Vaginal Prolapse

Hello.  I posted a question a while back about severe spasm pain in my lower right stomach area following a salpingo left orthorectomy to remove tube and ovary that had a strumi terratoma. Your response was excellent and taking ibuprofen worked! What you said about the hormone stimulating my intestine/bowel never left my mind.  I am recently divorced  (after 20 years of marriage) and my new lover noticed something protruding from my vagina.  I was baring down at the time.  I took a picture of it, of course was horrified, and went to the gyno.  Initially did not tell her what I saw and she said she still had nothing more to offer for the reason for my severe horrific pain I would experience during the flow day of my period and suggested to continue taking the ibuprofen.  Then I said I am going to sit up and bare down watch this.  OMG there it was!  Turns out I have bladder and bowel prolapse and its obviously getting worse.  I have been to two specialists (uro, gyno) and noone saw this.  I have since confirmed its presence with my exhusband and date it back to just after the 2007 surgery. He assumed the small "button like tissue" was from the surgery. Now its not a button like tissue! I am pending the appt with the surgeon as I am level 3 at this point and am in need of vaginal rejuvenation as well.  I have read the hospital stay could be 1-3 days and the recovery inside (although I may feel fine on the outside) is at least 6 weeks (no sex).  From my research it seems the best way is to repair vaginally.  I am in South Florida.  Can you offer any additional information regarding this type of surgery, post surgery do's and don'ts and what I can expect? I do not want to lose my sensation during sex.  I don't want to leave it like this. It looks terrible, I do need to splint from time to time and yes I do feel sore during penetration or after on the right side.  Thank you!

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
One of the best things that you can do is start an exercise program for the pelvic floor muscles.  This won't change the need for surgery at this point, but will help you heal faster and stay healthier afterwards.
There are different approaches to correct a prolapse.  Vaginal surgery is probably used more often and with better results.  There are some different types of ways to suspend the vaginal vault.  One is a sacrospinous ligament suspension.  Uterosacral ligament plication is also used.  There is also a transabdominal approach that uses mesh.
A skilled surgeon is very important, and a specialist in urogynecology/pelvic surgery is a great choice if you have that option.
One  important thing to note is that often when prolapse is corrected, women who previously had no problems with their bladder become incontinent, so this should be addressed before surgery.
The main DONT is lifting and straining.  
Hope this helps!
Good luck!
Dr B

[islander]

Thank you!  Will I be expected to leave the hospital with a cath?