posted

      Hi Jacqui, you sound like a girl of my own heart, I reckon you should buy a cheerleaders outfit and wear it and put it as your profile photo as you are so lovely and funny! just to let you know I have part packed the bag! Yes the makeup will go in , how did you get on with your hair I'm thinking of having it done a day before if I'm up to it.

      Lots of love Ann x

       

    • jacqueline67292
      jacqueline67292 ann27271

      Posted

      Hi Ann

      I rolled my hair up with heated rollers very very tight, I usually use very strong hair spray, but I knew I couldn't so just put it in curls, this was 4 a.m. in the morning!  There is a hairdressers in our hospital so I thought if it looks too dreadful I would pop down there once the 'pack' was out!  I know the things I think of, but to be honest it did not look to bad at all, I would it would be flat and stuck to my head, but it did not get messed up at all, he! he! I think my surgeon would not dare!  I love your bit about the cheerleaders outfit, but I was thinking more of turning up in your operating theatre more than a photo!  Aren't you glad I don't know where you are!  

      You sound great fun Ann, just keep smiling and soon you will be giving advice to the new girls on the site.  Keep packing the case.

      Love

      Jacqui lol

    • ann27271
      ann27271 jacqueline67292

      Posted

      Hi Jacqui, I think we would make a good pair together and as far as I am concerned laughter can be best form of medicine when possible.

      yes you could assist at the operating theatre, keep an eye on my hair but best not do my make up!

      feeling so much better by chatting with you and the other lovely contributors, I'm a lucky lady.

      xxxxxxx

  • Clarissabelle
    Clarissabelle ann27271

    Posted

    Hi Ann.   I had a vaginal hysterectomy with posterior and anterior repair on 24th February.  Mine was also done very quickly from referral.  It was much easier than I expected.  Because of both repairs I had to stay in two nights as the catheter wasn t removed until two hours before discharge.  I came home and felt really well apart from being tired.   Bladder worked straight away and bowel action resumed after four days.  I was so well I even went supermarket shopping with hubby on day six.  Short outing and I did nothing but walk in the shop!    Unfortunately I developed a chest and an internal infection the following day and was re admitted to hospital.  This was just bad luck.  I am now ten weeks post op.  Everything is good and we had a holiday abroad at eight weeks.  I was discharged after my six week review.   I wouldn't t hesitate to have it done .  My life is so much better without the prolapse problem I had suffered in silence for ages.  This forum is really supportive and helpful.  Good luck and keep in touch.  Message me if you want to ask anything.   Claire

     

    • ann27271
      ann27271 Clarissabelle

      Posted

      Hi Claire, thank you so very much for your message, you have put my mind at rest re. Bladder and bowel problems that the consultant said could occur, I am not looking forward to the catheter part though.

      i have also been told that we are given antibiotics which is a bit of a problem for me as I am so allergic to many of them and to certain anathetics .

      i am so pleased to hear that you have made such a good recovery although I you must have had difficult times.

      so pleased to hear you have had a holiday too, did you fly?

      i live in France part of the time so was told not to fly until 8 weeks after theop.

      i have a wonderful holiday booked early August with my grandchildren so want to be fit for that, I am missing picking them up at the moment and the  y are missing me doing lots of things with them.

      i am not very good at stopping still!

      so thankyou again for you heartwarming response.

      kindest regards Ann x

  • Clarissabelle
    Clarissabelle ann27271

    Posted

    Hi again Ann.     Don t worry about the catheter.  You really won t notice it and I felt nothing when it came out.  The worst thing is the pack in the vagina which stayed in until the morning after the op.  It's just uncomfortable with the pressure.  We flew to Majorca for the holiday and it was no problem.  The flight was two and half hours.  We re also due to fly to Madeira which is four hours later this month.  I was back driving my car at three weeks. Post op.  Please don t hesitate to ask any other questions.   Claire
    • ann27271
      ann27271 Clarissabelle

      Posted

      Hi Claire, thanks for the info. I think because everything is happening so quickly it's just sinking in, really would like to ask the consultant a few more questions before hand. I wonder if there will be a pre op discussion, at present I am booked in for an 8am surgery next Thursday.

      i am pleased to hear the catheter isn't a problem.

      I have problems with my knees and wonder about the operation with my

      legs in strirups for the operation too. 

      I do have a few problems with meds and have past history of problems.

      I don't want to be perceived as a troublesome patient and let them have

      the wrong idea ofmy concerns.

      i love Majorca too and that is where we are going in August.

      not long returned from a cruise through Panama canal and South America then on to NZ. For a month.

      thanks again it's great to receive some reassurance.

      love Ann x

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