Rectocele/Cystocele repair...

I originally posted this question on the post-op board. Someone said maybe you ladies would know more about this. I have had a rectocele and cystocele for many years which has really never bothered me much. However, since I had my TVH on 8-20-01 I think the rectocele has gotten worse. Is this a pretty normal happening after the uterus has been removed??? I sure hate to think my Doc would have to go back in there to repair it. Wish I just would have had it done when I had the TVH. If I would have to have it done, does anyone know what it involves...can it be done vaginally or does it have to be done abdominally? what is recovery time? is it done as an outpatient? Of course, I will talk to my Doc about it, but would like some input and information on it before I do that.

Thanks! :eagle:

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Hi,
I had a posterior repair for a rectocele and a lap for adhesions on Aug. 13 2001. My hyst and bladder repair/Burch procedure was in Nov. 2000. I was very upset about all this. My urogyn had me do all kinds of GI tests and a colonoscopy before discussing surgery again. I think the rectocele was mild prior but got worse after the hyst which can and does happen to some of us. The posterior repair recovery has been a bit rough, (the incision is like an episiotomy(sp?) but a bit worse) but I am glad I did it as it seems to have corrected the problem. The repair is not done abdominally. There are stitches inside and outside from the opening of the vagina toward the perineum. This really bugged me for at least 3 weeks. I was in the hospital 2 and a half days and had vaginal packing and a catheter for 24 hours. The recovery time is 4-6 weeks. I'm almost at 6 weeks now and still very tired. I also had adhesions on and around my colon. I know this is discouraging to think of another surgery again, but in my case the rectocele was really causing me a lot of bowel troubles and I figured it was worth one last try to get well. If you search under posterior repair or rectocele on this site you will find a lot of my posts and posts from many of the other sisters here who have dealt with this. Good Luck to you!
Love, Light, Blessings
Druid

I hope you don't mind if I ask you a few more questions...What is the pain level on the area that is sutured? I read somewhere a little bit ago that sometimes this can be very, very painful. I guess I'm not wanting to be in pain so soon after my hyst. If it ends up that I have to have it done I guess I'll just have to deal with it.

So it is done vaginally, huh? That makes me feel a little better. So far I haven't had ALOT of problems going to the bathroom, but seems it is a little worse this past week. UGH!!

Again, thanks for replying. What you said has helped a lot!





:eagle:


GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Hi again,
First of all, I do want to point out you are very early in your recovery - I apologize but if I am reading this right you are only about a month post-op? I at first thought you had the TVH last August, not this one. My mistake. What you may be experiencing is all part of recovering. I would hate to see someone following the road I've been on so soon. The doc can do specific checks to see if you've had prolapse. I do find it a little odd that you just had the TVH and the doc didn't discuss this with you at any pre-op visit? If you do think this is your problem, get an opinion from a urogyn. To answer your question, the stitches were painful at first and quite uncomfortable. I did not have a TAH or TVH - mine was a total lap hyst so I had only tiny incisions and the belly button stitch. The posterior stitches were worse than any other procedure I have had. I'm not trying to scare you - just being honest. Plus, everyone is different. Please do consult with your doc since you are still so early in recovery. I wish you all the best. Let me know how you are doing. Also, I know some other sisters here have experienced this after their hyst - so maybe they will be along soon to share some insight.
Love, Light, Blessings
Druid