More reason's I'm glad I canceled my surgery

Body: 

I'm so relieved that I canceled my scheduled surgery for a cystocele. My urologist seemed so knowledgeable, but he didn't give me any suggestions for life-style changes that would help my condition. He didn't even seemed concerned when I told him I frequently strained with BMs and did a lot of lifting with my job. I did have the urodynamics test, and even this was a disappointment and probably a waste of time and money. I had the test in the early morning, and it didn't even show a prolapse. Afterward, he joked that it would have been different if I had come in the afternoon....duh! If he knew that, why wouldn't he have told me to schedule in the afternoon? Oh yes, and he mentioned 3 times that "the mess has really improved in the last five years." I don't think my physician is a "bad" one, I think that he is representative of the uniformed surgical community. In contrast, everything that I have read so far from Saving the Whole Woman has been helpful and true: clothing recommendations; sitting postures; prolapse variability. I am still reading the book and am planning to start working on the exercises soon. My advice to anyone considering surgery as a first step would be to realize that pelvic prolapse is not an emergency and to take the time to inform and empower yourself as much as possible before making this decision. I do have one question. When I was planning to have the surgery, the doctor put me on a vaginal estrogen cream 3x/week to "strengthen" my vaginal wall. Is that something that others are using? I'm going to discuss it with my gynocologist next week. I'm also going to try physical therapy. I am so grateful for this site and all of the helpful forums, etc. that I have read.

Noann

Hi Norann

Wonderful news! You are now officially in charge of your own body, and can change your mind and go back for surgery if you want to. I am tempted to type, "As if?" but it is not necessary. You have thought out for yourself the best option for you, and I guarantee that you will be critically appraising all your health care advice from now on, and have faith that you can make the best decisions for you, now and later on.

I think you are right about your assessment of the doctor. The are doing the best they can with the information that they have made available to themselves. It is not your problem if he is not using his brain properly, but it would be very much your problem had you gone ahead and had surgery. If he can't schedule a urodynamics test at the optimum time of the day, how much could you trust him cutting up your girls' bits?

Sorry, can't help you with the oestrogen cream story - have never used it.

Gotta go shopping, big party tomorrow for Mothers' Day in Oz and DD's birthday.

Cheers

Louise