Prolapsed bladder !!!!!

HI all, Im over a year post op and suspect that I may have a prolapsing bladder !!! Is there anyone who could tell me if they have had this and already had the surgery to repair it after their hysterectomy??? What type of surgery was it and how are you now??? Thankyou for any and all replies. Love debbiepxxx

Hi Debbie

I had surgery for a prolapsed bladder last summer, about a year after my TAH. The surgery was done in combination with repair of an inguinal hernia.

My doctor used the Burch procedure, which is essentially a sling to hold the bladder in place. My recovery was a bit longer than most because of the two operations. I had a catheter for a few weeks following the surgery and was in the hospital about four days.

The surgeries were totally successful. A year later I no longer have bladder problems and the hernia is a thing of the past as well.

I hope this helps and wish you well.

Hi Debbie, sorry to hear about your troubles.

Two weeks ago I was just diagnosed with a cystocele 2 years post-op and was wondering, what are your symptoms? I feel like I'm sitting on a tennis ball and in the AM most of the time I don't make it to the bathroom....if you know what I mean!

The doctor recommended Vagifem and Kegals to try for now,
as I can't have an operation/time off from work right now with my husband out of work. Actually, I was the one who suggested the Vagifem from what I have learned on this site to help strengthen
the weakended vaginal/supportive muscles.

Did you have a pelvic support problem to begin with? I had
prolapsed uterus and rectocele.

I would also be interested in hearing from other people about
this and how long the hospital stay/recovery period was. I haven't really had to time to even think about this problem, as
we just found out my sister-in-law is very ill.


take care,
Nel

Thankyou Cheryl and nel for your responses.
Nel, yes I had my hysterectomy for a prolapsed uterus and my main symptom being urine frequency and urgency. This is still my main symptom eventhough the Dr told me by taking out my prolapsing uterus would fix that. Well it didnt the symptom returned with in 3 weeks post op. I also had a Burch procedure,a lift of the bladder neck or urethra.
My main symptom now ,other than the urine frequency is the feeling of discomfort down below. Yes like sitting on a "golf" ball <ha < for me, not quite the tennis ball,YET. I do make it in time for the bathroom !!! I have been extremely upset because I have tried hard for this NOT to happen. I will be looking into pessaries and asking my Dr about them when I see him on Monday. I too have been using vagifem but I think once the prolapse has happen it will not help as much but still keep it up !!!! I cant tell if its my bladder prolapsing or my vagina vault..!!! Either way it is still a problem ... I HATE PROLAPSES ,it feels like it could be a never ending story with them ,I hope not. I too have my parents not well so my mind has been on other things !!! Takecare and hope all goes well for us ,keep posting ,takecare and will be thinking of you too. love debbiepxxx

Hi girls...haven't posted for a while, but your post interested me. I am sorry you are going thru this...it sounds just like what I am going thru.
Had tvh in April. Three weeks later I felt that pressure and went in for a check....Doc told me I had a tiny cystocele that mos women would not even notice, but since I had one before, I might be "sensitive".
Well at 6 weeks, the Doc(a different one) cleared me to return to an absolutely "NORMAL" life. No restrictions.
To me that means I can clean, run sweeper, carry laundry, carry coin at the bank where I work....etc.
Not even a month later I started wetting myself, having burning when I pee on and off...lo and behold, I think I have not only a cystocele, but a rectocele as well. (they feel pretty big to me.)
Here is my question(s).....
Since I have already had a Burch procedure 3 years ago, what else could be done..can it be repaired?
Why didn't that doctor LISTEN to me when I was asking him if this could happen? He insisted removing a prolapse uterus would help the feeling of not being able to empty.
I really regret having the hyster now...it did not fix anything. It was fine...it is the pelvic floor that needs fixed....
Any ideas any of you, who have been on this road?

Hi there Terry,sorry to hear your in the same boat. For my understanding a Burch Procedure is a lift of the Bladder-NECK (urethra)only ,not the actual bladder.I had this also. I feel that I too may have the rectocele as well or maybe it the top falling in ,the vaginal vault, I dont know. What I have learnt is women with prolapse it will effect most organs down below eventualy. Some start with the uterus first others the bladder etc. I think Dr should be more aware of this. Im very angery myself at the moment as I dont like the complications that may come from each surgery so I dont want another. I will try the pessary route first eventhough they look uncomfortable to me but I have read alot of women use them.I have been reading alot on a prolapse messageboard ,UPRISE and they have very interesting topics. You should read this as incase you need surgery as they tell you from experience WHICH surgery to have . IT is VERY common now for women all ages to have prolapses not that that makes you feel any better but Dr must be more aware of them soon. Dont regret the Hysterectomy as I once did ,as far as I have read prolapse could happen even after the suspension ( lifting the uterus) just as much as takening out the uterus. There is no guarantees with either. Please feel free to ask more if you like but do check out this board too. Good luck in this long road that we are on together.love debbiepxxx

Hi sisters,
I had the Burch procedure with my total lap hyst in Nov. 2000. It was done laproscopically. I did very well for about a year and a half - and in the meantime had a posteroir repair for a rectocele last August. Now I have really nasty incontinence and my urogyn is having me see another urologist and then doing a bunch of tests and then we are discussing another surgery. It is very confusing and depressing. From what my dr told me, the Burch is not quite as aggressive as the actual bladder sling procedure, which he is thinking I may need but we aren't deciding yet until I get the tests done. He also mentioned the TVT, which I know Lisa M has had and it seems to help some ladies. If I wasn't leaking all the time, even if I walk fast, and totally losing it when I sneeze, I wouldn't want any more surgeries. How much more are we expected to go through? I surely will pray for all of you. I see the urologis on Sept. 12. I want to know the actual difference in all these surgeries. May you all find the healing you deserve.
Love, Light, Blessings
Druid

Hi ladies,

Keep me posted on how things turn out. I would be interested in knowing what the outcome is.

