How usual the bowel complications are?

[goingdown]

I have read quit terrible stories about MTF-surgeries ending to a little hole in bowel that is very bad issue. How usual these kind of complications are and how the surgeon choice affects the issue?

[tinkerbell]

Do you mean a recto-vaginal fistula? It is a very serious complication that occurs when your surgeon punctures your colon during SRS, creating an abnormal connection  between your rectum and the neo-vagina.  Normally though, this type of complication happens when your SRS "surgeon" is unskilled, and fortunately it is very rare.  This is why it is extremely important to do a significant amount of research before choosing a surgeon.  The old adage applies here as well: "you get what you pay for"

tink

[Caroline]

As I understand it, a recto-vaginal fistula usually requires corrective surgery and may require a temporary colostomy.  It sounds more unpleasant and uncomfortable (eww!) rather than particularly threatening in the long term.  I guess it might be more of a worry if you were travelling a long way to see your surgeon and might not be able to get decent follow-up care.

[goingdown]

Yes. That was the complication I meant. Thank you.

[Kate]

I believe most surgeons will send you an information packet which includes a list of possible complications, and sometimes a mention of the percentage of patients who experienced them.

~Kate~

[goingdown]

I am still choosing my surgeon. They do not make commercials about the complications.

[Ms.Behavin]

Almost every surgeon has had a slip up here or there.  Thought for the top surgeons, most complications are minor.  I have heard of a few paients getting a fistula but even for a bad surgeon  a fistula is not that common. I've heard 0.5% posiblilty, but it's the one we worry about the most.

Beni