I need someone to be positive about repairs

I am scared. I feel as though I am never going to be the same. I had a TVH and TVT sling with anterior repair on Oct.9,2009. Since then my anterior has failed (my own tissues were used), and I am presenting with a host of other issues. I am going in to my surgeon on March 8 to have a frank/brutal discussion with her. I now have a rectocele, my bowel/butt area feels like it has dropped and I have swelling all around my vagina walls, inside and outside. My perineal also gets bulgy. I feel as though my whole pelvic floor is falling. Has anyone out there had any long-term success with repairs? I am so scared that this is going to be my lot in life for ever. I am only 54............and cry everyday. Sorry thanks

Hi Little Red,

It's me again, Diana. I feel for you, I am glad to read that you will be very frank with your doctor. I hope she can offer you reasoned answers and a plan. However, if she gets her dander up or dismisses your pain and concerns, I would suggest firing her and finding someone who is helpful. Unfortunately, I had to fire a Gyn and an Orthopedic surgeon; tough to do yes, but VERY worthwhile.

Be especially kind to yourself....I'll be thinking of you on the 8th.

Diana

Diana, thank you so much. I appreciate your words. I feel so vulnerable. I am normally a strong person and this whole experience has rocked my world. If I hear one more person tell me, it could be worse you could have........ I know this, things could be worse. I have a very supportive family/husband. I have just never felt so hopeless. I am already preparing to switch insurance plans and go with another Dr. I am doing research now that I should have done months ago. I will let you know what happens.

Hi,

Don't beat yourself up too bad. It took me a year of horrible suffering with a Total Knee Replacement before I fired my orthopedic surgeon. Like you, other people told me it could be worse, but they had no idea of the pain I was enduring 24/7.

I felt empowered in dealing with doctors when a very wise woman told me "if you write the check you're the boss, if you don't like the way you are being treated, you fire them". Boy did that change things around for me...I'm not arrogant or nasty, I speak in a firm but controlled voice. Depending on how they respond to my wants/needs I either keep on writing those checks or fire them! I know you feel helpless, but you're the one who is going to be in charge at that visit on the 8th!!

Diana

Diana,,,,,,,,,,I found an old post of yours. You have all of your repairs done with stitches that don't dissolve, is that correct? Does that mean that they are stronger than regular stitches? (Duh, I'm sure it does but just checking) Also, my anterior failed because the Dr. used my own ligaments. Would your kind of stitches held better for me? I know I am firing alot of ??? at you. I just need to get things fixed. So you didn't have a bladder prolapse? Thanks

Hi,

I don't mind your firing questions .. we need all the info we can get before our appointments! My uro/gyn repaired all of my prolapses (cystocele, rectocele, enterocele and vault suspension) using Prolene stitches, I believe they don't dissolve. I'm not sure how he anchored them but it's been 5 years and everything so far, has held. Unfortunately, where there is one
prolapse another one can be found.

Is your dr. a uro/gyn? They really are the best when it comes to prolapses.
Diana

Hi Diana, Yes my surgeon is a urogyn. I am really leaning towards switching insurance in the fall and going with a different institution. How long did you live with your conditions before you had it all fixed? I am only 5 months out for my TVH and TVT. I know whatever I decide to do, I will have to wait until the fall. My only bummer is that my daughter is getting married in August. I can't get past the fact that I feel the way that I do and this is happening. Oh well, life goes on. Take care. I really appreciate all your support. Finding out about your stitches was an interesting tidbit. I can only pray, I don't reject the sling. Take care

Hi,

I developed the cystocele almost immediately after the birth of my 9lb 2oz son, 26 years ago. It seemed to disappear until my TAH/BSO, then everything prolapsed. I wasn't too bad until about 2 years after the TAH/BSO..then I started having severe lower back/pelvic pain, heaviness and pressure. I lasted about one year, went to a uro/gyn who tried a pessary but I couldn't retain them. Surgery was really the only answer to get rid of the pain. I know how hard it is to be feeling awful and at the same time try to be "up and happy" about something as wonderful as your daughter getting married. Somehow, being women, we pull it together and enjoy the occasion.

Please let us know how your appointment goes on Monday...try to get some rest over the week-end.

Diana

	Quote:
I feel as though my whole pelvic floor is falling

Little Red, that is exactly how I feel!!! I have not had my hyster yet (for prolapse issues) and am waiting for a call for a date. Dr thinks he may only have time to do rectocele repair and nothing else in this surgery. I am afraid that if that is all he does, that will just give room for the other prolapses to get worse. (Diana, maybe you have some knowledge here?)
I can understand how you feel about the upcoming wedding. I felt "cheated" out of really enjoying my role as mother of the bride TWICE!!! When my first daughter got married I was 1 month and 1 day out of a surgery and still had daily home care nursing visits for an open wound. They put what they called a 5 day dressing on and I had to travel almost 6 hours for the wedding (open wound on a lower cheek!!!). When my last daughter was married, I was dealing with prolapse issues plus a flare up problem on that lower cheek and the 6 hour travel. Both weddings went off very well and the majority of the guests had no idea that the mother of the bride was full of painkillers!!!!!
I feel for you and hope that everything goes well.
Keep updating on Drs appointments etc.
Hugs,
Suzanne

Thanks Suzanne, this is beyond sucky................If it's not too much for you to handle, I would try and get all surgeries done at once. It is my understanding that once you are opened up so to speak, you don't want that to happen again for awhile. May I ask you what prolapses you are dealing with? Take care