Fistula repair scheduled...anyone else having it?

I am scheduled for my repair on Oct 22. I am trying to be strong and just go with the flow!! Trying to be funny there! My bladder was cut during my hysterectemy and I had 2 bladder surgeries the same week. I was in the hospital for a week and wore the foley for 3 weeks.The hole was repaired but I devoloped a fistula sometime between the time I had the foley removed and my 6 week follow up. Gyno saw urine in my vagina. She called the Uro and I went and saw him after IVP and Ct showed leakage into my vagina. Outpatient Cystogram found hole and he said he could fix it but it was too far up there that he would have to cut me again. I trust him and I am not looking forward being laid out again, but I am looking forward to being fixed and living a normal life again. I feel great as far as the Hysterectemy!! I feel like a women without the pain!!
This bladder thing has my name all over it. The depends I wear are called Tena's and there is alittle more too it, but won't get into that with you sisters. Anyone else having fistula surgery anytime soon.

Let's me strong to all fistula sisters!!
God Bless All!!
Tina

RooksScoobs:
Long story short, I've been where you are. I had my TAH on January 17. During the surgery, my bladder was nicked and the gyno stitched it only to discover I had a number of small holes throughout the bladder. Uro was called into the surgery and repairs made. Unforturnately 2 weeks post TAH, I began leaking urine from my vagina. I spent the next 2 weeks in a cathether in the hopes the fistula would seal - not. Had the first VVF repair done vaginally on March 2 and it was unsuccessful. My local uro referred me to a pelvic floor specialist because he felt he had done all he could at that point. Like you, I have felt terrific from the hysterectomy -like a new pain-free person! My only problem was wearing Depends AND Poise pads together for the past 8 months because of the leak. I had the second VVF repair on September 11. This surgery was done by a pelvic floor specialist at a major teaching hospital. In reviewing the operative reports for both VVF surgeries, it appears that the fistula was probably more extensive and further back than my original urologist realized which is likely why the vaginal procedure didn't work. I had an abdominal procedure done this time and am now 30 days post with no signs of leakage. The cystogram on 9/26 showed no fistula. This was an extensive and complex 4.5-5 hour surgery and the recovery has been slow. I came home with a suprapubic catheter, 2 ureteral stents and a foley catheter! My bladder was completely dormant for 15 days! However, as of now I'm not leaking and starting to feel normal. I was off 8 weeks the first go round and only had 4 weeks this time so I went back to work last Monday, sooner than my surgeon really wanted, but I promised to take it slow. I know being "laid out" again is really frustrating. But I can tell you that the discomfort from this surgery, dealing with catheters and the slow recovery are worth it to be dry again. Wearing disposables during the hot summer was uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing. So, hang in there, I wish you the best and I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I appreciate your humor by the way. I think it keeps us sane! I journaled my experience from the beginning in the Journal section of the site. I've tried to keep my sense of humor through this as well. I called my journal "As the Bladder Drains!" Good luck and keep us posted on progress.

Hi Tina,

Another fistula sister reporting in.

My bladder was also cut during hyst, followed by immediate bladder repair, followed by a fistula. From your post I am assuming you are having an abdominal repair??

Just another week or so until your repair! Do you know if you will have a foley or sp cath following the repair? I had both, but the foley came out before I went home for the abd repair.

Are you comfortable with the surgeon who is doing your repair? Is it a uro or urogyne? If you are having an abd repair, I hope you talk pain management with the surgeon before hand.

Just wanted to check in and say "welcome" to the fistula sisterhood, and may you soon be a recovering sister!

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to e-mail or PM me. I have had both an abd and vag repair, so I can answer just about any question regarding either approach -- what to expect, etc.

Take care and many s -- Dee

Hi there
I too had my bladder cut during my hysterectomy back in July this year I had it repaired on the 22 august every thing went fine I was happy and leak free, then 6 weeks after I started leaking I left it for a week because I caught a cold and I thought it may have something to do with that you coughing and sneezing boy was I wrong, so I rang my surgeon and he said I had to see him ASAP so off I went I was put into hospital that night and had a catheter put in I had tests done the next day that confirmed my fistula. I was sent home with the catheter in I am not allowed to work or do anything the doctor will call me on Wednesday to tell me his plans I am sure I am off for another operation so I know your pain.
I wish you all the very best with your operation .
Take care
Gail

Hi
Another repaired fistula sister reporting in.

Good luck with the surgery and I hope it is successful first time.

Donna

I am totally with you sisters, I had a fistula and then it closed and I was fine. A week later, I was leaking again and then a really bad infection set in. After a week with the infection, I am still in a lot of pain, even on Cipro. I get to go back to the uro/gyn next week. Yippee!! Good luck with the surgery, my prayers for a speedy recovery are with you
April

Hi all. Thanks for everyone's prayers. I had surgery on Oct 22 and was in the hospital for 6 days. Came home with the foley
and a stent. Dr said it would help with the healing. I had the foley and stent removed on Nov 14. So far, I am still uncomfortable, my belly is sometimes numb,and it burns when
I go to the bathroom. I'm sure it is irritated by having the foley in for over 3 weeks and the cysto and the removal of the stent.
I was wondering if anyone else had the burning after the foley and stent removed. It has not been even a week yet, but I was curious and also wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this.

Tina

After the removal of my catheter after my surgery I had urgency and pain. These were caused by bladder spasms for which I have medication for. I still get spasms but they are not as bad as they were. The urgency is much improved as well. I find I get more spasms if Im stressed. Do you think the burning could bladder spasms and if so you may need to be put on medication to help with them.

Donna

Hi everyone:
Just catching up on things as it's been really busy.I came home with a SP and a Foley cath, along with 2 stents. When all of this was removed, I had almost constant urgency and mild stinging. The burning/stinging has lessened and the urgency is better. The anticholinergic med (Enablex) did help with the spasms, at least at first. Over the past few weeks I have noted some drips particularly if I don't get to the bathroom when I first feel the urge. Spoke with my doctor and he said it is likely "urge incontinence" and possibly a low grade infection. He reminded me that my bladder has had MAJOR reconstruction surgery and it will likely be healing for at least another 3-4 months or longer. He prescribed an antibiotic and he did change me back to Ditropan three times a day vs. the Enablex extended release once a day. I had taken the Ditropan right out of surgery for spasms and it worked well, so that's why we went back to it. I can live with a drip as long as it's not a fistula and I'm not flooding urine continuously. But my doc assures me this is not unexpected and will be better as the bladder continues to heal. Hang in there. The process is long and tedious but the result is worth it.

Renee

Hi

I had a abdo repair in August and at first I thought the urgency and pain would just be the way I was now. Im still on detrusitol for spasms but the pain and urgency is no where as bad as what it first was. As each day goes by I seem to be improving. My doc also said Im doing well considering my bladder has not worked properly for over 10 months and all the damage/surgery it has had to endure. So fingers crossed you will get better each day.

Donna