I am new to this forum - and it has been theraputic to be able to read the posts from people like myself who have suffered with chronic constipation for most of their lives. I too was constipated for my entire life - as an infant, my Mom tells me that I had collic and needed enema's using an ear syringe in order to have a BM. In January of 2007 I had rectocele surgery ... it did not help the constipation. In May I had the sitz marker tests - all 20 markers were in my colon - I didn't lose one. Later that month, I had a total colectomy in and I can't believe how wonderful it is to actually have a BM everyday. When I feel a little bloated, or if I have the beginning feelings of constipation, I drink about 4 oz of white grape juice and usually that is all it takes. My major BM of the day, arrives at about midnight every day - wish it were earlier, but believe me, I'm not complaining. The surgery was a lifesaver because, I too, like many of you, did not want to live the way I had been - swallowing so many laxatives a day with no results. I do have a question regarding sexual intercourse post surgery. I know that rectocele can cause pain during intercourse - but it has been 10 months since that surgery and almost 6 months since the TC - and the pain during intercourse is worse than ever - feels like a knife is piercing me. My husband is afraid to touch me and we're both concerned. Does anyone know if rectocele can come back? And, can it come back even after a TC when a person is no longer constipated? It feels like it is happening again. What is the difference between a rectocele and an entercele - could I have developed something else? I realize I may be asking questions that require a doctor to answer - but I thought it would be worth asking to see if any other women have experienced this. Thanks for the wonderful input to this forum - I wish I had known about it prior to surgery - it certainly would have eased my mind to have read what you all went through with your own experiences.