4th degree tear during childbirth with reconstructive surgery and skin graft
Hi, Im a 55F with a history of IBS, a 4th degree tear during childbirth thereafter reconstructive surgery with skin graft or "flap" 20 over years ago. The childbirth and reconstructive surgery still left traumatic memories and visible surgery scars with me till these days. Off and on I've been dealing with small hemorriods eversince due to IBS but they hardly caused too big an issue so I lived with them. Starting from the last few years after menopause, for some unknown reasons, I'm getting more frequent flareups from my IBS which affects my internal hemorriods, they started to prolapse after BM, bleeds and burns. The nightmare I dreaded most, they have grown bigger.
Went for a colonoscopy in 2024 due to bleeding and thankfully all clear, internal hemorriods and the surgeon ligated all three. Unfortunately, the ligation didn't work long and back to square one, in fact, more burnings felt after a BM and I always have to lie down after a sitz bath for hours to feel better. Quality of life halted since 2020, no more travellings and minimal social life.
Just consulted a CRS few days ago, he was against any surgery after examing me due to my past history because he feels that my risk of have both incontinence and stenosis are much higher than the benefits both hemorriodectomy and PPH will give. Advised me to live with it instead. I insisted that there must be something else that can balance out since if I'm lucky enough, I'll have at least 20 more years to go and it's depressing to live like this everyday.
I'm giving the last try, being referred to his colleague next week who pioneered the LHP in that hospital. LHP is supposed to be minimally invasive with no cutting and stitching so it left the sphincter muscles untouched. If even that surgeon tell me the cons outweighed the pros, I'll resign to my fate and live with it.
Any ladies out there who had gone thru a difficult childbirth with damaging tears having similiar issues like me? Anyone who have gone thru LHP, THD or HAR or any other procedures besides hemorriodectomy or PPH care to share your experience? Is it worth the pain/discomfort with promising results?
Thanks.