Constipated After Laparoscopic Ventral Mesh Rectopexy
May 29, 2015
I hope you don't mind me posting on here a rambled question as I'm new to the forum and haven't contributed yet. I've read through several posts about Laparoscopic Ventral mesh Rectopexy and some not so positive outcomes, and my heart goes out to you all!
I had the LVR done nearly 6 weeks ago. I have had chronic constipation for 7.5 years now and have only just, this past year, been able to get anyone to take me seriously. I'm now 26, and have been through everything in terms of diet, water, exercise, toilet position, relaxation, supplements etc. I have been on Dulcolax daily; things like Senna or Movicol don't seem to do anything, and newer drugs like Prucalopride have been useless. I paid for a private consultation in Oxford follow my request to my NHS gastroenterologist for a transit study and defecating proctogram. I had a rectocele and intussusception grade with with full rectal prolapse.
On a side note, I have pernicious anaemia, folic and iron deficiencies, and was recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism (after a lot of pushing!). I am being treated for all of these but the Levothyroxine for hypo isn't doing anything, so the GP has suggested some people look online for an alternative NDT...
Post surgery, I've been constipated as usual. The Movicol / Laxido did nothing on 2 sachets a day. 3 sachets a day and nothing happened either. Dulcolax did something, but it didn't work as quickly or as effectively as it did prior to surgery. Last week I called the consultant and he suggested I may have impaction and to take Citramag. I've done that this week and it was horrendous - 2 sachets and 8 hours later, and I was finally able to go. This was mostly with pushing my stomach out, massaging my stomach, moving around etc.
I feel like there's still some kind of obstruction because with laxatives I know there's something in the rectum, but it goes no further. Without laxatives, and I don't feel anything there; it's like nothing happens in the descending colon, there's no 'activity' that I can feel. Before surgery, the transit study showed all markers still in my colon as I didn't move my bowels at all. The markers were mixed, some made it to the rectum but many were at the top of the descending colon. I'm wondering whether it's possible I'm still 'obstructed' and whether my colon is even working (all these years having to take a stimulant laxative surely won't help!)
I was just wondering whether anyone has any thoughts? I'm exhausted, just spent all of the money I had to my name on this surgery and I feel like it's worse. I should have been looking to go back to work from next week but that's not going to happen with the state I'm in. I don't want to be on laxatives, and I feel these past 7 1/2 years have been a complete waste. It all seemed to happen over night that I became constipated as I'd never had any problems with my digestion before that (I was prescribed iron tablets and thought it might be those, so I stopped taking them but never regained bowel function).
I see the surgeon next week but don't know what I should be asking or what options I should look to explore. I can't go on like this and I'm sorry for the rambling and feeling sorry for myself, I'm just feeling very alone right now and pretty fed up.
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Any one had a Ventral Rectopexy surgery kindly make contact. The surgery incorporates the use of a mess which could cause an erosion. I have some moderate internal rectal prolapse not full blown as yet. Much discomfort when sitting, and this is now making me exhausted. I have some incomplete evacuation with a need to wipe.The hammering of my womb and bladder is pressing on my pelvic floor causing this horrendous discomfort, as though there is a foreign object in my anal cavity.
My womb is mobile at the entrance of my vagina pounding at my organs giving me this pressure.I have been told by one gynaecologist that he was not convinced that my uterine prolapse was pronounced enough for surgery and thought this was a colorectal problem. The colorectal specialist thought this was a gynaecological problem. Both clinicians choose to leave me without a procedure for fear of making me worse.
I shall not dwell on the fact that I was left to seek pain management!
Proctogram showed distal intussusception. And prolapse in all 3 departments. As I have left this for so long my pain continues and worsens weakening my anal sphincter muscle control hence some occasional accidents with some faecal urgency. I have no constipation, no tummy pains, no bleeding and no itching. I do not need to digitate, but suffer with horrendous discomfort as though there is a foreign object in my anal canal 24/7 but worse when sitting. For some strange reason I am better up and mobile which does not sound like prolapse however my cervical canal must be small and therefore holding my mobile womb in situ. This has somewhat flummoxed the gynaecologist. The surgery offered by a colorectal surgeon Ventral rectopexy and possibly an add on sacrocolpopexy involves the use of mesh and this is my concern.Has anyone had these surgeries with my symptoms.
