Rectocele information

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Originally Posted by TeenaB FluerDallas: Thank you for your reply. What are some of the things you did for 4-5 years. I just can't seem to have a good BM its so frustrating. Either its to soft or to hard or mushy. Sorry for the description I just want to get rid of this. But I am scared to death of the surgery, I was like that when I had my TAH but it all worked out. I would really like to wait and I see the Dr. 3/15 for my check up and I just know she will said you should have it done. Arrgh.

Like anything many things that go haywire on our bodies, mine happened gradually and to the point that I was starting to accept it as normal. Until I had an OB-GYN who pointed out my issue and that it just wasn't normal and probably would need to be repaired. How I coped with it was that I eliminated all grains from my diet as at the same time I discovered I had a rectocele I discovered I had Celiac's disease. Simply put Celiac's is being allergic to all wheat and wheat products, for me it extended to grains. So to cope I ate 1-2 salads every day and a lot of green leafy vegetables to stay regular. It was quite honestly a constant struggle.

The repair has gone great, I don't have the evacuation problems I had pre-surgery. I was scared too which is why I waited a few years to have it done. Finally it got to the point it was too much of an issue so I went to the Doctor. It was then I found out I had a cystocele and a prolapsed uterus. So at the same time I had it all fixed and the results are great!

I am going in March 5th for a vaginal hyst and rectocele/cyctocele repair.

POSSIBLE TMI FOLLOWS:::

I originally went to the Dr's due to a 'lump' near my anus, that made wiping after a BM, a major production. Come to find out the lump, was actually my inards. I had gotten to the point, of praying to only have to go to the bathroom at home.

I had this problem since the birth of my son (11) and it got worse after my daughter (5). I thought it was 'normal' after childbirth, and just dealt with it.

I do not have problems with constipation, but what had started to happen was I needed to use my finger to get the BM to start coming out, as it was resting in the bulge. Once that happened ~ I was at the Drs STAT.

When the Dr was asking me questions, I did not tell her about my having to use my finger, however as she was explaining the progress of a rectocele, she asked if I ever had to use a finger to assist removing the feces.

I guess that is what may happen if these are left untreated. After having that happen at work once ~ never, never again.

I am nervous about recovery ~ not too fond of pain. But will be thrilled to never have to worry about getting stuck (no pun intended) in a public bathroom again.

For those of you who have gone through this ~ how long before you could climb stairs???

Hi Inkera, I am sorry you are going to have multiple repairs but be grateful you can fix it all at once. I had hyst in Sept. and developed a larger retocele after. I also have a cystocele but pelvic floor PT helped that considerably and I opted to leave my bladder alone at this time. I had never heard of any of these problems prior to my hyst so it was a very unpleasant surprise for me. I spent 4 months deciding whether I could live with the rectocele and decided I could not. Assisted BM's were not acceptable(splinting) and sex did not feel right. My Dr did not think it was that bad until he did a thorough exam and then said there was basically no muscle left between the colon and vagina. It ended up being an even bigger repair once he got in there. NOw I am doing my second recovery in 5 months!

As to the question of stairs....I had a very tough week (I was like one of the sisters on the wrong end of the bell curve) and I could barely get down a short hall. It was a full week after I got home that I could move much. If you can I would make a bed downstairs for the day and stay there. One of the other sisters is having lots of problems with stairs making her bleed. I have a bed on the couch just for a change of scenery. I am 11 days postop with just the rectocele repair if I had stairs now I would still be avoiding them. You will be VERY swollen an tender on you bottom area! Have gas ex, stool softeners, and medicated wipes on hand when you get home. Your bowels will take a few days to work. I had to take mag citrate on the 6th day and you will need to take stool softeners for a while. ALso get a squirt bottle from the hospital to use when you get home. I also used an ice pack the first week and a heating pad (still use the heat). The ice will help the swelling.

I wish you the very best of luck. Please let us know how it goes.

