Obliterative surgery has not been suggested to me at my age of 46, but I learned of it in an informational pamphlet on surgical options for POP and I am actually really curious about it since it is less invasive than reconstructive surgery and has a higher success rate.
Personally, I think sex is about a lot more than vaginal penetration, so I'm surprised that they factor coital ability so strongly into treatment recommendations...It offends me, to be honest.
I have only had an initial consult to confirm POP and next step is an MRI to find out if I am eligible for a hysterectomy (I have adenomyosis, endometriosis of the uterus) as that will inform the rest of my treatment plan. However, the doctor thought I would likely need posterior and anterior vaginal repair, as well as a mid-urethral sling, so we're looking at multiple surgeries.
Don't reconstructive surgeries have higher chance of prolapse recurrence? And wouldn't that be even more so the case with younger patients?
At this point, I don't even know if my doctor would consider this surgery for me, but I hope I can have a thoughtful conversation and consideration of the pros and cons of each treatment option. It certainly raises some big existential questions around what it means to be a woman, which are probably similar to what those having to decide about reconstructive surgery after mastectomy face.
I will post some links I found helpful in my initial research in a few days (they won't let me since I just opened my account!).
Sharnie, Thank you for your response. It is helpful. Do you mind telling me your age? Have you had other POP surgeries? I used cream too and have for years. It has not helped with the prolapsing problem. Are you able to be active now?
I had colpocleisis surgery in August and the results are miraculous. Prior to surgery, each day of two years was a burden of a bladder hanging down, painful bladder and bowel spasms, diarrhea and general discomfort. There is not much pain after surgery, I did stay in the hospital overnight and rested the next day, took pain pills. I did use a vaginal cream for two years prior to surgery but it did not prevent further prolapse. I would highly recommend this surgery.
Sharnie, Thank you for your response. It is helpful. Do you mind telling me your age? Have you had other POP surgeries? I used cream too and have for years. It has not helped with the prolapsing problem. Are you able to be active now?
I had colpocleisis surgery in August and the results are miraculous. Prior to surgery, each day of two years was a burden of a bladder hanging down, painful bladder and bowel spasms, diarrhea and general discomfort. There is not much pain after surgery, I did stay in the hospital overnight and rested the next day, took pain pills. I did use a vaginal cream for two years prior to surgery but it did not prevent further prolapse. I would highly recommend this surgery.
Hello,
I would be curious to know the average age of the colpocleisis? Is there any use of gel/cream HT before the decision to get this obliterative procedure? Any history of cancer that precludes the use of vaginal HT?
Thanks for the info.
Hello, Thank you so much for all of your post. It helps me to know others are experienceing these things. Organ prolapse is one of the most hidden health issues out there. Glad we are bringing it into the light. I have felt so alone in the health problem.
I am 69 year old. I have a retentive bladder so I have to catherize myself in ortdr to pee. My uterus,
rectom and bladder prolaped in 2018. I was at a 2 .5 with the prolapse. I had a total hysteroctomey and anterior vaginal lift in 2019. I healed well and I continued to cath myself and life seemed pretty notmal. The surgery failed in 2021. Now my bladder buldges out of my vagina, stage 3. I feel lots of pressure, strain and pain in the evenings. As soon as I stand up now everything falls out. My social life has stopped. I can not use a pessary anymore as I had the same problems others have express with bleeding, discharge and discomfort. I am considering a colpocleisis. I am at the end of my rope with all of this. My husband and I agree that quality of life is much more important than vaginal sex. As I understand you can still have an exterior orgasm, I hope this is true. Does anyone have any experience with that part of the issue? Does anyone know how a colpocleisis can fail? If your vaginal walls are sewn together how can you prolapse? The only thing left for me to prolapse is my bladder of which I have to take great care of due to it's retenative nature. If the surgery does fail what recourse to you have?
I don't think much of the test that they do. I don't remember what they call it, something like urodynamics. The circumstances are very artificial. I have a friend who had the same surgery with a different doc. She was told she needed a bladder sling. At first, she was very pleased with the outcome. Some time later, however, she said she was trying a medication. I haven't spoken to her in detail, so I don't know exactly what her situation is. I think a second opinion is a good idea.
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.
Thank you for your information. What is amazing for me and that’s why so many flags went up. I never had any bladder issues they did the test and then said I had bladder leakage! I have strong urination. No leakage no witness no dampness and then she’s gonna tell me that I need a bladder sling. I’m going to get a second opinion.
Hi,
I have never had colpocleisis surgery or contemplated it. I have had bladder prolapse for about five years and have been using a pessary for about 3 years with great success. I researched the other prolapse surgeries and decided against them, This particular surgery is personally something I would never consider. I am not advising against it but, as you are doing now, try to find others who have had it. That route is better than relying solely on a doctor's decision or the internet. Not an easy decision to make and I would value any information that is shared here and be interested in your decision.
I have rescheduled my surgery due to so many flags popping up. First of all when they diagnosed me with prolapse it was just supposed to be a rectocele surgery then after my examination last week she tells me she wants to do a bladder sling and then the other procedure. A lot of flags went up I’m going to get a second opinion and perhaps they’ll be able to help me a little bit more with other things to do to help my prolapse
I am not sure which group to follow.
