Rectocele Concerns - Recovering from June 11th Surgery and So Worried

I am dreading picking up the phone to speak with the receptionist at the urologist office my gyne recommended. I also want to know if I can wait for a while, symptoms of this prolapysing rectum are painful, however, controlled if I watch what I eat, not too much and try to have high fiber foods. I already am tiny and weigh 95 at best and am thin and arthritic, so have to be nourished. Is there a safe timeline to wait ? My gyne said it might not get worse, is that reality? I am scared to not even go to the store and do these 18 stairs down to the parking lot from our apt...in fear it will drop more. Help Please
JJS-TVH-CYSTOCELE-JUNE 11TH - FACING A RECTOCELE. had double hip replacements in 1996, foot surgey, have IBS and feel like I am a mess.
JOAN

Do you have a rectocele or rectal prolapse?

Interesting Question. My Gyne Said A Stage 2 Rectal Prolapse. I Had No Idea There Was A Difference, Please Explain, So Glad You Wrote. I Have An Appt.. For A Consult With A Urologist Specializing In This, October 30th.
Please Write Me Back, Thanks So Much,
Joan
Jjs

A rectocele is when the wall of tissue that seperates the vagina and rectum becomes weakened and allows the front wall of the rectum to bulge into the vagina. Rectal prolapse is when the ligaments and muscles that hold the rectum in place become weakened and cause the rectum to fall out of place. There are 3 types of rectal prolapse: internal, partial and complete. With internal prolapse the rectum doesn't protrude through the anus, with partial prolapse only the inner lining of the rectum protrudes through the anus and with complete prolapse a large potion of the rectum protrudes through the anus. Rectal prolapse is similar to, but not the same as, rectocele. Hope this helps clarify.

JJS,

I am thinking you must have a rectocele and not rectal proplapse. A urogyn can deal with a rectocele but it takes a colorectal surgeon to deal with rectal prolapse. I am having a ton of trouble having bm's and my urogyn has referred me to a colorectal surgeon.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by stargazers A rectocele is when the wall of tissue that seperates the vagina and rectum becomes weakened and allows the front wall of the rectum to bulge into the vagina. Rectal prolapse is when the ligaments and muscles that hold the rectum in place become weakened and cause the rectum to fall out of place. There are 3 types of rectal prolapse: internal, partial and complete. With internal prolapse the rectum doesn't protrude through the anus, with partial prolapse only the inner lining of the rectum protrudes through the anus and with complete prolapse a large potion of the rectum protrudes through the anus. Rectal prolapse is similar to, but not the same as, rectocele. Hope this helps clarify.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHICH I HAVE, FROM WHAT I TELL YOU, IF HE SAID IT IS SLIGHTLY BULGING AND IS STAGE 2 WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU?
It appears it is an internal prolapse as he found it examining me internally (vaginally) I feel nothing at the anus ...thank goodness, that scares me so much and sounds so awfull. Pray for me that I do not have some awfull surgery ahead of me again. I go to the urologist on the 30th.
JJS-Joan

If he found it when examining you vaginally then you have a rectocele. Rectal prolapse (either partial or complete) can be seen protruding through the anus. Internal rectal prolapse can be found by either a rectal exam, though not always, or by doing a defogram. You definitely have a rectocele, which if you have to have one, that is the better of the two by far. The repair for rectal prolapse is major. Good luck to you! Pray for me as well because there is a possibility that I have rectal prolapse....the worse of the two!! One thing that I am curious about....why a urologist for a rectocele? Do you have bladder issues as well?

Good information, but still confused. So you are saying a rectal prolapse can be either internal, poofing down and prolapysing inside as my gyne referred to it.... or external through my rectum? This scares me so much.... He did a vaginal exam and said my rectum was prolapsying and just a little at beginning stages, I asked what stage and he said about a 2.

I have had a cystocele and a total vaginal hysterectomy with my uterus/cervix removed and bladder repaired....

I questioned why I had to go to a urologist as my internist suggested a rectal surgeon.

I called the office back and talked to the nurse who told me that is who does these, it is his expertise...

When I called the urologist, Dr. B in Chicago and has an office two days a week in Indiana where I live, where my gyne is, where the hospital here is...The girl there said he does these all the time...female urology and reconstruction...and is one of the best in the U.S.

So, who would you go to?
What are your symptoms?
Please lets stay in touch...
I am so confused and disgusted.

Joan

Joan,

The doctor who did my repairs (cystocele, rectocele, hysterectomy and vaginal vault repair) was a urogyn. I thought a urologist only dealt with bladder issues but I could be wrong. Yes, rectal prolapse (not rectocele) can either be inside (internal intussusception is the technical name for this) where the rectum just kind of folds in on itself...like a telescope or it can be outside where the rectum actually falls through the anus. My urogyn referred me to a colorectal surgeon because she said rectal prolapse was beyond her expertise. Like I said though, if your doctor diagnosed it vaginally, it is a rectocele and not actual rectal prolapse. If Dr. Bales does female reconstruction and in one of the best in the U.S., that is where I would go. My symptoms are that I can never completely evacuate my rectum. I can only get out a couple of little tiny pieces and I have to keep trying all day long to get out a little more. I am so afraid that I am going to cause my bladder to fall that I frequently end up removing the stool manually. I take stool softeners, bulk forming laxatives, 40-60 oz of water daily, 30mg of fiber daily and occasionally miralax and nothing helps. I also have sharp pains in my rectum and a lower backache. If I have rectal prolapse, I have the internal intussusception. I see a specialist tomorrow. Keep in touch.