Prolapse surgery

[LovelessH]

I have a serious Virginal Prolaspe. Although I am not in any pain or discomfort I have been told I need a operation to correct it. I am very nervous about it, has anyone had one? Was it as bad as my mind is making it out to be? Was there any side effects? Advice and experiences please

[Outnumb3red]

I'm having a pelvic floor repair in the New Year, also interested to hear of others experiences.

I've never been under a general anaesthetic before and it is making me nervous

[TryingtobePrepared]

Me too although don't have a date yet, I've found a really good fb group pelvic organ prolapse support loads of women there with experience and advice.

[LovelessH]

Thank you I have requested to join

[Alwayschanging1]

I had prolapse surgery a while ago and it was no problem. I was fine with the general anaesthetic, some pain/discomfort in the first 24 hours but nothing too bad (could still sleep), and just a few days in hospital. As ops go, I think it is one of the less painful.
Don't worry about it - you will feel so much better after the op.

[LovelessH]

How long did it take to recover?

[pklme]

I opted for spinal block.
Six weeks not driving.
A couple of weeks sitting about doing very little (don't lift anything heavier than a cup of tea).

Worst bit- the first poo. Awful. Make sure you have and take things like flax etc, so it doesn't get bad.

Afterward, if you do the wrong things the repair will potentially fail. I have badly controlled asthma and undid half the good work with prolonged coughing.

Still worth it though, some of the problems are almost entirely resolved, and I feel better about things.

[Greenteandchives]

Here a search on here for the 'Any Old Prolapse....'threads. There are about 8 threads I think. Plenty of experiences to read about, and some supportive ladies on there.
Be prepared for a long recovery and make sure you have help and support at home. Not much pain, just discomfort.
It will be worth it.

[BeyondTheHarpy]

I potentially have mine on the weekend. I am shitting myself about it (those poor surgeons ) and about being in hospital in general.

Hopefully I'll be up to giving you some running commentary while I'm in. :)

[LovelessH]

Thank you, would love to hear your experience beyondtheharpy.
I have a prolapse on the front and rear wall of my viginia. It is bad I have stress incontinence and No strength in my pelvic floor. The consultant was shocked at how poor it is. I may need surgery to correct this as well. All this happened because I couldn't feel anything during labour and pushed when I shouldn't.

[Cervicalworries]

Focus on how much better you will feel afterwards. It is one of those surgeries where there a huge benefits, very quickly. I've not had much surgery, but it was doddle compared to a section.

[Outnumb3red]

In relation to the no lifting things. I have a young baby who'll be 7 1/2 months when I have my op. I can't avoid lifting him

[pklme]

Outnumbered you must. You need to get support in, you will not be able to lift him. You cannot lift a laundry basket, squat, anything that puts pressure on pelvic floor. Physio will advise. When I went back to choir a few weeks after mine, I found that singing is hard on the pelvic floor, too!

I waited quite a while for mine because I couldn't make arrangements to manage the resting time.

[BeyondTheHarpy]

No problem loveless. Mine is anterior and posterior too (and yep, I am incontinent), however afaik they are only operating on the rectocele as the cystocele isn't too bad.

Weirdly, my pelvic floor itself is apparently quite strong. But I have EDS, so I have dodgy tissues.

Just going shopping now for hospital stuff :)

[Outnumb3red]

How long is the resting time?

[pklme]

It's six weeks before you drive, or lift anything heavier than a kettle. Longer than that to fully heal- no moving furniture or carrying heavy bags.

I know it sounds awful... There's so real pain though. The pain killers helped initially, then you heal up quite quickly. It's just that the muscles need time to knit together.

[Outnumb3red]

Wow, didn't realise the recovery was so long and that I couldn't drive. Consultant never mentioned any of this when I saw him on Monday. He obviously knows that I have a small baby. Mine isn't my womb that's prolapsed if that makes any difference. Mine is quite low down as he thinks its related to tearing I had in labour. My next app is 20th Dec. I'll need to go over all this with them

[pklme]

Mine was a rectocele (rear prolapse). Maybe it isn't so serious.

[BeyondTheHarpy]

Hello! Posting from my hospital bed, waiting to go down for surgery. They're said they might do anterior while they're in there too :)

[LovelessH]

BeyondThe Harpy, hope all when well? Wishing a speedy recovery

[BeyondTheHarpy]

I'm alive!! On the ward - vag is packed and I have a catheter in, but as they gave morphine while I was under, I can't really feel it yet. :)

[LovelessH]

Good to hear! Rest now I guess

[BeyondTheHarpy]

Vag was unpacked and catheter taken out first thing this morning, I have both peed and taken a shower. On top of my usual painkillers, I have only had paracetamol. I keep waiting for it to affect me, but honestly - compared to labour it has been a doddle!!

There are women in the ward with me who are poorly and in pain, and I feel bad that I've had an operation and I'm fine!

[sadie9]

That's great Beyond - however please, please go very slow with your recovery. Remember - go slow now, to go fast later. So take all the advice, spend the entire first week on the sofa if you can and don't push yourself to recover too fast. Treat yourself with kid gloves and get back on that sofa as much as you can.
You may not feel those stitches internally, but they need time, peace and quiet to bed down and heal up if they are to last another few decades or a lifetime hopefully. Best of luck with it.

[BeyondTheHarpy]

Will do, I appreciate all of the tips btw!

[pklme]

Beyond, painkillers anaesthetic and lack of exercise slow down your bowel. Get some fibre in, don't wait till you realise you need it! Take it easy.