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

To have operation or not?

Posted , 7 users are following.

karen08997
karen08997

Hello I am searching for advice after seeing a urogynecolgist she advised i need pelvic floor repair and possible cervix removal. However my colorectal surgeon disagrees and thinks i should wait and have bio feedback i have had numerous investigations MRI scan CT two sigmoidoscopies and recently a proctogram all carried out by colorectal surgeon. Who do I trust please help . I do not want to live with discomfort and pain any longer all scan show nothing wrong inside my bowels 

1 like, 33 replies

33 Replies

Next
  • Jan999
    Jan999 karen08997

    Posted

    It's unusual for 2 consultants to disagree karen. Obviously the decision is yours alone but in view of the pain I think I would agree with your Urogynaecologist.
    • karen08997
      karen08997 Jan999

      Posted

      Yes that's my instinct too. Urogynecologist is pelvc floor specialist too.having to pay

      for op as cannot wait fir nhs and my gp says live with it it's part of being female and millions of women have prolapse but don't ave surgery

  • Ellie1943
    Ellie1943 karen08997

    Posted

    Hi Karen. Is your GP male? Sounds like it to me! If these docs had to live with these probs on a daily basis they might have more empathy with us. I saw several docs all at same practice before I got any help. In the end I wrote everything down and made an appointment with a lady doc. She listened and I was referred for blood tests and scans. I have two ovarian cysts plus a rectal prolapse again. It's the third time I've prolapsed, first time when I was about 40, when I had a hysterectomy and bladder lift then at about fifty seven, I had a rectocele, or bowel repair! Now I'm 72 and can't get around now because prolapse and cysts pressing on spine in which I have scoliosis and osteo arthritis. I also have bowel probs again due to the pressure. If some of these doctors had to live with this they would be the first to want treatment and would probably pay to have it done!! rolleyes I  began to feel like they were putting me off because of my age, possibly thinking I was just "another hysterical hypochondriac female"!! I have my gyny appointment next week so fingers crossed they will be able to patch me up again. I'd have your gyny surgery done and deal with the bowel after if it's still neccessary. It could be you won't need that if the prolapse repair works for you. Best wishes, Ellie UK confused
    • karen08997
      karen08997 Ellie1943

      Posted

      Hi Ellie yes my gp is a man also my colorectal consultant is too so they don't get it do they..oh no poor you Ellie hope they sort your problem out for you.

      best wishes x

  • lynne69494
    lynne69494 karen08997

    Posted

    lve not experienced your probs, small mercies, but have had consultants who contradict each other. l,d had bladder pain and frequency for years, first thought post cs, then gyny,hormonal, finally l became a `hysterical hypacondriac` to them. l,d had a laprascope and told all fine, still symptoms persisted, then told l,d fibroid in uterine muscle, at simular time l was having gall bladder attacks of pain and that specialist told me there was no such thing as fibroids in uterine muscle, so who do you believe, you wonder if some make it up as they go along.  l did go ahead with hysterectomy due to severe symptoms and desperation, but it didnt make much difference to symptoms, just  took away one of triggers for flare ups. Later saw a urologist, who l should have been referred to years earlier, useless gp, and yes they wouldnt be so casual if their family, but at least the urologist was good and with scope diagnosed intersticial cystitus and gave me meds and info that helped a lot.  Thats been settled well for years, but more recently had gastric probs, and found the gastroenterologist quite flip in response, youll live etc, after months of daily nausea there wasnt much living, but thankfully the meds l got at end of it have helped a lot, wish theyd have tried them at beginning of it, as it seems since looking on mbs and talking to people everyman and his dog seems to be on ompr.

    The surgeon doesnt tell you that you dont need the surgery, just for you to wait for feedback, can you ask him if he,s denying that you need pelvic floor repair, and that is causing or adding to your symptoms. l think you need advice from a gp with some empathy, not one whos told you to live with it, any women lve spoke to with prolapse have surgery to repair it.  Hope you can find a different gp who,ll show wome empathy and advice that benafits you.  good luck

     

  • Jan999
    Jan999 karen08997

    Posted

    Karen can I just confirm that the problem isn't with your GP? It's just that seeing a different/male GP has been mentioned but I understood it to be 2 surgeons.
    • karen08997
      karen08997 Jan999

