Hi Mary; I have been following your write ups about the rectal prolapse and I am quite interested in this.Meaning I could possibly have this as well, . I have proctitis colitis/IBS with D. But lately when I have a BM,I have this bulge that comes out. I have to really squeeze or push it back up and in for my sphincter to close. With my proctitis I am back to bleeding,(I was in remission for about a year up until Jan./06). I was thinking that the blood is just from the colits? or could it also be from the bulge? I have taken a look at it,yew, yes!with a mirror and it is pretty gross. When I wipe this "bulge" as sometimes I think it is back in, there is blood. Now, do you have any bleeding? I was pretty sure at one point I thought I had hemmoroids but already had that checked out last year. I am seeing my gastro Dr. in Oct. so I will ask if he could check for a bulge. Good luck with your operation, my prayers are with you. Hoping they have good food, there. I'm sure you probably won't want to eat for a bit anyways.Too bad you can't have the ice cream!! Take care Sue