vaginal opening

There is a pad of fat there - Covers the pubic bone - So might be that...

Sue

Look into the eyes - They hold the key!
http://www.bringmadeleinehome.com/img/maddy544x150Banner.jpg

Tiny weeny pic - And yes the link works...

But I think alot of women look slightly different down below - But in a way the same :)
Sue

Look into the eyes - They hold the key!
http://www.bringmadeleinehome.com/img/maddy544x150Banner.jpg

Hi Molly

The model in the picture looks like she is lying down, but maybe not. If I had a neat set like that I would be quite happy! But that's not realistic for a woman of 54 who has had three pregnancies and an episiotomy! Mine looks a little different. It has the Mona Lisa smile of wisdom and experience (!) That picture doesn't look like prolapse to me, especially if she is standing.

Usually a woman will think there is some prolapse, or just that things are not right down there when she feels some sort of lump in her vagina or vulval area, or if she has an internal examination and the doctor or nurse says "you have a prolapse". Often women have one and do not know it. Keep exploring your body. The more you know the better, from lots of points of view. There are heaps of images on the Net, particularly on Gynaecologists' websites, designed to, well ... your guess is as good as mine? If you think it is a prolapse, visit the main site www.wholewoman.com , and read all about what you can do to manage it yourself. There is usually no need to even consider surgery, as all surgeries have risks attached to them that would make your skin crawl if it does not go as well as hoped. It is not easy to find out about these risks and subsequent complications, but they are all documented in Christine Kent's book, Saving the Whole Woman, available from the shop at the Wholewoman Centre site. www.wholewomancenter.com.

Keep calling back with questions or comments.

Cheers

Louise

Luckily I have the most understanding partner on this planet - I took him wit me for sooo many icky things at hospitals...

I had him HOLD the pad of fat as I lay down (A feat in itself) To check if it was the prolapse - And it wasn't - Just a pad of fat that didn't move. From that picture it would not be possible to tell as standing up is the best way to tell...

I am not a Dr - Just someone who has had 3 prolapses lol

But - If you are able to hold this and lie down (poss impossible lol) and it is in exactly the same place it's prolly the pad.

If you lie down and it's totally gone - May be prolapse - But as I said - Really not easy to tell on yourself...

Even if it is NOT a prolaps e- Going into the Posture now - will protect you for your future :)

Sue

Look into the eyes - They hold the key!
http://www.bringmadeleinehome.com/img/maddy544x150Banner.jpg

Hi again Molly

Here comes another indefinite response. "Should" doesn't really mean anything. It is a bit like saying, "How long is a finger?" I imagine there is as much genetic variation between women's vaginas as there is between fingers. We know about fingers because we see each others fingers all the time. But vaginal openings? A different story altogether. I would think that even a man who had sex with a different woman every night might not even be able to answer your question. Size of vaginal opening would not really be relevant. Even gynaecologists see mostly vaginas with questions over them.

The other factor is whether a woman has had pregnancies (and how long ago), vaginal or caesarian deliveries, amount of surgical or other intervention during labour etc. You have not indicated where you sit among these variables, so it's hard to say.

Have a look on the Net. I am sure you'll find plenty of variation there ;-)

Cheers

Louise

hi,
my vaginal opening was about 2 inches before surgery and it is now about 1cm. I had all three prolapses coming out making my opening very large and uncomfotable. I would be curious if any other of the ladies would give us their approx vaginal opening size. I was pleased with how much smaller my opening is after surgery.
paige

Hi Paige

What a surprise! I didn't realise you have had some surgery. I'm glad you are happy with the results. If you don't mind me asking, exactly what were the procedures you had?

Cheers

Louise

Hi Louise,
I had a repair of all prolapses without getting a hysterectomy. Everything is lifted and put back in place. My uterus is a good 4 inches up high. What a difference. :)
Paige

Paige:

I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me. How long ago did you have your surgery? How was the recovery period? Was the surgery/recovery painful? What kind of restrictions must you live with? Any other information/comments would be helpful. I have read some horror stories on this site and others. I do know someone else who had successful surgery and was very happy with her results.

- Lilly Anne

I had sugery 3 months ago. It was all done vaginally. The recovery period was long and I am still recovering. I had a fair amount of pain but managed it well with meds. I had restrictions on lifting no more than 10lbs for the first 3 months. I plan to be careful and sensible forever though. I have found ways to live without lifting so much at a time. I hope that helps. :)

Hi Paige

There are lots of different procedures for all the prolapses. You must have had several different procedures? No wonder you had a lot of pain. But as you say, you manage it. Exactly which procedures did you have? Do you think they will hold up for a long time? The prospect of having more surgery down the track would worry me, as these repairs don't seem to last forever.

Three years ago I think my gynaecologist suggested colporrhaphy in front and back, but I can't remember which prolapses it was for (I too have all three).

I guess you have a scar in your vagina as well? That really put me off. I use my vagina a lot, and was not prepared to risk pain and discomfort there, maybe for years, for the sake of fixing something that I seem to have been able to manage myself without any surgery.

Still, everybody has different ideas of what is acceptable.

Looking forward to hearing more about the specifics of your surgery.

Cheers

Louise

Hi Louise,
I don't really have many more details to share. Yes, I knew the risks - I did all of my research. It was a personal decision. I weighed the risks of having to have another repair in the future. I went into this fully aware of the pros and cons. It sounds like surgery is not for you, and I completey respect that. :)
Paige

Can I ask a question

If you only have a 1cm opening - Can you have sex? I would think not - lol - Who knows.

