Posted , 21 users are following.
The surgeon I have seen told me that he wanted to treat my rectocele with mesh because the weakened wall has buldged out into my vaginal wall. and then suspend the bladder. I have read a lot of the forum posts.. My question is are there different kinds if mesh? Is there an alternative surgery to the mesh? I'm afraid of a reaction to the mesh. What should I expect as far as pain after surgery and what can I buy to prepare for after care of the surgery? Recovery time I know depends on the person. What has been your experience thus far. I encourage all to respond. Thank you
2 likes, 44 replies
Raesue ItalianGypsy
Posted
Since the surgery I have not had that issue. That has been a blessing. I will say the first weeks after the surgery was very painful - whether the additional work because of inserting the mesh, I don't know.
I am having some problems with urine leakage but at the time of the surgery did not have much so the surgeon didn't address it. I'm doing Kegel exercises and trying to empty my bladder more often. Now I'm wearing panty liners for that reason but have had no major accidents.
My surgeon said the mesh they use now should cause no problems. I don't know what alternatives there might be - we didn't discuss any options. I do know that here in the US there is a clinical trial for an alternative - I wish I had more info for you.
After surgery, rest, rest, rest. Have someone to help you, bring food, etc.. Have some cold packs so you can keep one or two in the freezer to switch out. Use whatever pain meds the doctor prescribes, but be aware that some can cause constipation. That may be a huge issue - it was for me. Start with a mild laxative (Miralax for me) before you go in for surgery and keep taking it so you don't get constipated. Even though the surgeon didn't touch the rectum, because it is up against the vagina it stretches the vagina when you have to go. So do not get constipated.
If you have other specific quesstions, please continue the discussion. Hope this has helped.
sandra2468 Raesue
Posted
I have at last found someone who has had a positive surgery as far as anal prolapse is concerned.
I am also your age and this has been a nightmare for the last 5 years.
I have been in contact with a few very unhappy ladies with unsuccesful surgeries.
There is no garment for this type of prolapse.
If one cannot do these exercises to help the pelvic and anal muscles because of discomfot you are left just getting worse.
Not many ladies realise how diffiuclt it is to live with this type of prolapse which in my case is connected with a mobile uterus at entrance of vagina, and a bladder which at present is behaving itself.
Get a little leakage here and there.
Eager to hear a little bit about you symtoms prior to surgery if you dont mind me asking.
Also could you let me know what this clinical trial for an alternative is and where are these trials in the States.
I wake with discomfort early morning from lying on back and bottom.
Sitting even worse.
Relieved with standing and walking but remains still there in a subtle way.
I have no constipation, but have been told internal prolapse which appears to be more than contreversal.
I have some incomplete evacuation with a need to wipe several times.
All this is getting worse and finally ventral rectopexy offered, however have found some ladiies who have had surgery with no success.
Very few people post on here after a successful result and I am more than pleased to make contact.
Best Sandra
sandra2468 Raesue
Posted
Just asking was your surgery ventral recopexy.
Mesh inserted via the tummy?
So really good to hear positivity just cant believe it.
Thanks
Raesue sandra2468
Posted
My main concerns were incontenince and sometimes being unable to have a bowel movement unless I pushed the bulge back into place.
I'm not sure about clinical trials - you should ask your gyn or surgeon's office. You could search online but I'm not sure you can narrow down the topic. You could look at www.nih.gov to see what you can find.
I only had discomfort once in a while, not great pain.
Mine was not called ventral rectopexy, I don't think, unless that's the same as posterior rectocele repair. Hope you've had some good feedback!
ItalianGypsy
Posted
nickie54687 ItalianGypsy
Posted
I am just over 7 weeks post hysterectomy with both cystocele ane rectocyle repairs. I was assured that the mesh they use now is very different from that used some years ago which deteriorated. There is still some fear of "mesh" but I am not concerned. My Uro-Gynocologist does this surgery exclusively. She has no patients of her own - you need a referral from another specialist to get her. I am 71 but was driving for short periods 2 weeks post surgery; full driving 3 weeks post surgery and back to work 4 weeks post surgery. At the six week check-up, I was given go ahead to do anything I used to do before surgery except for long baths and pools.
