Just joining this conversation. My colpocleisis surgery is scheduled for Nov 14, 2024... next week. The background is that I was a full-time caregiver to a disabled husband for 10 years. Eventually he was wheelchair bound. This took a toll on my bladder prolapse, all the lifting and supporting a person, plus getting the wheelchair in and out of the car. My bladder has been in my vaginal vault and bulging out for a couple of years but couldn't do anything about it because the surgery required 6 weeks of no lifting or bending, which was impossible as a caregiver. My dear husband passed away early this year. Now I am having the surgery. 68 years old; had a complete hysterectomy more than a decade ago, tried several different pessary devices (they would not stay in), pelvic floor physical therapy (not much help), and while I do not have urinary incontinence, I do have to go frequently, especially at night (for some reason). Surgery is same day (in at 10am, home by 4pm). Will give you an update after next week so others will know what to expect.
SURGERY COMPLETE!! Items of note: Anesthesiologist explained that they wanted total sedation (ie. general anesthesia) so the vagina would not resist the procedure making it harder to complete. Like muscle tightening in reaction to foreign bodies and the scraping & stitching process as they closed my vagina and pushed the bladder up and out of the vault. To get the pelvic area completely relaxed the rest of the body must also, hence the need to be intubated*. Of course I was not awake for any of THAT. Surgeon explained that after the surgery they would stick a camera into my bladder to be sure the urine was dripping from the kidneys/ureter into the bladder in its new position. Walked to the OR pushing an IV pole. A new experience to see the room . The operating table had Velcro braces that looked like they were going to strap me to the table at my midsection. Major league stirrups for my legs, foam donut cushion for my head. Once I lay down they cranked up the IV anesthesia. Woke up in the recovery room a couple of hours later. Walked to the bathroom with assistance where they pulled out the catheter as I sat on the toilet and I immediately started urinating into the "hat" to measure the amount. Called me an overachiever. Ha. Got dressed, slowly, with some assistance. Wheelchair to my ride and then home. Rx for pain, nausea (have not needed), and to activate bowels. After a couple of hours I was hungry again. Went to bed at the usual time, so not totally wiped out. Had an anesthesia headache all night and didn't sleep well. Sore with every movement. Stings to pee. The big unanticipated discomfort was COUGHING and after intubation* I had phlegm in the back of my throat and had to keep clearing my throat to get it up and avoid coughing because that really made it hurt down there! Drinking lots of fluid. They recommended someone spend the first night, just in case there was too much bleeding. Fortunately not. Doctor said stitches will dissolve in 3 - 4 weeks and that will be the weakest point in recovery because healing won't be solid yet, so be really careful then on the lifting and bending. Today - Day 1 Post Op - I am almost too sore to sit down. Just the pressure of sitting, even on a soft pillow. Spent most of the day laying propped up in bed and napping. It's better tonight, and staying ahead of the pain with ibuprofen, XS Tylenol, and half doses of Oxy (which I will stop after this weekend because it scares me). Appetite is fine, headache is gone, throat mostly clear, continued light spotting (have sanitary pads ready), and increased flatulence means the bowels are gearing up. Will give you another update in a couple of days. Let me know if you have any questions.
SURGERY COMPLETE!! Items of note: Anesthesiologist explained that they wanted total sedation (ie. general anesthesia) so the vagina would not resist the procedure making it harder to complete. Like muscle tightening in reaction to foreign bodies and the scraping & stitching process as they closed my vagina and pushed the bladder up and out of the vault. To get the pelvic area completely relaxed the rest of the body must also, hence the need to be intubated*. Of course I was not awake for any of THAT. Surgeon explained that after the surgery they would stick a camera into my bladder to be sure the urine was dripping from the kidneys/ureter into the bladder in its new position. Walked to the OR pushing an IV pole. A new experience to see the room . The operating table had Velcro braces that looked like they were going to strap me to the table at my midsection. Major league stirrups for my legs, foam donut cushion for my head. Once I lay down they cranked up the IV anesthesia. Woke up in the recovery room a couple of hours later. Walked to the bathroom with assistance where they pulled out the catheter as I sat on the toilet and I immediately started urinating into the "hat" to measure the amount. Called me an overachiever. Ha. Got dressed, slowly, with some assistance. Wheelchair to my ride and then home. Rx for pain, nausea (have not needed), and to activate bowels. After a couple of hours I was hungry again. Went to bed at the usual time, so not totally wiped out. Had an anesthesia headache all night and didn't sleep well. Sore with every movement. Stings to pee. The big unanticipated discomfort was COUGHING and after intubation* I had phlegm in the back of my throat and had to keep clearing my throat to get it up and avoid coughing because that really made it hurt down there! Drinking lots of fluid. They recommended someone spend the first night, just in case there was too much bleeding. Fortunately not. Doctor said stitches will dissolve in 3 - 4 weeks and that will be the weakest point in recovery because healing won't be solid yet, so be really careful then on the lifting and bending. Today - Day 1 Post Op - I am almost too sore to sit down. Just the pressure of sitting, even on a soft pillow. Spent most of the day laying propped up in bed and napping. It's better tonight, and staying ahead of the pain with ibuprofen, XS Tylenol, and half doses of Oxy (which I will stop after this weekend because it scares me). Appetite is fine, headache is gone, throat mostly clear, continued light spotting (have sanitary pads ready), and increased flatulence means the bowels are gearing up. Will give you another update in a couple of days. Let me know if you have any questions.
