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New "cele" 4 months after cistocele surgery and hysterectomy

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hijadeonagro
Hijadeonagro

Hi girls! I hope you understand my English, Im writing from Spain. Firstly, thanks for this wonderful and useful forum. 

I am 46. I had an hysterectomy and cistocele surgery (mesh) 4 months ago because I had uterus and bladder prolapse. Everything has gone well more or less, Ive had minor issues but everything is fine now I think. I still feel a bit weird... And have some stings inside... 

Since the surgery, I have been taking Carbonatum of Magnesium (its a stool softener) because I used to be constipated since I was a teenager. 

But for 3 weeks things have been difficult in the bathroom, I feel like after pooing I still have something inside. As I am having massage sessions with my physio weekly (she treats the scars and tissues with massage and radiofrequency) I asked her to check my rectum and she confirmed I have a rectocele. It's not that big but for me is very uncompfortable. I feel it on the perineum, not inside the vagina and feel it full all the time. 

I have an app with a dr next week and in two weeks I will see my gyn who did the surgery. 

I have a lot of questions... Why he didn't repair the rectocele too? Can a rectocele appears only in 4 months? Will I need another surgery? I can't see a buldge through the vagina so I guess Its not that big, but Im not used to have that feeling in the anus all the time. If the rectum has to be like a tube, I feel it like a ball. 

My physiotherapist sais we will begin next week with exercises in order to tone my PV (its too weak now). Could it get better with exercise? I had 1 month of repose and 3 months of sick leave, so my life has been very quiet for 3 months cos I didn't want the surgery to fail. 

Any piece of advice?  Anyone has had a similar experience? Thanks in advance!!! 

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Rosie71
    Rosie71 Hijadeonagro

    Posted

    I had a rectocele and cystocele after my last child 20 yrs ago, I downgraded my grade 2/3 rectocele to a grade 1 after pelvic floor exercises so they do work. I would definitely have physio before surgery if your pelvic floor is weak. This will also help your current repair. I can live with my rectocele at the moment and once I'm fully fit hope I can avoid surgery. X
    • Hijadeonagro
      Hijadeonagro Rosie71

      Posted

      Hi Rosie71! Thanks for your encoraging comment and congratulations for your good evolution. I'll have your comment in mind, as I said we will begin with exercise next week. Please could you let me know what kind of PF exercises do you do? I think my physio is going to set a routine of hypopressives, kegels and fitball exercises. Are those kind of rutines which have helped you? Thanks a lot!!! 
  • Jan999
    Jan999 Hijadeonagro

    Posted

    Hello. You could have developed a rectocele after your hysterectomy and cystocele repair because your bladder and uterus could have been protecting your bowel and preventing it from prolapsing. If it's a mild rectocele, which it sounds as though it is pelvic floor exercises could help.
    • Hijadeonagro
      Hijadeonagro Jan999

      Posted

      Matron: many thanks for your response! I didn't know that bladder and uterus could support the bowel from falling... Curious... Thanks for the explanation! Yes I think it's a mild rectocele because you can't see it from outside through the vagina. But it's really stressful for me. I have an app next week with a proctologist and Ill see my gyn also and they will confirm the grade. But until then your comment gives me hope, thanks a lot. Congratulations for this forum!
  • linda23833
    linda23833 Hijadeonagro

    Posted

    I had surgery for anterior and posterior repair and TVTO on 11 th March. I also have a rectocele and asked if it could all be done at the same time.

    I was advised that as there was a lot going on that it would not be advisable. Having the posterior repair may also help with the rectocele and she also spoke to the specialist in front of me. I think it has helped , but still having a slight problem. If I needed surgery was advised about a six month gap which would also give me time to strengthen the pelvic floor and heal from surgery and reflect of the benefits of surgery.

    I did feel that I just wanted it all over at the same time, but also felt confident that they were giving me the best advise. Hope this helps.

    • linda23833
      linda23833

      Posted

      Forgot to mention that when I had a scan they found a fybroid and cyst so when I signed for surgery I also expected a hysterectomy.

      She felt that my womb lining was thin and in good condition for my age and never went ahead with the hysterectomy.

      I have some questions in 4 weeks time, but felt when advised that the specialist was happy with the surgery she completed and will advise me accordingly if anything else needs to be done.

    • Hijadeonagro
      Hijadeonagro linda23833

      Posted

      Thanks Linda, reading your lines, I have thought that maybe my gyn saw a little rectocele (if it existed at the time of the surgery) and he said nothing because he thought there was already too much to fix in the same event... I will ask him in the next check. I am looking forward to begin with the exersices!  

      Best wishes for you and your recovery! 

    • Jan999
      Jan999 Hijadeonagro

      Posted

      I would be VERY surprised if a consultant saw something during an operation and not discuss it with a patient. Certainly in the UK it would be frowned upon and not ethical unless it was bad news (cancer for instance) and the next of kin had asked for it not to be disclosed because they wanted to discuss it first.
    • linda23833
      linda23833 Jan999

      Posted

      On reading your comments with regards to bladder and uterus supporting the bowel, maybe that is why my surgeon never did a hysterectomy knowing I already have a rectocele. The only thing mentioned that my womb lining was thin and exactly what she would of expected at my age (62) and the cyst was to far up and that she would chat with me in six weeks and that it could disperse on its own accord. No worries that it is anything nasty.

      Early days, but the problems with the rectocele seem better. I have been using a squatty Potty which is what she recommended and maybe this has helped. Will have to see how things go and I am sure once I am allowed to resume pelvic floor exercises things will begin to improve and in six months time will know whether I need further surgery.

    • Jan999
      Jan999 linda23833

      Posted

      Hello Linda. You are probably right and I've known Urogynaecologists holding back doing a hysterectomy for the reason you have mentioned. As we get older the lining of the womb and vaginal wall gets thinner which is why some consultants recommend progesterone pessaries to help with the latter problem before a prolapse repair. It's good to hear you found the squatty potty useful.
    • Hijadeonagro
      Hijadeonagro Jan999

      Posted

      Maybe you're right, It will be more fair to ask to the gyn in my next check... Thanks for your words
    • chica
      chica Jan999

      Posted

      I'm confused now.

      for 4years 3months i've been having pain where i think my left ovary is.

      so i've had tests for gynno, digestivo,urologia and of course blood poo etc.

      6 gynnos said everything is fine and then 1 gynno said i have a pelvic mass and need a hysterectomy.

      she was the only one i paid for so i was cautious of her diagnosis.

      buts thats by the by.

      sex is very painful and then i got a bacterial infection.

      at late 60's i thought maybe i have a prolapse going on.

      but i thought i would try a hormone for vaginal atrophy and do some PFE more vigourously.

      all my research tells me to use estriol ovules which i understand is estrogen.

      now i hear you say progesterone is the hormone to use for atrophy?/thinning of the walls.

      i have to be my own doctor as i have lost faith in all the specialists i,m afraid.

      i am also writing from spain and can get almost anything without prescription in the farmacias.                                                                 its so frustrating at each consultation i see the specialists copying the previous ones notes and telling me i have IBS.​

      sorry i rambled on.

      is it estrogen or progesterone for atrophy??

    • Jan999
      Jan999 chica

      Posted

      I was prescribed progesterone because I had a hysterectomy some years ago so oestrogen wouldn't be prescribed. 
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