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

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?

Had rectocele repair and sacrospinus fixation. Surgery was frankly a piece of cake. Just wondering why my defecation symptoms haven’t improved. Howeve intercourse is better.

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

In reply to baxtersmom and rosemary77: Thanks to all for your discussion about your experiences with considering and then having a sacrocolpopexy. I'm a physically active 69 year old and have been dealing with increasing stages of uterine and bladder prolapse for about 4 years. The pessary didn't work for me. But I've been diligent about getting pelvic physical therapy and doing my exercises daily over the last 3 years. But this spring, my prolapse reached the point where I couldn't do my normal activities (walking every day; gardening; beekeeping; lifting grandchildren) comfortably, especially at the end of the day. My recent visit with my uro-gynecologist ended with her recommendation that I get a sacrocolpopexy. At first I thought getting a hysterectomy as part of this was excessive but my doctor convinced me the results to correct the prolapse would be better. Especially for someone who is physically active. I was worried about the mesh, but it sounds like those issues have subsided with the newer meshes. I'm 15 years past menopause, but am wondering what hormonal changes can I expect after the hysterectomy part of the sacrocolpopexy? I had severe hotflashes (one per hour for 24 hours a day) for several years after menopause. Those have subsided. But could hotflashes come back after this surgery? Other hormonal reactions? Any thoughts from others with recent experiences with sacrocolpopexy? Are people generally still glad they had the operation?

In reply to baxtersmom and rosemary77: Thanks to all for your discussion about your experiences with considering and then having a sacrocolpopexy. I'm a physically active 69 year old and have been dealing with increasing stages of uterine and bladder prolapse for about 4 years. The pessary didn't work for me. But I've been diligent about getting pelvic physical therapy and doing my exercises daily over the last 3 years. But this spring, my prolapse reached the point where I couldn't do my normal activities (walking every day; gardening; beekeeping; lifting grandchildren) comfortably, especially at the end of the day. My recent visit with my uro-gynecologist ended with her recommendation that I get a sacrocolpopexy. At first I thought getting a hysterectomy as part of this was excessive but my doctor convinced me the results to correct the prolapse would be better. Especially for someone who is physically active. I was worried about the mesh, but it sounds like those issues have subsided with the newer meshes. I'm 15 years past menopause, but am wondering what hormonal changes can I expect after the hysterectomy part of the sacrocolpopexy? I had severe hotflashes (one per hour for 24 hours a day) for several years after menopause. Those have subsided. But could hotflashes come back after this surgery? Other hormonal reactions? Any thoughts from others with recent experiences with sacrocolpopexy? Are people generally still glad they had the operation?

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

I had one child at 26 years old and a total hysterectomy at 43 due to endometriosis. I am now an active 72 year old with a 3rd degree bladder prolapse, 2nd degree vaginal prolapse, and 1st degree rectal prolapse. This past year has been horrendous with discomfort but put off any surgery due to my sister's diagnosis at The Mayo Clinic in Rochester of Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. My sister passed away this past July.
I am now thinking of taking care of this problem that has been worsening exponentially this past year.
Anyone here have a previous hysterectomy of many years duration and then have organ prolapse repair?
I am thinking of returning to the Mayo in Rochester since my cousin's husband is a surgeon there (in a different field) and I would have a place to recuperate. I had testing here for this problem with the only urogyn recommended in town and I did not like him for various reasons. I did not feel confident with this doctor,
I too have heard horror stories about mesh and wonder what is used today.
Wondering what the surgery would be like and how long the recuperation would be before being able to fly home.