Personally having read up on this alot - I would like to hear how you are a year or two down the line, a few months of the good doesnt tell me the longevity of this procedure, and to be honest - Most of them fail between 1 and 3 years after the fact.

It makes me wanna ask - If say in a year - You have to go through this all again - and then say in 2 years from there are so on and so forth are you happy with that?

I guess alot of us live lives where we want the freedom to lift what we like (Like our over 10lb children) and do so many things that means we don't want this surgery or anything to dictate to US what we can do - We like to be the dictators lololol

Also - it makes me ask another question (Not being rude just being nosy lol) Why are you on a whole woman site if you feel the complete opposite of 'stuff' this site says and whatever?

Are you in USA?

Were you in hospital long?
Do you have young children?
Do you exercise? Jog? etc
Ummmm

Ok I think my nosyness ran out - lollllll

I think there has to be women out there whose operations have worked - Otherwise surely they wouldnt do it? (Who knows)

Are there other sites that talk about this - If so can you email me some links or put them on here - I would love to read more.

Thank you for your insightful comments and it is so interesting to be able to read other peoples thoughts and feelings

Sue

Look into the eyes - They hold the key!
http://www.bringmadeleinehome.com/img/maddy544x150Banner.jpg

Hi Paige,

Glad u r feeling so much better. Being real is more important than ever for all aspects of ur long term recovery.

Wishing u well,

Christine

Hi Sue,
I will try to answer all of your questions.

Yes, you can have sex if your vaginal opening is 1cm- it stretches just like did way back when before babies! :)

Yes, I am in the USA.

I really cannot say when I expect it to fail - I went into this knowing the risks and I will take it one day at a time.

The freedom to lift was not as important to me as the freedom do go on long walks with to pressure or falling out feelings. Also to go about my daily life without the prolapse feeling.

I am on the WW site because I had come here to read posts prior to my surgery to try and gain insight about the nonsurgerical approach. I never posted but I gathered information from others. I also still like read posts regarding constipation for tips. This site helped me realize how important keeping my uterus is- even though I went ahead with the surgery, I knew that taking the uterus out would be a bad idea.

I was in the hospital for 3 days.

I have two children that no longer need to be lifted - that is why I waited until this point. They are 6 and 4. I couldn't lift them if I tried!! :)

I walk and do yoga for exercise.

Thanks for your interest. Again, I understand that most women here are not considering surgery, and I respect that. I am not here to promote surgery, but I think this forum can offer good tips on healthy living in lots of ways to still benefit me.

Oh, last answer to your question... I do not know of any other website that sucessful surgeries are discussed by women- go figure. :)

Paige

Christine,
Thanks for your nice words. What do you mean by "being real." :)
Paige

You said you had read other sites - What were they ?

It is a good thing thatyou are happy with your surgery (Although the word pain freaks me out lolllll - Yup I am a wimp)

I hope in the future all continues to be well for you

Sue

Look into the eyes - They hold the key!
http://www.bringmadeleinehome.com/img/maddy544x150Banner.jpg

Paige:

Your lifting restrictions of 10 lbs., is that just for the short term or is it an ongoing restriction? Also, what other restrictions do you have going forward?

My friend's friend had prolapse surgery for all 3 after her hyst. She works out at the gym, etc. Is she doing too much? She had her surgery several years ago and is happy with the results. I don't know all the ins and outs of her situation being that she is my friend's friend.

Also, you mentioned in one of your responses that you have issues with constipation. How can that effect your surgery. I imagine you must be as careful if not more.

Wishing you continued healing.

- Lilly Anne

Lilly Anne-
The lifting restriction is 10lbs for the first 3months- then that restriction is lifted- but I plan to try and be careful with my lifting and find ways around lifting heavy things like buying powder detergent instead of lifting a heavy liquid bottle, etc. I don't think going to the gym is too much for your friend. I personally like to be outside and I love to walk.
I have to be very careful with constipation. I am on Miralax right now but eventually I need

Sue, the other websites I have looked at are not as holistic as this one. I don't want to list the sites for fear of an argument. Let's just leave it at that. :) No need to start a dispute.

Paige

I have wondered about the lifting thing. Thank you so much for clearing that up for me.

Wishing you continued healing.

- Lilly Anne

You're welcome! Thanks for the well wishes.

what you are seeing is your prolapse uterus, if you the uterus gets pushed out more from teh heavy weight of the bladder or rectal it could extend even further out. Sometimes the bladder can push the uterus aside and push out even the rectal and push the uterus aside since the uterus is just floating it isn't attach to anything except the tubes. Yes, the only way to see what your saying is by standing up. Read my post anterior posterior destroy me, by jacqueline.

Get yourself good Doctors who know how to do this surgery correctly.

good luck

first...I'm not really feeling all that well so I'll be brief
couldn't let this go

jacqueline, I read your story with horror, I am so sorry for what you've gone through and are still going through. I truly hope and pray you find someone who can help you.
that said, the information you posted to molly isn't very accurate.

if one has a uterine prolapse and then the bladder and or rectum begin to prolapse, they will hold in the uterus, not push it further out ("nature's pessary")

the uterus is NOT "just floating". It is attached to more than just the tubes. broad ligaments for one thing, cervix is attached to bladder, the whole shebang is wrapped up real good in sturdy fascia which is connected to muscles of the back, abdomen and hip girdle.
christines book illustrates this beautifully, but you can see most of it in any atlas of human anatomy.

and even when the surgery is done correctly, it does not restore natural design. could be that the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks for some, and that's fine. but be aware that the surgeons can not, none of them, put it back like it was.