Post hysterectomy now have rectocele

Body: 

Hi,
I am new to this forum and have been reading several post, but haven't found yet that pertains to my exact issue.
I am the mother of 3 and Grandma to 1 grandchild. I am 9 days post-op a laparoscopic hysterectomy with a bladder sling. 4 Days after surgery I had a hard time with a bowel movement and have now developed a rectocele. I went back to the doctors and was told that I had to have it fixed once I totally healed from my hysterectomy.
I'm looking for alternatives methods of healing this.
Anyone out there that has any success without Surgery?
Thanks.

HI Yedmonds

I am so sorry that you have found yourself in this position of having difficulties so soon after hysterectomy. Apart from feeling very sore and disappointed you are now being told that you will need more surgery, which is no doubt alarming you.

Of course, the doctor is right. You will need to wait until your body has recovered from hysterectomy before you make any decision on further surgery.

Yedmonds, we don't often get posts like yours, especially being immediately post-operative, but we will do what we can to help you work out the best option for you.

Whole Woman is primarily about avoiding surgical procedures like the one you have just experienced, for reasons that you probably understand now. But there are a few women on the Forums who have had hysterectomy and repair surgeries, who may be able to help you from their experiences. Further surgical repairs usually do not work as well as the first. You need to ask your doctor about this.

There is also a set of Forums called HysterSisters, http://www.hystersisters.com/, specifically set up for women who are planning or have had hysterectomy. There is a wealth of experience and information on that site that you might also find helpful.

Yedmonds, as your bladder has been suspended, it is now further up inside your pelvic cavity. The bladder normally sits in front of the bottom of the vagina and prevents the rectum from coming forwards into the vaginal space. Now, your rectum can come forward as far as it wants to because nothing is stopping it. The combination of procedures you have had has probably caused this change in the way your pelvic organs are configured and enabled the rectocele to form.

Doctors can examine a woman at different times of the day, or the month, or before or after exertion, and give different diagnoses. Prolapses change all the time, depending on hormonal and physical influences. So, it is possible that the rectocele was there all along and was not detected by the doctor. The rectocele may not have manifested itself previously because of the bladder's previous position. Some women have pelvic organ prolapses for many years and do not even know it because they do not get symptoms.

Your immediate need is to ensure that you can empty your bowel easily so as to not make the rectocele worse. Whole Woman posture other methods are really going to be the only things that will keep you out of the operating theatre but you will find it more difficult to control the rectocele than a woman who has no bladder sling, and who has a uterus. These methods will be good for your whole body and your overall health.

Have a look at the FAQ's tab and the Resources Tab. You will find many videos and a lot of articles about making the most of your body's pelvic organ support, and how to look after your body and how to move and exercise. Clothing around your belly will need to not compress your abdomen, so your rectocele is not pushed further out. Standing tall with your lumbar curve in place will help to protect your pelvic cavity from intraabdominal forces produced during breathing, and movement in general.

Yedmonds, as you are so newly post-surgery it is essential that you consult your doctor about your current treatment. You may still be on very strong painkillers that may aggravate your constipation. He may prescribe a stool softener to help overcome this in the short term, and maybe continue it to ensure that you can empty your bowel effectively.

Call back with further questions.

Louise