I had a vaginal hyst last year. They left my ovaries. I had uterus prolapse. It was intersting. Long recoup time but in the end it's nice not to have my cervix hanging out. Also my periods were awful so it's nice in that regards also. I think I now have a rectocele I have an appointment in march w/ a specialiast. I'm 32 with 2 boys. I'm tired of something always being wrond in that area...... it would be nice to talk to someone my age that can relate with me. Thanks becky

I have the same questions. I just turned 35 years old and my gyn has suggested a vaginal hysterectomy also. I have a cystocele, rectocele and uterine prolapse too after having my son and daughter. These problems started after I had my son which was a very difficult delivery and they had to cut me all the way through my anus and then did lacerations horizontally down both sides of my perineum to get my son out quick enough (looking back on it, I should have had a c-section but that is old anger that belongs on another forum!!) anyway, I had over 100 stitches for that vaginal delivery and needless to say, a lot of scar tissue has developed. I was told that if I wanted anymore children I would need to do it soon because my proplapse was getting so bad. However, when I got pregnant with my daughter, thankfully the prolapse was not an issue since the fetus kept my uterus wedged up into my abdominal cavity. I believe that my husband and I are done with having children but I just can't get over feeling like I don't want that choice stripped away from me. It is a mental thing I think. Anyway, I came on here for some information, too. I don't know much about it or the recovery time. If it is long, I will want to do it in january or february so that I am able to play outside with my kids in the summer. Let me know how it goes and if you have any advice. Soccermom

Im 35 and have had 2 children and thankfully i'm done in that department, but I found out 9 months ago I had a dropped uterus, which I was sort of shocked. Well now I have symptoms of pressure, sexual discomfort and cramps, along with a severe heaviness right before my period and being on my feet, like in the mall, after awhile is terrible. My cervix is at the opening of the vagina. Doc says, to get the hysterectomy and leave the ovaries, was thinking about getting it in june when my kids are thru with school. But naturally i'm scared. I think I was told the uterus would actually be removed thru the vagina. What did you hear about the recovery time and pain, and how would I know if I had rectrocele and the urocele, how did they make that diagnosis? Someone please help me, i', scared out of my mind. Sharri

Hello. I just turned 30 and am 31 weeks prg. I just had my cervix pretty much fall out the other night. My doctor didn't seem to know much about it so i've been looking all over the place for info.

The reason I am posting is to the mom who wasn't sure if she should wait or not.

I don't know if it's been mentioned or not but you might want to ask your doctor about a pessery ring. It helps hold everything up. Can't say i'd like to have to fool with that thing all the time but it may be an option to help until it is a better time for surgery of some sort.

I've also read about a repair that does not require a hysterectomy. Something else you might want to look into.

I'm not finding very much helpful info from anyone but thought that might help someone a little!

Ps. This may be helpful.

Http://www.Inletmedical.Org/elevest_brochu re.Pdf

I hope that my experience will be of help to some of you who are scared of what is to come. I am 37 years old with 2 vaginal births. I had my surgery on 6-30-04 and I never had one ounce of pain in my abdominal region. I had low back pain and that was it. No trouble sitting up or walking around. Nothing. I was prepared for the absolute worst recovery of all time, but even with the rectocele (a & p repair) and bladder suspension it just feels like it was all a dream. I have felt "normal" since around july 7 which was 7 days post surgery. I have bowel movements that are not assisted with pressure by my hand and it is like I went back 10 years!
To the person who doesn't know if she has a rectocele or not, you would know because you would have to push with your hand between your anus and vagina for a bm.

My appetite is not what it used to be either. Have lost around 10 pounds.

I know that this all sounds "wonderful" and "too good to happen like this for you", but I am only human and have the same odds of a nice recovery as you do. I wish you luck and speedy recovery.

Hello,
i am 36 years old and had a abdominal partial hysterectomy about 4 months ago, the only thing that has been hard is the recovery time, and not being able to do anything the first 8 weeks, but now that time has passed I feel so much better! I no longer have the pressure from my uterus on my bladder and I dont have to worry about my painful periods! I am glad that I mad the decision to have the surgery, the recovery time is long but once its over you will be glad that you made the decision, the only minor thing for me is the weight gain that I am going through, but I can slowy lose it within time. Good luck and I am sure that having the surgery is a big decision, just make sure to have a very understanding doc.
Good luck
pat

Thank you for posting your info on your surgery. I am 47, and think I may have a partial prolapse of something (nothing *hanging out* but, constant rectal pressure. I first have to have a colonoscopy, then I have the gyn appt. (couldn't get an earlier appt). I am miserable with constant anal pressure - but no bm issues at all. A quick procto diagnosed no hemorrhoids - but they found 3 tiny polyps that they say are not causing the pressure. Hence gyn dr next. One dr thinks it's the sphincter muscle and put me on valium at night - but that didn't work either.