Update from Post Op Day 2 -3-4. DAY 2 - too sore to sit comfortably. Ate standing at the kitchen counter. Bowels started to move, slowly but not too painful. Thank goodness for the stool softener. Took a couple short walks down the hall. Stings less when I pee. Still spotting. Whole body feels tight from carefully lowering myself on the toilet, into a chair or bed. Warm shower at bedtime helped. Maintaining the schedule with pain meds. DAY 3 - bad day!!! Got up dizzy, clammy, weak. Abdominal pain that wasn't there the day before. Got pain meds (and food) in me and went back to bed. Inflammatory response usually peaks on the 3rd day, so not totally unexpected. No fever, BP was fine. It eased as the day went on. Several naps. Still tough to sit comfortably but stinging was much better. DAY 4 (today) - sitting is better! Can sit down without carefully lowering myself into the seat. Still spotting. Bowels are moving and will back off on one of the meds for that. Just a teeny bit of tummy upset. Sat outside on the porch for fresh air and sunshine. Washed my hair and got dressed in loose, comfortable clothes today. Took a little longer walk. Getting better each day. To clarify for those who are comparing to their own experience, my surgeon is a uro-gynecologist. Same day surgery. No antibiotics after the surgery (only IV during). Just taking it slow. Permission to be a lazy person.
Update from Post Op Day 2 -3-4. DAY 2 - too sore to sit comfortably. Ate standing at the kitchen counter. Bowels started to move, slowly but not too painful. Thank goodness for the stool softener. Took a couple short walks down the hall. Stings less when I pee. Still spotting. Whole body feels tight from carefully lowering myself on the toilet, into a chair or bed. Warm shower at bedtime helped. Maintaining the schedule with pain meds. DAY 3 - bad day!!! Got up dizzy, clammy, weak. Abdominal pain that wasn't there the day before. Got pain meds (and food) in me and went back to bed. Inflammatory response usually peaks on the 3rd day, so not totally unexpected. No fever, BP was fine. It eased as the day went on. Several naps. Still tough to sit comfortably but stinging was much better. DAY 4 (today) - sitting is better! Can sit down without carefully lowering myself into the seat. Still spotting. Bowels are moving and will back off on one of the meds for that. Just a teeny bit of tummy upset. Sat outside on the porch for fresh air and sunshine. Washed my hair and got dressed in loose, comfortable clothes today. Took a little longer walk. Getting better each day. To clarify for those who are comparing to their own experience, my surgeon is a uro-gynecologist. Same day surgery. No antibiotics after the surgery (only IV during). Just taking it slow. Permission to be a lazy person.
I have been advised to have a Colpocleisis surgery and have an appointment in a few months. I am concerned that my skilled doc is not being fully open about the negatives. I am very drug sensitive and allergic to some antibiotics. In reading experiences here I see that some patients have developed infections that seem difficult to treat. I avoid invasive treatments due to my deep fear of antibiotics. So I have a trade off... future problems with the prolapse or possible deadly anaphylaxis. The doc is highly skilled but has also seemed paternal. Advice?
I hear you! Have you considered a second opinion to find a surgeon more tuned to your concerns? Especially one who will specifically discuss the antibiotics they use during the surgery and may prescribe after for various complications like UTI? Have you explored all the non-invasive approaches to prolapse like pessaries and physical therapy? Best of luck. You are your own best advocate!!
