New thread for those having/had posterior or anterior repairs, TVT, rectocele and all the other down below stitchups

[MissingMySleep]

Hello ladies, I hope you find this, I don't want to lose my pre-op and post-op buddies!!

HI All

Teedee I had both ops and that was not told to me.. I am four weeks post op this week and notice the swelling inside has gone down a bit now. I sometimes have a poke around when in the bath and noticed it today

I am doing ok but oh so tired, did 2 apps today and saw a potential client re some editing work for an hour this afternoon, have that to do now by end of week but energy for today is all gone. Lay on sofa last night after posting on here, closed eyes and next thing I knew it was 10pm!!

Oh well, hope everyone is comfortable, sofa is calling me.. xoxo

Flowers thanks for your input. I'm glad to hear you are able to have 'a poke around' I think I'm a bit terrified it will all heal up with no 'room' any more!!
Guess I will have to bite the bullet and see....

Lovely bath and dyed my hair while I was at it. Feel ok, swelling a lot better (felt like a tampon was in but too low down - sorry TMI.) A little achey now but all good really!
STILL no period and I'm starting to think I may not get one! Going to google it on a mo! Thd good thing is that my pmt has eased off a little!!!
Teedee I only had a posterior repair and can't see any stitches from the outside. A couple of times I have tried to feel inside but to be honest it all seems quite snug in there and when I finally touched a stitch the thought made me feel a bit sick so now I'm leaving it alone in there!!!

Well Footle you're right I am unwrecked now, I actually thought of that just before the op and wondered if I should change my nickname, but you can call me Dawn my given name. I am going to check out Ravelry and see what they have, thanks for the heal turning tip.
I am feeling better now after some rest and just had a tour out to the garden and teh greenhouse. All is growing nicely, but I find it hard to control my urge to start digging dirt with the spade and transplanting. That is too heavy of work right now, so I must avoid! I tried pulling a big weed and it wouldn't comeout of the dry ground and that was even too straining for the area. I will stick to knitting for now, as I love it and it is safe.

Have a good night!

Footle I forgot to mention before as it slipped my mind, so cool that you spun your own wool. My husband would like to do that. Is it messy? I checked out Ravelry and there is a lot of cool things on there. I think I will share some of mine also. Something else I tried that was neat is felting. It is pricey as well because you have to use so much wool. So far I made two handbags, you make them exrta extra large and then shrink them down and tehy become felted and you don't see the knit look anymore. Well thansk for sharing your knowledge, talk tomorrow.
Dawn

Morning Ladies, well I went and I dont know what I was expecting but the Dr's ( I saw 2) were both really nice. They even had a ready supply of tissues to hand when I got a bit tearfull. Not a translator in sight which after my experience's last time was bliss!!
The out look is still a little unclear, they say I have a cystocele - not what i was expecting - the top of the vagina is prolapsing a little too and I'm to see a bowel surgeon as she couldn't really see a rectocele although everything i described was consistent with having one. They also talking about doing a TVT and I've to see someone at the urinary clinic to get some pelvic floor exercises. Then in 3 months I'm to go back and we'll take it from there.
I cant believe they couldn't see the problem I have with my bowel, that was the main reason for going, the thing that causes most discomfort and stress but at least it wasn't dismissed and they are taking it further. I think I was expecting them to say "you have A B C and we can do X Y Z and the problem will be solved" if only life was that easy!
Its lovely to think of you all out there knowing how I feel, Flowers with her trolley, Dawn & Footle knitting, Blue & Teedee with their Asda shopping & Jewels busy with her sparkly bits Have a lovely restfull day & thanks for letting me ramble on. xXx

Stardrops well it must be a relief to you at the very least that you have something started on the road to fixing some issues. In regards to the rectocele, was one of the doctors a gynecologist that you saw? I went to pelvic floor rehab because of my urine leakage all the time, but they couldn't help me because my kegel muscles were really strong already, so that is when I was referred to the gynecologist. I know that I saw two other GPs with my troubles and described them and they did not know what I had, in fact I ended up having a colonoscopy and I was diagnosed with IBS. An emergency room dr told me I was just constipated and needed to get my bowels moving. I had an ultra sound done on my female parts and the technician told me she couldn't see anything because my bowel was full down at the bottom and getting in the way. You would think after all that, they might catch on to some kind of a problem. Finally after 3 years of this I got a referral to a gynecologist and he knew what the problem was right away. You may want to suggest asking for a defacatography test to determine what happens to your stools as they are passing. That should clear up what is going on. Best of luck with all of this, but don't give up till you get an answer.

