Pros and Cons of Surgery for Prolapse, and What to Try First w/ Denise Conway

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

Please check out the videos notes/video description for all sorts of great links and resources!

[@suereed3474]

I am 67 and did not have the surgery after listening to Denise's videos. I learned to do hypopressives and joined a class. I am not incontinent, but I still have a cystocele and rectocele, but I can control them. There are days when I don't feel them at all. I can live with them. I prefer this to invasive surgery. Denise is wonderful and a godsend.

[@sandrahendricks2020]

I've just been diagnosed. Also have Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and can't do surgery yet. I'm miserable and in terrible pain. Hopefully what I learn here will help me.

[@suereed3474]

@@sandrahendricks2020 Sandra, I am going to do the surgery. I was checked a week ago, after 15 months. My situation did not improve but did not worsen. The hypopressives help with pain and other things as well. Your bowel movements are the biggest influence. I drink one cup of hot water when first getting up every morning. It eases the bowel movement later on, almost every day. Relaxing is so important. Doesn't mean stopping physical work, means being aware of your body and not adding extra stress. If you are in pain, maybe you have a UTI? My pelvic floor muscles are strengthened, but I will need help to lift the prolapsed organs more permanently. My hypopressives instructor pointed out that because of this my recovery will be quicker and maintenance may last longer. Good luck.

[@rholdabester9176]

Im in the same position you are also 67years old. Dont have alot of faith in this surgery. Scared. Will go for exercise same symptoms like you. Thx... Roda

[@suereed3474]

Only after doing hypopressives for a few months was I able to identify and feel my pelvic floor muscles. Kegels became easy, but not as necessary. This breathing over time does lift the organs a bit and improve posture, naturally. Being in many quarantines gave me the opportunity to retrain my body. It even improved the quality of my sex life, which I still have, with two prolapsed organs.

[@frankiec9003]

I so wish I’d had access to all this information 13 years ago before I had an operation. In the UK it’s so difficult to find a women’s health physio specialist.

[@janejohnstone5795]

Lovely Irish accent...almost sounds American......

[@JM-vj7we]

FYI... find a ‘good’ gynecologist. One who will 1st make you part of the decision making process & provide options other then surgery first.

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

Absolutely!

[@נופרידלין-לומברוזו]

Denise you are amazing! way to go for everything you overcome and been trough... Its so sad that doctors sometimes are so ignorance!

[@yvonnejeanette1726]

This is interesting. I became incontinent 11/2 years ago:(! I had no problems before! I went to a OBGYN and he said he didn’t work on bladders! I told him well I thought you did everything that has to do with a women’s body! So, I was sent to a Urologist and he gave me three different medicines with in a span of 6 mos! They didn’t do anything!!!! He didn’t examine me or anything and told me he doesn’t do surgery on the bladder!! So, now I’ve been referred to Stanford! I just was wondering what you thought of this and if you or anyone else have gone through this or have any suggestions! HElP!!!!!:( I am totally in continent @ 59 years old

[@KatieJoMikell]

Did you end up having surgery or doing anything about it? I thought it was my bladder too I went to a Urogynocologist he said that’s not your bladder that’s your vagina falling out I don’t have a uterus curious what you ended up doing?

[@mjperfume1523]

My grandmother vagina was falling out of her body! She would not go to the doctors, she wore a pad and being a young girl i wondered shy she would wear a pad. I slept with her and i always smelled urine on her that’s why she would wear 1812 perfume which was very strong. I now u understand which she sent bc im having the same problem but. But I am The as severe as she had my organs r not falling out of my body G

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

Please make sure to see a pelvic floor PT for support. They can help you better manage your prolapse and prevent it from worsening. In the meantime, check our free prolapse guide bit.ly/prolapseguide ~ Leila from Vibrant Support

[@petravazanska5707]

I know its off topic but the lady has an amazingly beautiful hair!

