Has anyone had gynecare prolift?

[Becky559]

Hi friends, I went for my pap two days ago, and the OBGYN told me that I really this this new procedure called the gynecare prolift. I have moderate to severe cyctocel, rectocel, and uterine prolaps. In other words, my pelvic floor items have falling way down, causing problems with bowel movements, and other things. I was just wondering if anyone out there has had this done. Please let me know if you have and how you done with it.
Thanks again
Becky

[sterre108]

Please, if it's possible, don't do the Prolift. I have lots of problems with it, pain, pain, pain. Sterre108

[Becky559]

Thanks for responding....It helps to make the decision! I will talk to my neuro and I will not have this until it is really bad...And it is a must to go to a well known specialist in this area that has done this successful many times.

Thanks,
Becky

[steph74]

"I was like you and had to leave the pool in a hurry - self-catherizing has made a big improvement for me and I can usually stay in the pool about an hour before strong urges hit.  Can I assume washing dishes and other activites involving water also create a sudden urge sometimes? "

Is this not normal?  I've had this for as long as I can remember--made being on swim team slightly more challenging in HS!  I always assumed this was a normal response, but it sounds from this post like it may not be?

Stephanie

[Heather3418]

I got alot of information from this website, about the procedure, risks, benefits, etc.

gynecare.com/gynecare-prolift

You have probably looked this up already, but thought I would include it, in case you haven't.

Best Wishes,
Heather

[Lulu54]

Have you had this discussion with your neuro?  When i started experiencing severe bladder problems, my neuro strongly advised me to avoid any urogynecologist who recommends surgery.  Flat out, he said surgery will not fix my problems - it is the MS lesions on my spine that are responsible. And almost everyone with MS experiences constipation problems of some sort so you want to be sure that it really is a case of prolapse causing these problems.

In the meantime I have been doing PT for my bladder - Quix wrote about that experience as well and it is documented in her health pages.  Wendy, the therapist, has worked with me on pelvic floor exercises and she believes my situation can be improved.  The neuro says this type of PT can't hurt, because most women need the additional pelvic floor muscle help.  Gravity is not our friend.  BUT PT is not going to stop my problem.

I was like you and had to leave the pool in a hurry - self-catherizing has made a big improvement for me and I can usually stay in the pool about an hour before strong urges hit.  Can I assume washing dishes and other activites involving water also create a sudden urge sometimes?  

There is lots to consider before agreeing to a surgical procedure that may or may not work for you.  Please talk this over with all of your medical doctors.

My best,
Lulu

[Becky559]

Hi,
Thanks for the advise. I know that surgeries outcomes are not always what you think and it could end up being worse than what is going on in the first place. I ve had a few back surgeries like this, so that is why I ask for advice. I had a partial hysterectomy 20 years ago with no complications. I only have problems with my bladder in the pool and have to go every 45 mins. Then, intercourse is some what painful due to the pelvic floor too far down. And at last, I have chronic constipation from the prolapse. So, like you said, dont do it unless need be. I have heard some bad stories and not many good ones.

Do you think that your lift would have been better if you had not been dealing with a hysterectomy at the same time?

Was your hysterectomy done vaginally or incision?
Was the lift painful? and for how long?
Thanks for responding,
Becky

[bluealligator]

Please consider an alternative procedure, or at least be aware that the concept is so new that you MUST seek out a good Doctor who knows EXACTLY what they are doing.  In my case, I had the Gynecare Mesh Prolift Pelvic Floor System put in at the River Falls, Wisconsin area hospital.  

I was having a partial hysterectomy done along with the surgery for the Prolift, but I NEVER expected to have the problems I did.  ANd, nor did the DOCTOR.  Eight months after I had experienced chronic UTIs, they figured out I was really bleeding from the surgery still.  Nice, eh?  So, if you have any questions I'd be glad to answer them.  I don't want to give you all the details (it's really not necessary....you get the point) but just be aware that there have been quite a few unsuccessful surgeries, which can lead to a lot of complications for further on down the road.

If you are on the fence about having it done, and it's not necessarily a "need" then I wouldn't go through with it.  Incontinence is just more of a problem now.....

[Becky559]

Hi,

Thanks for the letting me know about your sister in law. My doctor said that I would be out of commission for 6wks and no lifting....like my niece!  And in the hospital for a day or so. I dont know if I have MS yet, but I have had some sxs and in the process of finding out.
Thanks again
Becky

[AmishErin]

My sister in law who had that about a year ago.  It was an in hospital procedure I think she was in 2 days... she doesn't have ms just has had children.  It took her out of commission for about a month her only complication was after she lifted her daughter, caused some excess bleeding and slowed down the healing process.

My mom had had the old fashioned 15 years ago operation where they stapled things back into place.  Her surgery seemed to take her a couple years to bounce back fully from and she had painful bladder spasms.  I don't know if my sister in law had alot of pain after the first few weeks Good Luck on deciding