Anyone had colpocleisis surgery? I want to learn more

Posted by luftmensh1 @luftmensh1, Jul 3, 2021

What happened to the lady who was having significant bleeding problems 8 days after colpocleisis surgery?

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@onetiredmama

@landersson0519 I am so grateful for your comment because it sounds like you had fairly early onset of POP (as have I) and the complications and recurrence you've had are precisely why even at my age (46) I feel like I have to consider colpocleisis seriously.

If I were at your stage of life I would do it in a heartbeat! It is a much less invasive surgery and it has fewer complications from what I've read. I tried to post some links that have been helpful to me as I've been researching but wasn't allowed to because I'm new to the forum, but the moderator shared them for me in a subsequent comment (which I also can't link to, sorry!). In any case, they may be helpful for you as you consider the surgery.

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Thank your for your quick response. From what I have read, some women have a lot of pain with their prolapse. The only pain I have had for years, is low back pain from weak core muscles and constant constipation (which I have had for years) which also contributes to the prolapse. Having 2 children also contributed. Have you experienced any pain with your prolapse?

I have delayed surgery to get more information (the doctor is 3-4 months out for scheduling surgery). The prolapse is at stage 3 again. Just taking it day by day:>)

Have you scheduled your surgery?

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@landersson0519

Thank your for your quick response. From what I have read, some women have a lot of pain with their prolapse. The only pain I have had for years, is low back pain from weak core muscles and constant constipation (which I have had for years) which also contributes to the prolapse. Having 2 children also contributed. Have you experienced any pain with your prolapse?

I have delayed surgery to get more information (the doctor is 3-4 months out for scheduling surgery). The prolapse is at stage 3 again. Just taking it day by day:>)

Have you scheduled your surgery?

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I haven't scheduled my surger(ies) because we won't know for sure the treatment plan until I have an MRI this week. I have a lot of pelvic pain but that's mostly because of adenomyosis. I probably can also attribute lower back pain to a weak core. I don't know what stage my prolapse is at yet but I'm going to ask tomorrow when I go in for urodynamics. My urogynecologist is also booked many months out, but I'm getting in sooner by calling and asking about cancellations! What has helped most for you in terms of managing the symptoms?

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Sorry you are going through this at such a young age. Sounds you have a lot more going on than I do. I get soreness from the bulge which try to manage the bulge with kiegel (?) exercises and for the low back pain, I go to the chiropractor and do stretches. Aleve is also my savior. It all helps the aches for awhile but never really goes away. I have a high pain tolerance so it’s hard for me to determine the level of my pains and irritations compared to others. I just know when I am hurting others are most likely hurting more. I block the pain out most of the time. I also get massages twice a month that helps with muscle soreness. Hopefully you can get some relief from your issues.

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@nina4365

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?

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It is true that you can experience orgasm after colpocleisis. Describing it as external is probably pretty accurate. It results from external massage, probably affecting the clitoris. I think the thing you want to avoid is heavy straining to have a bowel movement. That might affect the strength of the support. So drink water, exercise, and eat a high fiber diet to prevent that.

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@sharnie

I am 84. Have not had other pop surgeries. I cannot be active sexually, of course, but have no other limitations.

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Thank you Shawnee for your response I’m having this surgery in June and I am terrified. I haven’t heard of anyone that has been so positive as you if there’s anything else that you could add to make me feel better I really would appreciate it. If you would like to respond this way thank you so much precious Heart!

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@cactus12

It turned out that my mother was put back on her blood thinner too soon--5 days post-op--considering the extensive work the urology surgeon did for her significant prolapse. She almost passed out in the night, and had an ambulance ride to go back to the hospital for a blood transfusion, wait another week for the blood thinner to start, and now--2 months post-op is doing very well.

My mother did several weeks of work with a PT who specializes in pelvic floor work. I think this really helped her to have a great outcome so far.

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I’m supposed to have this surgery in June and I am very apprehensive about it and also the recovery afterwards. How can you have a prolapse come back if you’re sewn together? Also, any ideas on after surgery as far as foods to eat that will make my bowels move extremely well would be very helpful to me. Thank you.

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@ms9246

I’m supposed to have this surgery in June and I am very apprehensive about it and also the recovery afterwards. How can you have a prolapse come back if you’re sewn together? Also, any ideas on after surgery as far as foods to eat that will make my bowels move extremely well would be very helpful to me. Thank you.

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Try putting a few prunes in the bottom of your coffee cup. They will be soft, moist, and delicious when you get to the bottom. I use the non-sorbated kind (no preservatives). Otherwise, fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, dried fruits, flax, etc. Drink water. If all else fails, there's always Metamucil. I haven't found stool softeners that effective.

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@sharnie

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.

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Am contemplating this surgery. Have an appt at Mayo Phx on April 6th, 2023.

My question: Did you have to have a hysterectomy in conjunction with having the Colpocleisis surgery?

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No, I did not. If you would be like any more information, let me know.

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@sharnie

No, I did not. If you would be like any more information, let me know.

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Yes, I want more info about the procedure. Is this the best way fir use to communicate? Many thanks for your offer.

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