[@FredaFlynn2008]

I’m in the UK am 66 years old and had prolapse for around eight years. I had a vaginal pessary ring for the past four years. Initially it was great but each time I have gone to the pessary clinic an area where the pessary touched the vaginal wall would be slightly broken down so I was treated with silver nitrate and a new ring pessary would be put in. During this past year my cystocell started to protrude over the ring so six months ago a bigger ring was put in. This in turn had a huge impact on my bowel wall (I now realise) and with the pressure of the pessary pushing both my vaginal wall and bowel wall it became harder to poo so I’d take a laxative tablet daily to try and counteract this. As this began to fail too I would have bleeding from the vagina often, even with soft stools, and luckily the last time when I had immense bleeding I happed to have my phone in the bathroom and took some pictures of bloody toilet paper, bloody panty liner and blood all over the estriodial cream applicator - I had to use the cream twice weekly since the pessary was initially started. I saw my gynae nurse one week later and with the pictures to show her the ring pessary was removed and an ultra sound scan booked - which was done four days ago and I’m waiting for the result. A hysterectomy was mentioned as the ring was no longer an option. In the time I had the ring I was constantly told to do kegals - consisting of squeezing the pelvic floor, just squeezing and nothing else. That’s the kind of information we often get in the UK and also to avoid constipation. Since the pessary removal I found Dr Bri’s youtube videos and literally after doing some of those exercises I can’t even feel my prolapse - literally it seems it’s lifting and getting better each time. The pessary caused no end of problems but initially worked well but my poor vaginal and bowel wall paid the price. I don’t have constipation at all and I believe the constriction in the bowel wall caused by the pessary was actually the problem, making it more difficult to pass stools and therefore remaining in the bowl, drying out and creating hard stools which when passed caused the vaginal bleeding. Ladies please visit Dr Bri’s videos, don’t opt for hysterectomy because that can have irreversible bad side effects and Dr Bri thank you so much for educating me, I will definitely tell the gynae team about your videos and try to educate them too on my next visit.

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

Freda, I am so sorry you have been through all these challenges and I am so glad you found my videos, which have provided much needed relief. There is a lot that can be done with pelvic floor physical therapy, whether to avoid surgery, to prepare for surgery or post-surgery rehab. I am happy you are feeling better and I hope your scan will be clear. Sending you a warm hug !

[@YogaWithJoy]

Hi Bri - do you also know the pros and cons of surgery for diastasis recti? I suffer from this (21 years now) and I wonder whether surgery would help - although my instincts tell me that daily exercises is safer! Thank you for all your fantastic videos! xx

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

I always recommend exhausting conservative options first! Posture, breathing technique, proper lifting technique, my Ab Camp videos and my Kegel Camp (bit.ly/femkegelcamp) or MUTU system (bit.ly/femmutu)... And of course seeing a women's health physical therapist, if at all possible, for individualized treatment... Those would all be my go-to recommendations to try FIRST before resorting to surgery for DR.

[@sandybissett6806]

You have given me hope. I'm anxious to start watching your videos and hopefully help my body to regenerate some muscle action and heal. Thank you for what you both are doing to educate and help us. Surgeons fluff everything off like its nothing. They certainly don't educate and tell the full story.

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

There is always hope for healing!

[@Rosemary-gc4gk]

What was the kind of yoga breathing she was talking about?

[@tigra12PW]

Do a computer search for yoga nidra. There are youtubes on it I am sure. It is a relaxation exercise done in the yoga corpse pose (lying on the yoga mat).

[@dorisb505]

Please help. I just found your channel and have late stage 2 bladder prolapse. You have SO many videos. I wish they were numbered. I don't know where to start. I'd like to try correcting the situation without surgery. What is the first step. My doctor doesn't believe therapy helps.

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

For prolapse, start with my Lift Series! We start at video #1 and I walk you though it!heart 💜 bit.ly/femlift

[@cpellkof]

I love that there is a place to journey to in my struggles with prolapse, COVID 19, and the fires around us. Alas, I feel the same about seeing so many of your videos that I end up pinging from video to podcast to video thinking oh this would be better no wait this one, no this one. Information overload. Is there a way to catalog your videos?

