Had surgery, need more, now what?

Welcome NeedAdvice!

I am sorry to hear that you are having more problems after your surgery. Although this site is primarily intended for women who are intending to avoid surgery, there have been women here who have had surgery and have tried the work as well.

I am sure that you have read here that surgery can unfortunately set women up for further prolapse, once the basic concept of pelvic support has been disrupted. However, this is such a very personal thing, and I believe that we all need to support each other in the decisions that we make, on an individual, and daily basis.

I think from what Christine has said previously, that it is good that you still have all of your organs, despite having had surgery. Christine has also had surgery which led her to this work, and she of course has discovered the benefits. I am sure that you could see benefits as well.

I think it is true to say that the postural work, and lifestyle suggestions here are primarily for symptom control, and in some instances some reversal, and stabilisation of prolapse, to the point where many feel that their quality of life is so good, that they don't have the need for surgery. It would do no harm for you to try all that is suggested and see what works for you, before attempting more surgery. I am of course not a Dr but I believe that you have time to decide.

I think one of the main principles of prolapse is that everyones situation is different. Equally, everyone may have a different experience with the work, but many women here are living well with the changes they have made.

You sound as though you have navigated the site already, but if not all you need to know about the posture is in the FAQ's section and of course in the many posts.

Ask lots of questions. There are many of us here who are happy to help and support as necessary. I hope that you find some relief and wish you all the very best! Keep in touch!

Michelle. :)

hello need advice:

i just want to add another hello to you and am so glad you found this site.

as was just mentioned, christine initally had surgery as well and then (thankfully for us) decided not to pursue that road any more and to create another way. i came here not even two months ago having just been diagnosed with a rectocele knowing that i simply could not pursue a surgical option. i had had my first and only surgical experience in early october for a d&c and endometrial polyp removal and, then about 6 weeks later, the rectocele showed up. i do think there is a relationship there and i am just not interested in doing anything more surgical.

my guess is the postural work will be really helpful. with the vaginal vault collapse, would a pessary do anything helpful? sea sponges? there is also a dvd by christine that has some exercises you might want to look into. also the fire breathing work (i would input that into search and you can read about this basic yet powerful way to go.)

i am just coming off a really difficult weekend of profound constipation which, frankly, scared me and made the recotocele feel just awful. i posted here frequently, spoke with christine personally who gave me some fantastic direction as well as another woman here, grandma joy, who e-mailed me throughout the weekend with incredible support and suggestions. i had some very dark moments, thinking i would have to go a surgical route and again, just speaking for me personally, the thought of that was scarier than anything. apparently, it is not uncommon for this repair work to lead to more repair work to lead to more. i think you get this very well. yet, utilizing their gentle suggestions, the constipation really eased as of this morning and i feel lighter in every way. everything feels better, from the physical piece to the emotional. and, again, the suggestions were to shift dietarily away from chicken and fish to grains, raw nuts, prunes, some tahini, no coffee as well as just strong, calm reminders that this will pass and it's all okay.

do know that i am also working with a pelvic floor physical therapist. i wonder if that might be useful with the painful intercourse. is there anyone you might get referred to just to even ask about that? i 'm just wondering if the painful intercourse is related to your previous surgery (maybe scar tissue?) or the present situation. one of the many reasons, though, why surgery is not an option for me is that i have read painful sex not infrequently becomes a consequence of the surgery and that seems unacceptable to me.

read through the site. ask questions. know that whatever choice you make, the women here will do nothing but support you. but the one thing i would say is to give yourself some time with this mode of living. as many women here remind me, surgery is ALWAYS there as an option, but once you have had it, there is no going back from that.

take good care.

susan

Hi Needadvice
No, we're not groaning. We understand the dilemmas of bits that will not stay where they are supposed to. Been there.

I am really sorry you are caught with painful intercourse along with prolapses. The doctor seems to be saying s/he can fix that. It may work, or it may not. You really would benefit from a long talk to the doctor about exactly what the surgery would be (and exactly what has been done previously), then you can research the procedure yourself, work out the worst that could happen and the best that could happen post-surgery, the likelihood of complications and bad results. Then go back and talk to them to clarify your understanding. Then you will be in a better position to decide what to do.

In the meantime I suggest that you learn Wholewoman posture, get your diet right to avoid constipation (right type of fibre??), reorganise your clothing so your clothes do not compress your abdomen and squeeze your pelvic contents out, etc. It may take a few weeks for your body to adjust, but you may find that is enough to avoid surgery.

You might like to ask the Doctor whether vaginal scar tissue might be the cause of the pain, or if there are other possible causes for it. ie, how sure is he that the surgery that he proposes will address the cause of the problem, or leave you with the same pain post-surgery. No, don't endure the pain, but equally don't assume that it will be fixed by the surgery he proposes. Get a second opinion if necessary. This really does cut to the core of your femininity. I can understand your distress. It is just a matter of researching it thoroughly, asking the Doctor the right questions, and using that information to find out what you think is the optimum solution.

Cheers

Louise

...COULD the painful sex be brought about by scar tissue? that is a real possibility and something to explore as there are ways that can be treated that are non-invasive. a pelvic floop physical therapist could work with that through massage, i believe. definitely something to consider. maybe check into that piece and then work with the posture and diet here as well and see how you feel.

and as to diet -- i have just come through an intense bout of constipation (i, too, have a rectocele and cystocele) and agree with what grandma joy and louise wrote about the fiber question. part of the problem was not eating the right kind of fiber -- not that that was the only piece but i think that's helped.

wonder how you're doing, needadvice. let us know.

xsusan