Rectal vaginal fistula

I have a colostomy and have developed a rectal vaginal fistula, I have had two procedures to fix but neither has worked, really fearful of more surgery, didn't do well with recovery, does anyone out there have the same issue. How do you cope?

j2306…..Hope those with experience will quickly reply to you.  I know nothing of this but wanted you to know I read your post and hope you will get many informative responses to help and to calm your fears.  jb

I too have the same and unfortunately couldn't be fixed so I now have a permanent end colostomy which is better than the loop colostomy. Mine is right at my waste so one pc is all I can use, the 2 pc doesn't bend. I researched it plenty & have not found one case where repairing the fistula worked. I'm sorry to hear you have had to endure 2 surgeries to try & fix it. I had my loop colostomy for 8  years when I finally got my permanent end colostomy but I had a hernia as well that had to be fixed at the same time. So far all is good. I was worried about having it reversed after so long & not having the control. How long have you had yours & if I may ask, where is your fistula located, mine was closer to the end? I did have a reversal 3 months after my initial surgery & a year later the fistula appeared so I was given a loop colostomy in hopes it would heal on it's own & before my surgery for my end colostomy the doctor check to see if there was any way it could be reverse but no such luck. 

I had a rectocele and a vaginal fistula that gave me lots of trouble.  My diverticultis was so bad the Dr. did not want to try to fix the fistula.  I had a very bad attack from the divert. so went to emergency.  Ended up with a pouch, 12 inches removed and I have 
'Rosie" as my husband and I call my stoma.  He helps me change out every other day and we laugh alot because Rosie talks sometimes.  I had 2 doctors working on me at the same time.  One to remove my female organs and the other to give me a stoma.  They removed my appendix at the same time.  I also had bleeding ulcers and they fixed that too.  I am good today.  I get depressed sometimes and then I remember there are more people out there just like me.  

Hi! 
i was wondering what two procedures you had that failed. I too have a rectovaginal fistula that will not heal on its own due to location (very low) and size.

My surgeon said a gracilis muscle flap graft was my only hope with a low success rate at that. Was this one of your surgeries that did not work?

Thanks!

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Yes, the first procedure they clamped off the fistula but that failed almost immediately, the next procedure was a graft flap on the vaginal side and clamp on the rectal side that lasted about a month. Very disappointed. So now I love with it. Some days it's very mild and some days heavier. I wear light pads 24/7. My surgeon has suggested a reconnection of the colostomy and doing a temporary illiostomy, but I'm afraid of more surgery, it could be worse than what I have. Maybe one day it will dry up, how great that would be.😁

UGH if only the fistula would dry up, right? I know how frustrating it is. I feel like I should buy stock in Poise or Always or Equate Brands because of all the pads I have to buy for over a year now.

I too am afraid of more surgery. I got very ill after my colostomy surgery and I just don’t know that I would survive another.  

Your experience with these 2 surgeries were so disappointing to say the least.

Thank you so much for replying to my question. There seem to be few on here with an ostomy due to fistulas.

I wish you luck in your journey. Be sure and post updates as you can.