[@kimberleyzammit8377]

👌👌Oh my gosh I absolutely love love love this, such great content. So excited for the next chat. Thank you for providing great knowledge for us. 🤗🙏

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

Thanks for watching! Part 2 comes out next Friday. If you want a sneak preview of our conversation, you can tune in to the podcast version! anchor.fm/britalks/episodes/Ep-31-Pelvic-Pain-and-Tension---What-to-Know--and-How-to-Help-w-Denise-Conway-eh2v36/a-a16vp1o

[@paisleylfc6367]

I love all your information to empower women, but I am one of those women who had very bad damage to my pelvic floor during childbirth and later on my uterus literally fell outside of my body, so I think things depend on the amount of damage incurred.

[@krystalgardiner5591]

Yeah I had a 4th degree test with a 10 pound baby that took 2 hours to push out. I hemorrhaged so bad as well they coded me on the table and I had to stay in the ICU. I feel like I tore something last week and now I’m in pain. I have an appointment next week and I’m so nervous. I’m so young and my sex life is non existent

[@boostmobile9249]

Where can we buy the pessary for relief??

[@janeyd5280]

Hi Dr. How competent is a pelvic floor repair for a seco d time. I had one 31 years ago and was told it may only last 10 years. I am having problems with incontinence. Thank you.

[@jojob987654]

Does this apply to any prolapse in the pelvis? I've been assuming you've always been talking about prolapse of the uterus maybe when you say prolapse... but I am more familiar with prolapse of an intestinal J-pouch after total colectomy.

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

The basic information in this interview about prolapse (i.e. how prolapse is really an issue of organs being "pulled out of place" and how our body is a system that works in unity) applies to any type of prolapse.

[@jojob987654]

@@vibrantpelvichealth That's great! Thank you for the amazing content, not just with this video but all of your videos :)

[@zakiausa]

Very nice good video thanks love you

[@suereed3474]

Thank you both of you for your sincerity and kindness.

[@tamarkohnmarks5394]

What about Rectal prolapse

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

We recommend talking to your healthcare provider for individualized advice ~ Leila from Vibrant Support

[@JM-vj7we]

Great information Thank You 💕

[@LynneWright]

Native tissue repair is better than mesh in most cases.

[@FffF-yi6kl]

What do u means by Native

[@dorisblack7566]

Can all prolapses be corrected with conservative measures? At what point is the surgery the better option?

[@tinamireles2670]

Great question! I wish it would of been answered.

[@gerry4281]

The surgery I had just over a year ago was the best thing I did. Dont worry.

[@PHX0121]

Do mind sharing what you had done?

[@tinamireles2670]

Yes can you share your experience & what you had done?

[@FffF-yi6kl]

Can u tell us your experience

[@widowswatch6610]

My moms doctor told her many years ago she was obese when she was 155 pounds. That messed her up big time the rest of her life

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

So sorry to hear that :(

[@נופרידלין-לומברוזו]

1:44 I would like to know what is the meaning of those "farts"? because it happens to me also sometimes. Is it dangerous (in terms of worsening the prolapse)?

[@נופרידלין-לומברוזו]

?

[@sandrasimpson1736]

it's just air in the vagina which can occur during sex or while exercising

[@LOSTOMACO]

Thank-you! you gave me hope

[@dinapalkowski8146]

Is a bladder test necessary with a catheter

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

Good question. Please talk to your healthcare provider about the test. ~Vibrant Support

[@NS-mw6bp]

Is surgery needed for procidentia? My mom 66 yrs old has been told for it. Kindly reply... Can this help her?

[@anajiminez7447]

I wish I had these info before all my surgery ha histerectomy,colon prolapse surgery twice maybe all what happened to me is related really like your info thank you both of you the Dr don't tell u all of these 🙏🙏

[@veganangel68]

Denise looks a lot like Gabby Bernstein. Thanks for the important information

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

I can see that! She's incredible. So glad you got a chance to watch!