This morning, there seemed to be a lot of pressure on my bladder when I got up and I couldn't go immediately. I had not had any hesitation in voiding since the surgery - not even 12 hours post surgery. Suddenly there was a small pain and I voided. When I got up, there was a blood clot! Needless to say I was on the phone with the surgeon's office - there is always a doctor on call who answers. Apparently passing small blood clots preceded by some pain occurs in many patients from week 7 to week 12-13 so unless I start bleeding like a period, there is nothing to worry about. It is the residual from the "melting" of the sutures around the new mesh used. Who knew.
I have had a full day with shopping, housecleaning and the usual "stuff" plus care-giving for my husband. All is still OK since this morning.
This kind of thing is really frightening and then you are told - oh that happens often, don't worry about it. Call back if the bleeding resumes like a period then the surgeon will see you immediately. Further bleeding is unlikely but it's the first time I have been given any information BEFORE it happens.
My beef is WHY DO THEY NOT TELL YOU OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. Not all of us are going to suffer from all the possible post-surgery maybes and knowing this could happen would have saved me a lot of grief until I spoke with a doctor this morning.
Let us know what you decide Gypsy. This forum is a lifeline.
annarbor nickie54687
Posted
Raesue annarbor
Posted
If you have specific questions, please ask. What you have is called a "rectocele". I suffered with mine - having often bowel (and flatulence) incontenence which my doctors couldn't' diagnose. I finally did some Internet research and realized my problem was from that bulge that you describe. I went to my gyn and told him that the rectocele is causing the bowel incontenence and he immediately refered me to a surgeon.
Since healing from my surgery the incontenence has mostly disappeared. I so grateful that I followed through with this as it was affecting my self-confidence. It was a difficult surgery to recover from. I'm 59...
The ladies on this forum are very helpful. Hope you get your questions answered!
nickie54687 annarbor
Posted
These forums saved my sanity post-op. Because I was not told of any of the possible issues, and my best friend had had none, I thought I was going mad or that I would never be well again. The most common problems seem to be with temporary incontinence - mine took 6 1/2 weeks to go away and CONSTIPATION. That hurts and is so not inevitable.
No issue is private here. We all share stuff you would not mention to your husband. I did learn one important thing - call the doctor if he/she is available. They will tell you what is "normal" post-op for some people and what is not and what is allowed and not allowed for YOU. And if you can't reach anyone, there is always all of us to pass on any experiences and encourage you in any way we can.
Keep in touch - we do care for each other.
Again, important question to ask of surgeon - do they have someone do answer your questions post-op.
annarbor nickie54687
Posted
How do you find the right uro-gynecologist?
annarbor Raesue
Posted
If I do opt for sugery I would have to stop watching my 11 month old grandchild (I am daycare 2 days/week) for several months I would think...
nickie54687 annarbor
Posted
Let us know.
Nickie
nickie54687 annarbor
Posted
The friend I told you about who had no post-op issues at all resumed looking after her grand-daughter two weeks post surgery but she was in the Arctic and there was no one else who could help. Her daughter-in-law has a heart condition and she was in hospital for over a year after her daughter was born. My friend raised that child until she was almost two and helped a lot until she was about 10. Her grand-daughter was a quiet 1-year old child who liked quiet activities which is the only reason her grand-daughter didn't have to go into foster care.
annarbor nickie54687
Posted
angela35172 ItalianGypsy
Posted
i have had lots of Gynae Surgery over the years due to childbirth errors that were not picked up. My first was an Anterior repiar of the bladder which caused me no problems. My main surgery in 2006 was a Posterior repiar of the back wall / rectocele and also to fix the Perineum. I had this done with a Collagen mesh. This is Dissolvable. I had a lot of problems with pain afterwards and wanted the mesh removed but as it had started to Dissolve this could not be done. I have been told i could have had an irritation to the mesh and also some Nerve damage. This could be the mesh or the way the consultant has inserted it. Consultants have to be very skilled in inserting mesh and the instruments used. I personally would never have the TOT or TVT as there are a lot of bad publicity and stories on the internet from women who have had problems. Can you have the surgery without mesh? Do you have enough skin / tissue? Have you sat with the consultant to ask ither questions and their skill on using mesh and pro's and con's. You need to make an informed decision and to bear in mind that not everyone will have problems. Research your consultant and the mesh used. Collagwen is supposed to be better than TVT or TOT. Hope this helps.
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