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!!

THanks for replying. Interesting re age. I think I am going to have the operation as it will probably get worse over time and every time I lift a heavy shopping bag I worry about losing my uterus! Do you have stress incontinence too?

I just wish that the doc had given me a bit more information and time. I really wanted to know about running and exercise. I have terrible core muscles so need to do something to protect my back and to keep from looking permanently 6 months preggers!

I made the fatal mistake of looking at repair ops on youtube. Not to be recommended.

Hello RavenVC
Yes Footle what a dreadful bedside manner! I've worked in Operating Theatres for 17 years now, and the surgeons who have problems communicating seem to be the best ones though. You should see their hand-writing. I wonder how they manage in the outside world at all sometimes. But the quality of handwriting and commumication skills seem to be inversely proportional to surgical excellence and we are all brilliant at translating their verbal/written ramblings! And the surgeon is only a part of your experience; there's the anaesthetist, anaesthetic nurses, recovery nurses and the scrub nurse, who acts as an extention of the surgeon's right arm, really.
This thread is invaluable for all of us: I'm being a bit nonchalant about my op (posterior repair next Tuesday) but am beginning to understand what to expect for the recovery stage; the actual surgery I think is just the first domino!
I've a friend who dithered about the surgery; and ended up with ulcerated nether-regions. OHHHHHHHHHH! And technically it gets harder to fix the longer it gets left. But don't watch the You-Tube vids: there are loads of slight variations on a theme, and everyone will be a bit different.

Footle - Am interested to read what you said about Pilates not being good for this condition. I have just started going for the first time as thought it would strengthen my core and therefore my pelvic floor. Am I actually likely to do damage?

Thanks for the info. I will definitely look for the aussie physio online. Its funny about the pelvic floor advice - when I first went to see the physio about my stress incontinence I was told to go away and do pelvic floor, but I always felt problem was higher up. I basically have no stomach muscles really and I wonder if that is part of the problem.....

ToTheStars - good luck with the op next week. fingers crossed.

Hi Ladies,
Been a couple of weeks since I last posted but been reading all your posts. Reading all the prolapse stories reminded me of a website I have looked at in the past (although don't have prolapse) called prolapsehealth.com/
I know it's not the Australian one Footle has mentioned but the forums on there are quite interesting.

Anyway, just in case anyone is at all interested (although can't think why they would be!) I do seem to be making some progress at last following my TVT 13 weeks ago. Went to see surgeon again week before last and he started saying I needed more tests, video urodynamics and maybe cystoscopy. Have to admit I was pretty upset as my irritable bladder just didn't need any more catheters etc making it even worse.
So went for video urodynamics last Monday and haven't had his written report yet but it seems that my detrusor muscle is working fine so it is as I (and my nice pelvic physio lady) thought that it is my sensory nervous system that has been upset.

BUT touch wood things are calmer, either because of the medication I'm on or just because the nerves are calming down, don't know. Actually went round the supermarket on Friday without having to abandon my trolley halfway round and run! Know that sounds a small thing but it feels like being let out of prison being able to walk around without the awful pressure. Even beginning to think of re booking our holiday which I had to cancel, but feel nervous.
How are you doing Footle? Best wishes to all of you

getting nervous now only a few days to go before the op!

Think Clopper is having a prolapse op and a TVT. Loads of luck, Clopper.

Hope you get things sorted, Footle when you see the consultant. And I do like the fact that you did get better from the frequency, I'm really hoping to feel 'normal' one day soon. Not been a great day today unfortunately, doesn't seem to be a straight line this recovery!

yes TVT and prolapse, thanks for your good wishes. Keep thinking maybe I could just put up with it for a few more years, but its not going to get any better is it? so may as well just go for it. I have never been to hospital or had any sort of op, except to have the kids and get palpitations if I need to make a doctors appointment, so that is why I feel so stressed. I put my smear off for 5 years as I was so embarrassed about 'down there', so I do need to get on with it. I must say that some of the experiences on this thread have given me hope and at least let me know what I'm letting myself in for- particularly regarding recovery.

On a positive note i have purchased a new dressing gown and slippers for my stay in hospital! Somehow that made it seem more real. Pre-op on Friday.

Hello all
had my surgery on Tuesday morning, just spent about half an hour writing a post for it to disappear! Must be the drugs!
Everything has been fine, slept all day after the op then they took the catheter and pack out at 6 in the morning. After that it got really sore and I was a bit teary, they gave me some Tramadol which really did the trick. They gave me some to take home, along with Votarol (diclofenac) for swelling and paracetamol. Trying to avoid the Tramadol because I still haven't had a BM, despite Movicol and prunes! Have some glycerine supps which I'm going to brave if nothing happens in the next couple of hours; there is an awful lot of gurgling going on...
I haven't really had alot of pain since I got home, unless I stand up for too long then it aches, so I sit down again. I don't really feel tired, and am getting bored and frustrated already... at least it's an excuse to read all the books that have been piling up.
I've decided to go on my Dorset weekend, and just take it easy. Sitting in the car seemed fine with the seat back, and we've sneaked DS out of school for the afternoon so we can take the journey very slowly. The other people going are all close friends who know I've had quite a big op, so won't mind if I look a bit of a wreck or don't show my face much! We've managed to blag a bedroom with a bathroom too, so not far to stagger.
Apologies if this post shows up twice, but slightly different! By the way the current book is "A Fine Balance" by Rohington Mistry; about India in the 70s. Is jolly good. xxx

Respect ToTheStars :) Very positive thinking going away so soon, hope it all goes well for you.

Oh, thank-you! Will report on Monday! Am sitting here looking at a Small Glass of Wine, yum. No luck with the supps; but actually thinking about it I didnt eat much pre-op due to nerves, and haven't eaten much more than a couple of sandwiches since... so have just consumed a large pasta salad and am eyeing up the chocolate eclair in the fridge... if DS doesn't get there first!

Ha ha haaa! Yes BM achieved, on a loo in Charmouth. Bit ouch, but the large Shiraz did the trick along with sustained Movicol abuse, and a healthy portion of fish and chips, and a gentle stroll on the beach. Oh and alot of Maltesers. And some Kettle Chips with hummous. Guess my appetite has returned, then. So pleased I went away; would have been gutted to have missed it :)

Well Done, ToTheStars, I mean on going away successfully although obviously congrats on the BM as well :) Now that's a sentence you don't hear every day

7th day post-op- beautiful day today so have been for a gentle walk; now feel like someone has been at me with a sink-plunger! Cor. Seem to have haemorrhoids the like of which I haven't had since I gave birth 9 years ago, don't know why since I have been avoiding straining with BM's like the plague. But all in all, so far so good. Just a few twinges; but hardly any bleeding at all! Not even in hospital. Just a little bit of yellowy-beige-ish discharge which made me think oh no! Infection! But after a fair bit of knicker-sniffing (lol) all I could detect was the "Body Form Cottony Freshness" of the towel. I think it must be granulation tissue sloughing away as the wound heals (lovely). Haven't plucked up the courage to have a look, or even a scupulously-clean feel around. Main problem though; I'm bo-o-o-o-ored! Luckily have a patchwork quilt to be getting on with, just need a bit of motivation (and hubby to lift sewing machine onto table)!

hello everyone
So pleased to find this thread. I'm due for prolapse repair on 17th Oct and find it hard to think of much else. Great to find the support and info there is here.Please don't disappear when I need you!

TotheStars;your recovery (and courage) is amazing-do hope everything going aok

Anyone had spinal block for the procedure?