The length of operative time for laparoscopic colposuspension can vary greatly (
3-5 hours
) from patient to patient depending on the internal anatomy, shape of the pelvis, weight of the patient, and presence of scarring or inflammation in the pelvis due to infection or prior abdominal/pelvic surgery.
How long does prolapse surgery take?
Prolapse repairs can be carried out under general anaesthetic or regional anaesthetic and may take
between 30 – 60 minutes
to be completed. An operation for a prolapse of the pelvic floor is done through your vagina so the scars will mainly be out of sight.
How painful is prolapse surgery?
Usually the graft is anchored to the muscles of the pelvic floor. Generally this
surgery is not very painful
. You may feel as if you have been ‘riding on a horseback’. You will have some discomfort and pain, so please do not hesitate to take pain medication.
Is prolapse surgery considered major surgery?
Vaginal prolapse surgery is
a major surgery
with serious risks and potential complications. You may have less invasive treatment options depending on your circumstances.
Does a hysterectomy fix prolapse?
Hysterectomy, a surgery to remove a woman’s uterus, is sometimes performed to treat uterine prolapse
What happens if prolapse is left untreated?
If prolapse is left untreated, over time it may stay the same or slowly get worse. In rare cases, severe prolapse can
cause obstruction of the kidneys or urinary retention
(inability to pass urine). This may lead to kidney damage or infection.
How serious is prolapse surgery?
Pelvic organ prolapse surgery also carries the same risks as most operations:
infection, bleeding and blood clots
. Your doctor could also injure nearby organs during the procedure. With mesh placed in the vagina, there’s a risk of pain and infection, and also that the mesh will erode.
When should you have surgery for prolapse?
Consider surgery if
the prolapse is causing pain
, if you are having problems with your bladder and bowels, or if the prolapse is making it hard for you to do activities you enjoy. An organ can prolapse again after surgery. Surgery in one part of your pelvis can make a prolapse in another part worse.
What is a Stage 3 prolapse?
Stage I – the uterus is in the upper half of the vagina. Stage II – the uterus has descended nearly to the opening of the vagina. Stage III –
the uterus protrudes out of the vagina
. Stage IV – the uterus is completely out of the vagina.
Can I push my prolapse back up?
In some cases, the prolapse can be treated at home. Follow your provider’s instructions on how to do this.
The rectum must be pushed back inside manually
. A soft, warm, wet cloth is used to apply gentle pressure to the mass to push it back through the anal opening.
What should you not do with a prolapse?
If you have pelvic organ prolapse,
avoid things that could make it worse
. That means don’t lift, strain, or pull. If possible, try not to be on your feet for long periods of time. Some women find that they feel more pressure when they stand a lot.
Does a prolapse cause tiredness?
This most common symptom results from the internal
pressure
of pelvic organ tissue pushing against the muscles in the pelvis making the muscles ache and feel like something is “falling out.” Watch out for pain in the lower back, lower belly, groin or leg fatigue.
Can a prolapse cause weight gain?
RESULTS. During the 5-year time period, the majority of women (9,251, 55.7%) gained weight (mean 4.43 kg, ± 5.95 kg), and the overall rate of prolapse (WHI Prolapse Classification System: grades 1-3) increased from 40.9% at baseline to
43.8% at year 5 of evaluation
.
How do I know if my prolapse is severe?
- Sensation of heaviness or pulling in your pelvis.
- Tissue protruding from your vagina.
- Urinary problems, such as urine leakage (incontinence) or urine retention.
- Trouble having a bowel movement.
Can you feel a prolapsed uterus with your finger?
Insert 1 or 2 fingers and place over the front vaginal wall (facing the bladder) to feel any bulging under your fingers, first with strong coughing and then with sustained bearing down. A definite bulge of the wall under your fingers indicates a front vaginal wall prolapse.
Can you have surgery for mild prolapse?
Many women have only mild symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse. Surgery is usually done only when the prolapse affects your daily
life
and your doctor thinks surgery will help. Many kinds of surgery can be done for pelvic organ prolapse.