Stardrops I am really proud of you - the main thing is you are now in the system I do hope you will get to see as Rect has said the gynaecologist. I did get sent around the houses at first, had colonoscopy, and the dreaded xray where they squirt a liquid up your BP and xray you as it is expelled but really sounds worse than it is and you was treated with the up most kindness and dignity. I was shown the xray actually once dressed and you could see the rectocele. It was only then I was referred to a gynaecologist, and seen pretty fast. Of course I am assuming you are in the UK - go and treat yourself now you have been good.

Rect sorry we have nearly done a double act with Stardrops, but yours is far better....... I took so long finishing, having to muti task at the same time didn't think to check for any more replies. Still getting to know the site myself.
Dare I admit I have sat at home all day, I am not at work! - they can cope until tomorrow. Just so tired, but have been doing work via the laptop so don't feel as guilty. If only I had some chocolate -

Blue so glad you are at home and resting. I know it is difficult feeling like you are lazy, when you are really not allowed to be doing certain things. Working from your laptop is good, I did that a bit yesterday and that helped me feel useful. Chocolate, MMMmmmmmm. I broke down the other day when in town with my husband and bought myself a chocolate bar. I can't keep chocolate here or I will eat it.

I am feeling pretty good today, just tired, but pain wise pretty good. Even though I feel good, I am still going to rest and not overdo it.

Have a great day everyone!

stardrops well done for getting yourself through that. I hope now you're in the system you'll get sorted very soon!
Blue very happy to hear you are home today:)
My Asda shopping has been delivered, all present and correct.

A funny for all of you: The other night when I was in terrible discomfort with my barbed wire I asked OH if we had any frozen peas. After going to have a look OH came back with "yes, how many do you need?" LOL!!

I'm getting my stress head on!!
I can't stop coughin because of this cold and it's really worrying me what damage I could be doing!
I had to drive for three 1/2 hours today when my quick trip to collect the boys turned into a cross country adventure due to a big accident on the motorway. And I am now quite swollen again inside but a sit on the sofa doesnt seem to have done the trick like it did last night!
I'm not sure therefore if it is the driving or the coughing that has caused the problem!! Has anyone had any info from their doctor on coughing? I know it can be a causing factor in the first place! I'm getting myself in a tiz but I know I cant do anything about the cough!!! But everytime I cough I can feel somthing bulge inside my woohoo. It's terrifying!
I plan to do nothing tomorrow and have a sofa day because it is in my mind that I have the wedding on Saturday and so want to rest up as much as I can!
I know there is really nothing you can say to me!!! I honestly dont think I have overdone it through stupidity, yesterday's shopping was a test but today the driving was unexpected!!! I am hoping that I will wake tomorrow a little less 'full' feeling and a little less panicy. It will really suck to bugger it all up after three weeks due to having caught a blinking cold.
Sorry to go on! Hubbie just says - it'll be fine. Know he's trying to help but it doesn't. He says you haven't been cough much till tonight - Er hello - you've been at work all day - how do you know!! Anyway, i'm off to bed. Up at 6am tomorrow to begin my morning watching Rocks and Co Sky666, a jewellery show my brother works on. It is their 1000 show and they are having a big celebratory show and I may do little sofa shopping to cheer myself up!!
Big hugs all round xxx
P.S. - Sorry if this has been a selfish post....Stardrops, I am so happy for you to be on the first rung of the ladder and agree that if you havent already, you need a gyne consult......Footle....I found your brain cell but wore mine out in the process!!!!....Blue....please take it easy when you can, sometimes as you can see above stuff comes along that you cant avoid so make the most of the times there is nothing!!!......Teedee....at least he didn't ask you if you wanted ketchup!.....