Also a hysterectomy and anterior repair has been mentioned as a way forward. But no guarantees that I may need a subsequent anal surgery later.
Anyone who has had a successful mesh surgery please make contact.
Whether it be uterine or anal.
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Is anyone out there aware of any person who has had to have mesh removed due to mesh inguinodynia after inguinal hernia repair with mesh?
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I have very large fibroids, and I've been offered a few options by different doctors. The first surgeon I saw recommended open surgery. The risks associated with major open surgery are serious. The first, and biggest concern, for me is the risk of waking up without a uterus. I'm quite attached to my uterus. My second concern is the amount of time I'd be out of work. I freelance, and my job is very physical. I will not be able to return quickly, and I don't get paid time off.
I was not on any type of insurance when, March, I found out the problems I'm experiencing are due to fibroids, so I went on Medicaid to pay for medications. Several doctors have recommended that I go on Lupron, which is $800 to $1,200 a shot.
Being on Medicaid, I'm fearful that I won't get the same level of treatment post-op. A few nights in a hospital charity wing can be deadly. Let's face it.
I went to get a second opinion from a doctor who referred me to a the head of robotic surgery at the hospital. She told me my fibroids can be removed laparoscopically. I researched the procedure, and the surgeon I was referred to, and I'm on the fence about what I should do. The surgeon would need to break up the fibroid in order to get it out, and when the FDA began discouraging its use she was quoted in an article touting it. "It needs more research." Well, I'm on public assistance. I'm on public assistance and I'm not stupid.
I'm between a rock and a hard place here, because none of my options are good. Morcellation spreads cancer in 1 out of every 350 myomectomies, which is why the machine is being recalled.
Do I take that gamble? Open surgery sounds terrible, and it will set me back for a long time--and that's if everything goes right! So should I risk laparoscopic surgery and hope that I get on with my life safely, or do I get the traditional major surgery? My friends and family are pushing me to get a laparoscopic myomectomy but I have reservations. I've also been exposed to a lot of chemicals, because I'm a painter. I've since been more diligent, if not militant, about safety and protection... but exposure is exposure. I worry about it. Certain types of cancers do run in my family, ovarian, uterine, cervical, etc. not being among them. Other endocrine related cancers do run in my family, along with diabetes and endocrine conditions not related to cancer. My mother had endometriosis, and both my mother and sister would get ovarian cysts. I, however, do not.
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I had the LNF surgery three days ago and just wanted to tell you my experience of it all as I was terrified of the surgery and of the side effects afterwards - so much so I considered cancelling it at the last minute! I read a lot of information on the web in the days leading up to the surgery (good and bad) and was left feeling that even people with what seemed to be good experiences seemed to be having a very hard time. As it is so far I've been pleasantly surprised!
I had surgery due to a loose gullet which was confirmed via endoscopy. I opted to not be sedated so I could get the results these are then (if you're sedated you get them a few days later as you tend not to be awake enough afterwards to take in the information). The endoscopy wasn't the most pleasant experience but was over fairly quickly and something I could do again if needed without being nervous about it.
I then had all of the PH testing which confirmed acid reflux and the associated tests for swallowing that confirmed that I was a good candidate for Nissens.
Fast forward to three days ago and arrived at the hospital very nervous about it all and feeling like I wanted to back out. I'd read information on the web about bloating, not being able to burp, not being able to vomit, dumping, diarrhea, etc. and couldn't see how I could live with all of that afterwards! My surgeon was very dismissive of most of my fears (in a good way) and confirmed that not being able to vomit may be a side effect and short term bloating may be an issue but the rest of the side effects won't be an issue. I really trust the surgeon as he has always been very open with facts and statistics so was happy to go ahead with the surgery.
Feedback from the surgeon was that the surgery was very straightforward. He found a Hiatus Hernia which hadn't showed up before which he fixed as part of the fundoplication.
Since the surgery I've had a lot of discomfort in my tummy area but I've put this down to the holes that were made for the procedure rather than the fundoplication as it is very localised on the surface of my tummy. My lungs have been a bit sore since too and breathing in deeply has been uncomfortable but both issues have eased over the past three days.
