prolapsed uterus and bladder (Page 1)

Good for you doing all the research you can on what is happening with your body!! While I don't know about the weight lifting issue, I wanted to reply to you and let you know I'm thinking positive thoughts for you!!

Hi Niikkii, I am also 36 years old and was just told last year that I had a uterus prolapse by my family practitioner. I gave birth to my last child 14 years ago and have been faithfully doing my yearly PAP for at least the last 5 years. I also lift weights and joined the fire department 3 years ago. To me, it was "all of a sudden" that I got the prolapse as it was never noticed before. I suspect that I probably prolapsed when I decided to do squats with weights for a few months. The OB says no, but I tell you, I was NEVER diagnosed with a prolapse before.
I actually had urethrocele and cystocele at the 2nd degree according to the doc. What I felt was a huge tube anteriorly and actually thought it was my cervix. I went back into the OB and asked him to paint a picture as to what I was feeling. He told me and I requested surgery to "fix me"! I still do not have a significant other, so I was worried about future "encounters" and absolutely did not want a pessary, and not to leave out the fact that I felt like a FREAK. I wanted to be FIXED.
Well, I'm 6 days post op, the pain was very minimal as well as the bleeding. I think the biggest pain was the not being able to pee in recovery and the catheter.
I'm going to take it extremely easy for the next 2 weeks. I too, wonder if I'm doomed for the rest of my life by not being able to lift. I did not ask the OB yet, but will do so at my 3 week follow up.
If he says the 20 lb rule is true, I'll settle for lifting light and going on the eliptical to build legs. I was doing the upward leg press and romanian deadlifts and I will ask him if that will actually put strain on my uterus area.
But, that also means the fire department might be out, as I'm sure they don't want a "light duty" firefighter/EMT.
Let me know if you find out anymore info on fitness/weightlifting, and I will do the same. Take care and good luck!

Also, to prepare for surgery, I suggest taking vitamin supplements. I also take damiana leaves as they claim it brings oxygen to your groin area which is beneficial for faster healing. Stop taking vitamin E or any anticoagulant medication/pills (ginko, ginger, ginseng, etc.) about a couple weeks before surgery, IF THE DOCTOR SAYS.
After surgery, start with the vitamin E maybe 3 days after surgery. I read that B5, magnesium, zinc, copper and vitamin c are necessary for a speedy recovery for surgery and am going out to purchase what I don't have today.
Of course all this is only what I've read and are my opinion. I've googled high and low for advice from women who've had this surgery for recovery and exercise and haven't run across anything. Except your question! Again, good luck.

Hi Leneley,
I'm glad to hear your surgery went well, as I too, am contemplating surgery for my prolapse condition, and have been unable to find any really valuable after much googling. How did your follow up appointment go with the doctor? Did he answer your question about lifting? What about running? Do you know if that's an activity that can be resumed at some point after the surgery? I guess it's been about 6-7 weeks since your surgery now. Have you resumed any physical activity? How's that going?
Thanks for your posting. It's so good to finally see someone ask about fitness after prolapse/hysterectomy surgery!!
I hope your recovery continues to go well. Take care.

Pate,

Today is actually my 6 week follow up appt with the doc.
At my 3 week, I asked him if the not being able to lift over 20 lbs ever after surgery was true, he said no. He is a highly reputable OB/GYN in my town, so I am trusting him.
However, for my sake, I will not lift as much as I used to because of possible recurrence. He did advice not to even go on the eliptical before 6 weeks, so I think running may be out until the doctor gives you the thumbs up. I've picked up yoga this past week and may just incorporate that into my work out routine with light weight lifting. I'm also thinking of gearing more towards body weight work outs such as dips and pull ups. Basically, trying to keep away from anything that may put a strain in the pelvic area, but still staying in shape. All in all, I feel great!
I think a big key to a successful recovery would depend on the doctor who does the surgery. Find out the reputation of the doctor and make your decision.
If I ever do have a recurrence, I will opt for another surgery without a doubt.
I wish you the best on your decision and hope to hear from you about your progress as well as advice given to you by the doctor. Best of luck to you!

I am 35 years old and have 2 children. Both deliveries were difficult and caused vaginal and rectal prolapse. I've been to see a number of surgeons and all are suggesting a hysterectomy too since I have severe endometriosis. I've been told that this will be life altering and I won't be able to lift more than 20 lbs. I'm devasted. I'm used to going to body pump class 3x a week and doing squats with 55 lbs. Does anyone know of someone who has been through a hysterectomy, bladder sling and pelvic floor hernia repair and still able to return (albeit after normal healing time) to normal workout routines?