Morning!!!
Sorry about last night and going on!
Well, I'm up, positioned on the sofa, credit card in hand!!! LOL
I have my period!! Day 37! Sure you'll all be happy for me! - Another reason to stay on the sofa today me thinks!
Swelling had gone down a lot but not completely so I am hoping that a day of laziness today will help!
It really opens your eyes when you over do it and suffer afterwards and I will reissue a freidnly warning to ALL of you who are recent op goers or who are waiting for ops - A week after you op, just because you feel fine and because you are getting bored DOES NOT MEAN that everything is back to normal. Don't be like me and have a scare to make you take it easy!
Also, it is dufficult to go back; once you start cooking dinner, people then think hat you can do it every day! Do a bit of ironing and then that job no longer gets done for you. You can't blame the family! They can stop you lifting heavy things because it's obvious to them that you shouldn't be doing it, but they don't know how you are feeling, they don't know what is going on inseide you so if you start doing things they can be forgiven for thinking that you are therefore capable of doing it!
Take it slow from the beginning! It is also easy to lull yourself into thinking that you are better when you are spending so much time on the sofa and pottering around but you musnt just suddenly go from sofa days one day back to normal the next! It has to be gradual!!!
It is very hard. You often feel like a fraud. What I wouldn't give to have some plaster on my leg or something! People would give you sympathy and understand, but you can't go around telling all and sundry that you have a woohoo full of stitches!!! I suffer badly from guilt! Last night, the extended family all had dinner together and soon after I went to lie on the sofa to try and get my swelling to go down but I felt so guilty! I also felt that they would all be thinking I was being lazy and it's been three weeks and I went shopping yesterday and I can do things when it suits me etc etc (especially my moody sister-in-law) but I guess my designer vagina is more important than what people think of me!
I would say that making yourself take it easy is the most difficult part of the whole process!
Jeez, I've gone abit for 6 in the morning!
Sorry, just feel that last night gave me a real scare and I wanted to emphasise to you all how importnat it is not to accidentally over do it! You can avoid the vacuuming or lifting heavy bags but other things aren't as easy. And empasise it I have, in several hundred words!!
Sorry and love to all
Em
x
(P.S. - sofa day will probably equal more rambling posts later! - Any pre-op ladies like to ask me any questions?!?!?!)

P.P.S I would like to mention that I AM very literate, I just type quickly and am too lazy to check my spelling!!! LOL

jewel your designer vagina is certainly more important than whatever your SIL may think :)
Hope you are enjoying your sofa day. For me it's two weeks and I haven't even got out of my nightie yet! The thought of having to have anything 'done again' on my poor nether regions is enough to keep me from pushing it. If I never have to see the inside of a hospital again it won't be to soon.
Hope everyone else is taking things easy and if you are in the UK will be enjoying the lovely weather. I may get OH to put the comfy rocking chair in the garden tomorrow so I can enjoy the sun for a bit. Provided my barbed wire is not too problematic of course..
Hugs all round, what a lovely bunch you all are xx

Jewel your advice is a good reminder for me. You also managed to sum up exactly how I have been feeling in regards to what other's must be thinking when I look lazy, especially when I was doing other things involving activity. I go through these feelings daily. I feel obligated because I don't want o be a burden nor do I want to look lazy.

About coughing and recovery. Okay not to scare you , but I was reading before my op that asthmatics recovery time is longer and the success rate is less. I have asthma, though mild, so I don't cough too much, but that is why I read about it. I have a suggestion for you to try while coughing. I lie down on the bed and bend my knees, then pull my bent legs up, so I am lying on my back in a crouched position. Grab your legs with your arms and hold them over your chest and stomach. Much like a fetal position on your back. Cough in this position and it provides some relief to the pressure on the area in need. Seriously it really helps. I think working against gravity at any time is a good thing. Sometimes it helps to press your hand up against the perineum while coughing and it stops that feeling of something blowing out. Hope this helps you. Have you taken any cough medicine with dextromathofan DM in it? Another good cough remedy is codeine. In Canada there are cough suppresents you can buy that have DM, codeine and expectorant in them. I know the codeine is constipating, but just take stool softeners and bowel stimulants and drink lots of water and eat lots of fiber and you won't feel the constipating effects. Trust me, I had to take a few T3s this past week for my migraines and I am not constipated, just stuck to my bowel regemin. Been having a BM everyday and they're soft. I hope some of this helps you out, but your sofa day sounds like a good remedy.

