Pelvic Prolapse: Before Your Surgery

What is surgery for pelvic prolapse?

Your pelvic muscles hold your pelvic organs in place. If they become weak, your uterus, bowel, or bladder may press against your vagina. This is called a pelvic prolapse. Surgery puts your organ back in place. It also adds support to your muscles.

You will be asleep during the surgery. You will not feel pain. The doctor can do the surgery in several ways. In open surgery, the doctor makes a cut in your belly. The cut is called an incision. In laparoscopic surgery, the doctor puts a lighted tube and other surgical tools through small incisions near your belly button and groin. This tube is called a scope. It lets the doctor see your organs. Surgery can also be done through the vagina. With vaginal surgery, the doctor makes a small cut in the vagina instead of the belly.

If you have open surgery, you will go home in 1 to 4 days. It usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover. If you have vaginal or laparoscopic surgery, you may go home the day of surgery or in 1 or 2 days. It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks to fully recover. At home, you may need to wear a catheter. This is a tube in your bladder. It carries urine out of your body.

After surgery, you may have less pain during sex. The surgery may also help with any bladder or bowel problems you may have had. If you still have your uterus, your ability to get pregnant will not be affected.