Just dropping by to let you all know that we have updated one of the forums on the site! We now have a Pelvic Floor and Bladder Issues forum where you can post threads regarding

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Hysterectomy related concerns about the Bladder, Ureters, Rectum, Slings, TVT/TOT, Cystocele, Rectocele, A&P Repair, Mesh, UTI, Fistula, Interstitial Cystitis, Post-Op Incontinence, Pelvic Nerves & Tissues, etc.

That is wonderful and I am sure will be very helpful. I have learned so much here that has made such a difference in my life! Thank you all!

I am going to have my cystocele and rectocele repaired and a hysterectomy but keeping ovaries. I am interested in your post about the uro-gyn. I am going to have to look into that. The Drs. here (small town) want me to use the local hospital because it has a low infection rate (less than 1%), but I think it is important to have a specialist for this kind of thing. Anyway, I was wondering, was your corrective surgery abdominal, laproscopic, vaginal, other? I would like to have a tummy tuck at the same time, if that makes sense to do it that way.

Starfrost

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Originally Posted by Weiser Just dropping by to let you all know that we have updated one of the forums on the site! We now have a Pelvic Floor and Bladder Issues forum where you can post threads regarding

Great update, especially since they all seem to be inter-related.

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Originally Posted by Starfrost I am going to have my cystocele and rectocele repaired and a hysterectomy but keeping ovaries. I am interested in your post about the uro-gyn. I am going to have to look into that. The Drs. here (small town) want me to use the local hospital because it has a low infection rate (less than 1%), but I think it is important to have a specialist for this kind of thing. Anyway, I was wondering, was your corrective surgery abdominal, laproscopic, vaginal, other? I would like to have a tummy tuck at the same time, if that makes sense to do it that way. Starfrost

Star, I posted a longer response to you in the Bladder Matters forum where you started a thread inquirying about this subject. It is important to have a specialist for this type of repair.

I see in another post where you are a single Mother and worried about recovery. It looks like you are already concerned about how you are going to handle things being a single Mother. https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...531#post209853

I had the exact surgery you mentioned but no tummy tuck. I cannot imagine having a tummy tuck at the same time. I could not have handled the additional pain and recovery process. I had 5 procedures done as it was and that's a lot of shock and healing for the body.

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Originally Posted by roaddba I have just found out that I have a rectocele. It is actually pretty bad, but one of those things where I was happy when I did not know. I'm not sure when it happened, what caused it, etc... All I do know is that it is at a stage 3 and from what I have seen, it isn't going to get any better. The idea of surgery does not appeal to me, but neither does having my colon come out of my vagina.... What I want to know is: are there any alternatives for treating this (other than the pessary). Has anyone out there had the surgery? The idea of of a 3 month recovery just boggles my mind. Also, do you have to give up all physical activity? I lift weights, ride a rather large motorcycle and basically love to be physical. What happens if I leave it alone? Can someone help a 48 year old that feels like her world has just come crashing down?

There is a device called the kegalmaster2000. I have retrocele, prlaspe. fibroid. Very active for 52. I was to have surg, cancelled, did the kegalmaster for a month, seen a different Dr. He said that by waiting I wasn't hurting anything. After a month of using the kegalmaster, my cervix trys to come out during my period, but not out, were it did before. It came out when I walked also, and does not now. I was using a laxative for the retrocele and dont now. I would say I am 70 percent better. The kegalmaster tightes the vag. muscles and the other muscles as you use it. My 2nd Dr. did not recommend a pessary because I was so tight, he said it would be hard to get in and out Your sex partner will love this, well I am so tight now we have to use a lubricant. I would encourage anyone with urine leakage or prolaspe to try this, all you lose is time and it has helped me. Kegalmaster2000.com

It was nice to see your article. I too am suffering from a "new" hemmoroid as well as existing ones from my past pregnancies. Bowel movements have always been an issue for and still continue to be after 7 days post-op. Any suggestions??? I eat dried prunes, other fruit, bran, take fiber and drink as much water as possible. I hate this feeling. Any hope for improvement in the future??? Good luck.