What is surgery for pelvic prolapse?

Your pelvic muscles hold your pelvic organs in place. If these muscles become weak, one of your pelvic organs, such as your uterus, bowel, or bladder, may press against your vagina. This is called a pelvic prolapse. Surgery for pelvic prolapse puts your organ back in place and adds support and strength to your pelvic muscles.

You will be asleep during the surgery. You will not feel pain. To do an open surgery, the doctor makes a cut (incision) in your belly or inside the vagina. If you have an incision on your belly, it will leave a scar that fades over time.

Most women go home 1 to 4 days after open surgery. You can expect to feel better each day, but you will probably need about 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover.

Sometimes this surgery is done as a laparoscopic surgery. Some people call this "Band-aid surgery" because it requires only small incisions. To do this type of surgery, a doctor puts a lighted tube, or scope, and other surgical tools through small incisions near your belly button and groin. The doctor is able to see your organs with the scope. After this type of surgery, most women stay in the hospital 1 or 2 days and will fully recover in 1 to 2 weeks. Some women wear a catheter, a small tube in the bladder, after the surgery while they are healing at home.

After surgery, you may have less pelvic discomfort or pain during sex. The surgery may also help with any bladder or bowel problems. If your uterus is not removed, your ability to have children will not be affected.

What happens on the day of surgery?

• Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking, or your surgery may be cancelled. If your doctor has instructed you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, please do so using only a sip of water.
• Take a bath or shower before you come in for your surgery. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.
• Do NOT shave the surgical site yourself.
• Remove all jewellery, piercings, and contact lenses.
• Leave your valuables at home.

At the hospital or surgery centre

• 
  Bring a picture ID.
• Before surgery you will be asked to repeat your full name, what surgery you are having, and what part of your body is being operated on. The area for surgery may be marked.
• A small tube (IV) will be placed in a vein, to give you fluids and medicine to help you relax. Because of the combination of medicines given to keep you comfortable, you may not remember much about the operating room.
• You will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. The anesthesia may range from making you fully asleep, to simply numbing the area being worked on. This will depend on the procedure you are having, as well as a discussion between your doctor, the anesthesia provider, and you.
• The surgery will take 45 minutes to 2 hours.
• As you wake up in the recovery room, the nurse will check to be sure you are stable and comfortable. It is important for you to tell your doctor and nurse how you feel and ask questions about any concerns you may have.

Going home

• 
  Be sure you have someone to drive you home.
• For your safety, you should not drive until you are no longer taking pain medicine and you can move and react easily.
• Arrange for extra help at home after surgery, especially if you live alone or provide care for another person.
• You will be given more specific instructions about recovering from your surgery, including activity and when you may return to work.