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!!

op this week- arghh! getting worried now

Ooh cantbelieve I'm not that brave; my rectocele wasn't too big- alot of the ladies here have had much bigger procedures than me! Plus so far I've been lucky I think, and I'm a Theatre Practitioner so am a bit Happy-Go-Lucky about operations! (not sure if that's the right term??! I obviously take my job very seriously...) Having said that I didn't think about much else for a couple of weeks either! Do check out www.rcog.org.uk/information-for-you-after-a-pelvic-floor-operation (just click on the link to get the pdf), I found it really helpful. And write down questions to ask the surgeon and anaesthetist; I forgot to do that, and forgot all my important-to-me niggles at the last minute. And don't try to be brave; you don't have to put up with pain. Its harder to control the longer you leave it, so even if it doesn't hurt too much it's better to ask for painkillers anyway. Accept any help that's offered with shopping etc, have a pre-op splurge on Amazon and sleep, sleep, sleeeeep in the first few post-op days!! Same goes to you, Clopper, as a teacher and a fellow "on feet all day for a living" rest, rest, rest. And buy prunes/Fybogel/fruit and veg. And Maltesers are compulsory, as is a well earned large glass of Shiraz/Chardonnay as soon as you're off the Tramadol/Codeine. Here's to us lot, and our pre- and post-op Raggedy Bits !

Thanks for the link to that, have just read it - very interesting and useful!

When is the surgery Clopper?
I've done so much research my head is spinning but a couple of little things-it seems that Always pads are not a good idea and I've found organic cotton ones-I'm post menopausal so a long time since I needed any. Also big cotton knickers are supposed to be more comfy and healthy. So no thongs! as if...
I'm the sort of person who needs to prepare and plan and I suppose gives me the feeling of a bit of control.This time next week it'll be over and you'll be back home, feet up. Good luck
Tothestars; thanks for that. I've got an Amazon order rady and have included a few films, old favourites. Did you finish A Fine Balance? Wonderful book although perhaps didn't need tghe bit about their surgury right now!

Oops! forgot about that bit! xx

The Australian physio gets mentioned here quite a bit. She's called Michelle Kenway and if you google her followed by Youtube you will find several really usual posts. She's seems like a lovely person-and how generous to put up the site for no financial reward.

well ladies I'm back. It all seemed to go OK although I am having problems with one side of the TVT it feels like a cheese wire when I walk, so I hope that improves soon. Anyone else experience this? Feel absolutely drained and its great to be home although stairs are tricky (because of the TVT problem) and it was difficult having a shower as ours is over the bath. I am so glad that I kept the little toilet step that my daughter used years ago. Just wish I had a rubber cushion or something like that to sit on. Had several BM the senna did it for me I think, in fact I'm rather the other way TMI I know! But it is making me a bit rough so I have had a codine to counteract it I hope. Will write more later but feeling very sleepy now,thanks for all the support, it really helps when you are feeling a bit low or anxious about it all.

Yay Clopper! The Codeine should make The Trots better! Good for you. Hope you're feeling okay this morning xx

Yes feeling a bit more human just to be in my own surroundings and having some privacy, although different levels of the house are a problem, I didn't realise we had so many small steps up and down everywhere! Still a bit concerned about the TVT pain on one side when I walk, although the other side seems fine- just hope its not rubbing on a nerve or something. it feels like a knife being poked into my muscle. the codeine seems to have done the trick this morning so it will be a fine balance between that and the senna I think!

Well done Clopper! I seem to remember reading on some literature after my TVT that you should avoid stairs as much as possible for a few days. And definitely found this to be true as everything seemed to pull each time I went up and down the stairs. And you have had more done than me, mine was just the TVT.
Didn't have the pain you've got but hopefully that will calm down for you soon. Is it where the tape is secured, in the pubic area? I was very swollen there for quite while.
All good wishes

Seems a bit further down in my groin rather than where the stitch has been put,quite a sharp burning pain which makes walking tricky. i thought the posterior repair would be the worst thing but it seems that the tvt on one side seems to be the most painful. the other side looks very bruised but is not painful in the same way.

thanks footle, feeling a bit down at the moment- probably all the drugs as well which seem to have upset my stomach. And I am so bored and feel restricted, especially as it is a lovely day. DH very helpful and kind hearted which is great, I don't know if I would be so patient if it was the other way around!

At least it's over Clopper. I have 2 more weeks to wait by which time you'll be feeling so much better I hope.I've made the most of the most heavenly week-I'm in the South by the sea-and it's lifted my spirits.
Off to see my consultant aka Jack the Ripper for pre-op on Tuesday. I intend telling him I want a spinal block and hope that's possible
Do hope you feel better tomorrow and can enjoy the last few days of Summer
Sleep well

Good luck with the pre-op on Tuesday cantbelieve.I was supposed to have a spinal block for mine but ended up with a general anaesthetic at the last minute. They changed their minds as I was going into theatre and no-one really explained why. To be honest at that point I was past caring! I'm wondering if part of the nausea and overwhelming tiredness I have is down to the type of anaesthetic I had. Hope you get what makes you feel comfortable. Glad the sea has lifted your spirits- wish I could join you! Just sitting in the sunshine today made me feel a bit more positive about life.