Anyone else with these symptoms. Thanks for your hep-

thank you , and thank you all for your info, i had a rectal prolapse a few years ago, they wound up removing my large intestine and had a temp bag for a while. nothing but problems after that. i was told a few months ago my sphincter was damaged, both internal and external muscle. thursday had the repair done, i think it made things worse. i have been up everynite and all day feeling like the whole everything there is just ready to fall when i try to go to the bathroom. i have been crying for 2 days now and when i called them i was told to take colace and pain meds. does anyone know if this is normal after a sphincter repair. i have already had a total hyst for a few years now and since then i am falling apart.

What is the difference between an anterior & posterior repair versus a vaginoplasty?

Has anyone had an A&P repair and had a desired resultant vaginal tightening?

Has anyone had a vaginoplasty for a cystocele or rectocele?

Tell me your experience.

Gina

What is the difference between an anterior & posterior repair versus a vaginoplasty?

Has anyone had an A&P repair and had a desired resultant vaginal tightening?

Has anyone had a vaginoplasty for a cystocele or rectocele?

Tell me your experience.

Gina

i understand how you all feel i have to go on the 17th of april for a vaginal hystorectomy with a bladder pin up and they have to put a piece of mesh and push my rectum back into place im very scared they say it's a 5hr. surgery and a long recovery time so that is kind of scary i've had these horrible symptoms for years im 38 with 3 children and for years i would get this pain above my pubic bone where it would feel like someone was yanking my female organs out of my bottom i had all i could do to walk or sit without having pain and i have to bare down just to urinate and let's not talk about having a bowel movement always constipated always feel bloated and then there is SEX..... oh boy my cervix is so low that's what gets hit how painful is that so i do know that it really effects your whole life trying to cook clean do kids and try to do it all while your doubled over and cant even hardly move. my sympathy goes out to every woman that has to go through this it's misreable and i really hope my surgery goes well

Dear ladyinred71..Welcome to ehealth and I, too, hope that your surgery goes well...I am familiar with it as I have read up a lot on this happening and the hell that a woman has to live with...

If you need support, we are here to help...Believe me, my thoughts will be with you...I send you all my prayers for a speedy recovery and more comfortable future...

Best wishes,
Caroline

I'm a 55 year old woman who had a rectocele on Jan 7 (3 mo ago). I need to know if anybody else still has aching in the rectal area after a day of activity and if its normal to still issues irregular bowel movements. I seem to have a "tender" butt too. I tend to get scared that something went wrong although my post-op appointment showed nothing. If anybody can give me any idea of how long it took for their aching to stop I'd appreciate it. I do work fulltime which might be causing me to have more discomfort but I'm not on my feet all day

I have not had this surgery that you speak about...However, having had a full Hysterectomy and knowing the recovery time for this much more simple operation, you have got to be talking about months...I would not judge this on a daily basis, but instead every two weeks...You have had a lot of work done and the older we get the more time it takes to heal....Be patient and guard your health...Get a lot of rest...

I would be tempted to say that you are talking about 9 months to a year to really feel good again....Take care of yourself...This was not a simple surgery...Good luck....

Caroline

I had an abdominal hysterectomy with an a/p repair at 32 years old,15 years ago. I had the a/p redone 3 weeks ago. Take your recovery one day at a time and when the doctor says rest, rest. If you over do, this will only lengthen your recovery time. Iam an rn by trade and heavy lifting contributed to me having this surgery redone. Each time this surgery has to be done it is more difficult to heal as you are working with damaged and scar tissue. Always get a second opinon when having any type of surgery. I have found that if you are a women with children already the doctors are more likely to do a hysterectomy so move cautiosly. Hope this is of help

I have found that after your full recovery time has passed, that moving on to Kegal muscle exercises, strengthens the interior vaginal walls...Very easy to do when you are just sitting and typing and this is also a good exercise to try before you proceed with the thought of surgery....

It sure helped me...Good luck...

Caroline

I also was told I need a hysterectomy..possibly my ovaries too, due to prolapse and endometriosis. I believe I also need a rectocele..constipation and needing to push between vag. and rectum with toilet paper to have a bm. I'm 50 and am very scared!Dr. said he would do it vag. with the help of a laprascope(?). anyways I have a question about sex. I am scared that without uterus contractions it will be hard to have a orgasm or it will not feel the same. Could you please tell me your experiences.Also how long is the procedure and hospital stay for a total hyst.with cystocele and rectocele. Thanks to all of you we have someone to talk to!!!

im in the same boat u r...my surgery is next monday n i am terrified.i suppose the sex will have a lot to do with patience of husband,,? we wil see.