9 Things to Know About Barbie Butt Surgery

9 Things to Know About Barbie Butt Surgery

9 things that I didn’t know then about Barbie Butt surgery, but I know now.  Sorry gents but this one is for the ladies following surgery. 

I was speaking to my stoma buddy Fee a few weeks back, and she was talking about her impending Barbie Butt surgery. Fingers crossed she has an end ileostomy already so that won’t need to be tinkered with. I was like let’s crack my knuckles and impart some words of wisdom….. After much back and forth conversation regarding this, I thought what didn’t I know then that I know now? 

I had a slight chuckle to myself as I could see Ben imparting his wisdom to James, or should I say pure terror in those 6-8 months post-op recovery…

9 things you need to know:

1.h You will most likely wake up with a drain between your bottom cheeks. This will need to be removed and you will need help to keep it clean and change dressings once home because let’s face it, it’s not something you can do yourself.  

2.  Hormonal imbalance will happen and you won’t know what to do with yourself. Don’t panic – with the surgery being quite extensive and them being near the uterus to remove the large bowel. This will settle and I can promise you that you aren’t going crazy. 

3. Harmony of the phoof. For those of you that know me that is my name for the lady garden. For those of you who have had a fair few surgeries, there are times when the large bowel adheres to things such as the uterus, fallopian tubes and uterus dome. Mine had to be unpicked. A month or so after surgery I finally plucked up the courage to consult with my GP and surgeon to ask about the smell. The only way to describe it was rotting meat and then some. It turns out that when they take the drains out that there will still be residue exudate from the surgery and that the only way out is down through the vagina. Mine was back to normal within 6-7 months. This was after I got tested for bacterial vaginosis and it came back negative. 

4. Doesn’t matter how far postoperative you are the scar is still sensitive and twingy. Please take care when sitting down. I can confirm chucking yourself down bottom first can still cause pain and make you feel like you’ve just been torn a new one. 

5. The scar gets itchy. So like any other scar, you would expect this one to not bother you. I would advise using a barrier cream or sudocrem to act as a barrier and moisturise the area once it has recovered or you might be getting itching. 

6. Smear tests. It is common for the reproductive organs to fall back into the cavity left behind from the large bowel removal. Please tell your nurse that you have had this done as smear tests may become more difficult and you may require a gynaecologist referral to have the smear done swiftly and pain-free.

7. Don’t attempt sex 3 weeks post-op!!! Everything is going to be swollen and painful down there for a while, with the vagina being so close to the rectum there will be swelling and positions such as missionary and from behind will take a while to get used too and will be sore and uncomfortable for a while. Please make sure you are ready prior to resume sexual intercourse. Any questions please feel free to message me. 

8. Your periods will change. With everything tilting back your periods may change, please don’t panic when you think you are peeing blood. Mine now doesn’t come out unless I pee or am in a squatted position. It may also be the case that you will need to switch from tampons to pads.

9. Phantom rectum pain can be exacerbated by time of the month. I know from personal experience and from others that this is a thing due to the premenstrual swelling and bloating. Exercise can help and so will pain killers or just sitting on the toilet until the pain goes. 

Can any of you think of things that may have been missed? If so please comment and I can always get this post updated and extended. 

As always 

Many thanks for reading 

Louise X

What is Pan-proctocolectomy surgery and why might you need it? Read Louise’s previous blog post here

Read Louise’s Sex after Barbie Butt blog here

Read Respond’s Sex & Intimacy booklet

This blog post is intended to give advice to ostomates. The information given is based on Louise’s personal experience and should not be taken as clinical advice. Each ostomates needs are unique to them and their stoma care routine. Please consult with your Stoma Care Nurse before undertaking any changes to your stoma care routine or if you are experiencing any health issues.