I had colpocleisis surgery on August 16, 2021, along with removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, all done vaginally. So I don't have a prolapse anymore. I came home from the hospital the same day. The instructions say to start using stool softeners and laxatives the same day, and even to be aggressive about it. They don't want any straining during the initial healing process. I was probably too aggressive, because it took me a couple of weeks to normalize bowel function. Basically, what they did was to shorten the vagina and bring the walls closer together.

The urodynamics test I had before the surgery was to determine whether I tend to leak urine when coughing or pressing down while the bladder is very full. If you do, they might plan to insert a bladder sling at the time they do the surgery. My former neighbor had the urodynamics test and had the bladder sling inserted at the time of her surgery, which was also a total colpocleisis. Initially, she was very pleased and was able to travel to visit her daughter without always having to keep an eye out for a bathroom. The last time I saw her, however, just a few weeks ago, she mentioned that she was trying a medication to help with her urinary issues.

I passed the urodynamics test and did not have a bladder sling inserted. Initially, I lost urine sometimes when coughing, sneezing, bending over, etc., but that has improved over time. I have some very slight leakage and wear a very light pad to absorb it. It is barely perceptible most of the time, and I don't need to wear anything at night. I have experienced some bowel issues, but I had irritable bowel syndrome before the surgery. I don't know whether the surgery may have exacerbated it. I got a full, step-by-step report on the surgery, and it indicates that they place something to protect the bowel. I am scheduled for a colonoscopy in August.

I don't think much of the urodynamics test. I don't think that artificial coughing has the same impact as real coughing and sneezing, so it can be misleading. I am happy not to have a prolapse anymore. I might enjoy it more if some of my other health issues would be resolved. I am completing physical therapy for curvature and osteoarthritis of the spine. I've lost more than three inches of height, and it is harder for me to maintain an upright posture, especially while walking. I have stasis dermatitis, which sounds relatively benign. My skin is more deeply pigmented between my left ankle and shin. The valves in the veins are not doing a good job of returning blood to the heart, so the blood pools under the skin, causing a deeper pigmentation and there is some swelling of the tissue. These and other health issues and the pandemic in the background prevent me from fully appreciating being prolapse-free. Looking after my disabled husband takes some energy and time, but I have maintained other interests as well. I facilitate a monthly poetry group, participate in a book club, and though I resigned as editor, I remain on our condo newsletter committee.

One of the reasons I had the total hysterectomy was that it would be harder to monitor uterine bleeding or to check the ovaries after colpocleisis.

I hope this information is helpful to some. I haven't had my 1-year checkup with the urogynecologist who did the surgery with the help of a fellow (the doc runs a fellowship program that trains surgeons). When there is more info to share, I will do so.

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