Emma, congratulations on your presentation and organizational skills! It's apparent you worked hard on both!
Kelly, OK, I have a confession to make: I made a tuna wrap with baby spinach on spinach lavash for dinner tonight for one reason only -- to see when it would come out. Happy now? As far as your second and third problems go, I think I stumbled on the solution this evening when studying up on one of my clients that appears to be suffering from vaginismus (involuntary muscle spasms that prevent intercouse without extreme pain). Anyway, apparently people have what are known as PC muscles that basically control that entire region: they hold organs in place as well as aid sphincters, urethra, and vaginal muscles. The urge to have or control a BM or urination, or to squeeze the vaginal opening require these muscles to be in good shape, and, thus, exercise. These PC muscles tend to become less tone with age -- kind of saggy -- and with surgeries like ours (Shelbs -- this is one of the long-term possible effects of this surgery -- facilitation of loose muscle tone - AKA atonic muscles). The point is there exists a group of exercises known as Kegel exercises that will drastically and quickly improve PC muscle tone. Here is one known as the Wave that we all may find helpful: First, it can be done anywhere, but for starters (I wouldn't recommend this until at least 6 weeks after surgery) sit on a chair and slowly tighten all the PC muscles and sphincters, slowly, from back to front. Hold for a count of 10. Then slowly release, relax and repeat. Think of waves slowly rolling onto a beach and out again. If you get bored doing it in slow motion, you can do it rapidly, pull up and in, relax quickly and do it again. If you exaggerate this excercise it becomes a "push-pull" movement, causing the rectum to bulge, then pull up sharply. Some doctors recommend that you do these exercises 100 times a day. Every time you stop at a red light, practice the Wave until the light changes to green. Do it while posting here or talking on the phone. There are also abdominal exercises that help, but I've written enough. If your interested, go to vaginismus.com for a diagram of the PC muscles; a book of exercises is also available on that site. I haven't looked up Kegel exercises on the net yet, so if someone finds something first, let me know please.
Shelbs, other than the saggy PC and sphincters muscles (which can be treated with exercise), and the possibility of severe scar tissue buildup that can cause blockage (which is very rare), I'm not familiar with any other type of long-term negative effect and I've asked surgeons. Also, this surgery is not new to the field; it's usage for this condition is what's new. And Women's Apparel is a great thing!
Amira