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 Lady's

My name is Keisha and i am 30 ... 2 days after i turn 31 i am scheduled to have an A/P Repair.... The Dr. told me that i would be off of work for a minimum of 6 weeks and will be staying in the hospital for 2 - 3 days after surgery.... but that is about it as for the info that i have..... so my question is when all is said and done will the bulge in my Vagina be gone?

for the lady's that have been post....... Does Sex feel the same or better .... I have lost some of the feeling in my vagina over the last 18 months....

Sorry haven't posted for a little while - I gave PMT and am grumpy!!!
Welcome to the forum Keisha.
The plan for all the ops is to get rid of any bulges, so as long as you take care after, no lifting etc afterwards
All in all I think the ladies (including me), who have had the op recently are surprised at how well we feel afterwards. We have all been up and about the day after (although very tentatively) and find that we can potter for 5 minutes or so for the first few days and then have to return to the sofa!!
I am now 11 days post op and am almost back to normal!
When I say normal, I am still spending a lot of time sat down but I have cooked dinner a couple of times and taken short walks to friends houses, done some tidying up etc. But I have not and will not lift anything or hoover for another few weeks as it is easy to think you feel well and then you could go and pop your stitches!!!
Everyones experience is different and I 'only' had a posterior repair.
My op was to cut through the skin in the wall between my vagina and bowel (going in through the vagina) and then stitching it tight, to put back the tightness that had gone due to the bulge. So now I have a row of stitches in my vagina from just inside, all the way up to my cervix, about 6 inches I guess. I'm sorry, we are very good at giving to much information (TMI) on here and saying it like it is! I hope you aren't easily offended!!
I was in for 24 hours. A one hour op. Within 10 minutes of waking up I was on the phone and facebook telling everyone how I was!!
The first day I felt great (I was lying in a hospital bed doing nothing!)
he second day I had to walk to the car and an hour car journey home.
I then spent the next 24 hours off my feet as I ached a lot (like period pain) and took paracetamol and ibruprofen and used a hot bag on the small of my back and on my tummy.
Day three I was quite tired but had visitors so was up and a bout a bit more.
Day 5 I had a dizzy day where my head didn't seem to be following the rest of my bosy but I was also ovulating so it could be due to that.
From then to now I have slowly built up how much I do and plan to walk my children home tomorrow after school (about half a mile) to see how that goes.
I stopped taking pain meds after about day 6 and now I occasionally get a twinge or an ache, depending on how much I do.
In my head I thought I would be lying in bed for a week drifting in and out of sleep and not be able to walk around for 2 or 3 weeks but I haven't found it like that at all!!!
I also can't feel that I have stitches inside, just a dull ache sometimes
Lastly and probably on most of us post op ladies is bowel movements, fondly referred to as BMs - They will become the focus of your thoughts post-op!
You have to do everything that you can to keep yourself regular and soft (sorry TMI again!!) My second night I had so much trouble going - I knew it was there but you are terrified of going as it has to push past the other side of the wall where the stitches are. And because of lack of food during the op and lack of movement it can become very shall we say, hard!!!
I am taking lactulose every day, 3 tsps in the morning. The only problem with this is that is makes you VERY windy and makes your stomach gurgle something chronic!!! I forgot this morning and took it only 3 hours ago, after dinner and boy have I got a tummy ache now! I know I have to keep taking it otherwise I will have BIG problems with not going!!!
Lastly, returning to work. I work at home, on my bum, making jewellery and have actually already made some post op jewellery but it was only for short periods of time. Depending on your job I would think you would need 3-4 weeks off, but again, everyone is different! It depends on what you are doing and how physical it is - you certainly wouldn't want to be nursing for example for 6 weeks. I would also suggest returning part-time to ease yourself in!
OK - I have written WAY too much so I will wrap it up (Hello by the way, I'm Emily, the talkative member of the group and I am 33 and live in the south of England!!!)
SORRY FOR THE HUGE POST!!!!
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ewel forgive me for being naive, but what does PMT stand for? Sounds like you are really doing well, same with you footle. Welcome Keisha you will likely find this forum really helpful to put your mind at ease.

I am recovering very well also. I am 45 and had 6 children and ended up having a cystocele and rectocele repair as well as a TVT. I am 4 days post op. I seem to be getting along fine without too much pain meds. I also walk pretty well, but do get tired easily. I am already forgetting abou tlifting things as I tried to carry a chair across the kitchen and my daughter quickly took it from me and then I recalled how I am not supposed to do those things just yet. My biggest problem right now is low blood pressure causing some dizziness and my bowels. I had a bowel movement 2 days post -op and it was very loose nad not very much in amount, so I was expecting to have more the next day. So far, nothing will help. I am taking so much fiber inj everything I eat plus a fiber supplement. I am also drinking water all day long. I take a stool softener 3X/day and a senna type laxitive to get the bowels moving, but I am not sure what will make it go. I have used glycerine suppositories 4 times and nothing. I thiink at this piont dynamite might be the only option. The dr. gave me a couple suppositories that are made to make you go. I am scared of them because he said they are pretty hard on yoru system. He also said if I dont have a bowel movement within 4 days I might need to go to the Emergency and see a dr. Oh help! and !!! Bye for now and talk to you all soon.