[@ammaraali4149]

I already had erosion in past I’m definitely not going to get mesh But I’m planning to focus on my breathing and kegel

[@julielepage1315]

My quality of life is not at the moment how I would wish it to be. I have grade one bladder prolapse. I am currently trying a ring pessary which has helped me Alot. Although my ur-gynaecologist Tells me I will never be able to run again. I find that very hard to except as I love running. I am hoping one day things will be alot better. And I really don't want to go down the surgery route.

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

We are sorry to hear about your challenges. There is always hope for healing !! ~ Vibrant Support

[@fxdezx6613]

You voice is lovely happy i found your channel

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

Thank you for your kind words 🙂

[@sandrasimpson1736]

I have a prolapsed bladder and am scheduled for surgery in September. In the attempt to keep "things" in the best shape possible I was doing kegels every time I thought of it whether it was standing, sitting or walking. I started having the sensation of a pinched pudendal nerve and initially thought it was due to the prolapse somehow. My doctor said he'd never heard of such a thing. After a little research, I discovered any exercise that engages the core can affect those nerves. Once I stopped doing kegels, the pain went away.

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

It's essential to listen to your body when performing pelvic floor exercises, including kegels. While these exercises can be beneficial for many people, overdoing them or performing them incorrectly can lead to discomfort or even issues like a pinched pudendal nerve. It's great that you recognized the source of your discomfort and took appropriate action by discontinuing the kegels. Before and after your surgery, it's advisable to work with a pelvic floor physical therapist or specialist who can guide you through exercises and techniques that are suitable for your specific condition. They can help you develop a tailored pelvic floor exercise plan that ensures you're engaging the right muscles without overexerting them. This can support your pelvic health and post-surgery recovery more effectively. ~ Leila from Vibrant Support

[@factsoflife175]

Hi I am having 2nd degree and my doctor suggested to go for veginal tightening laser and EM chair kegal therapy 10000 kegal in 28 mins ..... Please make a video on this

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

Noted !

[@ksidhu2927]

Thanks great information👍

[@patricialamey5202]

Tried physio and ring ! Surgery fixed it all . Took 6 weeks to recover and now doing physio and feel great

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

We are glad to hear you are feeling better and found what works for your needs. ~Vibrant Support

[@fxdezx6613]

I realized that i had a prolapse after i had my kids because i notice that whenever i band my belly it felt like i was push my womb out. A few years later a doctor told me that i had a prolapse.

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

I am sorry to hear that. Can you visit a local pelvic floro PT for one-on-one support? In the meantime, I invite you to check my free prolapse guide bit.ly/prolapseguide

[@moinotkis7226]

Fantastic content!

[@LovinDebsFit50s]

I just got diagnosed with a Grade 2 Prolapse five days ago and I’ve been walking around just tightening everything holding it in and I’m so glad that I’m watching this video right now!!! my gynecologist recommended a full hysterectomy because of the prolapse. And I’ll be 60 this year and love spin cycle classes and I’m scared to do anything. I’ve stopped, jumping on my rebounder (mini trampoline) of course. My first available Pelvic Floor Therapy isn’t until March. I don’t have any leakage btw

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

Hang on in there ! You can check our Lift program while you wait on your appointment. bit.ly/liftforfree ~Leila from Vibrant Support

[@sandybissett6806]

If it's a prolapse of the uterus, I'd advise against surgery. My surgeon told me the bladder would eventually fall, and she'd deal with it when it did. What both the uro gynecologist and surgeon neglected to tell me is that once the bladder falls the rectum is next! Had they told me, a great big red flag would have went up and I most definitely would not have had the hysterectomy. I did have pelvic floor rehab after surgery. I faithfully continued the exercises and the bladder fell in spite of my commitment. I now have stage 3 bladder prolapse and stage 2 rectocele. I was very active and carry no extra weight. I believe the prolapses worsened due to lifting too many heavy items just in the course of my life; not weights at the gym. I'm 63 and never felt old at all until the past few months when the prolapses each progressed a stage. Pain started occurring daily so I started using a pessary. I was constantly worried about infection from it being reinserted numerous times. It would fall out when I'd have a bowel movement. I'm educating myself in an effort to try everything possible to avoid surgery. This interview has given me a hopeful attitude.

