How long after pelvic floor repair surgery....

[Panicmode1]

Were you back to pre prolapse normality?!

I had a pelvic floor repair just under two weeks ago and am feeling fine, but have been told no driving, dog walking, lifting for 6 weeks. I (eventually) want to get back to being able to play tennis, riding, running, Netball (which my surgeon said I will be able to do) , but 'only when fully recovered', so I'm keen to know when that may be?

[QueenoftheNights]

what exactly did you have done? There are various types of repair.

I was told no high impact exercise ever. That means no running, jumping, some kinds of Pilates and more.

I think you've been given poor advice.

Read the website of Michelle Kenway- Oz physio and expert in pelvic floor recovery.

[Novia]

I had a repair about 2 years ago and think I felt back to normal around 4-6 months after. 2 years later it's as if there was never a problem...

[Panicmode1]

Thank you both. My surgeon told me that some of his colleagues would wrap women up in cotton wool after prolapse repair surgery but he isn't one of them and that there would be no point doing it if you can't live a full life afterwards. I told him that I would only go ahead if I could run, ride, ski, play netball etc afterwards and he said he wouldn't do the op if he couldn't restore me to being able to do those things, 'but only when you are fully recovered'. I'm doing gynae physio and was just wanted to know what the sort of time frame is, assuming I do the post op exercises and obey medical advice.

[Panicmode1]

novia that's encouraging, thank you!

[QueenoftheNights]

It all depends on what you had done and the extent of it. 'Repair' can mean all sorts!
I have mainly anterior wall- around the bladder- a uterus hitch-up and they also supported the posterior wall too. I also had a 'tweak' a year later as I felt more needed doing.

I was advised never to lift over 1 st ever again ( I don't lift anything over 2-3 kls)

Several years later I started light jogging and felt it all going slack again after no more than 2-3 gentle runs. I saw another dr and a physio who both said no high impact exercise.

I was told that by needing a repair it shows the pelvic floor is not strong and any high impact exercise could undo it.

Now, I've no idea what you had done and how you were before, so you may well be ok, but the idea is it should - hopefully- last a lifetime because (again) I was told further surgery can be less successful.

Does this help? :)

[QueenoftheNights]

what is 'gynae physio' Is this pelvic floor squeezes?

Things may have moved on since I had mine done which was 25 years back so interested to know what the techniques are now.

[Panicmode1]

Hi @queenoftheNights - sorry, I thought I'd replied!

Yes, I see a 'Women's Health Physio' and she is helping me to rebuild the pelvic muscles after the surgery (as far as they can be). I have a leaflet I can email you with the exercises which are recommended if you like? If you PM me your email I will send it on to you.

I specifically asked my surgeon about high impact exercise and he was very robust about the fact that I WILL be able to do it and that he would be 'very cross' if I don't get back to a fit and active lifestyle afterwards. He did also say, that there are no guarantees and that ageing isn't kind, but that if he does his job properly, there shouldn't be any need for further surgery if I keep up the pelvic floor exercises and don't go back to anything strenuous until I'm completely recovered.

He's a very well respected surgeon (my brother is a surgeon (different discipline) but looked him up and said I was in excellent hands!) and friends of mine have had very successful repair surgery performed by him, so I'm hoping that I will be able to do these things once I'm better. I've put on a stone since my prolapse because everything was so uncomfortable once it happened and even though they said I should just carry on, I couldn't, so I really really need to start excercising again and losing some weight.

[QueenoftheNights]

All I can say is that surgeons all have different opinions! I was given a handout after my op (albeit 25 years ag) with specific instructions (written by the surgeon) who said the complete opposite.

As I said in my previous posts, it depends what you had done. YOu've not said :)
There are uterine prolapses, bladder and rectum prolapses and all 3 for the lucky ones.

The extent of the damage is important to aftercare.

I was told that if 'one' gets prolapse, it means the pelvic floor is innately weaker and therefore care has to be taken for life.

I did try jogging several years after my op, didn't feel great prolapse wise, saw a dr and a physio who both said the same thing- no heavy impact sports again.

You have to decide for yourself what you want to do.

[FairyCakes92]

@Panicmode1 and @QueenoftheNights I know this is an old thread but would you mind sharing the name of your surgeons? I’m looking to get a second opinion about surgery and they both sound very good! Thank you! x

[Panicmode1]

Hi @FairyCakes92 - Appropriately, he's called Mr Slack and is based in Tunbridge Wells - no idea if that's any good for you.

[Ridingthegravytrain]

How is your repair holding up nearly a year on panic?

[FairyCakes92]

@Panicmode1 Thank you I will look him up! I’ve only looked in London so far but willing to travel to see a good consultant. Are you happy with the outcome of your op? Did you get any further advice on restrictions? Xx

[Ridingthegravytrain]

Fairy, I can also recommend looking into vik khullar, demitri panayi and Roger Walker.

[Panicmode1]

Hi @FairyCakes92 and @Ridingthegravytrain,

All good - very happy with the outcome, although I do need to be better at remembering my pelvic floor exercises.....I'm playing netball, riding and walking kms every week with the dog, and started gently lifting weights at the gym, all withough any problems, so am so pleased I had the surgery in the end.

I have no idea what the long term situation will be - but so far so good!

[FairyCakes92]

@Panicmode1 that’s great to hear! Everything I seem to read about these operations on the internet is so scary and negative. You’d think they would have found a reliable way of fixing these injuries by now given how common they are! @Ridingthegravytrain thank you! I’ve had an appointment with Vik and he seems great just terrified of making things worse but so unhappy as I am! Xx