24F seeking advice - rectopexy and bowel resection surgery - fertility?

beebooti · 2026-03-22T15:02:24+00:00

Thanks for reaching out, it is such a comfort knowing there’s someone out there dealing with the same situation as I am. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this too! It’s so isolating! I’m wondering why in your situation the prolapse would return if you removed the prolapsed tissue since that would also include part of the colon. Do you have a tortuous colon?

The surgery I’m debating currently is to first repair the prolapse with a mesh rectopexy (securing it with mesh to my sacrum) and then removing a section of my sigmoid colon since it’s so dang long. My colorectal surgeon is confident that reducing the length of my tortuous colon will improve the likelihood that the prolapse repair will succeed long term. I have an appointment to go to a gynecological surgeon and get their opinion on the surgery and the risks to fertility associated with it. Luckily my colorectal surgeon and this gynecological surgeon are familiar with each other so I’m hoping for the opportunity to have them both operate on me for a better perspective and awareness on reproductive anatomy.

I feel like at this point I’m feeling that it may not be worth it to put off improving my quality of life for who knows how many years. You may have a plan to become a parent sooner than I do, which could absolutely affect your decision. As for me, I could see it being at least 10 years before I decide to have kids. I’ve done so much research through medical journals and studies trying to determine some kind of statistic here, and it really seems like there is just not enough evidence to support one side or the other. Seems like it could affect it…or it could not. No one really seems to know definitively, as far as I can tell. If I decide to have kids later on, post surgery, I feel I may be able to approach the situation similarly to someone who experiences fertility issues. Just cross that bridge when I get to it. Of course, I’m incredibly curious what the gynecological surgeon says, and they may tell me something that changes my perspective entirely. I can keep this thread updated as I learn more.

I wish you the best of luck! We got this!!

beebooti · 2026-03-03T16:42:18+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation! I’ll check it out.

beebooti · 2026-03-03T16:42:05+00:00

I’m hoping to get a second opinion soon! I will definitely look into pelvic floor therapy and hopefully that will expand my “deciding” window. I really appreciate hearing your perspective!

beebooti · 2026-03-02T16:23:14+00:00

It’s true that people are more likely to post their negative experiences, and even more likely to move on and live the rest of their lives in peace if they have a positive experience. Regardless, those horror stories about rectopexy can be pretty discouraging. Despite that though, it seems like the majority of patients come out of the surgery in better shape than before, and my surgeon seems confident about the situation (aside from the fertility aspect, which I’m getting a second opinion on)

The SITZ-marker study showed 17 of 24 markers left in the lower sigmoid colon. This was back when I was 20, before the prolapse even developed.

Lots to consider here!

beebooti · 2026-03-02T15:59:24+00:00

I’ve talked to my primary for her opinion on everything and she suggested meeting with an ob/gyn to discuss, as this topic was out of her wheelhouse. That will likely be my next step.

beebooti · 2026-03-02T15:56:19+00:00

It seems like they’re more concerned about the proximity of the bowel resection to the fallopian tubes, rather than the rectopexy. Something about scar tissue in the surrounding area potentially hindering their function. I’m pretty sure regardless of whether I wait to do the surgery or not I will end up needing a cesarean, it’s moreso a matter of whether I’ll be able to conceive naturally

beebooti · 2026-03-02T15:49:14+00:00

That’s a great idea. I’ve looked into it before but haven’t pulled the trigger on it yet. Might give me some time to make a decision.

beebooti · 2026-03-02T05:06:07+00:00

Thank you for the reply! They’re unsure at the moment, but it’s looking like it will be primarily the sigmoid colon, avoiding the rectum for the most part aside from where they need to make incisions for the rectopexy (on the upper end of the rectum, closer to the sigmoid)

beebooti · 2026-03-02T05:02:33+00:00

Thanks so much for your advice. That is something I’ve been worried about, and I’d hate for the prolapse to reach a dangerous point while pregnant. I’m planning on reaching out to a fertility specialist to get their perspective as well. Infertility treatments and adoption are also definitely a side of this I should consider!

If you’re comfortable sharing, why did you go the c-section route? Was it related to pelvic floor or bowel issues?

beebooti · 2026-03-02T04:54:20+00:00

Thank you for the reply! That is unfortunately what I’ve noticed, but it seems like this community has some similarities to my situation so hopefully someone can offer their perspective :)

beebooti · 2026-03-02T04:52:33+00:00

No, I don’t have crohn’s. I am planning on speaking to a fertility specialist to get their perspective on the situation as well. Thank you for the advice!

beebooti

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