I'm 48 and had a cystocele, rectocele, hysterectomy and had a bladder sling and put in place 2 years ago. I had 2 out of three hard births which caused this. I gave up running and switched to power walking with 5 lb weights in each hand. My prolapse has returned and have to have surgery all over again. I was told it was the repetitive lifting/carrying of the 5lb hand weights. I have always marathoned or done competitive sport. Now I guess I'll switch to swimming. I'm so depressed but I can't live with another prolapse since it hurts this time and I have to be on my feet all day.

Hello

Try adding vitamin c (3000mg), Glucosamine (1500mg) and Omega 3 (3000mg) per day to your diet. All of these supplements will strengthen cartilage, make new collagen and help as anti-inflammatories. Give yourself at least 3 months on an anti-inflammation diet and you will most probably find you won't need or find it necessary to have surgery.

Take care.

Let 20 pounds be the limit...I also had severe endometriousis...This was eliminated with the Hysterectomy....Don't mess with your vaginal and rectal prolapse problems...They will only get worse...Do what the doctor tells you...Good luck...

Caroline

I have my surgery scheduled for February 2 and I am very disappointed that my workouts will be altered for the rest of my life. I was told that 25 lbs was the max I could lift and running was not recommended for the future. I was told that I should take up power walking instead. I have worked out for over 25 years, I've been running outside for the past 3 years on a daily basis and I have been weight training for the past three years. My trainer is not familiar with this surgery so he is not much help on post surgery fitness. I was thinking about calling a physical therapist to see if I could get more/better information. I'll give an update if I find anything out that is earth shattering.

Anyone of the people that your mentioned could give you the kind of answer that you are looking for...They may not be right, but you will hear what you alone want to hear...However, it is you alone who could and possibly will pay the price for this in years to come....Take care..

Caroline

Just for the record, no amount of dietary change and/or Kegels will fix a prolapse problem. The best analogy is the run in the stocking one. If you envision your vaginal walls as having suffered something similar to a run in your pantyhose, usually through childbirth and the walls having stretched beyond capacity (think stretch marks too!), NOTHING can fix them. Basically, the weakened bits become even weaker over time.

I too have been dismayed by the lack of info on the web and what was given to me/told to me by my urogyn. I am also very active, am two weeks post-op and walking 2.5-3 miles/day as of yesterday, and hope to keep it up, but am also hoping that I am not doing myself more harm than good. It's a little confusing when you're encouraged to walk, and walk a lot, but then are told in the same breath that you shouldn't stand for extended periods of time because this puts pressure on the pelvic floor. Wha? The same goes for the (eventual) ability to lift more than 8 lbs. My dr. actually said, right before I was wheeled into the OR, that the 'ideal' situation would be no sex/no heavy lifting for the rest of my life, then allowed as how that wasn't really feasible and so the next best thing is just to be reasonable about the lifting/standing, etc.
Any replies from anyone would be welcomed, and appreciated!

It''s such a relief to read this thread! Thanks so much to the original poster and contributors - your honesty made me weep; pathetic, I know, but the initial realisation hit me so hard; I felt like my life was over in so many ways. I''d go mad without excercise and with four active children (thankfully older now, so don''t need to carry them but still lots of bags and baggage!) the thought of life being so restricted was frankly terrifying. Also, the feeling like a freak - totally.
I know, enough already, I''ll get a grip and I know everyone does. But it''s so good to read that my reaction isn''t abnormal. Thankyou from the bottom of my heart x
I''ll be watching this thread with great interest - let''s hope we can find some more good information about this, because I''m desperate (and frustrated) about being so sedentary but scared to death about worsening the situation S

