anyone had posterior repair/ rectocele repair

[flourybaps]

Hi, got to have surgery at the end of the month, rectocele repair and posterior repair. Have done a search in the archives but found very little about this prob.......

surely I cant be the only person with this problem? Anyone out there? Just wanted to know a little about the recovery. I have an 8 month old dd to look after so im a bit concerened as my Dr said avoid lifting, well thats easier said than done!

hi i am 3 weeks post op for a cycstocile and rectocile repair can someone tell me when does the swelling go down? the stiches are healing and bowels and bladder ok but i find if i do to much which isint a lot i find the area where i had surgery still swells any ides?

Hi Ash
I have just had my post op examination today. I am nearly seven weeks post op and the Doc said that there was still some swelling around the operation site (I have felt a lump there) - this is what the swelling is, so dont be too worried. He also said there were still some stitches to come away (I havent seen any at all as yet) - apart from that he said everything looked OK. He also said that it takes around 3 months for everything to heal up inside - so be patient, all will be well!!Merry Christmas to one and all.

Hi
the only swelling i have noticed is from the rectum (similar to hemmoroids) when I am having to strain with BM's. I did cut down on the movicol and lactulose as i hate the taste, but it looks like i'm going to have to carry on as walking was slightly uncomfortable today.
I am almost 6 weeks post op - do you think i would be pushing it to get another 2 weeks doctors note to take me over christmas?
This would give me around 7- 8 weeks off on sick leave.
Haven't seen any stitches and haven't had a feel either (scared to)
The buttock area is feeling a bit tender again today.

hi jacqs62
I haven't tried proper driving, all i have done is take hubby's car which is auto out of the drive, turn it round and put it back. mine is manual so will give it another week or so, got belly ache today, think i over did it again, had to change sheets etc for my mum this morning. I think maybe a couple of glasses of rose this evening will definately help, although no sign of bm today, can't seem to get regular

Hi RisiM
I have had BM's everyday (that's probably due to the movicol and lactulose) but todays has made me feel sore again.
Not driven either. Tummy feels a bit "heavy" - but I am starting to wonder if it's all in my mind as I am here on my own almost all the time, have the worry of redundancy looming. (starting to feel a bit depressed)
My daughter who lives with me has spent more time at her dads since I had this op than ever before

feeling a bit sorry for myself

Hi Jaqs2, I too work in an office. I take one sachet of Movicol about 7.45 in the morning with a small glass of prune juice and 10ml lactulose. I take one sachet of movicol with 10ml lactulose around 7.30 each night. I have been doing this over the last few weeks and wake up about 7.00am ready for a BM. (I won't go at work) so I needed to ensure I went before taking my shower etc before going to work. I do not have any wind whatsoever. I eat very little during the day though - fruit and yoghurt with a sensible meal at t time. You say you're thinking of going trafford centre. Take it easy as I was there last week and it really knackered me out.
Savanskian - I did have a lump for quite a while which I could feel pressing more when walking which was worrying at the time. I think your BM need to get readjusted. I found I wasn't emptying completely which worried me but since seeing my consultant on 20th Nov and changing my dose of medications etc I have been absolutely fine. I cannot even tell I have had any surgery at all. I cannot feel any scarring or anything.

Hi JanJanJanJan
I see you went back to work around 10 weeks and work in an office too.
Next week will be 6 weeks post op, so think I will go to the doctors to get some more time to recover fully and go back in the new year.
I have had 2 accidents with BM's now (quite upsetting) and still get twinges in the rectum area/buttock area.
Took the dog for a walk today and had to rest whilst out, but made some sausage rolls this afternoon.
Got my post op on the 29th December

Hi all,
I will be 8 weeks post op this Thurs and going back to work same day. I am mainly office based, but manage a split site team (25 miles apart). Not ready before now, and still haven't got anywhere near my usual energy levels, but things will be slowing down a bit at work as we get nearer Christmas so should be able to keep up! Also fortunate to have a very understanding manager and the option of odd days working from home if it all gets too much. No probs with BM's and painfree in buttocks/rectal area, but get low abdominal discomfort a bit like a period pain if I overdo it. This is new for me, so slightly concerned. Anyone else experienced this?

Hi ladies, am now 8 weeks post op after posterior and anterior repair and feeling good. Jacqs62 I sympathise this has also happened to me. I have found using either a teaspoon sometimes even less of fibogel every day better for me than lactulose. Did anyone find after op peeing all over the place, my aim now is a lot better, spoke to GP who said should be aiming fine by the 3 month slot. I think a lot of us dont realise what the after effects of this kind of procedure are. I had a look at an internet site that showed the actual op, my goodness now I know why we were so very sore. The op hasnt really helped with the IBS, but I dont tend to have to run so much to the loo now. Best of luck to everyone.

I have read lots about the post recovery times on the net, and they vary from 2 weeks to 10 - 12 weeks.
I come to the end of my 6 weeks post op this week and am really not sure if I should go back to work next week or take more time off.

I get fed up here on my own, but my work is miles away (office based usually) and I still feel tired with twinges in the buttock area , rectum area.

