hysterectomy with bladder and bowel reconstruction

I am new here and am sure going to get a lot of use of this place......lol I am 40 years old, have 5 children and am getting a partial hysterectomy , just uterus removed, but also reconstruction of bowel and bladder. My mother is a little sceptical of doctors and asking me why I need to get a bowel reconstruction. She had 10 and never had problems. I have been told it is because of having kids. Is this common with you other ladies?

hugs
nancy

Hi Nancy,

Welcome to Hystersisters!!

I had a vaginal hysterectomy with A & P repairs (anterior and posterior) for a rectocele (bowel prolapse) and a cystocele (bladder prolapse). I had to have the hyster because my uterus was also prolapsed.

I'm not sure if the rectocele repair is the same as a bowel reconstruction, but if it is, there are many possible reasons - age, large babies, being overweight, doing too much lifting and straining, etc.

You might want to do a search (little purple button at top right) on bowel reconstruction and see if there have been other discussions. I know there are a lot of threads on prolapse. Here's a link to a site that may help:

http://pages.prodigy.com/prolapse.html/

Please continue to read all you can and come on back to ask more questions. We'll be here for you.

's

Karen

Hi Nan----
I am only 36 and having the same thing--plus my bladder needs to be tacked. I had only 3 children none which were large or long labors. I guess these muscle just decided to weaken????? I also asked my Dr. and his reply was child birth. I have Never had any problems with anything (few uti ) years ago but have bben fine other wise.
I think Docs now a days are more aware of these problems than years ago. Good luck to you!
:
I am finding this is an AWESOME place for all the information or questions you need.

Hi Nan. I am 45, and had a TVH, BSO, A&P repairs and resuspension on 2/5/02, for prolapse, cystocele and rectocele. My DR told me there were 2 major contributing factors: (1) I delivered 2 very large babies vaginally and (2) weak pelvic floor tissues, which is hereditary (my mother has a prolapse too, although not as severe, so she didn't have anything done about it). I can tell you that despite a rocky recovery (developed diverticulitis at 4 weeks postop) I feel a thousand percent better now than before the surgery, and I bet you will too!
s,
- Linda

thank you all for answering my letter. I am d*****ately looking forward to this operation. It iss good to know I have this site to find all the information I need. Linda our stories sound very similiar. My mother also has a prolapse uterus but never did anything about it but it can not be too severe. I have always had bowel problems so I am anxious to get that fixed, not to mention everything else fixed. I am just waiting to hear the date now....

hugs
nancy