Jewel not ewel sorry

PMT = Uk version of PMS! Pre-Mentrual Syndrome! (i.e. - I'm a grumpy, teary, lazy lump!!!!)

Rect - use the suppositries - better that than having a nurse manually remove it! (my friend is a midwife and had to do that once on a new mum who hadnt been for over a week - she had to glove up and remove it bit by bit!!!!!)

jewel, sorry you have PMT. That never helps a woman feel better especially when you need to recover.

Well I am in luck, just when starting to write this post, things started to happen down there. I guess your last post scared me into a BM. Anyway, it happened and this time there was enough to make me satisfied with it actually being a real BM. And get this, it was somewhat formed, but not painful and it came out just like it was supposed to. I can't believe it! This is so awesome finally normal bathroom etiquette and celebrate for sure this time. I will continue to do as I am doing and hopefully all will go well. Hope all goes well for you ladies, especially in the bowel department. I don't know about all of you, but I always feel better when I know my body is functioning the way it's supposed to. Thanks jewel for your informative post, I think it helped!

Rect - Happy to be of service x

It is 2:30am here and I can't sleep. My bottom just aches and my inner legs and groin just throb. I must have done too much walking or sitting today. I really don't know what causes what. I wish I could bath for relief, but the dr said not for at least two weeks. I wonder what the best thing to do is? I should really be more patient than I am, after all it is only going on 5 days post-op. Maybe I am just feeling sorry for myself. I know the pain could be worse, so I should be thankful and actually I am thankful for being fixed, I just need to gain more patience.
Thanks for listening, it is nice to be able to express myself at this hour.

D

Hello lovely ladies, I hope you are keeping well.

Mokeisha welcome! I hope we can help and reassure you. There is so much support on here . I am 41 and have two children 11 and 8.
I am two weeks, one day post op for an anterior repair. I am feeling fine in myself but frustrated at how l can't do stuff. I can't imagine driving any time soon and feel heavy and uncomfortable if i'm on my feet too long. Are you other ladies still bleeding? Also have any of you had a period and how did you know?

Rect, I have been bathing since I got home as I was told it was ok. It's amazing what conflicting advice there is!
Jewellry, i'm in the south as well,sussex.

I am off to the doctors tomorrow to get signed off some more and just ask some questions about my recovery to reassure me I am on track. I may even pop in to a shop if I feel up to it . How exciting!!!!
I am currently laying on my bed, legs akimbo airing my parts as I am getting sore having a pad there all the time, nice!
xx

Ohh Footle how exciting! Look at you with your post op social life!! Have a wonderful time

I used hot bags for pain relief - the material ones filled with corn that you can microwave for a couple of minutes to warm up - I had one for the small of my back and one for my lower abdoman. (sp?)

I'm not really bleeding now, just a very light pink creamy colour and onlu using the really light liners.

Think I am recovering a bit quicker than others but that could be because I ended up with less work?! - Still have an ache deep inside, if I hadn't had this done I would say I had strained my stomach muscles or had period pain or a bit of both!

Just going for a short walk to a friends then am going to attempt the walk to school. Sure it will be fine but reckon I'll come back and get on the sofa!!
Worked a little in the office and think sitting in an upright chair felt more comfortable - think the sofa is giving me back ache!!!

LOL - Speak later
x

Hi All,

I am 30 but have fallen apart after my 2 beautiful baby's Amanda is 3 and Emmalee is 15 months ..... I had a hysterectomy in August of 2010 and yes i have to have both the anterior and posterior repair and that is on June 13th 2 days after i turn 31 :( I live in Jackson Michigan in the US (i keep having to Google search for some of the things that you say so i know what you are talking about lol) does OH = Husband?

Thank you Footle i did the search and a lot of things came up so it looks like i have a bit of reading to do today :)

And i do not get Embarrassed easily

as for what i do at work i stand for 8 to 10 hrs a day and work on the production of steering wheels so i am lifting 8 lbs over and over and over all day long with 2 10 min breaks and 1 30 min lunch and they will not let me go back at part time it is all or nothing with them :(

from reading some of the post i am very blessed my husband is taking the first week off and my mom is going to come over and we have some girls from our church that have asked to help with my girls .......(God has Blessed me over and over) and the ladies of our church are making dinner for the 1st week i am off :)