My main problem with the cystocele is that I can actually feel the weakness/bulge/pain in the area. I can't stand for long periods and walking long distances and exercising is out of the question.
Does anyone else feel that way? I guess that is what a hernia is supposed to feel like? I can actually feel my muscles "tremble" inside trying to hold everying up. I have a hard time making it to the bathroom in the AM or if I drink too much water, but I don't have the leaking problem I had read about. I'm just so nervous that I could end up even worse down the road with the surgery, but I'm really at the point of being so uncomfortable, I feel that surgery is probably going to necessary. I already had a "large" rectocele repair with the TVT 2 years ago, and the DR. said that looks "ok", but I wonder if there's something else letting go also at the same time.

Right now we're trying the Vagifem, Kegals and weight loss.

Another thing, has anyone noticed, If I mention this to my family/friends that look at me like I'm from another planet.

Don't people know about these things? Bizarre! I'm so glad I have you guys to talk to.

Talk care,
Nel

Hi Debbie,
I also have a cystocele, otherwise known as a "bulging bladder" or sagging antieror wall...
Lovely thing that it is - but I am thankfull that it isn't something worse, like cancer...

I am 35 years old and have one 7-year-old child. I have been happily married for 10 years and have a great sex life. I also work outside of the home.

My doctor is WONDERFUL - a surgeon who specializes in vaginal repair work and who also teaches at the University of Rochester (USA - NY). She is Dr. Gunhilde Buchsbaum.

I had a vaginal hysterectomy last year (10/11/01). The reason for the hysterectomy was prolapse of the uterus, a rectocele and a cystocele. Dr. Buchsbaum removed my uterus, cervix, and attached a skin graph to my postieror wall. She also pinned my antieror wall to my pelvis (to muscles attached to the pelvis.) At my 5-week post-operative visit Dr. Buchsbaum saw that I still had a stage 2 cystocele. Basically, the antieror (top) wall of my vagina was still bulging down. She said that it is often the case that this happens. She scheduled a second surgery for me - which will be on 9/11/02 - for repair of the antieror wall. This surgery will consist of folding my vaginal skin over itself in three or four places and stitching it to itself - and also putting a skin graph completely over the antieror wall - attaching the skin graph to my pelvis (not to the weak skin of the antieror wall). Dr. Buchsbaum has been performing this surgery for about a year - and she said that she does not yet know of the long term results. She did tell me that there is a 30% chance of the cystocele returning (based on other history...)

Right now I do not have "pain" - but rather discomfort. When I get out of bed in the morning I can immediately feel my bladder falling down. Immediatley upon standing up from the bed I feel pressure at the opening of my vagina - like something is pressing it open. Sitting at my desk at work all day makes me feel tired...and I feel much better after I come home and lay down. I am using a pessary now (didn't use it until about a month ago.) It really helps- but is uncomfortable in it's own way. It is a round pessary. Last year, before the hysterectomy, I had a cube pessary - which was much more uncomfortable.

Basically, I am not in any pain and am having no urinary incontenance. The only pain that I feel is a feeling like a urinary tract infection starting - with discomfort around my urethra - at the end of the day. Wearing the pessary prevents that.

Sex is still VERY possible - and fullfilling. My husband doesn't even notice that I have prolapse (wonderful man that he is.)

You might wonder why I am having the surgery - since sex is still good and I am not wetting myself or in pain, like other women on this site. Well, I am having the surgery to make my vagina stop REMINDING ME every minute of every day that it is not normal. I am tired of constantly being aware of pressure in my vagina. I am tired of always feeling like "...if only I could just lay down...". I want to get repaired because I am a WOMAN and I feel sexy and wonderful and want to be my best. I have a great doctor who I trust 100% and I am confident that I will feel better after my repair work is done. Also, my mother has the same problems, and she hasn't done what I am doing to fix them. She still has to splint to make a bowel movement. She still has the bulging. She still feels bad about herself. My doctor thinks that prolapse is a hereditary thing and I probably have it due to no fault of my own. If I can do something about it I will!

I hope other women can find doctors that they trust and get the help that they need to be normal again (like me!). If men had these problems they would surely have more attention in the medical community that we seem to!!!

By the way - I have a question...
What do you tell the men at work about your surgery? I work with ALL men and they are all so concerned that I am having a surgery. But I can't tell them what it is for! I have one old man in my office (in his 80's) that keeps asking me every day "how do you feel today?" I am so tired of his stupid question...but I can't come out and tell him "there is nothing wrong with me except that my vagina feels like it is being spread open by my bladder and this chair I am sitting in is damed uncomfortable..." What do you say!!!!! (This is a retorical question...but I just wondered if anyone else has comments on this topic)

Kelly in Rochester, NY (USA)

I know exactly how you feel...you are constantly reminded that you are no longer "normal". My DH too, says he can't tell, but it doesn't help me feel sexy at all.
I am also carrying too much weight, but I have been trying to be someone I am not since I was 10....it is easier said than done to lose it.
I need to go back to the doctor and talk about all this, but I am sick of being poked and prodded.
I do not have the leaking unless I wait too long or drink too much, but I worry about when that too will start.
I am so grateful to have you all to vent to and talk to and listen to and take advice from.
No one at work understands. There is only one man, who I just tell the basics. (he is my boss)...that I am having female problems and my bladder is falling. He doesn't ask alot of questions. The rest are younger (by 20 years!) women who really don't care.
I don't know why I am even whining....I can't take any time off work until this year is over, since I have used it all. So tell me to shut up and stop pitying myself....I really need to get it together.
Thanks to all for listening....