Hi
I had the op - a colovaginoplasty - in the late 90s. I don't know any other transwomen and I'm wondering if others have experienced a rather icky situation I have had the whole time post-op.
I get a buildup of ... stuff ... at the back of my vagina which needs weekly douching. When I had the surgery I was told that the colon lined vagina was self-cleaning.
I had the buildup checked out very early by my GP because I was worried I might have a fistula or something. It smelt so awful. No e-coli found. Apparently it's a buildup of the the natural lube and slewing. It seems that there's a kink at the back, behind the muscle, where the stuff collects. So I've douched weekly all these years to keep clean.
I've been to a number of surgeons and apparently there's nothing that can be done to fix the problem. It's for life.
Trouble is, when I douche I can never push all the stuff out. I'm sorry, I know this is gross. It means that the stuff I haven't been able to get rid of straight away hangs at the back and it suddenly pours out afterwards without warning. Sometimes it happens six hours afterwards. This means I have to waste one night every week on cleaning.
Has anyone had this problem? If so, how did you deal with it?
Thank you and sorry about the long post.
wow..i'm sorry you have to deal with that.
So am I.
Really hope someone who knows more can advise you.
Have you seen this thread already?
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,29097.msg431514.html#msg431514 (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,29097.msg431514.html#msg431514)
There's some discussion of dealing with this problem by cutting a nerve.
Thanks Siren! That's somewhere to start. Next I need to see if there are any SC surgeons left in Oz. My surgeon retired years ago.
Kia Ora Morticia,
::) If it's any help, I had mine[colonvaginoplasty] done by Peter Walker and his team here in NZ, he's clinic is in Christchurch...I personally haven't had any problems[my surgery was back in 2005]... However a friend who had hers 6 months prior to me, had nothing but problems, and one of her problems sounds a lot like what you have mentioned, she since had it fixed by Richard Perry, he's the colon specialist of the team...Seeing we are just across the ditch you might want to try him...
http://www.oxfordclinic.co.nz/medical-specialists/general-surgeons/richard-perry (http://www.oxfordclinic.co.nz/medical-specialists/general-surgeons/richard-perry)
Good luck...
Metta Zenda :)
Thanks Zenda. So Richard Perry is in NZ?
Kia Ora Morticia,
::) Yes he's in NZ, he operates out of Christchurch and Queenstown...I remember my friend had to visit his clinic in Queenstown for a consultation one time...The link to his webpage gives the info on what he does and how to contact his clinic ...
Metta Zenda:)
Thank you for the contact details, the surgeons and doctors in Australia have been clueless in addressing my colon graft issues.
I will be looking into this surgeon as well.
:)
this is perfectly normal so don't worry.
the after douche dribble is well known.
I once tried using a very long douche nozzle but worried about ouncturing the lining so gave it up
douching after dilating with biggest seems to do the job.
I douche daily so your weekly may be allowing a buildup that does go a bit too bad.
I think we need the douche bottles do a bit of research and give us one with a long soft nozzle that won't puncture the lining and will let us get right to the back.
If I douche with coolish water and giev a hard squeeze to the bottle I can feel the cold reaching deep inside so I presume I'm getting right to the back.