Surgery...Yes or No?

Hi Linedancer,

I can appreciate why you asked these questions, as emotional support is so very important. From an intellectual standpoint though, you must realize that I wrote the book to illustrate the great risks associated with prolapse surgery, and I produced the dvd hoping women would give these techniques time to make a difference. Of course we think you should avoid surgery! lol.

The postures (sitting and standing) assist the stabilization of rectocele by tightening the pelvic musculature and connective tissue, and also by getting your weight off your back vaginal wall so that the fascial layers take a more natural alignment. As I mention in both the book and dvd, changing bowel habits so as to never strain against the toilet seat again and also maintaining a healthy diet are musts as well.

Many women have to "baby" their rectocele along for many months before they sense any sign of improvement. I know you've had this condition for a long time, but with the postural work you now have a chance to do things differently than ever before. Stretching into natural female posture is a wonderful thing to learn and has benefits far beyond prolapse improvement.

I do hope you give the work a chance, Linedancer. Prolapse surgery is a wild card at best.

Wishing you well,

Christine

Hi Linedancer

You are obviously not in a hurry to rush off for surgery, though your doctor may be keen. You have plenty of time to digest STWW. It will indeed give you lots of info about POP and about the different surgical repairs that are done, information that is not available in one place anywhere else. I would go as far as to suggest that you read the book before you go to the gyn appointment, so you know a little more about gyno-speak and what s/he will be talking about during the appointment. Write down specific questions to ask the gyno as you read the book.

Also, ensure that you are not shoved around during the examination. Some doctors are very gentle, while others could be blamed for causing further prolapse because they are so rough, possibly thinking they will be sewing it all together again soon anyway ;-) Also, ask if you can be examined standing as well as lying down, because vertical posture is when POP manifests. Most symptoms go away while we are lying down, and we have to bear down to produce them. Bearing down is not good for POP's anyway, as Christine rightly says in her post. Bearing down is part of the Valsalva Manoeuvre that doctors use for assessing POP. It is for the doctor's benefit, not yours! Only bear down gently if you have to.

Yes, rectocele is annoying. There are a lot of women out there who have had surgical repairs for symptoms that are simply annoying, then find that they subsequently develop symptoms that are a lot worse than annoying. Give me self-management any day. It is still a bit annoying sometimes, but beats having scars in my vagina, risks of ruining my sex life, further prolapse, difficulty evacuating, serious chronic pain, etc, etc.

Cheers

Louise

Hi Linedancer

I understand your emotional pain and that is why it is so good you have posted to this forum. Read the book and do a bit of venting here - tell us all about it. It's just amazing how much better you can cope when you know you're not alone. There are some amazingly generous and understanding people here who know exactly what you are going through as I'm sure you know if you've been reading. Sharing with them will help you find the path that is right for you.

Sally

Hi, Linedancer, I sympathise very much with your problem, as I am 66 and all my pelvic organs seem to be bulging towards the entrance to my vagina, but the biggest bulge of all is the rectocele. I haven't been aware of the problem for very long, although looking back I can see I have had some small problems of urinary incontinence for a long while. I have found this site an immense comfort, but before ever I found my way to it, I had decided to avoid surgery if at all possible. If you go to some of the pro-surgery sites and read what they are offering, it is SO unattractive. If I ever reach the point where things are permanently bulging right out of me, or if I become seriously incontinent, I think I will have to re-consider.

Meanwhile, I am using a ring pessary which causes me no problems and may help a bit. If nothing else, it is easier to shove a plastic ring back up than to do the same to a bulge - and as the ring goes back up it helps draw the bulge of the rectocele back up with it.

I was already eating a very healthy diet with lots of fibre. Now I have a supply of soaking figs and prunes permanently rotating in my fridge and eat them 2-3 times a day, including as soon as I get up, if I don't have a bowel movement immediately. I am trying to remember to drink more, and the good thing is, this regime seems to have resulted in a big improvement in my IBS.

I think the rectocele gets worse when I am tired, so I am trying to sleep and rest more, but don't always succeed. I still run and weight train, but very mindfully. Weight training in a gym with lots of mirrors is a really good opportunity to practise posture.

I do hope you will take the time to inform yourself, so you can make a really informed decision based on the facts rather than some surgeon's unfounded optimism. Good luck!

Great news, Linedancer. Now you can work on your chosen path and will not be hurried into anything. Hope it goes well. We'll be here if you need help.

Cheers

Louise