Hi there previous poster -

I posted right before your reply and wanted to give you and everyone else an update. I am now 3 months post-op, have returned to my work (retail, grocery, heavy lifting) and my ''normal'' life such as I have decided to define it.
Really, for the most part, I feel great. I have been single and celibate for a while, so don''t know how the sex part will work out, but I am optimistic. Every once in a while, things feel like they are moving back, for lack of a better description, but I think it is just my body getting used to its new configuration.
What I am doing: lifting probably up to 35-40 lbs at work, but trying to do that verrrry sporadically. Walking to work and back (2.5 miles each way) and then on my feet constantly for a 6-hr shift. I am also cycling 15-30 miles at a time and lifting light (up to 8 lb.) weights in home exercise video.
All in all, despite my dread of messing something up and having to repeat the surgery, I am trying to conduct my life as normally as possible and much as I did pre-op. I am extremely cognizant, though, that although I was told I have no limitations (except for that funny remark by the gyn right before surgery, ha ha, thanks a lot, doc), I approach anything involving heavy lifting with much more caution. I had also overheard a friend say that someone she knew who had the surgery basically just ''felt something pop'' when she was removing a kayak from the roof of her car, thus rendering her surgery an ultimate failure. DO NOT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN.
Also for the previous poster, I am sure that if you have looked online much or talked to anyone else your age, you will find that this problem is MUCH more common than you''d thought. It is kind of like suicide, another ''taboo'' subject with which I am unfortunately intimately familiar with: once you mention it to someone, they almost always know someone else who has had an experience with it.
I wish you a most positive outcome and hope that you will find mine encouraging. There are so many complainers on so many sites, and I think that the majority of people do have good outcomes but don''t feel a need to vent about that.

Hello, have just been diagnosed prolapsed uterus and am to have 'surgery' - does this automatically mean hysterectomy?? Can someone explain? Thanks in advance

No this does not mean you have to have a hysterectomy. It has been 2 weeks since my uterine/organ suspension. I chose not to have a hysterectomy since my organs were perfectly healthy. Your organs are good for life as long as there healthy. They protect your body in so many ways. Keeping your organs also helps support each other and prevents further prolapse of other organs. Before you rush to have a hysterectomy do your homework, theirs all kinds of sites on this subject just type in hysterectomy versus uterine/organ suspension. Fallen organs are not a good enough reason to get rid of them.

I had surgery to repair cystocele and rectocele 3 days ago. Additional pelvic organ support surgery was done (called sacrospinous suspension".) I am recovering nicely and feel great. I would recommend the surgery to anyone experiencing the ill effects of a prolapsed bladder or uterus. I am also very active and have been running 2-3 miles daily for the past 2 years. In addition, I do lots of ab work and lifting with free weights. My Urogyn said the running and weight lifing did not cause the prolapse. Ligaments are damaged during childbirth and cannot be repaired without surgery. My Urogyn said I could start stationary bicycling in 2 weeks and running in 6 weeks. No lifting more than 15 pounds for 6 weeks. I've started doing some ab work which the doctor recommended. I'll start lifing smaller weights in a few days. At my post surgery appointment I plan to ask my doctor for a definitive answer about daily running and his recommendation. I may alternate bicycling with running.

Thank you - so my surgery doesnt necessarily mean a hystorectomy. Good to know....

I just had one about 2.5 weeks ago and I feel so much better (I had burning pain in my side for over a year, RA flares constantly, and lower back pain in addition to the falling out feeling and leg pain). At my 2 wk appt my doctor said that I should wait 2 more weeks for sex, but I'm able to do a little more lifting and step climbing. I walk every day and was encouraged to keep doing that immediately following surgery. My husband and I have 9 children (5 birth, 4 adopted) and so sitting around and not getting back to a normal life just isn't an option.

For those of you who are married my ob/gyn and others that I've talked to have assured me that sex after the hysterectomy is better. Things are back where they belong and everything is pulled back up like it was prebaby.

It's frustrating to me that when I look on line everyone is so negative about hysterectomies. I avoided going in to my doctor about this for years, because I knew that this would be the solution. I've had a lot of people act like my youth is gone due to it (I'm only 3, but I feel healthier and younger without that constant pain.

Thank you so much for your post, it is most reassuring, and answered questions I was afraid to ask! Thanks again Momofnine

Hi, I'm 40 years old and have 3 children. Since my second child I have felt a bulge and now after my 3rd, it has gotten worse. I went to my OBGYN and Urologist, they both agree that I have a prolapsed uterus and bladder. They advise that I have a partial hysterectomy and repair the bladder. My husband and I have decided that are done having children and I really can't go on like this much longer. I'm so uncomfortable, it hurts to exercise and I can't be on my feet for long. I guess now is the time. I've been reading the forum and find all of the information a big help. Thanks!!!