TAH: Possible problems with organs shifting?

Once they take out the uterus (which is already enlarged by endometriosis), there is going to be a large void. Initially it will be fluids from the swelling but can anything be done to prevent the GI organs from "dropping", particularly the transverse colon. The last thing I want is GI problems in the future because of the surgery.

My doctor put mesh in me when he was done to keep the organs from getting together. Everything does just kind of shift around. You could ask your doctor what he plans to do? Best wishes.

My dr put mesh in me also and stitched up my bladder and colon (which were already falling or prolapsing) also. My surgery was 9 days ago and I am starting to feel better!
Good luck to you!

Thanks for the quick reply. As the date gets closer, I find I'm more anxious each day.

Is the mesh standard? I didn't even think to ask my dr. Unfortunately, all the questions came after the appt and I won't be seeing her again until the date of surgery.

OMG, I didn't even think about this -- I didn't ask my doctor anything about this -- I didn't think about it.

Should I ask about if they put in any kind of mesh so my organs wouldn't all stick together or anything? Is this just a normal part of a hysterectomy, or does it differ from surgeon to surgeon?

I sure don't want to have to worry about any kind of colon problems down the line, because each time I went to the ER with the abdominal/pelvic pain I had, the conclusion was always Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which I KNEW was not correct.

How can I find out more about this, because I am worried and scared now? I will ask my doctor about it, but is there anything on the internet about it?

Thanks,

Dana B. in Houston, TX - 48 yrs old
1992 Endometriosis & D & C
2005 - Novasure Endometrial Ablation
7/16/10 - da Vinci assisted laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (kept ovaries) due to 6 months of severe pelvic pain and nausea

simplymarmie,

It's understandable to worry about organs shifting after removing a large uterus. Mine was huge and I worried about prolapse too. It isn't standard procedure to put mesh in to keep organs from moving or sticking together. That's done when the prolapse is already a problem. Some docs may stitch here or there to help insure no movement but not always. I don't think my doc did anything special to keep things stable and I have had some very minor prolapse. I think I had it before the surgery and tend to have loose muscles.

Your body is designed to recover from having a big, BIG, uterus so that shouldn't be a problem. Some women just seem to have weaker muscles and supporting tissues. Kegels and generally being strong can be helpful. Making sure you have enough estrogen on board to keep your pelvic area healthy can also be useful from what I understand.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to give your doc's office a call and ask just what he/she does. It may help put your mind at ease.

I have no mesh. I know there are ligaments to hold some structures in place but I'm vague on how they all work. I have had no prolapses, no bowel or bladder issues, before or after. I'm not sure if that's reassuring to you. Maybe your Dr can explain support structure and anatomy and that might be helpful. I know pictures/drawings help me understand. Really my uterus was small so it can't have supported much, and a large uterus might crowd more than it supports, is how I've understood it. I think of my pelvic floor as being good support and so far things have been fine. I hope your Dr can provide some reassurance.

Adding to the list of stuff to talk to the doctor about. Granted my uterus is not too large either so maybe things won't have to shift much. Never thought of this either.

wow, this gives me something to ask my doc at my 6 week check up...never thought to ask before

My doctor said that the Uterus, when it gets big. pushes the other organs up just like in pregnancy and when they take it out the organs have room to go back naturally to where they should be. She also took the ligaments that used to hold my uterus and attached them to the vaginal cuff to hold the vagina in place.