scheduling sacrocolpopexy and cystocele repair...more than a little scared

Posted by wandili @wandili, May 26, 2012

scheduling sacrocolpopexy and cystocele repair...more than a little scared

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Women's Health Support Group.

Had surgery for cystocele and rectocele 2weeks ago. Refused mesh repair after research showed 25 percent mesh damage could occur. Has pigskin graft instead. Anyone else have this done? Amazingly no pain just discomfort

REPLY

I had a stage 4 pelvic organ prolapse and had had constant pressure/pain, and a lot of discomfort with bodily functions. I had a sacrocolpopexy, rectocele repair, and perineum repair a few months ago. I no longer have pain, pressure, organs falling out of me, and am totally normal with my bodily functions and anatomy. Yeah! :-). However, I continue to have nonstop discharge. The last doctor I went to wanted to operate right away and take all the mesh out of me. BUT she couldn't answer whether I would then go back to having all the previous problems that I had! I did have a subsequent operation after my original sacrocolpopexy and they found that the anterior mesh arm had fallen off the sacrum but was adhered to the posterior mesh arm which they strengthened with additional sutures. They also found that mesh had extruded into my vaginal wall so they clipped that off and sutured the opening. It took care of all the residual pain that I had had but NOT the discharge. So I would say that I am still 'in process' and hope that Mayo will help me with the continuing discharge. BUT, having said that, I am in a MUCH better place physically today than I was before my original sacrocolpopexy. So I would say, 'fear not'. Oops just noticed that your post was from 2012! Guess this isn't an active forum. Not surprised as it took Mayo over 40 MINUTES! to get me to the right department today!!

REPLY
@operationqueen

I had a stage 4 pelvic organ prolapse and had had constant pressure/pain, and a lot of discomfort with bodily functions. I had a sacrocolpopexy, rectocele repair, and perineum repair a few months ago. I no longer have pain, pressure, organs falling out of me, and am totally normal with my bodily functions and anatomy. Yeah! :-). However, I continue to have nonstop discharge. The last doctor I went to wanted to operate right away and take all the mesh out of me. BUT she couldn't answer whether I would then go back to having all the previous problems that I had! I did have a subsequent operation after my original sacrocolpopexy and they found that the anterior mesh arm had fallen off the sacrum but was adhered to the posterior mesh arm which they strengthened with additional sutures. They also found that mesh had extruded into my vaginal wall so they clipped that off and sutured the opening. It took care of all the residual pain that I had had but NOT the discharge. So I would say that I am still 'in process' and hope that Mayo will help me with the continuing discharge. BUT, having said that, I am in a MUCH better place physically today than I was before my original sacrocolpopexy. So I would say, 'fear not'. Oops just noticed that your post was from 2012! Guess this isn't an active forum. Not surprised as it took Mayo over 40 MINUTES! to get me to the right department today!!

Jump to this post

Haha....yes 2012 I had the mesh repair you mentioned. Sorry to hear you are<br />
having problems and appreciate your response anyway :)<br />
<br />
I haven't had any constant discharge but a new thing called BV has entered<br />
my women's issues vocabulary. Bacterial vaginitis. I've probably had it 5<br />
times since my surgery and there is a discharge. I've been told it is not<br />
an STD and it's just an.overgrowth of natural bacteria with something to do<br />
with a pH change, either alkaline or acidity. I think they can test for<br />
that and prescribe natural treatments to return normal pH levels. I will<br />
try this if I get the symptoms again. Mayo and local gynecological staff<br />
told me the same thing.<br />
<br />
This may not be relevant but Good luck with your symptoms and hope you get<br />
it resolved..<br />
<br />
Take care....<br />
MJ<br />

REPLY

Hi I was wondering did you ever have your surgery? If so how did it go and how do you feel now. I hope it went well I am thinking of having it and am looking to hear of other women's experience with it? My dr.is suggesting to sew up the bladder no mesh

REPLY
@pizon

Hi I was wondering did you ever have your surgery? If so how did it go and how do you feel now. I hope it went well I am thinking of having it and am looking to hear of other women's experience with it? My dr.is suggesting to sew up the bladder no mesh

Jump to this post

Have you had previous surgery ?

