Fistula Surgery

Hi All--I was wondering how long the hospital stay is for a fistula repair? I am going to see my uro tomorrow (for what I don't know) but am hoping it is to schedule my surgery. I was just wondering so I can get a jist of what I have to deal with. Thanks for any info you can give.

Lisa

Lisa,

Good luck at your appt. It really depends on the kind of fistula repair as to how long the hospital stay is. I was "lucky" enough to have 2 repairs...the first one was vaginal, with only an overnight stay in the hospital. The abdominal repair required a week stay in the hospital, but there were some unexpected complications during the surgery. Each required a 6 week recuperation at home before going back to work.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to e-mail or PM me! If you find out for sure you have a fistula, just remember that they are fixable!

Good luck,
Dee

Dear Dee--Thank you for the info. I went to my Uro this morning and we finally set an appointment date it is for August 9. He is doing the abdominal repair of vesicovaginal fistula. Which I am thankful for because it seems alot of women had the vaginal repair first and it failed. He said my hospital stay should be 3-5 days. I then go home with the catheter for an additional 2 weeks and if all is healing well then they will take it out. After having the catheter in for a little over 10 weeks it is going to feel great not to have it anymore. I think I am more anxious about not having to wear maxi pads anymore!! I have my fingers crossed that this will be the last surgery for a very long, long time no matter what needs surgery-lol. Thank you for all your support, you've been great and so has everyone else.

Take Care-
Lisa

Lisa,

I am so sorry to hear that you are a "sister" too...Dee and Blossom have given you excellent advice....I, too, am a fistula sister, and I took all of their advice to heart! It helped me every step of the way....and I hope it helps you too. I had a vaginal repair that failed and then went for a second repair, that they actually did vaginally but used tissue from my labia (similiar to what is done using omentum tissue during an abdominal repair)..so the connection cannot reestablish itself....and so far, so good...I had a wonderful gyno/urologist and as Dee and Blossom have said....I asked lots of questions and took notes all the time.

The more information you have the better! That is why this website is such a wonderful thing! Keep venting and just know that there will be an end to this.....I want to wish you all the best for your upcoming surgery....Please keep us all posted and take care of yourself!

Nancy

what's a FAT PATCH?????????

its fat taken from the labia...its in place of the omentum used during abdominal sugery...it was done vaginally, which made the recovery much easier...and it worked!!!!

nancy