I am excited about my surgery

Body: 

I have a severe cystocele..Do not have insurance nor the money to pay for the operation..Just learned today the the rehabilitation center in my county is paying for my surgery..I am estatic..I am so much looking forward to not having to sit on my bladder everytime I sit down..Also it sure gets in the way at other times if you know what I mean..I am a 45 year old mother of 6 and I am thrilled...

Hi AngelaKay45

It sounds like you are looking forward to getting rid of this cystocele problem and have found a way to make it possible. It may work well for you. I really hope it does because you seem to have made a definite decision to go ahead.

I don't know if you have been reading the Forum for some time and taken in the caution notes expressed by so many women here, or just found it and want to share your news.

If it is the former, you will be going into surgery with your eyes open. You do not say exactly what procedure you will be having. I hope you *do know* and have asked your doctor all the details, how it will change your body, where the scar tissue will be, how it will affect your sex life afterwards, and asked for a list of the potential complications and risks, both short term and longterm. If you don't know the answers to these questions I suggest you ask for them before signing any consent forms, as it is very difficult, if not impossible to have reversal surgery if the results are not to your satisfaction.

If it is the latter, then I suggest that you take a deep breath and put your excitement well and truly aside for a while so you can investigate thoroughly what will happen during surgery and all the potential complications and risks, both short and long term. You are only 45, so you have many years ahead of you living with the results of the surgery.

That is not to say "don't have surgery". There are, I am pretty sure, women out there who have good results from surgery. That is really your decision, but please, please don't just jump in because you can now afford it moneywise. You have a duty to your body to check everyhing out carefully, no matter who pays for it. You will have to live with it.

There are also a few websites out there where women who have had different types of gynaecological surgery share their thoughts. Many of the posts on those Forums are by women chronicling their latest problem after a string of surgeries. You should be able to get a good picture of what you might be in for if you have that first lot of surgery.

I guess the women who have successful surgery don't post their successes. There is also the possibility of course, that there are not a lot of women who have had really good results. Nobody really knows, and there is *no* (ie nil) research that shows any results longer than 5 years down the track, and many gynaecologists will cheerfully tell you that repairs will only hold up for 5-10 years before needing more surgery.

So please, please put aside your excitement, get your feet back on the ground and do your research before signing up for surgical procedures. Start with the post, "Help I had surgery!!!" from just a few days ago. This, unfortuately, is what can happen.

Happy reading. We are always available to give you our thoughts and experiences. Sorry this reply has been so long.

Cheers

Louise

I am happy for you. I agree with the previous person who said to do your research, but if you have and you have decided on surgery, good for you. Honestly, I would have surgery if my condition warranted it, I've done lots of research, read the pros and cons, risks and benefits. I do like the idea of the posture, and holistic lifestyle, though. I am glad that this website is available so that women don't jump blindly into surgical procedures. I think it's important to incorporate this lifestyle into treatment, but that surgery is also part of recovery for some women. I don't think that it should be disregarded as seen as 'bad' for everyone - life is not that black and white, or simplistic. I'm 28 with no kids and this has taken such a mental and physical toll on me, I would have surgery if I could - if nothing else to give me some peace of mind. Good luck.