REPLY
@pizon

Hi I was wondering did you ever have your surgery? If so how did it go and how do you feel now. I hope it went well I am thinking of having it and am looking to hear of other women's experience with it? My dr.is suggesting to sew up the bladder no mesh

Jump to this post

Hello @pizon. It looks like you've been busy doing your research and hopefully getting some answers and concerns smoothed out while weighing your options. I can imagine this to be a very tough healthcare decision. I'm sending good vibes your way and wish you the very best outcome possible.

@wandili, @montanagal and @operationqueen- are you able to help with the question that @pizon has posted about surgery. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We are so fortunate to have Mayo Clinic connect and to be able to talk with others who have experiencd something similar to our own situation.

@operationqueen, congratulations on your succesful operation. Post operatively, how much healing time was involved? How are you feeling now?

@pizon, please keep us updated along your journey.

REPLY
@pizon

Hi I was wondering did you ever have your surgery? If so how did it go and how do you feel now. I hope it went well I am thinking of having it and am looking to hear of other women's experience with it? My dr.is suggesting to sew up the bladder no mesh

Jump to this post

no I have not had any repair surgery I have had on each of my overays in the past for cysts removal but nothing for the prolapse no mesh dr. wants to just sew up the bladder and the ligaments for the uterus but I am having pain du2 pelvic floor muscle spasms p/t is helping just very scared I also have a sinus issue that isn't helping matters

REPLY

May 2017. Robotic hysterectomy, bladder mesh, vaginal mesh n vaginal repair. I understood about the material but found I am a slow healer. I only wish that Mayo would have a patient developed brochure that explains some of the issues that may be encountered. Like the 7th day crash...feeling hungry but nauesish...emotional...hot n cold ... sutures inside of the navel n the navel being irritated. Sutures that would or may be very slow in dissolving. It's been nearly three months and I still have internal vaginal sutures that will eventually dissolve. But still and finally what underwear do you wear because every scar is at a different level. They should find a pair that's just right (brief jockey cotton that doesn't have a waist band finally after many tries) and send you home with a pair or recommended pair. With this type of patient brochure it would probably save them a number of nurse and doctor phone calls. Just saying sometimes patients who have been there and done that could be very helpful.

REPLY

Hi, @letsgo. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I’m glad you’ve found this community. Thanks for the background on your surgeries and the repairs done. You have some good ideas about offering tips and information from patients who have been there. We have seen that this site and the community here can provide just that, as well.

I’m inviting @uschi, @upartist ,@maxann @AlwaysHopeful, @Restless67 , @maisie2 and @pizon into this discussion because they also have mentioned prolapse and/or repairs. I’d love for them to share their experiences and thoughts with you.

@letsgo, would you have some advice for others who are undergoing a similar surgery that you could share here with this community?

REPLY

Hello Letsgo,
I am sorry you had trouble finding those individual little recovery strategies/pearls post surgery, like the perfect pair of briefs. I to had those hurdles. I also wore maternity slacks and loose fitting tops for about two months post surgery due to tummy swelling. Some of your symptoms (hot cold intolerance and being emotional for example) may be attributed to the hysterectomy, as there are commonly hormonal fluxes following removal of the ovaries, if that portion took place with you. Bowel rhythm may wane and eb (sometimes takes a nap) following abdominal surgeries in many people, but not everyone. This can cause nausea, and needs to be monitored closely and managed carefully to prevent obstruction, and dehydration. I would recommend to anyone having any version of this sacrocolpopexy to hang out in the vicinity of the treating hospital for about a week after discharge. This will give you time to see how your body is going to respond to the stress of the surgery. In doing so, you would be able to access your original treating urogynecological team if you had problems or questions. It is a complex surgery and clinicians in out lying areas may not be familiar with it. I wish that I had done that myself. I hope your recovery goes well, especially over these next 6 months of getting back into normal activities. Take things gradually, keep the gentle stretching going daily, and avoid high impact movements even if your feeling fantastic. Go with fun low impact exercise. Good luck!
Respectfully,
UPArtist

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.