Hi,
I am 67 years old. I had sigmoidectomy surgery where they removed sigmoid colon almost 4 weeks ago. I was diagnosed with diverticulitis 12 years ago. I have not had a many bouts with it up until this past February. Then I was on antibiotics and 5 trips to the ER Constantly for the past 3 1/2 months. Had to push my GI doctor To move up a colonoscopy and have it done at the beginning of April. All the antibiotics were not doing anything. Finally was able to get surgery set up for the beginning of June. . Was told the sigmoid colon that was removed was ‘smoldering’ still infected and showing signs of abscessing. So here I am dealing with recovery. Just wondering if anyone out there through this surgery. How long ago? What were your outcomes? Any input would be appreciated. Thank you so much
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
Obliterative surgery has not been suggested to me at my age of 46, but I learned of it in an informational pamphlet on surgical options for POP and I am actually really curious about it since it is less invasive than reconstructive surgery and has a higher success rate.
Personally, I think sex is about a lot more than vaginal penetration, so I'm surprised that they factor coital ability so strongly into treatment recommendations...It offends me, to be honest.
I have only had an initial consult to confirm POP and next step is an MRI to find out if I am eligible for a hysterectomy (I have adenomyosis, endometriosis of the uterus) as that will inform the rest of my treatment plan. However, the doctor thought I would likely need posterior and anterior vaginal repair, as well as a mid-urethral sling, so we're looking at multiple surgeries.
Don't reconstructive surgeries have higher chance of prolapse recurrence? And wouldn't that be even more so the case with younger patients?
At this point, I don't even know if my doctor would consider this surgery for me, but I hope I can have a thoughtful conversation and consideration of the pros and cons of each treatment option. It certainly raises some big existential questions around what it means to be a woman, which are probably similar to what those having to decide about reconstructive surgery after mastectomy face.
I will post some links I found helpful in my initial research in a few days (they won't let me since I just opened my account!).
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI am 84. Have not had other pop surgeries. I cannot be active sexually, of course, but have no other limitations.
Sharnie, Thank you for your response. It is helpful. Do you mind telling me your age? Have you had other POP surgeries? I used cream too and have for years. It has not helped with the prolapsing problem. Are you able to be active now?
I had colpocleisis surgery in August and the results are miraculous. Prior to surgery, each day of two years was a burden of a bladder hanging down, painful bladder and bowel spasms, diarrhea and general discomfort. There is not much pain after surgery, I did stay in the hospital overnight and rested the next day, took pain pills. I did use a vaginal cream for two years prior to surgery but it did not prevent further prolapse. I would highly recommend this surgery.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsHello,
I would be curious to know the average age of the colpocleisis? Is there any use of gel/cream HT before the decision to get this obliterative procedure? Any history of cancer that precludes the use of vaginal HT?
Thanks for the info.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHello, Thank you so much for all of your post. It helps me to know others are experienceing these things. Organ prolapse is one of the most hidden health issues out there. Glad we are bringing it into the light. I have felt so alone in the health problem.
I am 69 year old. I have a retentive bladder so I have to catherize myself in ortdr to pee. My uterus,
rectom and bladder prolaped in 2018. I was at a 2 .5 with the prolapse. I had a total hysteroctomey and anterior vaginal lift in 2019. I healed well and I continued to cath myself and life seemed pretty notmal. The surgery failed in 2021. Now my bladder buldges out of my vagina, stage 3. I feel lots of pressure, strain and pain in the evenings. As soon as I stand up now everything falls out. My social life has stopped. I can not use a pessary anymore as I had the same problems others have express with bleeding, discharge and discomfort. I am considering a colpocleisis. I am at the end of my rope with all of this. My husband and I agree that quality of life is much more important than vaginal sex. As I understand you can still have an exterior orgasm, I hope this is true. Does anyone have any experience with that part of the issue? Does anyone know how a colpocleisis can fail? If your vaginal walls are sewn together how can you prolapse? The only thing left for me to prolapse is my bladder of which I have to take great care of due to it's retenative nature. If the surgery does fail what recourse to you have?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI don't think much of the test that they do. I don't remember what they call it, something like urodynamics. The circumstances are very artificial. I have a friend who had the same surgery with a different doc. She was told she needed a bladder sling. At first, she was very pleased with the outcome. Some time later, however, she said she was trying a medication. I haven't spoken to her in detail, so I don't know exactly what her situation is. I think a second opinion is a good idea.
Thank you for your information. What is amazing for me and that’s why so many flags went up. I never had any bladder issues they did the test and then said I had bladder leakage! I have strong urination. No leakage no witness no dampness and then she’s gonna tell me that I need a bladder sling. I’m going to get a second opinion.
I have rescheduled my surgery due to so many flags popping up. First of all when they diagnosed me with prolapse it was just supposed to be a rectocele surgery then after my examination last week she tells me she wants to do a bladder sling and then the other procedure. A lot of flags went up I’m going to get a second opinion and perhaps they’ll be able to help me a little bit more with other things to do to help my prolapse
I am so afraid of the surgery that I am rescheduling it and getting a second opinion