General Questions upon seeing the doctor
What kinds of prolapse do I have? (EG uterine prolapse, cystocele, rectocele, entrocele, urethrocele, vaginal vault prolapse).
Can you examine me standing to grade each of the prolapses?
What grade are each of the prolapses?
What treatment options do you offer?
What procedures do you do for the bladder (Burch, Needle ect)?
How many resuspensions have you done?
What is your success rate? (In terms of 10 plus years)
Are Laproscope techniques for resuspension improving? And have you started to do them, or is the abdominal approach still the best way to go for the longest lasting results?
If you do them, how many have you done, and how long have you be able to follow these patients (in years) to see the success or failure?
Pessary Related Questions
What type of pessary would benefit me?
Do you regularly fit pessaries or would it be best to see someone else?
Do you have all the different types here in the office for me to try before ordering one?
What is it like to be fitted for a pessary?
What are the cleaning instructions for my pessary?
Surgery Related Questions
What testing is be done prior to surgery?
If I choose surgery - how many days in hospital post surgery?
What do you feel is the best for pain control after surgery?
What kind of anesthesia options do you offer? (general, Epidural, spinal block) Is it possible to have a post op Epidural?
Do you resuspend the uterus using mesh or do you use the ligaments?
If you use mesh, do you offer an option between "Prolene, Goretex, Fashia and Cadaver materials" ?
How much is one able to lift after this surgery and in what time period?
What is the safe limit to pick up after complete recovery of
suspension, for a life time???
Will my insurance cover my surgery ?
How often after repairs does UTI occur?
Are any potential weak spots repaired also during surgery?
What is considered a 'successful’ surgery in terms of holding and in years?
What makes a good candidate in terms of a successful repair in terms of a patient and her existing prolapse condition?
Does being incontinent make a difference in the success rate for bladder repair? In relation to Burch? To the Sling?
How often do complications occur after a repair has been done and if so, what does this include?
How is the kinking of the urethra corrected? Success rate?
If the repairs are successful - and last for 15 years, and then a
woman becomes menopausal, what are the chances that the repairs will begin
to fail?
If a repair is done, and is successful for approximately a year, does that mean that the repair is more likely to stay? What is the time frame that most "failures" reoccur?
If a women has young children (2 and under) what would you suggest about when to have surgery? And, after a surgery, will a woman be able to pick up her children w/out the fear of renewing the prolapse?
Pregnancy with Prolapse, (or after prolapse) Related Questions Are there any risks to my baby due to my prolapse?
After having a resuspension, and choosing a c section will there be any further restrictions besides what the ob tells me? ie:6 weeks recovery ect.
What percent of your patients in the past have delivered vaginally after a resuspension?
What percent of your patients in the past have delivered c section after a resuspension?
What was the outcome of each type of deliveries in terms of the repair staying in tact?
After my delivery can you put my name down as a reference for other patients so that I can offer my support or answer any questions they may have regarding my outcome?
Please email us with additional ideas for questions to ask your doctor. uprise3@hotmail.com
Written by Carol Olmsted , Lisa Harris & Elly Wilkerson
Copyright Lisa Harris Consultancies 2000
This article is for your information only.
Please consult with your health professional