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Recovery and bowel movements after prolapse repair surgery

3 replies

Margi66 · 07/07/2026 11:16

Hi just wondered if anyone could give me a little reassurance. I am 5 days post rectocele and cystocele repair. Really struggling with knowing how to be. I have taken 2 weeks off work have a desk job, so planning to work from home half days in week 3 and 4. Not lifting anything and just relaxing in bed and walking around the house a little. Suffer with IBS so really struggling with bowel movements. Not straining at all and breathing through to relax and let poo out when I need to go, but have for years lost the ability to get the right queues to open bowels. Took stool softener for three days post surgery and that helped it move through, but it made it far too soft and wouldn’t come out. Due to lack of body movement. Had a high fibre diet previously with a lot of salad and chickpeas so always had soft stools, but not sure what I should be eating to keep going nicely and not damaging the repair.

OP posts:
NegativeSpace · 08/07/2026 16:04

Are you not eating your fibre now? If you start again after a break you might have to build the amount back up slowly. Personally I find lentils very helpful for bowels!
2 kiwi fruit a day (include skins) have been proven in studies to help constipation. Are you still taking codeine or anything, because that causes terrible constipation? Maybe just take fybogel, it’s a very gentle softener and helps things to get moving, without over softening.
Dates, 4/5 a day can help get things moving, along with the kiwi. Otherwise, dietary advice following repair is attached.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, I hope the results are good for you. I’m just trying to build up courage to see the GP again about my rectocele and, what I’m assuming is, a development of a slight cystocele. How have you found the surgery? I’d love my rectocele fixed, it’s ruining my life 😔

Recovery and bowel movements after prolapse repair surgery
Recovery and bowel movements after prolapse repair surgery
Margi66 · 08/07/2026 20:39

Hi, so far so good, I can believe how bad it was, the constant struggling constantly feeling that I hadn’t emptied. Potentially feel like I shouldn’t have waited as long as I did, but hindsight is always a good thing!! If you are thinking of it I would go for it.

OP posts:
NegativeSpace · 13/07/2026 18:20

I have discussed it previously. I got sent to colorectal and given a prescription of laxatives!

I do need to go back. I hope things are healing well for you and things are improving day by day. I just have an awful feeling I would end up worse off, so I’m a bit nervous to push for a referral tbh

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