Update from Post Op Day 2 -3-4. DAY 2 - too sore to sit comfortably. Ate standing at the kitchen counter. Bowels started to move, slowly but not too painful. Thank goodness for the stool softener. Took a couple short walks down the hall. Stings less when I pee. Still spotting. Whole body feels tight from carefully lowering myself on the toilet, into a chair or bed. Warm shower at bedtime helped. Maintaining the schedule with pain meds. DAY 3 - bad day!!! Got up dizzy, clammy, weak. Abdominal pain that wasn't there the day before. Got pain meds (and food) in me and went back to bed. Inflammatory response usually peaks on the 3rd day, so not totally unexpected. No fever, BP was fine. It eased as the day went on. Several naps. Still tough to sit comfortably but stinging was much better. DAY 4 (today) - sitting is better! Can sit down without carefully lowering myself into the seat. Still spotting. Bowels are moving and will back off on one of the meds for that. Just a teeny bit of tummy upset. Sat outside on the porch for fresh air and sunshine. Washed my hair and got dressed in loose, comfortable clothes today. Took a little longer walk. Getting better each day. To clarify for those who are comparing to their own experience, my surgeon is a uro-gynecologist. Same day surgery. No antibiotics after the surgery (only IV during). Just taking it slow. Permission to be a lazy person.
Tomorrow I go for my 2 weeks post-op appt with the surgeon. Just to complete the description, here are highlights from the last week. That "teeny bit of tummy upset" turned into nausea and vomiting the next morning -- THAT pressure on the lower regions was painful and caused slight uptick in spotting. Took the nausea Rx once and cleared it up. Bowels got very soft so cut back on the BM meds. Each day the soreness eased (not sitting on pillows) so I eased back on Tylenol doses, spotting almost gone, daily walks helped me feel more normal. Then, one week out I was constipated. Cranked up the BM meds, daily fiber drink, prunes, high fiber foods. Got regular again in a couple days. At the same time I got a wicked UTI!! No surprise since UTIs are associated with catheterization, but if the OR uses the top sterile protocols this doesn't need to happen. You will assume this is the case in a hospital OR but not necessarily so. They put the catheter in before surgery, took it out to put the camera in to look at my bladder, then put the catheter back in. That alone increases the chances. I will ask my doctor why they didn't send me home on antibiotics, given all that. My question to start that conversation is "What are the infection rates for this procedure at this hospital?" Hospitals track that kind of stuff. Yes, PAINFUL to pee but the fix is antibiotics (nitrofurantoin, ideal for UTI) and lots of fluid and cranberry juice -- the ultimate catch-22... peeing more but hurts to pee. Stinging pain was reduced after a few days on the meds. Wishing I could soak in the bathtub, but not supposed to bend or lift for 6 weeks, so getting in and out would be a trick for me. Hot tips: Used moist towelettes to wipe. Pyridium tablets (OTC), an analgesic pain reliever for UTI (pee turns orange). Using a cold pack wrapped in a wash cloth between my legs to calm the urethra swelling. I am lucky to have a sister who is an RN and a nursing professor! Today I feel pretty good, everything seems to be under control. Will start easing back more on Tylenol doses and ibuprofen after the doc appt. This procedure has not been easy, but so far if the worst is over in 2 weeks then it will be well worth it. I am grateful I could clear my calendar and focus on self-care for that time period. Reminder: I had the modified Le Forte Colpocleisis, posterior repair with high Levatorplasty, and Cystoscopy. No hysterectomy. Just so you can compare apples to apples.
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SURGERY COMPLETE!! Items of note: Anesthesiologist explained that they wanted total sedation (ie. general anesthesia) so the vagina would not resist the procedure making it harder to complete. Like muscle tightening in reaction to foreign bodies and the scraping & stitching process as they closed my vagina and pushed the bladder up and out of the vault. To get the pelvic area completely relaxed the rest of the body must also, hence the need to be intubated*. Of course I was not awake for any of THAT. Surgeon explained that after the surgery they would stick a camera into my bladder to be sure the urine was dripping from the kidneys/ureter into the bladder in its new position. Walked to the OR pushing an IV pole. A new experience to see the room . The operating table had Velcro braces that looked like they were going to strap me to the table at my midsection. Major league stirrups for my legs, foam donut cushion for my head. Once I lay down they cranked up the IV anesthesia. Woke up in the recovery room a couple of hours later. Walked to the bathroom with assistance where they pulled out the catheter as I sat on the toilet and I immediately started urinating into the "hat" to measure the amount. Called me an overachiever. Ha. Got dressed, slowly, with some assistance. Wheelchair to my ride and then home. Rx for pain, nausea (have not needed), and to activate bowels. After a couple of hours I was hungry again. Went to bed at the usual time, so not totally wiped out. Had an anesthesia headache all night and didn't sleep well. Sore with every movement. Stings to pee. The big unanticipated discomfort was COUGHING and after intubation* I had phlegm in the back of my throat and had to keep clearing my throat to get it up and avoid coughing because that really made it hurt down there! Drinking lots of fluid. They recommended someone spend the first night, just in case there was too much bleeding. Fortunately not. Doctor said stitches will dissolve in 3 - 4 weeks and that will be the weakest point in recovery because healing won't be solid yet, so be really careful then on the lifting and bending. Today - Day 1 Post Op - I am almost too sore to sit down. Just the pressure of sitting, even on a soft pillow. Spent most of the day laying propped up in bed and napping. It's better tonight, and staying ahead of the pain with ibuprofen, XS Tylenol, and half doses of Oxy (which I will stop after this weekend because it scares me). Appetite is fine, headache is gone, throat mostly clear, continued light spotting (have sanitary pads ready), and increased flatulence means the bowels are gearing up. Will give you another update in a couple of days. Let me know if you have any questions.
