Having prolapse surgery soon and slightly terrified - has anyone been through this?

[Battyoldbat]

I’m due to have prolapse repair in a few weeks time and am getting more and more stressed about the idea. I just don’t know how I will cope afterwards trying not to do anything. I have three children and have tried to organise as much cover as possible but I’d really like to know from anyone who’s been through it, how long you were actually out of action for? I’m having both a posterior and anterior prolapse repaired and perineorrhaphy so am expecting to be in quite some pain!

Hi Batty

I've had anterior/posterior repair (and perineum rebuild plus sphincter repair)

I was off work for 12weeks ish in total following the surgery. The initial pain can be managed with meds etc and for me, after about 2 weeks the swelling had gone down enough where I could start moving about more, short walks etc. The thing that surprised me the most was the tiredness I felt! You really do have to take it very easy, rest and listen to your body etc. Everyone heals differently though and there are many factors to take into account. Do family and friends know what surgery you're having? Can you ask them for help and support afterwards? Accept all help! Can you freeze meals etc in preparation? Expect things like housework to go by the wayside, seriously, it can wait. Your recovery is far more important.

If you're not a member already, have you joined the Facebook group APOPS? You have to request to join as it's a private group but it's a really informative, supportive group for anyone suffering with prolapses.

Also, Mumsnet is hosting a webchat about prolapses on 23/01/18 here's the link www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/3059452-MN-Can-we-please-support-highlight-this

Feel free to ask me any questions either on this thread or via pm, happy to answer if I can. Good luck!

Yikes, 12 weeks off work! I’ve been Told at least 8 and then a phased return - I only work 4 hours a day though.
Not much in the way of family support available, my parents live too far away and fil is pretty sickly himself so mil spends a lot of time looking after him. I’ve got someone who’s going to come in daily for an hour or so to help keep on top of housework, just loading the dishwasher and putting washing on etc. and a childminder to do the school runs as I won’t be able to drive of course. My DH will do what he can but has to work away regularly so is not going to be a huge amount of help.
The tiredness really worries me. I already have pernicious anaemia so am pretty wiped out most of the time anyway, the surgeon said it’d probably hit me hard.
Thanks for the links, I’ll definitely join that group.
Was it worth it for you? I may need a hysterectomy at some point too, as basically everything has prolapsed but that will be decided later.

Hi love, I had posterior repair 4 weeks ago! I’m doing great! Woke up afterwards with a pack in my vagina, was uncomfortable and felt like a lot of pressure pressing down there and I had a catheter in! I wasn’t in pain really that night, but very uncomfy, with the packing and catheter and made my back ache, although I was abit unsteady on my feet because of anesthetic I was able to walk around abit to ease my back pain! Had a diclafenac suppository that night to help ease my discomfort and it did so I’d recommend if you feel you need it! I was up next morning and had catheter and packing out, once out I felt a lot better and was a lot steadier on my feet, had a shower and was allowed home once’s id done three wees of a decent amount! That first week I was sore and tired, stopped taking pain killers three days after I came out as didn’t need them, occasionally took ibuprofen as you get a lot of feeling of pressure with the swelling! Had to take lactulose to keep my poo soft, had my first poo at day 3 and it was sore so keep on the lactulose! It hurt as it was pushing past the stitches but once at the opening didn’t hurt, sorry for being graphic, but wanted to reassure you as I didn’t know what to expect! I’ve had two infections since I came out and been to docs for antibiotics, didn’t even know I had the last one tbh but just prescribed strong painkillers this Wednesday! I had a large unexpected blood loss on week 3 but hospital said it can happen and unless massive and with blood clots it wasn’t to be worried about! Try and relax and do little as possible, I’ve 3 kids myself and my husband works away a lot also and know how hard it is, you’ll know when you’ve done too much as you’ll feel pressure building and pulling in your stitches! I was able to walk my kids to school a week later, however I only had posterior repair not anterior aswell so just do what you feel comfortable doing! If you have any questions or are bored just message! Boredom is my biggest issue as I’m not used to doing nothing! I got a Sick note for 8 weeks in total upto now. Last week I’d forgot I’d had it done, til my husband and I went shopping and about an hour into the shopping trip I started to feel a stinging with each footstep I took and it was the internal stitches reminding me they were there! An ice pack Wrapped in a towel between your legs works wonders a couple of times a day for swelling and ease any discomfort! Try not to worry! I’ve also just bought a kegal 8 device to help tone up my pelvic floor, their expensive but have excellent reviews and can help speed recovery after prolapse surgery! I’ve tried it for 3 days now as have a slight cystocele
Aswell and I’ve noticed I’m not leaking the small Amount of urine I’ve been leaking previously! So I’m hoping it’ll help, will let you know after I finish the 12 weeks course! I really hope all goes well with the surgery!! Xxx

Hi @debdoo, thanks for taking the time to post, it’s great to hear more details, I’m one of those people who’d rather know everything in detail beforehand and that’s what I’m struggling with a bit I think!
It may work in my favour that I already can’t do much because of my other Illnesses- an hour-long shopping trip would about finish me off for days for example! So I’m used to taking it as easy as possible. I have lots of crafts ready to go, and I will line up some box sets on Netflix! It’s looking after the kids which will be toughest, with the best will in the world they forget when you can’t do things. The older two are pretty good at helping out and can make simple meals etc (oldest is 11) so at least I can have them do that if all else fails.
Not driving is going to be challenging for me! We live rurally so there’s no public transport and nothing much around so getting out and about will be difficult.