      Posted

      Hi matron no problem is not with gp as I went private because he initially told me woman live with prolapse.. Colorectal consultant wants me to go down the biofeed back route but I'm sure it won't help with the feeling that I'm sitting on a ball 
    • karen08997
      karen08997 Jan999

      Posted

      Hi matron finally had results from my proctogram they found small anterior rectocele projecting forwards and downwards and evidence of a mid-low recto rectal intussusception. Pelvic floor descent approx 4cm. Colorectal surgeon is going to notify my gynaecologist of these results he has advised me to go ahead with pelvic floor repair and then wait and see what happens 
    • Jan999
      Jan999 karen08997

      Posted

      It must be reassuring to now have a decision karen. How do you feel about it?
    • karen08997
      karen08997 Jan999

      Posted

      I'm just worried about intussusception as they are not doing anything with this i am just hoping pelvic floor repair improves bowel symptoms. Fingers crossed 
  • bresychen
    bresychen karen08997

    Posted

    Hi Karen

    My GP was initially unsure whether to refer me to urogyn or colorectal. We went with urogyn and I have just had my pelvic floor repair. Wow, what a difference. I clearly have problems with the messages from my brain to my bowel (lifetime chronic constipation) but having been repaired I can now see how much of the issue (quite a lot) was caused by the rectocele.

    Biofeedback might give you more info but won't change the fact that you need a pelvic floor repair. Just make sure they do both anterior and posterior.

    Depending on the full extent of your symptoms you might still need biofeedback in the future (I'm thinking that might be my next step) but the repair has really made it clear what works and what doesn't.

    Follow your instincts.

    • karen08997
      karen08997 bresychen

      Posted

      Hi gad to hear that it as ade a huge difference to your constipation as I suffer greatly too. I am just really worried about recovery after op 
    • Jan999
      Jan999 karen08997

      Posted

      Karen don't be too worried about constipation following surgery because you'll be given medication to take before and after the operation. Stool softeners are usually given along with medication Lactulose or something similar. 
    • karen08997
      karen08997 Jan999

      Posted

      I know I am probably worrying too much about recovery I really need to just pck up the phone and get operation booked 
    • karen08997
      karen08997 Jan999

      Posted

      Thank you I will let you know when I pck up the courage to get booked in
    • Jan999
      Jan999 karen08997

      Posted

      I hope you do keep in touch. Everyone here is very supportive x
    • karen08997
      karen08997 Jan999

      Posted

      Well matron I've done it booked in for op 17th feb. how long after before you can fly as 9th June we have family holiday to floridai ! 
    • Jan999
      Jan999 karen08997

      Posted

      Well done karen and you'll be absolutely fine flying in June. It will be lovely to get away and you'll feel well enough to enjoy yourself 
    • gwen04451
      gwen04451 karen08997

      Posted

      May I recommend that you tell your insurance comapny as it would be dreadful if your cover became invalidated because of your surgery.One hears so any stories where insurance companies refuse to pay!
    • karen08997
      karen08997 gwen04451

      Posted

      As I booked holiday last year and not a pre existing condition I am covered but thank you 
    • Jan999
      Jan999 karen08997

      Posted

      You're absolutely right karen because you'll have had your operation and be well and truly recovered. That's why I asked gwen the question, did she mean travel insurance. 
    • gwen04451
      gwen04451 Jan999

      Posted

      Yes, I did mean travel insurance but glad that you had cover in place prior to surgery.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 gwen04451

      Posted

      I think we need to clarify things gwen because anyone wanting to take out  travel insurance  after the surgery wouldn't have any problems because the condition no longer existed. I'm not sure what you mean 
    • gwen04451
      gwen04451 Jan999

      Posted

      If I recall correctly there is usually a question concerning your medical history e.g hospital admission etc, in the 12 months prior to policy commencement.As you point out, if you have had surgery and been discharged there should be no problems getting cover but it could invalidate your insurance if you were to answer "No". It's far better to answer correctly and inform the Insurer.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 gwen04451

      Posted

      Nobody should be dishonest but a prolapse isn't an underlying medical condition and insurers do not penalise women (financially) when they have had surgery or if yours does find another company. It is not like heart surgery. 
    • gwen04451
      gwen04451 Jan999

      Posted

      I was simply saying that you have to answer all questions honestly
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.