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4 ReactionsFell better
Get better fast
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1 ReactionI do t know if u received my first text
But I am terrified!!!!!! The procedure
Please help when I feel better to respond to me
Ty
Rest easy
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1 ReactionUpdate from Post Op Day 2 -3-4. DAY 2 - too sore to sit comfortably. Ate standing at the kitchen counter. Bowels started to move, slowly but not too painful. Thank goodness for the stool softener. Took a couple short walks down the hall. Stings less when I pee. Still spotting. Whole body feels tight from carefully lowering myself on the toilet, into a chair or bed. Warm shower at bedtime helped. Maintaining the schedule with pain meds. DAY 3 - bad day!!! Got up dizzy, clammy, weak. Abdominal pain that wasn't there the day before. Got pain meds (and food) in me and went back to bed. Inflammatory response usually peaks on the 3rd day, so not totally unexpected. No fever, BP was fine. It eased as the day went on. Several naps. Still tough to sit comfortably but stinging was much better. DAY 4 (today) - sitting is better! Can sit down without carefully lowering myself into the seat. Still spotting. Bowels are moving and will back off on one of the meds for that. Just a teeny bit of tummy upset. Sat outside on the porch for fresh air and sunshine. Washed my hair and got dressed in loose, comfortable clothes today. Took a little longer walk. Getting better each day. To clarify for those who are comparing to their own experience, my surgeon is a uro-gynecologist. Same day surgery. No antibiotics after the surgery (only IV during). Just taking it slow. Permission to be a lazy person.
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2 ReactionsWhen u feel better please please contact me
by private message on this site.
I’m sooooo terrified!! Do the surgery……
Otherwise feel better
Your brave
Happy to answer any questions you'd like to post here.
I hear you! Have you considered a second opinion to find a surgeon more tuned to your concerns? Especially one who will specifically discuss the antibiotics they use during the surgery and may prescribe after for various complications like UTI? Have you explored all the non-invasive approaches to prolapse like pessaries and physical therapy? Best of luck. You are your own best advocate!!
Tomorrow I go for my 2 weeks post-op appt with the surgeon. Just to complete the description, here are highlights from the last week. That "teeny bit of tummy upset" turned into nausea and vomiting the next morning -- THAT pressure on the lower regions was painful and caused slight uptick in spotting. Took the nausea Rx once and cleared it up. Bowels got very soft so cut back on the BM meds. Each day the soreness eased (not sitting on pillows) so I eased back on Tylenol doses, spotting almost gone, daily walks helped me feel more normal. Then, one week out I was constipated. Cranked up the BM meds, daily fiber drink, prunes, high fiber foods. Got regular again in a couple days. At the same time I got a wicked UTI!! No surprise since UTIs are associated with catheterization, but if the OR uses the top sterile protocols this doesn't need to happen. You will assume this is the case in a hospital OR but not necessarily so. They put the catheter in before surgery, took it out to put the camera in to look at my bladder, then put the catheter back in. That alone increases the chances. I will ask my doctor why they didn't send me home on antibiotics, given all that. My question to start that conversation is "What are the infection rates for this procedure at this hospital?" Hospitals track that kind of stuff. Yes, PAINFUL to pee but the fix is antibiotics (nitrofurantoin, ideal for UTI) and lots of fluid and cranberry juice -- the ultimate catch-22... peeing more but hurts to pee. Stinging pain was reduced after a few days on the meds. Wishing I could soak in the bathtub, but not supposed to bend or lift for 6 weeks, so getting in and out would be a trick for me. Hot tips: Used moist towelettes to wipe. Pyridium tablets (OTC), an analgesic pain reliever for UTI (pee turns orange). Using a cold pack wrapped in a wash cloth between my legs to calm the urethra swelling. I am lucky to have a sister who is an RN and a nursing professor! Today I feel pretty good, everything seems to be under control. Will start easing back more on Tylenol doses and ibuprofen after the doc appt. This procedure has not been easy, but so far if the worst is over in 2 weeks then it will be well worth it. I am grateful I could clear my calendar and focus on self-care for that time period. Reminder: I had the modified Le Forte Colpocleisis, posterior repair with high Levatorplasty, and Cystoscopy. No hysterectomy. Just so you can compare apples to apples.
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