[@LovinDebsFit50s]

@@sandybissett6806 Hi Sandy. Thank you so much for sharing. I truly appreciate it. I will keep you in my prayers. ❤️

[@geraldinekim9679]

My job as a nurse in floor 12 hour shift prevents me from not lifting pulling pushing. I have appt with Dr in July. But trying hard to do kegels and wearing this support underwear for work. And trying to tuck this in . I pushed it up in showers cz the pager day it was really out.

[@geraldinekim9679]

Ok, I'm scheduled for a pessary fitting in 3 wks. For cystocele, but she said it might have a small urine leak, she explained it, but I forgot, something about the ring pressing and relax. Oh well,. it could be worse. worse. ...

[@geraldinekim9679]

I got my pessary. I don't feel it there, but taking out was so hard. I'll practice tomorrow, I'll give it a rest today .

[@ninasingh1865]

Did the pessary help you in reversing the prolapse?

[@1957Babbs]

really good interview - thank you

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

You're welcome!

[@mariabonita423]

Had surgery and partial hysterectomy 7 years ago and it failed…Iam in pain and it is back now worst than before. Wish I’ve had never done it. Will I repair it? Not likely,Iam learning to leave with it,trying to fix it naturally and believing that I will be able to somehow be able to have a normal life with it and ameliorate it.

[@readeatdecoraterepeat9899]

Awesome information, can’t wait for Part 2!

[@gloriarodriguez7750]

This was exceptionally informative. And the questions were excellent. Great job!

[@lucillecontrada1504]

Thank you for this , wish it was around before my surgery. I was told when questioned, that the mesh wasn’t recalled it was the way it was used. Then after surgery, to make a long story short, one week after I felt my bladder dropped again, and was told that was impossible. Now I have been doing Dr Bri’s exercises which has helped and I’m not so focused on the problem and it hasn’t dropped further. I do need to know what to look out for when there is mesh erosion. Thank you both for all of this.

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

You're welcome! I'm so sorry you experienced a drop after surgery; keep going with the exercises and lifestyle tips. You've got this!

[@Marwa-373]

Dr Bari exercise.....what are thses , and deatail plz

[@lindag5076]

I go into surgery next month...now I’m really scared ! I went to a urologist and they tried the pessary but they didn’t stay in for 5 minutes.....my cervix is dropped and hanging more than a little low, it hurts to sit down ...they are also doing a hysterectomy at the same time and using the mesh ( he said not the one that there’s been so much trouble with).. he also has a UroGyn that is working with him in surgery.

[@gerry4281]

I had this surgery a year ago. D9 thankful for great female surgeons here. No issues at all. You will be fine.

[@vibrantpelvichealth]

As mentioned at the beginning, we are not anti-surgery! Denise and I just advocate to be sure that you've tried conservative options first (exercise, lifestyle techniques such as proper lifting/breathing/posture, and possibly even use of a pessary). Often these conservative treatments aren't even presented to patients as an option. It sounds like in your case, the prolapse is quite significant and so surgery is likely going to be a wonderful treatment option for you. Please don't be scared. Breathe deeply, and have faith in your body's amazing healing capacity!

[@tinamireles2670]

Can you message me giving me an update please.,

[@lindag5076]

@@tinamireles2670 I had a pelvic Floor repair, and a complete hysterectomy. I was in the hospital overnight ((3 really small incisions in lower abdomen. I had no pain at all. I couldn’t lift over 5-10 pounds for about a week or so, but felt fine. I’m so glad I had this done. Mine was at the point the pessary would not have worked.

[@tinamireles2670]

LINDA G Thanks for your response! I appreciate it!