can a rectal prolapse along with rectocele be corrected with WW and diet?

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I just learned that I have a rectocele and a rectal prolapse and that I was told that maybe the posture and diet change will help the rectocele but not the rectal prolapse.... The rectal specialist says that if I have surgery he would possibly use the STAR method... Help I do not want surgery but if the excersises do not help then what do I do as an alternative? I am confused can someone please tell me if they have a rectal prolapse am I still on the right path or does this surgery really help?

Hi Vbacmom2
I wouldn't have the surgery until you have seen for yourself what progress you can make with both prolapses, STAR or not.

If my theory about keeping the intestines out of the pelvic cavity and stretching the rectum out long and thin, by pressing the vagina against it, is correct, *and* you can figure out how to keep your stool soft with diet, and keep it moving, and you don't strain at all when pooing, then I cannot see how your rectal prolapse will persist. If you have to use an occasional enema to help you along, then try it. You will soon learn what tools are helpful, and when.

A thought. I think we can get a bit too obsessed about the shape and consistency of our own stool, and expect it always to be 'perfect', like out breasts. We eat different foods at different times, in different combinations. Most of us are omnivoures. Of course our stools will be different at different times, just like animals that eat varied diets. We just have to keep them reasonably soft and movin' right along. Worrying about it it will just make the problem more pronounced, and the adrenalin from worry will bind us up more. Exercise at least allows us to unload some of that adrenalin.

L

I just thought I would tell you that I saw a rectal doctor too. I was referred to her by a gastroenterologist. She did a sigmoidscope in her office and told me that I would need to have a defogram and a balloon test to check the muscles. She said if those tests indicated rectal prolapse, then one of her colleagues would do the STAR surgery. At that point, for me I declined those tests. I just went home and looked online at the success rates for the STAR surgery, if I actually did need it. And, after looking, all I could find was people that had it with horrible results. Now, I know most people with success rates probably wouldn't be writing about it, but there were way too many bad ones.

By the way, for my second birth, I had a episiotomy cut that cut part of my rectal muscle. I do have a rectocele too and I'm 35 (this all happened almost 7 years ago now.).

I watch my diet like crazy. I gave up all gluten because of belly problems and other allergy symptoms. Still trying to figure all that out. But on most days, it's okay. Do you notice the rectal prolapse? Is it completely hanging out or only at bms or at all? I try not to strain and do lift up if I really need to. I think it could be managed by diet if it's not too bad. I really haven't seen anything out there that seems to "fix" it(same as POP in my opinion).

Try not to stress about it if you can. Just thought I'd let you know.

Vbacmom...use the search function here to see our previous discussions on the subject. Rectovaginal fistula is one of the most common and serious risk factors involved. A surgical knife/staple gun is inserted into the rectum and full-thickness, circular portion of rectum amputated and stapled in the same shot. This is not a path to health. (((((((hugs)))))))