sorry this was so long

Footle and Meg, I was told not to bath as he is concerned about bacteria getting into the vagina while laying in dirty bath water, so showers only. I like to bath because it always helps get rid of my aches and pains. I had the TVT, so I do have external stitches on the groin and also he gave me a course of antibiotics because infection is so common with this particular procedure as there is a foreign substance in the body. He is wanting the skin on the surface and in the vagina to heal and seal shut before bathing.
I have also used an ice pack on the area and it does help numb the pain, but internally the ache is there and down my legs.
Footle glad you got out for a while, take it easy now. I don't have much bleeding now, but I will see after I am more active. You're right about having the support of a good husband, mine is vacuuming right now, he has been incredible. He made dinner last night for the family chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli, salad and even gravy. Mmmmm. This morning he made home baked bran muffins for breakfast. I am blessed! Trouble is all his niceness makes him more attractive to me and now I can hardly wait to have sex, really.
It is nice that your friend has you to help her out and you will certianly understand what she is going to go through.
Jewel, don't overdo your activity, but enjoy your walk. I am going for a walk to our greenhouse in the yard, it is about 100 yards or so and then I will water some plants and look at the garden and then walk back to the house and lie down for a bit.
MoKeisha, don't worry about long posts, I enjoy reading them, as I'm sure the other ladies do as well. We all go on a long expression every now and then, especially me. Sounds like you have a good support network in place. Keep posting your thoughts and fears and we'll help you feel better.
Bye for now

D

Eew at dirty bath water ! I have to say I don't stay in the bath long, only 5 minutes but have been having 2 baths a day as feel a bit dirty using the pads all the time

Hi Ladies, may I join in?
I'm 47, and went in for a small posterior repair last Thursday. I woke up with a small posterior repair a large anterior repair and some 'work' on my perineum. Unfortunately the day after surgery I had a massive bleed and ended up in theatre again! The surgeon was really surprised by this and hadn't seen it in over 20 years of doing these ops. I came home yesterday (day 5) and while I feel pretty weak and weedy I'm sure things will improve. The area I'm most anxious about is my perineum. It seems pretty sore and lumpy! I hope it won't cause intimacy problems in the future... Also I had a look with a mirror and like a former poster said, the bruising is most impressive ouch!

Hi everyone!

Wow I have missed a lot of posts! I am four weeks post op today and for the new ladies and those who missed it I had posterior / anterior repair and hysterectomy. For those who are recent post op / still to get done, I wanted you to know I feel sooo much better now! Didn't think I would ever feel better again at one stage but it just keeps improving a little day by day. I rarely get pain now, everything works ok and I can even have a BM without my hair going grey. Progress!

I still havent walked far, just to the shops or post box... but I worked 10 hours straight today fixing up my friends website (just sit on a cushion for stuff like this). Havent got my swab results yet but it seems a little better, getting swabbed wasnt nice tho and it did hurt!

For ladies who are further along than me, this is really trivial, but when does the jelly belly go down?? I have bought some new holiday gear and it just doesn't look right :(

For ladies with aches and pains, I have had a variety of them, in my back, my tummy, my side.. but all have gone now. Take painkillers when you need to and keep it up till it subsides.

This op sends you, your body and your emotions on a wild roller coaster ride and at times you may wonder what on earth you have done to yourself.. but it does ease and in no time at all you will feel like yourself again, just take it easy and rest rest rest

Sending everyone hugs xoxo

Ok, I think my biggest probem right now is PMT/PMS!! I could cry SO easily - you know when you get this ache at the back of your eyes like the tears are building up and it only takes one stubbed toe to make your hollar lke a baby!!

I am so blinkin fed up of not being able to do stuff! I think spendind time on the sofa is giving me back ache, but when I try and get on with normal stuff I get tummy ache and twinges in my you know what!

I'm not bothered that I cant lift anything but I want to be able to rush around and tiday up and hoover. I so desperatley want to hoover!!! I feel awful to ask hubbie when he gets home to hoover but I cant stand seeing bits of the garden sitting under my cupboards!!!

All in all I know I am doing well, but its coming up to two weeks and I'm fed upo of pottering! I know, it's my hormones, I normally feel wrotten at this time of the month anyway!

I'll be fine in a few days! Thank you for letting me vent!!!

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Hello, ladies. Room for another one?

I am seeing my GP in a couple of weeks. It has taken me a long time to pluck up the courage to go and I feel quite sick thinking about it (am very squeamish about strangers delving around where the sun don?t normally shine!) but I am pretty sure I have a cystocele - well I know I have as I can see it in the mirror, and probably a rectocele too, and my cervix often seems to be lurking around only just inside. The whole area feels as if it?s caved in. Oh the joys!

Can I ask you all what investigations did you have before being put on the list for surgery? Did you have to try physio first? I feel I am too far gone for that and have really tried with the old pelvic floor exercises but to no avail (probably a case of too little too late) and would much rather them take one look and agree it all needs fixing in one go. How long did you have to wait once it was agreed it needed doing?

Reading this thread and how well you all seem to be doing, I wish I had gone years ago tbh!

What's finally spurred me on to go is that I?ve been having nightmare heavy periods which are just getting worse so I am hoping to kill two birds with one stone!