My Life with "Cathy": HysterSisters.com

A&P Repair Surgery

After 3 babies, 3 full marathons, numerous half marathons, etc... at age 41, I was diagnosed with vaginal prolapse and needed A&P Repair Surgery. This included a cystocele, or bladder lift with sling. My surgery was on October 7, 2014. Both my gynecologist and my urologist who performed the surgery reported the surgery went very well, very successful. However, after a night in the hospital when the catheter was removed and I tried going to the bathroom I couldn't pee! I went home with a foley catheter and told to follow up in a couple days with my urologist. Little did I now this would be just the beginning of my adventure with "Cathy"...

Sunday, November 2, 2014

HysterSisters.com

I found this website HysterSisters.com that is basically an online support group for women who have had gynecological surgeries. This is the only real resource I have found that has been helpful to find out real information from real women going through the same thing I have gone through. What helped me most was learning that every women has a unique and different experience when it comes to these types of surgeries. But I found out that my experience might not be completely abnormal. It has almost been a month since my surgery and I would have never thought that I still couldn't urinate properly but through this online community I don't feel so alone.

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Anterior & Posterior Vaginal Wall Prolapse

Anterior vaginal wall prolapse (Cystocele or Urethrocele)
This type of prolapse occurs when the supportive tissue or fascia supporting the bladder stretches or detaches from his attachments on the pelvic bones. This loss of support allows the bladder to prolapse or fall down into the vagina.

Symptoms of anterior wall prolapsed are variable. Often as the anterior vaginal wall prolapsed worsens it progresses outside the opening of the vagina. Sometimes the bladder may not empty well which can lead to urinary frequency, nighttime voiding, loss of bladder control and recurrent bladder infections. Anterior vaginal prolapse also affects support to the urethra, which can lead to urinary incontinence with activity such as laughing, coughing, sneezing, or exercise. Anterior prolapse often occurs with prolapse of the uterus or top of the vagina where the uterus used to be in women who have had a hysterectomy.

Posterior wall prolapse (Rectocele or Enterocele)
This type of prolapse occurs when the support tissue or fascia between the vagina and rectum stretches or detaches from its attachment to the pelvic bones. This loss of support allows the rectum or intestines to prolapse or fall down into the vagina.

Symptoms of posterior vaginal wall prolapsed typically include a bulge sensation, but women often complain of problems having a bowel movement. Women may have to strain more with bowel movements of have problems with constipation. A common complaint is that women have to put their finger in or around the vagina or rectum to help empty their bowels.