Surgery for prolapse

I need help! I have a vaginal prolapse. I am considering surgery now but I am scared to death. I have seen two doctors in the last 2 years about the surgery. One said he would use the synthetic mesh material for repair and the other doctor uses some type of pig tissue to make the graft. I'm confused. I can't find any information about the pig tissue. Anyone heard of this? I really need someone to talk to. I have many questions, fears and anxieties.
Dee

Hello Deeisme!

On 3/2/05 I had A&P repairs, enterocele sac reduction & a right spinious ligament suspension (vaginal vault repair). I had these repairs done by a uro/gyn & I would encourage you to have your repair done by a uro/gyn. They have extra training in this area & they also, IMHO, diagnosis more accurately. If my gyn (now former gyn) had done any repairs during my hyster it would have been only for the A&P....it was the uro/gyn who diagnosed the enterocele prolapse(which turned out to be really bad) & the vault prolapse. Every doctor is different, but mine said he absolutely will not use mesh (too many complications with infection & erosion of the mesh). In my case, my tissues were strong & healthy enough for him to do the repairs using prolene sutures. I don't know anything about pig tissue...perhaps a Google search would give you information. I had right buttocks pain for about 2 weeks, which my dr. told me about in advance, & sitting was uncomfortable for about 2 weeks...but now I'm feeling terrific & will be going back to work on Monday. I hope this helps you out some - good luck & keep us posted on your decision!

Do a google search for "porcine graft"-- this will bring you lots of information.

If this were me, i'd have a urologist do the surgery..just my opinion.
stay well

I had repairs for Bi-Lateral vaginal vault defect and enterocele done on Mar 15. My DR used the graft ( permasoft by Bard). I had a TAH done July 03 and my Gyn did not do any A&P repairs. I had A&P repairs done Sept 04 for Cestocele and Rectocele prolapse, then in Dec I noticed another bulge. My 2wk check up was Mar 28 and DR says I am doing great. I went back to work next day light duty for 4weeks. Lifting restricted to 20lbs. Please see a UROGYN... I wish I had done that when I had my Hyst since I had the Hyst for a prolapsed uterus. My UROGYN said my GYN should have done a better job of checking me. as less than 6 months after my Hyst, I had the other prolapses. I wore a pessary for 6 months waiting for the appt with the UROGYN and then waiting for the surgery date.

Hi Dee

I had a rectocele and enterocele repaired Jan 25th by my gyn. He was very knowlegable and did a good job. I had no pain what so ever. The recovery was great. He used a pig material called Pelvicol. It is supposed to last forever unless I do something really outrageous to mess it up. I am not allowed to ever strain again to have a bm, which is a real issue again.
I was also diagnosed with a small cystocele at my pre op appt. He did not think it needed fixed at this time. It is just a watchful eye thing now. It was also suggested I ave a tvt done for my stress incontinence, but the urologist was not avaliable at the time of my surgery.Please have everything checked out and see if you need any bladder issues addressed. It can all be done at the same time.
Here is a link to the graft materials:
http://www.bardurological.com/patien...aspx?bUnitID=4
I hope this helps you out.
Good luck and everything will be ok.
Peggy

Thanks everyone! I am so glad I found this site. Please keep talking to me. I need all of you for support. The pig tissue is sounding better to me. I just didn't like the sound of the synthetic mesh. It sounded too risky. I am prolapsed all over. I have all the "celes" - bladder, vaginal, uterus, rectum so I guess I need major repair. Please send me info or words of encougagement. I need it. I am absolutely scared to death. I just don't won't to do anything that is going to make me worse. And - I have to work. I have no other options. I will only have 8 weeks for recovery then I have be back at work teaching Kindergarten. What do y'all think? Also, I am going to have the uor dynamics test this wed.
Dee

Dear Dee,
Have had it all twice! Do try to find a uro-gyn.: they really are the specialists for this. Although everyone is different, I would guess that 8 weeks would be enough, provided that you don't lift anyone or anything!! You'd better ask your doc for advice on restrictions after 8 weeks. Might not want you to lift kids for longer. You do need to protect yourself so that you heal. My lifting heavy suitcases probably contributed to 2nd surgery...
s
Gillian

Hi Gillian
Thanks for replying. I know I will never pick up a child again. I don't want to ruin anything. I did go to a uro-Gyn. He was awful, mean and lacking in compassion. The doc I am seeing now is a urologist (he'e young,young) who went back to school to get the training (a fellowship) in female pelvic repair. I will also have my gynocologist with me in surgery. I just want to feel normal again. Right now I have a huge bulge and walking very much is hard for me. And - I have to uninate all the time. I there are other equally distressing disabilities associated with this problem. I have so much anxiety about the surgery - I just don't know if I can go through it. I hear so many stories and I'm worried about a catheter and real possibilties of having to do self caths. Has any one done that? I find having a cath very painful.
Dee

Dear Dee,
Yes I had all that, catheter and self-cath for 6 months. If it is done right it is not painful!! You may not have to have one, except for right after the surgery. Last time(5 weeks ago) I had it removed the next day and no problems. You are bound to be anxious and the more support you get the better! You sound like you are in good medical hands. The most uncomfortable bit is the rectocele repair. The cystocele is not so bad, nor is the vaginal vault. Stool softeners are the way to go! Please, please contact me if you have any more questions or worries. I feel like an old hand at this!
s,
Gillian

P.S. Wearing a super tampax can help you with the walking: my gynae. suggested that. It seems to hold things up a bit.

Gillian