In terms of eating and drinking I'd been told by the surgeon to experiment with textures to see what I can handle which is much better than the clear fluids for a week I was expecting. So far I have been able to drink water, squash, Horlicks and Decaf coffee without any issues. It takes a lot longer to get through a drink as there is a feeling inside like a funnel where liquids get backed up a bit when I swallow too much but there is no pain associated with this and it goes away after a few seconds. I managed to each half a bowl of Weetabix the morning after the surgery, moving on to custard, semolina and chicken soup over the past couple of days, none of which was strained. I'm probably not drinking enough due to how long it takes but my bladder and bowel movements are pretty normal so I'm not too worried about that at this stage. Also I am able to burp after eating and drinking. Probably not voluntary at the moment but when my body feels like it needs to it does. The same goes for passing wind too although there seems to be a lot more of that than usual!
So far I have no regrets about the surgery and feel that it was definitely the right thing to do. I expected the weeks after the surgery to be difficult but so far haven't suffered too badly. I'm self employed and work from home on a computer and am aiming to do a few hours this afternoon building up to full-time again next week, one week after the surgery. However, if I wasn't working from home I don't know if I could manage working in a office at this stage yet and definitely couldn't handle a commute via car, train, etc.
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I am 4 weeks post laparoscopic myomectomy.i have uterine hematoma of about 8 cm. I am anxious about it. Can it be reabsorbed by my body? Doctor said she will aspirate it If it will not get smaller. I still have pain even after i urinate. I have checked my urine for UTI but result was negative.. Am i in big trouble here?
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I am having a da vinci robotic laparoscopic myomectomy on Tuesday and I am really scared. I am scared of the general anesthesia, I am scared of the pain meds and recovery. I am scared of not being able to do things. I am even scared of being scared. Anybody else go through this surgery that could ease my mind...only positive stories please I can't take anything negative.
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Hi I am 3 weeks post laparoscopic myomectomy. Few days after surgery I started noticing my lower back ache. The pain is in the middle, by the tailbone. Pain can sometimes also travel to my right leg. And also the pain is a lot worse when I walk or sit for over 5 minutes.
Unfortunately I can't take anti-inflammatory because I get a lot of diarreah from just 200mg. So I've been using a heating pad and just sitting.
Anyone had the same experience? What is causing this? Will this go away? What can I do to make the pain subside?
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So back in 2013 there was a time when I ate these fiber bars for breakfast everyday for about a week maybe. At the time I didn't know when you increase your fiber intake you need to increase your water intake. So I went maybe 2 weeks without using the bathroom at all. I guess I really didn't notice it because at the time I was dealing with the end of the year at school and family issues. When I finally did notice my mom and I went to see my doctor. She took an X ray of my stomach and just prescribed me miralax. Which for me didn't work. If I took too much I things would be watery but still nothing much would come out. If I took the right amount things would be pencil thin and still not much came out. Ever since then my digestion hasn't been right. Over the years its just gotten worse, i've tried many things on my own. I've tried the liquid magnesium citrate and that used to work well but it does nothing anymore, Fleet enemas do nothing, I've even tried a real enema and that too barely did anything! There were points where I didn't use the bathroom AT ALL for weeks and even months. When I lay flat on my stomach I can feel a huge lump, or when I press on my stomach its painful. Sometimes my stomach gets so bloated and I look like I'm pregnant. Recently I had this extreme sharp pain in my side I couldn't even move, I just curled over and waited for the pain to pass. I'm so afraid to eat, I've even feel like I have to throw up if I eat too much, and I have thrown up a couple times. I went to the doctor again recently and told her the miralax isn't working, I told her about the pain and the throwing up. She did another X ray and told me I was filled with stool and blocked up all around my colon. But all she did was tell me to either take dulcolax or take a square of ex lax followed by a fleet enema for a week! I would think if I'm at the point of throwing up something more would have been done!! (Btw she's a pediatric doctor, I'm 19 but she said they would keep seeing me till im 21 if I like. I don't know if it's because she's a pediatric doctor is the reason why she's taking these approaches that aren't working. Maybe she doesn't know what to do?) All she is doing is telling me to take different laxatives but it's not working, and I'm so scared.. I've read people can die from fecal impaction. I've read about people with the same problem as me but they have only been constipated for a month or less and they've been to the ER and had things taken care of! But I've been like this for almost two years so why haven't I! I don't think my doctor is taking this seriously and I'm thinking I should go to a 24 hour clinic and maybe they'll actually do something? Or the ER, but how would I get in? I'm just really scared and I don't want to be like this anymore.
