Prolapse bowel surgery: What was your recovery like?

@baz Have you scheduled your surgery, if so that is great? I also have incontinence, I have finally found that 2 tsp. of Miralax in a cup of tea every afternoon will work the next morning. But for me, it took 4 days for this to start working. This sure has helped. My surgery was vaginal and was very easy and recovery was great. Since this has worked my bladder is working better and not so pinched. Hope you find some relief before January. KLH

It is what I had for Rectal prolapse. I was one solid week in hosp. The bowel worked on the 7th day and I went home. It remains perfect daily with daily use of probiotic after 7 years.

Thank you. I’m so relieved to finally hear a success story. Did you have the same type of surgery? With the mesh? laparoscopic biologic graft ventral rectopexy?

I believe so. I don’t have the records and not sure about the graft, but my husbands thinks yes. I have never had another problem and went from a once or twice difficult BM a week to now one every day. Pro and pre biotics are daily . I do remember I had a severe kink in the intestines and they cut it out. I also have Ehlers Danlos and supposedly that is more common w us. My adult daughter also has issues and we are both very gluten sensitive which is very common in Ireland……I eat low histamine foods as well, which is very important anyway. I don’t drink or smoke or eat sugar or anything white that makes sugar. Dr says she only wishes everyone w this problem and surgery did the same.

Dear Terri - I I'm so happy to see your post, and was surprised by the fact that you have EDS, a connective tissue disorder, and still benefited from the surgery with no complications. I have EDS/HSD and always been told that people with connective tissue disorders are much more likely to suffer a complications from a pelvic prolapse correction. Can you tell us how you were counseled about that, and whether precautions were taken because of your condition?

I'm so thrilled for you that you've had nothing but success! I've been suffering from a large rectocele for several years but have been advised away from surgery because of EDS/HSD. I also have severe dietary constraints and crippling intestinal gas, but the prolapse is the hardest to manage. Sometimes I can't imagine how I manage this when I'm older (it takes a lot of physical strength to splint), but I'm afraid of making things worse. I'd love to hear more about your story. Cheers, - E

Sorry you are having so many issues. I was told to eat more fiber and to take Metamucil to help with leakage, which in turn started hemorrhoids, sores, and constant feeling of having to go to the bathroom with very loose bowels. So far the Metamucil and increased fluids has helped. He explained the Miralax that I was told to take does the opposite and causes the stools to be soft or diarrhea. I had sigmoidectomy for stage 2 cancer 4 weeks ago, so my situation is somewhat different. I hope your surgeon has given you advice on your situation. Too many times they give you little info and send you home. I’m glad for this site to be able to share our frustrations and see what others have done. Prayers for you!

Hi Erin….well I am older!….I’m 72 now but had it at I think 60 or so. Lifetime wise, I have had over 40 surgeries to correct the demolition of EDS staying in front of each issue as fast as possible. Including my skin! I had the face and eye lift and skin removed from my arms, stomach etc. I tried to reward myself with something good, to offset all the corrective surgeries that were harder on me. That way I stayed ahead of the pity party I would have had. I look about early 60s I’m told, and you wouldn’t know I am full of titanium. I would tell anyone to fix each issue as it arises because one day you are my age and they don’t want to do the surgeries later in life. Your option can be taken away from you! This year I was flattened by MCAS so very common w EDS 40%. It came on after my shots. You might want to check to see if you do. A lot of bowel issues and gastro issues disappear when you are on the protocols they recommend. I am very pro active and went to the doctors with what I needed. They knew of the potential down the road due to EDS and at first signs agreed to go forward. Nothing with us should be left to time!. We will only be more compromised with time so I would tell you to be well studied and informed because EDS is everywhere in your body! Everywhere. And be pro active with what YOU need. Most Drs are not well informed on EDS . They tell me they got “10 min” on it in med school. But very impressed with what I know. Know as much as possible. When the eye surgeon replaced the lens in my eyes he brought in a specialist but there was no problem as I was still in my 60s. I hope you belong to all the societies for eDS. They are super helpful! I would be happy to tell you about any surgery but I would encourage everyone to look at Mast Cell Activation Syndrome if they have severe eating or bowel issues, or acid reflux. Most of us are eating foods we are basically allergic to! I sure was.

I have HSD and receding prolapse hemorrhoids. My recent genetic test said I have TNXB can this make me more prone to prolapse? Is this hEDS? I’m so concerned also my uterus moves like crazy and it’s always I’m other positions and I have hiatal hernia and mitral prolapse 😅 still dunno how so many organs if it’s HSD. But definitely I’m not looking forward on needed surgery I’m trying to get help from my team 🙏🏻

Laparoscopic biologic graft ventral rectopexy with possible posterior
I’m having surgery to correct rectal prolapse and mild fecal incontinence. Has anyone had this surgery? What was the outcome? This is a major surgery and I am a bit apprehensive and nervous. Thank you.

Hi @baz, I moved your question about laparoscopic biologic graft ventral rectopexy recovery and outcomes to this existing discussion that @tabithatwitch started.
- Prolapse bowel surgery: What was your recovery like? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hi-im-not-sure-where-to-post-about-my-surgery-and-recovery

I think you'll appreciate reading the previous posts and connecting with members like @ameriteckhuma @mp49 @willowgirrrl @terrirussell @kilh and more.

When are you scheduled for surgery?