Recto-vaginal fistula

[dsj1953]

Hello all, I am a mother of a m-f transgendered child post surgery with Harold Reed in Miami.  He created a recto-vaginal fistula, she has been on a colostomy for over a year, and had 5 surgeries so far to repair.  She is losing hope fast.  Can anyone tell me where/who we can turn to for help?  Why are these so hard to close? She hasn't dilated in a while, and now doesn't care if she has any depth or not.  She has been reduced to just wanting bowel function back.  Here is the big question.....can the vagina be closed down completely to fix the fistula?  Can't seem to get a straight answer from doctors.  Has anyone had this done?  Please help, she is only 23 and so scared.  Thank you!

[Devlyn]

Big hug! Welcome to Susan's Place. I don't have an answer for you, but somebody will. You came to the right place! Hugs, Devlyn

[Beth Andrea]

*hugs!*

I'm pre-op, so have no answers...just wanted to send good thoughts and best wishes to you and your daughter, hope things get better!

[Devlyn]

From our Wiki, there are some links at the bottom of the page with information about complications, I haven't had time to read through them yet, I hope this helps. Hugs Devlyn

https://www.susans.org/wiki/Genital_realignment_surgery_%28male-to-female%29

[Flan]

Sorry to hear about the complications.

Truth is this can happen with any surgeon, not just Dr Reed and the only way to repair it is through someone with experience in internal medicine or gastroenterology. The way to repair it depends on the size of the fistula with small ones being cut and stitched and larger ones requiring a mesh to stage around similar to hernia repair.

edit: surgery video http://www.orlive.com/cook-incorporated/videos/surgisis-afp-anal-fistual-plug?view=displayPageNLM

If her diet has been compromised that adds to difficulty because the intestinal walls will reduce in thickness so that any mesh based repair methods will automatically fail because the intestine will be too fragile to hold stitches. Once bowel function has been restored the vagina can be recreated through non traditional means similar to vaginal agenesis patients.

[dmullett13]

Hi there,

I am not transgendered, but I came across this post when searching on google for some resources for myself.  I am a female with a recto-vaginal fistula from childbirth.  If your daughter is still looking for advice/support, we have a facebook group called "Living with obstetric fistula".  There are 100+ ladies who are dealing with this as well.  None are transgendered, but I'm sure they will have no problem allowing her in the group.  They are a great bunch of women, and it's a good place to get info on surgeries, doctors, etc.  It's a terrible thing to live with, and there's nothing worse than feeling like you're alone.

[Devlyn]

Hi Dmullett13, welcome to Susan's Place! Thank you for signing up to offer advice, it's truly appreciated. You may have just set a record for fastest new member to earn a positive reputation point! Hugs, Devlyn

[amelie k]

hi, im new to the forums and this is my first post but i have been lurking for a while. i'm 25 and live in japan.

i'm so sorry to hear what happened to your daughter.
i had SRS with dr. McGinn 2 months ago, and two weeks out of surgery i developed a recto-vaginal fistula. i was immediatly scheduled to have a colostomy put in also. this is such a difficult situation to be in. if your daughter wants to talk to someone going through the same thing, dont hesitate to PM me. i know i could use a friend right now.

would also like to add that dr. McGinn has been great through out this whole ordeal, she is very dedicated to her patients and i hope my story doesnt scare anyone considering her for their SRS. i think i am her second patient to get a fistula, so just was terribly unlucky i guess.

Amelie Xx