The nurse told me to drive when I felt I could and wasn’t in pain! I started driving 2 weeks after the surgery. I was able to move the peddles without pain, I was having to take kids to school and tbh some mornings with the ice we had it was easier and safer to drive then and risk the little walk from car to school than walk all the way and risk falling and bursting a stitch! My harder thing is not being able to clean, with 3 kids and 2 dogs it’s a daily thing and although it’s easy to say it’ll wait, it can’t as you don’t want Dog hair everywhere! So I gave the hoovering to my eldest
Who is 12 and she did it after school
Every night, moaning terribly but she still did it and I delighted little jobs to them, my other two are 9 and 7. They weren’t happy about it but I explained that it was temp and we are a family and we help each other out and they did it! My hubby had forst week off with me to take kids to school then it was down to me and walking dogs aswell! My body told me when I’d done too much and I took it easier day after and I’d make some lunches and put em in freezer then you only have to warm stuff up, much easier as mine aren’t kids who enjoy microwave meals of chicken nuggets etc, we have meals from scratch so was easy to make and freeze in advance as hubby not always home til 10 at night or occasionally he stays overnight if he’s had to travel far away! I’ve had theee surgeries in my life spinal, this and my tonsils out As adult and still the tonsil surgery was the worst of them all in terms of pain afterwards! It feels raw down there for first couple of weeks and tender to sit down, so remember to sit slowly, but it wasn’t as bad as tonsils, that was awful!! You’ll be fine and try not to worry! And deco look at investing in the kegal 8 ultra,I can already notice a difference after 4 days I think it is now! I tried doing manual pelvic floor as they advise to start on week two after surgery, however they were that week I couldn’t even feel if I was doing it or not, after a couple of days of the prolapse setting on kegal 8 and I can now squeezed them for 5 seconds about 4 times in a row which is massive improvement and I realise yest evening that I hadn’t leaked any urine for last two days, which I’ve been leaking alittle for last couple of months throughout the day! It takes 12 weeks for optimum results so I’m really excited to see the outcome as after 4 days I’m already noticing little changes. Good luck and if you need any advise or a chat after surgery just drop me a line x

Just a few more comments for you.

I had 2 DCs under 5 when I had this done.

DH took a couple of weeks off work and also worked from home after that when possible. My mum came to stay for 2 weeks, so all in all I had help for about 6 weeks.

I had an anterior, slight posterior and uterine repair 25 yrs ago.
It was done privately, so I had 5 days in hospital. I had no pain at all. The worst bit for me was the catheter for a week because of the swelling around my urethra (internal stitches ) I couldn't wee without it. They allowed me home with it in and every day or so I went back to have it removed to see if I could wee. It was very slow to start with and took a few weeks to get to full flow again. I had no packing, in fact there was nothing to see I'd had an op at all!

This is what you need to do:

Fill your freezer with main meals- either home made or ready meals.

Ease up on housework. Def no heavy hoovering, wrestling with duvets and bedding, lifting pans of pasta or spuds, or even a full kettle (use cups to fill pans with water and the kettle.)

Put your feet up as often as you can because gravity is no good for this.

Get your family to help out.

Avoid standing for long periods but go for gentle walks when you feel able to.

I was advised never to lift anything heavier than around 5kgs ( one stone ) EVER, andnot run, jog or do any high impact exercise (for life) and this includes some Pilates which can do damage.

I REALLY recommend the website of Oz physio Michelle Kenway for pelvic floor exercises, and recovery from surgery. (google.)

Good luck.

I've had prolapse surgery and I'd be very wary of using a Kegel 8 device so soon after surgery. You aren't even supposed to resume sex for 6 weeks. I'd definitely check with the doc first as every case is different, and for some people it might do damage or cause an infection if used too early.

Hi Batty, mine failed sadly but I had other issues they (and me!) were unaware of (the ruptured sphincter) so that probably contributed to the failure. I'm due to have it fixed again next year with probable hysterectomy

Ta love, I did mention it to my surgeon that I was on about getting one and he didn’t say owt about it! I have been using it on low settings as don’t wanna damage anything, just building it up slowly more for the Cystocele than the op as that’s not been repaired! It comes with probe and pads that attach on body so don’t need to put anything inside if I can’t or don’t want to! I’m really happy with the results so far, but I won’t over do it! X

I've just been to see consultant about my gp referral for prolapse. Examination was very uncomfortable and he confirmed I have a posterior prolapse 🙁. That was 3 days ago and I'm still feeling quite uncomfortable down below, is this normal ? My surgery should be before middle of August, which seems forever. I've also been very up and down emotionally , my prolapse symptoms are on my mind constantly and as the days go on get slightly worse. I feel quite isolated as no one can see anything physical so don't understand how it affects my daily life, mentally as well as physically. Any advice on coping with waiting for surgery would be great.