Thank you for your good wishes Clopper.
I was surprised to hear they changed your anaesthetic at the last moment. Hard to see why as spinal block seems to be safer with shorter recovery time.
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The more I think and learn about this surgery the more I realise it's a huge emotional process as well as a physical one-perhaps only women can really understand that. My DH-usually a sensitive guy has been hopeless-constantly saying the wrong thing which has caused me to hit the roof, whereas my grown up daughters have got it exactly right. I'm so glad of this thread

Hope everyone has a good day and continue recovering and feeling normal

Yes I know what you mean about DH. he is sensitive and kind but when people ring up he says I'm 'fine' when I'm clearly not. It seems as if he is minimising the impact/ importance and seriousness of it all, although I know he isn't he is just trying not to make others feel uncomfortable if you see what I mean.My bladder seems a little sensitive today so back on the cranberry juice which always worked in the past. Am contemplating another shower, but it is so hard getting my leg over the bath! I think you're right cantbelieve, it is just as much emotional as physical. My DH is great for the practical solutions such as getting me into the shower but can't really deal with me moping around! I have a daughter of 21 who is normally quite self- centred but she has been great over the last few days I must admit. all my kids seem a bit concerned as I am low, probably as I am always supporting them, they are not used to seeing me so helpless. My parents have been great (cooking and doing gardening) and are coming to stay for a few days next week to help me out.

Poor you, Clopper. I've an anaesthetist friend who said, "be prepared for the over-whelming sadness!" I asked her what she meant; she had a very simple exploratory knee op, but said that a few days later felt over-awed by sadness. I asked her what she thought it was and she said that she couldn't think of a solid reason, other than it was a kind of physiological reaction to not just the anaesthetic but the surgery as well; that surgery is like a kind of physical insult. Chaps react differently to us, don't they, to sadness; all gruff and blustering. I am amazed by my own recovery, at how easy it was but I got hit by the blues on Friday- just as physically the whole thing was beginning to feel a lot less sore. Our bodies kind of go, "bloody hell! What have you DONE to me! That's it, I'm telling your brain to shut off for a bit and go strange".
I don't know if it's related or interesting but when I work on the recovery ward, when us girls wake up we tend to be a bit weepy but when the chaps spit out their breathing-tubes, they tend to get a bit grrrr. Arms flailing and swearing all over the place. So its a bit like Friday night in the local!
Lots of reasons why they didn't do the spinal; but a bit naughty that they didn't tell you why! There are all sorts of "back-stage" things happening in theatre, it was as likely to have been a skill/equipment/safety reason as anything else.
cantbelieve which bit of the South Coast are you on? I'm in Brighton, and am intrigued as to who Jack the Ripper might be! EEk!

yes you are right about the sadness, I was unrealistically hoping for an immediate 'cure' to my problems and now feel that I am worse off- at least I could walk before and lift my arms, have a shower by myself.... the simple stuff. Now I am worried that I have put myself and my family through this for no good reason. I know it is early days yet but keep reading terrible things that have gone wrong with the TVT, so now assuming the worst! The internet is a great thing for support but sometimes you can have too much information.

Tothestars I bet you see it all on the recovery ward!

Quite literally! I was sobbing on hubby's shoulder on Friday, going "I wish I'd NEVER HAD IT DO-O-O-ONE!!" but he said very sweetly "you goose. You had to get your bottom fixed because you couldn't do a poo." Which made me giggle a bit. Feel better now, despite an abandoned trip to the shops because my under-carriage suddenly decided that it'd had enough! It does take time, rest up and let your Mum and Dad help. A big electronic hug to you x

Clopper, don't overdo the cranberry because although it's a preventative it is also quite acid for your bladder. Sorry it's just that my bladder has become my specialist subject since my TVT :) I've become quite OCD keeping track of how many times I pass urine, how much I drink etc. Trouble is with painful bladder you can't mention it in conversation like you could if it was a painful hip!

Remember the majority of TVT ops do go well, my surgeon has had less than 2 per cent of people have problems.
And Footle hope all goes well with your appointment tomorrow.

My consultant is really ok but the Jack the Ripper bit is my gallows humour. Although I've always been puzzled as to why men choose that particular specialty......

So helpful to understand the overwhelming sadness. I think this surgery goes right to the core of us as women
ToTheStars I'm near Lewes and going to Eastbourne for the surgery. Did a bit of research and the team there looked ok but it really is difficult to weigh up pros and cons. I didn't warm to the consultant but figure I don't want him to be my friend -just do a great job.
Has anyone got any thoughts on the consent form that I have to sign on Tuesday. Do you have to sign away everything? I remember being asked to agree to a hysterectomy after a d and c following miscarriage many years ago!