1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Genitourinary Prolapse

Rectocele - how did you decide what to do?

Posted , 7 users are following.

Imnotadoctor
Imnotadoctor

First post on here so apologies if this has been covered before. I had an anterior repair and hysterectomy 3 years ago, they said I had a small rectocele that would at some point need repairing.

I now find it is causing me problems so am thinking about having it repaired but am worried about the whole thing & don't want to make my pelvic floor/control issues worse. My question is - did you use a gynaecologist or a colorectal surgeon? Obviously both can do it but approach from a different direction! Having it done via the rectum is scary but is it the better option?

I would really appreciate your help.

0 likes, 65 replies

65 Replies

Next
  • Jan999
    Jan999 Imnotadoctor

    Posted

    Only a good Urogynaecologist should repair a rectocele but you don't say whether you're in the UK. I know other countries it's different 
    • Imnotadoctor
      Imnotadoctor Jan999

      Posted

      Yes I'm in the UK. What's wrong with colorectal surgeons?!
    • Jan999
      Jan999 Imnotadoctor

      Posted

      It is more usual for Urogynaecologists to perform this surgery due to the extra training they've undertaken after becoming gynaecologists. You will find on this forum most ladies in the UK saw a Urogynaecologist for their surgery and a lot did quite a bit of research to find the right one.
    • Imnotadoctor
      Imnotadoctor Jan999

      Posted

      Understood, thank you. Any tips on finding the best person in my area? I am lucky enough to have private healthcare but they will not recommend a doctor. I live in the south west. I don't want to rush into this as it took me ages to recover from the anterior repair and although I was very good & didn't lift etc I've been told that it could do with 'hitching up again' - great 😟 I think my pelvic floor has had it really, I do Kegel exercises to try to stop it getting worse but I'm feeling very low about it all at the moment as I can't see things ever improving.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 Imnotadoctor

      Posted

      A posterior repair, I always think is slightly more complicated than an anterior repair and does take longer to recover from so you need the best Urogynaecologist. The best way of finding a good surgeon is to google any private hospitals in your area even though you won't necessarily be going private. Read about the different gynaecologists at the hospital and in the description it will say something about urogynaecology, pelvic floor surgery etc. To work in a private hospital undertaking any pelvic floor surgery they have to have done the extra urogynaecology training. Then see which ones are at the hospital you will be referred to. Some have reviews as well. Hope that helps.
    • Imnotadoctor
      Imnotadoctor Jan999

      Posted

      I will do that. Thank you, glad to have found this forum as it's a difficult subject to discuss with friends etc. Thanks again.
    • jennie43338
      jennie43338 Imnotadoctor

      Posted

      Hi, I live near Bristol and originally I found a marvellous Consuktant in London as the one I was referred to originally gave me no faith in her abilities nor her bed side manner. Unfortunately, the department the  Consultant in London worked in (NHS) was disbanded and I had to go back on the waiting list in Bristol. However, the gynae physio I saw at St Michaels Hospital recommended the Consultant there & I am very happy with her. The Consultant in London does private work & he is world renowned. I can dig out his name for you if you wish to see him. He was lovely. Jennie.
  • Hijadeonagro
    Hijadeonagro Imnotadoctor

    Posted

    Hi Imnotadoctor! Im in the same situation, I had anterior repair and hysterectomy and now I have rectocele. Here in Spain both urogyns and colorectal surgeons do the surgery. In fact I went last Monday to a colorectal and he told me it's very soon for the surgery cos I have a mild rectocele although I have many issues in the bathroom...

    I'm seeing my gyn next week and he will tell me more. I'm under supervision of a physio with the hope that I can get a bit better but maybe I will end into surgery... I don't know...

    I can give you a piece of advice to find a good PF urogyns. They usually are registered in associations of pelvic floor and they usually attend congresses as speakers. The brochures of these events are usually in Internet, you can see the names of the doctors in the brochures. If they are invited as speakers, they should be good!!! Hope it works...

    Hugsssssss

    • Imnotadoctor
      Imnotadoctor Hijadeonagro

      Posted

      Hi, thanks for your reply. I've seen a gynaecologist (for the anterior repair & checks after) a colorectal consultant (for bowel problems since the first op) & a specialist female physiotherapist who specialises in pelvic floor problems. The gyn said he didn't think the rectocele was big enough, the colorectal man initially said it was too small but now says he would do it & the Physio said not to rush into it! So you can see why I'm confused. I would prefer that a gynaecologist did the surgery but I am worried about PN damage as I've heard a lot of women get this then you are in constant pain. I will research as you suggest. I'm sure a lot of women suffer in silence with this. Take care.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 Imnotadoctor

      Posted

      If you are given advice by a consultant then that's who you need to listen to. If a physiotherapist disagreed with him knowing his advice I would consider her unprofessional. He is the expert and even if she is a specialist physio in urogynaecology she doesn't have the knowledge that he has.
    • Hijadeonagro
      Hijadeonagro Jan999

      Posted

      I totally agree with you Matron. Just as an example, the first physio I went after the surgery told me: "why have you had the surgery!!!!????" And she began to criticize my dr and his work. She was not the one that had a big bulge between her legs!! So I had to switch to another physio who said, by the way, that I had a very good surgery. Good physiotherapists , in my opinion, are those that support the work of urogyns, not those who criticize them.
  • jennie43338
    jennie43338 Imnotadoctor

    Posted

    Hi, I am having the rectal prolapse done by a gynaecologist. I too was petrified of having the op done via the rectum. I was referred to the Gynae by my GP as I also had bladder problems. Although my bladder problem is not operable she is still doing the necessary repair via the vagina.
    • Imnotadoctor
      Imnotadoctor jennie43338

      Posted

      Is this happening soon? Let me know how you get on, I hope it goes well for you. X
    • jennie43338
      jennie43338 Imnotadoctor

      Posted

      I was due to have the op in June but as it is my hubby's 60th 2 weeks after followed soon after that by our annual holiday I am having it done in September. I know I will be frightened nearer the time & will want to cancel it!! Thank you, I will let you know. I am going to look for the London Consultants name now. You will be able to google him. x
    • jennie43338
      jennie43338 Imnotadoctor

      Posted

      His nameis Mr Stergios Doumouchtsis MSc, MPH, PhD, MRCOG. Consuktant Obstetrician, Gynaecologistand Subspecialist Urogynaecologist. Was Lead Consuktant for Childbirth Injury &Pelvic Health After Childbirth at St George's Hospital London until they closed the Department. I was gutted having spent so much time researching & then meeting him. He was a proper gentleman & one of the 'old type' of Consultants. Iso wished I had private healthcare. : ( x
    • Jan999
      Jan999 jennie43338

      Posted

      jennie are you talking about a rectal prolapse that protrudes through your anus or a rectocele where the bowel protrudes into the vaginal wall? They are very different and are treated differently.
    • jennie43338
      jennie43338 Jan999

      Posted

      Hi Matron, did not know that, thank you. I have a rectocele.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 jennie43338

      Posted

      Thanks for that jennie I just didn't want to give you the wrong advice. Personally and professionally it would be better to be referred to a Urogynaecologist. Urogynaecologists have to have undergone extra intense training after they become surgeons (gynaecologists) so they have a lot of experience and you will have the best chance of your surgery being successful. The advice about looking for Urogynaecologists who are invited to conferences and undertake research is good but you have to bear in mind that here in the UK there are research Urogynaecologists who do very little surgery and are paid by university hospitals to do exactly that.... research which is why I suggested you look at Urogynaecologists that not only work in NHS hospitals but also private hospitals.
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.