Vaginal prolapse surgery in Brighton

Why choose Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital for your vaginal prolapse surgery?

A vaginal prolapse is very common in women who have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). This is because the uterus supports the top of your vagina. Other causes include childbirth and hormonal changes in menopause. If your vaginal prolapse does not respond to conservative treatment, your consultant in Brighton may recommend vaginal prolapse surgery.

At Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital, our expert gynaecology surgeons perform vaginal prolapse surgery which transform women's lives. Our consultants will be with you every step of the way, from your initial consultation through to your aftercare.

As a Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital patient you will gain rapid access to extra gynaecological treatments, tests and scans. You will also receive any additional aftercare as part of your packaged price, this is included in our price promise to you.

What happens during vaginal prolapse surgery at Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital?

• Vaginal prolapse surgery is usually performed under general anaesthetic. In some cases it can be performed as laparoscopic surgery. The length of the procedure will depend on the extent of your prolapse
• Your consultant will make incisions inside your vagina and strengthen the supporting tissues with stitches. They may make repairs to both the back and front vaginal walls
• Additional supporting stitches may be needed may be needed at the top of your vagina or into your cervix. In some cases surgical mesh may be used. Any wounds will be closed using dissolvable staples
• At the end of your procedure they may insert a catheter into your bladder to drain urine and your vagina may be packed with material to prevent bleeding. These will be removed in 1-2 days
• You may need to stay in our Brighton hospital for 3-5 days. Be sure and let a member of our healthcare team know if you are in any pain. You will be able to go home once you are able to move about confidently and you can pass urine with no problem.

Going home after vaginal prolapse surgery

• You will not be able to drive until release to do so by your consultant. Please arrange for someone to take you home on your day of discharge
• You will need to rest and recover for several weeks. Take over the counter pain relief such as paracetamol as needed for any post-operative pain
• You may experience light vaginal bleeding for up to 2 weeks
• You should avoid lifting anything heavy including shopping, laundry or young children for the first 2-4 weeks. In addition you should avoid any strenuous sports activities for at least 4 weeks
• Any stitches you have will dissolve in about 10-14 days. There is no need to remove them.

Most women make a good recovery from vaginal prolapse surgery. As with any operation there can be complications:

• Bleeding
• Pain
• Infection
• Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis).

Specific complications of vaginal prolapse surgery include:

• Perforation of bladder or rectum
• Injury to the uterus
• Recurrence of symptoms.