Rectal Pillars?

Hi Sue,

Large fat pads on either side of the rectum. They play a role in cushioning the rectum and pelvic diaphragm.

:) Christine

but I think when we lose weight (fat) our bodies try very hard to hold onto the fat that cushions the organs. Now when a person has excess amounts of fat and that excess is lost I imagine the rectal pillars hold onto as much of that fat as they can- but when the weight loss is extreme - cases where women lose so much weight they stop menstruating this padding is probably one of the first of the organ paddings to go-

I imagine losing excess cushioning from the rectal pillars might cause a woman to feel less support in that area- and if she already has a problem - well it may very well compound that problem.

still I'm not sure- just guessing.

Hi Sue

I just did some googling, and was nearly overcome by nausea as I read some stuff about gyn surgical techniques. However, rectal pillars (there are bladder pillars too) are made of areolar tissue which I read somewhere else is fatty with has little bits of muscle through it (viz areola behind/around nipples?). It is also described as pararectal fascia, which presumably means fascia that shelters or protects the rectum.

Cheers

Louise

Better to wonder than wander in the middle of the night, Sue. = ; )

Re pillars... I don't know. I lost a lot of weight fast back in 2006 (85 lbs in about 9-months) through cutting portions and exercising seven days a week. It was an intentional weightloss/ fitness quest as I wanted to be in prime shape as I was to become a grandmother and turn 50 that year. I went from obese to underweight, having lost sight of my original goal, and ended up sporting very little body fat, which had my doctor, family and friends concerned. Though I didn't know a rectal pillar from a catapillar at the time, I did notice a difference in my rectal region, and what I can only describe as a hollow or gaping feeling in my pelvic area while standing (like bones being forced apart(?)), accompanied by a discomfort while sitting on hard surfaces, as if on bare bones (my unpadded sit-bones, I'm sure). It's difficult to describe just exactly what I was feeling, but it was definitely foreign and a bit freaky. Having lost as much weight as I did, going from obese to underweight, I no doubt lost a great amount of visceral fat (that found around the organs) along with my subcutaneous fat (that just below the skin) and I suppose I was likely feeling the effects of that kind of loss, although I was far from completely understanding the true gist of it then... or now, for that matter. Perhaps, though, if both the rectal and bladder pillars are, in part, made up of fat, their support was lost in the process(?). (hmmm, now I'm wondering, maybe loads of fat cloaked my bladder, uterus and such in my obesity? *shrug?*)

Sue, you mentioned that there were several years between your weight loss and the noticing of your prolapse... that makes me think that perhaps whatever I was experiencing at my lowest weight was coincidence, or something other than prolapse related; I have no idea. If fast weight loss did indeed have something to do with my prolapses, though, 'repounding', as I have (about half of it), sure hasn't done anything to reverse or re-support them. = : ( So many variables, so many unknowns...

As for a tummy tuck changing your posture, only as much as one would let it indirectly, I'd think, as I don't believe such a procedure cuts into the abdominal muscles nor the visceral fat that lies beneath (only the subcutaneous fat and extra skin-trim(?), but the suddenly quick trim would probably induce the tucked to make the most of their new profile(?)

In that same vein, while I did not have a surgical tummy tuck, having lost all of my abdominal fat through improved habits and hard work, I did become obsessed over being able to feel my abs again, for a change, and held my abdominal muscles firm and taut most every waking moment (w/butt tucked too). NOW, I know how detrimental that posture was for me and how it likely made things worse. (SO angry that I didn't know then what I know now).

BTW, congrats on your weight loss! I know it would serve me well to close down my pity-party, stifle my anger and start to work on getting fit again...or as fit as a woman with prolapse can get, anyway.

Here's to pausing to wonder about things, Sue. I know I'd be lost if I never pondered.

Hope you're feeling better today and having a good holiday weekend. = : )

Pondering still.
~♥Blue

Blue,

I recently have lost 47 pounds since the end of January. I too have had the cavernous feeling and more problems with the cystocele and rectocele. It seems the weight loss made things worse. My sit bones ache if sitting on a hard surface. With you, did these things eventually improve? I have heard somewhere that I need to give my body about 6 months to adjust to it's new weight. I'm really hoping I get some relief since I thought losing the weight would help the dropped organ problems.

Hi Dancin

Well done with the weight loss. I was just thinking. Losing a lot of weight is not unlike giving birth. Suddenly (or gradually, as the case may be) there is a lot less inside your skin, and it is likely that it would all rattle around for 12 months or so after the weight loss before all the connective tissue can shrink back to a more suitable size. I would be thinking to give it 12 months or so after your weight stabilises, before assuming it is not going to tighten up again. Likewise, as you would if you were post partum, be careful lifting heavy weights, and always use WW posture when doing something for the first time since losing a lot of weight. Get help if you can, rather than pushing it, so your body can adjust to less bulk in its own time.

Cheers

Louise

Yes, Dancin, things did seem to improve, at least to the point that I was no longer ever-conscious of that foreign feeling, however, not while at my lowest (too low) weight (115 on my 5'6", 49-50 year old, newly atheletic frame). The sore sit-bones felt when seated on hard surfaces, and the hollow/gaping vaginal feeling and the odd rectal sensation (hate being so aware of either area while not in use) eased up once I repounded back to a healthier weight of 125-130, as I recall. Note, fwiw, that my periods stopped temporarily at that time, too (peri-M or low-weight? *shrug*) which might have also been a contributing factor of some kind.

Having attained a healthier balance, weight-wise, and feeling SO on top of the world, both physically and emotionally, for some time, I was subsequently the cause of my own 'ruin' (present 3rd degree prolapse) in thinking I was some kind of super-woman, lifting and toting an extremely heavy potted plant across the patio. Huge regret!

BTW, congratulations on your weight-loss, Dancin! Way to go! You have the advantage of being aware of your prolapse condition and the Whole Woman ways, unlike I was at the time - So please take care not to take your new trim and healthier body to extremes with lifting weights you shouldn't and generally thinking that you can do it all. I live with regrets, having felt better than I had in eons, only to be cut down to my lowest point ever. Enjoy the new you and continue to move, breathe and be good to yourself while remaining mindful, Dancin = : ) Life is good!

As a postscript, although I ended up losing my way and repounding to overweight while wallowing in pity, I have since regained my balance after finding Christine's site and the wonderful group that gathers here. I've recently gotten back on track before reuniting with obesity by making better food choices and bringing exercise back into my life. I'm taking my prolapsed body and doing my best to live my best. I've relost(?) 8-pounds so far, with16 to 26 to go, depending. Keeping the weight off these already taxed pelvic organs of ours has to be a good thing - You keep up the great work, Dancin'! = : D

♥~Blue

Thanks to all of you for the input. I can definitely tell that the weight loss made the prolapse worse. And everybody always says, "Lose weight. Everything will be so much better!" I look forward to time passing so that my body can regulate to the new me. In the meantime, any tips on having more comfort other than the posture discussed in the book? I have read about using tampons to hold things in place. When I use one, it just turns and comes back out. Someone suggested using two at the same time but never discussed how to do this. Thanks so much to all of you for the help.

I am underweight right now and it hasn't done any good for my prolapse! I also heard over and over lose weight to make it feel better but it doesn't.