I better try to sleep now itis past 2 am .
Have a great day to everyone.
Dawn

HI All

Jewel, so sorry to hear you are feeling grotty and coughing, that is rotten for you. I also think your advice is spot on, it exactly sums up the way I feel daily too re guilt and the frustration of wanting to do more etc. I too hope your day of rest today will help and Rect's advice about what to take sounds excellent

I woke up at 6am today with shooting pains up the vajazzle, they are pretty frequent and disturbing and quite strong.. Only finished my anti b's on weds so the obvious worry is that the infection is back, tho there doesnt seem to be any smell like before... its friday and getting in the docs might be tricky, or I could go and cash the part of my prescription the chemist didn't have which was the anti b gel you squirt in... Meg if you are around, how you doing with your infection?? arrrggghhhh what to do???

Oh gosh its hard to stay positive isn't it ladies when you soooo want to be better??

Teedee - sitting out in the sun will do you a power of good and I may do the same if we get any.. sounds like you are being really good, well done!

Footle sorry your barbed wire and sore perineum is still troubling you, tbh the only thing I have noticed any different since my op is my BM's are more straightforward and I didn't even know I had a rectocele!

have a lovely friday ladies of TAKING IT EASY xxx

Hey everyone - thanks for the kind words and advice
Was hoping to swan in and tell you all I felt much better......afraid not....
OH MY GOODNESS THE PAIN!!!! - The whole of my pelvic area, inside, is agony!!! LOL - Actually it has eased a little in the last 10 minutes hence me being able to type!!!
I promise promise I'm not a drama queen - it really bloody hurts (pardon my french!)
I will try and explain ---- Some months, mid cycle (when I guess I am ovulating) I get a sharp pain in my side for a coupld of hours which always gives mixed signals that it is ovary/womb pain or maybe bowel pain! It always feels like it's coming from my womb/ovaries but its almost as if its linked to bowel movements, i.e. I feel like it would improve if I passed wind etc and it hurts in my bottom when I sit down.
Anyway. my self-diagnosis is that when I ovulate (or as in today, start my period) certain internal bits swell up and then anything that chugs past in my bowel puts pressure on said organs and therefore hurts...does this sound like a possibility??!?!?!
Today it honestly feels like everything from my tummy button down is swollen, I can even feel it bouncing when I walk as if it's harder than it should be! So, I'm not really worried, as the pain is a little familiar but has NEVER been this bad! I guess when you have your period blood rushes to your womb to help it contract and perhaps the extra blood causes pain?!?
I found walking helped a little (again this makes me wonder about bowels as the movement may help things move aong out of the way!!).
I am so so sorry that the last couple of days I have become a constant moaner! My hubbie is at work today and tbh I could do with him home for a hug! SO I'm afraid poor ladies it is you who has to nod politely and adopt the soothing voice!
I'll say again, I'm not concerned it is anything untoward, just was not expecting such pain!!!
Anyway, please don't feel the need to send me knid words, I'm slowly getting over it and pulling myself together as it eases (have taken diclofenic), but If anyone has any comments on their first post-op periods I'd appreciate it or have any of you ever had the ovulation pain I mentioned?!

Footle - I hate using pads, they drive me insane, you get hot, sore.......very uncomfortable. I find that Bodyform is a little better than Always as it doen't have the 'cotton' cover which when you look closely it is actually a finely woven rubbery stuff - completely what you don't want!! Bodyform is a little more like material and not quite as heat attracting! Take it easy and stop with the heavy pots and pans!! The wedding is my OH's cousin. I'm not crazy about going, mostly because I will only know about 10 people and I think the day may drag!!! As long as I feel a lot better I will dose myself up and at least go for the ceremony and the meal! LOL

Flowers - sorry not much info on infections but cant see how the gel would hurt?!?! Keep your eye on it x x

Rect - thanks for the advice on the cough medicine. I am normally gainst cough medicine as I believe your body is coughing for a reason and so to supress it is no good, however in this case it may be a good idea!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxI'm OK really!!!- I hate moaning!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxx