Hospital stays after prolapse surgery typically range from one to three nights, though it can vary from same-day discharge to several days, depending on the surgery type (vaginal, abdominal, robotic), your general health, and your recovery progress, especially with bladder function. You'll usually go home once you're comfortable, passing urine well, and mobile enough.
In most instances, you will be admitted to hospital on the day of your operation. You may be able to go home within 24 hours or, depending on your circumstances, you may need to stay in hospital for two to three days.
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.
Vaginal prolapse surgery is a major surgery with serious risks and potential complications. You may have less invasive treatment options depending on your circumstances. Consider getting a second opinion about all of your treatment choices before having vaginal prolapse surgery.
You can expect to feel better and stronger each day. But you may get tired quickly and need pain medicine for a week or two. After a laparoscopy, you may have shoulder pain. This is caused by the air your doctor put in your belly to help see your organs better.
You may experience short-term constipation after surgery as a result of being less active than usual, taking pain relieving medications and change in diet. If you have long-term constipation and straining or diarrhoea it's vital to rectify this to avoid repeat prolapse after your surgery.
You should not drive until you can easily turn in your seat without discomfort and can safely perform an emergency stop, this is usually about 2 -4 weeks after surgery. You can return to work 4-6 weeks after the operation depending on your job.
Surgeons can perform a type of pelvic organ prolapse repair called a sacrocolpopexy using da Vinci technology. With da Vinci, your surgeon sits at a console next to you and operates using tiny, fully wristed instruments. A camera provides a high-definition, 3D magnified view inside your body.
Most forms of housework are discouraged during your recovery period.
This procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia (put to sleep). You and your urogynecologist will create a detailed plan before the procedure so you know what to expect. Your surgery may last between 30 minutes and 4 hours, depending on the types of repairs and difficulty of the reconstruction process.
After a prolapse or continence operation, up to one in three women may need to go home with a catheter still in the bladder. This may be due to swelling around the bladder from the operation, and sometimes the effect of the anaesthesia slows down bladder function.
Items to Have on Hand Before Surgery
Colpocleisis is the safest surgical procedure to treat prolapse with the least amount of complications. Although rare, if you experience a complication, your urogynecologist will address this immediately utilizing surgical or non-surgical techniques.
The type of surgery you have will depend on which organs have prolapsed. 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.
Preparing for surgery
You may need to take a laxative or enema before surgery. Your doctor will tell you how to do this. Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
The incision inside the vagina is then closed with stitches that will dissolve in four to eight weeks. An additional stitch (sacrospinous fixation stitch) may be required at the top of the vagina or into the cervix to support the vagina.
Some vaginal discharge or light bleeding is normal after surgery. If it is heavy (passing clots or soaking through pads) or has an offensive smell, then this can be a sign of infection and you should seek medical advice.
After surgery it is normal to feel tired and you will need to take it easy and rest for at least two weeks (get help for household jobs). However, it is important to remain mobile (get up and walk regularly). It is quite safe to go up and down stairs from the day you go home if you feel well.
Quoted success rates are between 80-90%. However, there is a chance that the prolapse could return in the future or another part of the vagina may prolapse, requiring further treatment or surgery. Quoted success rates for uterosacral ligament suspension are between 80-90%.
Some studies show that while pessaries and surgery both improve symptoms for advanced-stage pelvic organ prolapse, surgery may provide more long-term satisfaction.
Prolapse surgical treatment cost and coverage
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover these procedures. Consult your insurance carrier to find out the specific criteria for coverage. The reimbursement specialist at your physician's office may also be able to help you get answers.
All types of surgery for pelvic organ prolapse are safe; they have similarly low rates of side effects and of severe complications. However, new research found that some women had severe pain 2 years after surgery, regardless of the type of surgery they had.
How Much Does a Vaginal Prolapse Repair - Laparoscopic Cost? On MDsave, the cost of a Vaginal Prolapse Repair - Laparoscopic ranges from $8,008 to $21,665. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can shop, compare prices and save.
Cystocele (bladder prolapse) repair is major surgery. Yes, cystocele (bladder prolapse) repair is major surgery. Even if your surgery is done through a less invasive way, surgeries to repair prolapse tend to be major surgery.
Long and even short haul flights can leave you feeling parched and dry which can cause issues with many pelvic floor symptoms. It is really important to not get on the plane dehydrated. In the week or so preceding your trip, be extra mindful of trying to get enough water.