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I'm a 14 year old female and a 2 weeks or so I had diarrhea for first 2 days then it stopped then it came back again For one more day but with normal poop first but then after that I've been constipated and having to strain and squeeze and my poop has been like small ball I know this is gross but I don't get I've tried eating somewhat healthy and drinking more water I don't why I'm experiencing this at a young age my brother eats junk food all the time and still poops plz help I haven't went to a doctor. I've tried eating cucumbers and drinking lots of water but I either don't poop or I have to strain still and it comes out but it's so stressing like now all I think about is my poop and it's very annoying since I want to be able to eat what I want.
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How on earth can I get constipated on the blue bullets. Since taking them I have been in fear that I would have an accident! now i am flipping uncomfortable as it has been a couple of days!
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i started taking the tabs yesterday at lunch time and since then i've not had to go to the toilet, i seem to be weeing more than normal but that's probably because im drinking more water. has anyone else been constipated, should i be worried and if i weigh myself im going to be heavier coz all the food is still in me any tips to shift it without eating too much fat?
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I am very very constipated, even though taking Senokot and Dulcoease.
Have been told that I must limit amount of fruit and vegetables because of IBS so very difficult. Has anyone else got this problem, if so, how have you coped with it? I am only managing to go to the toilet once a week so feel nauseous as well.
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I got my surgery on the 19th and since yesterday im experiencing bloating and has but I can't go. I'm on a Okinawan hospital and language barrier is huge and completely frustrating, plus pain management meds here are completely different. This happened to any of you? Should I take something natural?
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I have left sided colitis and have been on azathioprine 75mg x 2 daily and two 5mg prednisolone tablets. Have been on the full dosage of azathioprine for four weeks and now suffer from constant constipation to the point where I have to take laxatives and eat prunes. Has anybody else had this problem? Have purchased a tub of benefiber but unsure as to whether I should use it.
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I am putting my embarrassment aside and writing in this forum in hopes of finding some help for my terrible constipation. I am a 55-year-old female. I have living through menopause for the past 6 years, and hope it will be over soon. My diet consists of meat and potatoes, and some vegetables and fruit (but not enough I am sure). I get the occasional walk in, but ever since my hip surgery about 5 years ago, exercise is something I do less and less of. In the last two years I have noticed that I am constipated more often and for longer periods. I had been using enemas and laxatives for sometime, but they started taking a toll on my body so I stopped. I am trying everything I can, but I want to find a natural or herbal remedy that really works. I have started reading about different products, but I am at a loss as to which one I should try.
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Okay so I had gotten an infection from my nuvaring so me and my husband decided that I just was going to stop birth control completely that we are ready for a baby when it happens. We have been having unprotected sex and I have now been off of it for two weeks. A week after I got off of it I had no symptoms except for very light pink spotting. This week is a different story. My breast are sore
I have had stomach problems like back and forth between constipation and diarrhea
I am absolutely exhausted. I go to sleep early, wake up late, and still need a nap.
My lower back aches pretty much all day.
And I feel like my emotions are going crazy. Some days I want to cry, some days I want to yell, some days I love everything.
I don't feel like I could have gotten pregnant that fast but these symptoms seem a little extreme to just be from coming off of my birth control.
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I have been experiencing narrow stools, i think i am constipated, i feel burning sensations in my stomach sometimes, somedays I don't feel it at all. I have gases and that's all. My stools are light brown color and no blood in them! What can i have?
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Iv noticed my stomach hard and bloated. I've had like a gassy feeling in my stomach the day after i had diarrhea but only had it once then i have not poop for the past three days.. What does this mean?
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I realized I was constipated when my stomach was extremely bloated visually I started taking a laxative and it's helped but I'm on my 3rd day of Miralax and now I can't go again (only a little bit)
My stomach is still bloated and feels heavy from the bottom area, and there's a pressure on my pelvis area...
Also when I need to urinate it takes me a few seconds to actually start going.
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Every single day I'm bloated and feel as if I am full of gas that needs to explode but won't! I feel sick and have pain! I go to the toilet once a week sometimes not even that! Laxatives make me worse and give me stomach ache! In struggling now!
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