The most common type of operation to repair a rectocele is called the transvaginal rectocele repair. With the woman under anesthesia with her legs up in stirrups an incision is made in the back wall of the vagina and the vaginal lining is peeled away. The bulge is then clearly identified and pushed back inside and held with dissolvable sutures. Then musculature on both sides of the pelvis which was pushed out to the side by the delivery of the baby is brought back to the midline and held in place with strong sutures that take a long time to dissolve thus recreating a muscular wall in between the rectum and the vagina making it possible for the rectum to bulge forward and forcing the stool to pass out the anus in a more normal fashion. Usually an overnight stay is required after this type of surgery and in patients who are postmenopausal estrogen creams will cause the vaginal mucosa to heal much more rapidly. The patients are asked not to do any heavy lifting or straining for at least three weeks after this surgery. There is a small chance of a rectocele recurring over time.