Colpocleisis: Before Your Surgery

With colpocleisis (say "kaal puh KLEE sus") surgery, the surgeon removes your entire vagina except for a short portion. The vagina is then sewn shut. If your uterus is still present, a small opening is left in the vagina to allow fluids to drain from it.

The surgery is also known as vaginal closure surgery.

Colpocleisis may be done when the uterus has moved from its natural position to press uncomfortably into the vagina (uterine prolapse). It may also be done if the vagina drops into the vaginal canal (vaginal vault prolapse). Sometimes it's done during a gender-affirming surgery.

During the surgery, you will have general or regional anesthesia so that you don't feel pain.

You may go home the day of surgery or stay in the hospital 1 to 2 days after surgery. It may take 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover.

Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.

• You may need to take a laxative or enema before surgery. Your doctor will tell you how to do this.
• Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
• Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
• If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if you should stop taking it before your surgery. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. These medicines increase the risk of bleeding.
• Don’t smoke, vape, or use other tobacco and nicotine products. These things increase surgery risks. Your doctor may require that you quit for a period of time before and after surgery. You have the best chance for a healthy recovery if you quit completely. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about quit programs and medicines.
• Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don’t have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It’s a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.
• Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.

• Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your surgery may be canceled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, take them with only a sip of water.
• Follow your doctor's instructions about when to bathe or shower before your surgery. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.
• Do not shave the surgical site yourself.
• Take off all jewelry and piercings. And take out contact lenses, if you wear them.

• Bring a picture ID.
• You will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. If you have general anesthesia, you will be asleep during the surgery.
• The surgery will take 1 to 2 hours.