I don't want them to think I am prolonging my recovery time, but I want to do what's best for my recovery. It's bothering me quite abit as I feel guilty being off.

Jacqs, take more time off. You need to be fully recovered before you return to work. I went back last Weds at 10 weeks post op. Think of your own health.....you dont want to risk undoing what the surgeon has done and if you get paid whilst being off an extra week or two wont make any difference. You can always offer to do some work from home if possible.

Jaqus
Please take some more time off. I was recommended to take 12 weeks off and intend to do just that!
Went back to work at 10 weeks after previous anterior repair and hysterectomy and that was just too soon.
Do what's best for your body - it's telling you it is not fully healed!
NO GUILT!

Dear ladies
Tomorrow I will be two weeks post op.
Have had highs when I felt everything good but also lows where I have felt the need to pee a lot especially during the night.
BM's seem to be once daily but feel I'm not evacuating fully and this results in uncomfortable back passage particularly during the night which disturbs sleep. Have had nights when things have felt better.
Good to read your comments and see that others have had similar experiences but which have got better.
Early days but I'm so desperate to be better.
Considering getting a cross trainer to build up my fitness levels. My GP also says to begin sit ups and light exercise after week three.
What have other ladies done to keep fit?
I'm fearful of undoing things!

Hi,
My doctor told me not to use my cross trainer for at least 10 weeks after op as it would cause your op site to "rub together", so on this advice I wouldn`t use a cross trainer yet!

Hi KKier
I feel exactly like you with the bladder and the emptying of the bowel too.
I have started to use a gyletine pessary but have had a couple of accidents (not nice).
I also use the movicol and lactulose once or twice a day.
For exercise I have just walked. I don't think a cross trainer will be any good for you yet (too much too soon).
I am still getting sharp pains in the buttock area

Hi Ladies
Thanks for your advice and reassurance - I think I'll just continue to take it very easy.
Jacqu: What did doc say to you post op about bladder and bowel problems?

Hi, not been for my post op yet - that is the 29th december.
I am seeing my local gp on thursday, but i have read it can take a while for the bladder to settle down after the op.
I have only had the posterior - rectocele repair, but had noticed before i went in for the op i had started to leak from the bladder, but am going to do kegal exercises to try to strengthen that once i'm fitter

I am now 5 weeks post op for anterior repair. I have started to fell lots better this last week but i am now getting very frustrated with myself because i cant do the things i need to, like shopping for a new dress for my christmas party this weekend arrrrh. Went on a short shopping trip yesterday and boy did i feel it and still am feeling it. I am returning to work next wk just for 2 days and then break up for 2 weeks for xmas anyway so Dr eventually agreed to let me return with certain provisions. If i have overdone it i struggle puttingone step in front of another it takes far too much effort and energy. Dr said i cant start swimming at 6 weeks post op.

so ladies can I describe my bits to you and you can tell me how likely it is I will need surgery and also can you guide me my gp has suggested I should loose some weight before seeing the consultant as she thinks that is the first thing he will suggest I do.
I am a size 16 and although I am overweight I am fit and really quite healthy.

so undercarriage..

my stitches didn't hold after DS1 &DS2 there is a very small amount of perineum left about half my index finger tip, in the split I can feel that the back wall of my vagina has a (healed) split going up about 2-3 inches and in that split I have what feels like a large rectocele.
My cervix sits less than a fingertip inside my vaginal opening and when I need to have a poo both the rectocele and cervix battle for space to come out of my vagina (although they don't actually hang out)

I have emotional baggage which means I really dont want to show anyone unless it seems like something could be done to help. The GP and I have talked in general about it but I haven't described it in as much detail as above.

What do you think?

The other thing I find is that I constantly feel like I need a bowel movement because my cervix pushes down.

Sorry if TMI!!

Hi jacqs,
I had the posterior rectocele done , although I have got an anterior prolapse too. When I first went to the Docs they told me I had an anterior and posterior prolapse. I wasnt bothered at all by the posterior one, but was always desperate for the loo, and leaking a lot. Anyway the surgeon only did the rectocele one, and now nearly 8 weeks post op I have started to leak again. I went privately and paid for both ops, so am a bit annoyed as I feel as though he should have done them both,because really I am back to square one. Now, I may have to go back again. The reason he says he didnt do the anterior one, was because he didnt think it was necessary!! I am going to start doing my kegel exercises (have got one of those that you insert and it does it electrically) but surgeon says not to do it for at least another six weeks, as my op site hasnt fully healed yet.

~Hi
I never knew I had anything wrong with me ie a rectocele until i saw the programme on tv.
Whenever I had a smear test or a coil fitted they struggled as my cervix seemed to lean to the side (i think) and when I manually excavated using my finger inside the vigina i just thought i was pushing a BM down, I didn't realise I was "sagging".
I always felt like I hadn't emptied properly.

I told my female gp and she sent me for an examination at the local hospital. I had lots of tests.
I eventually got sent to Wythenshawe, which is 120 miles away where I saw the specialist and had to have another test sitting on a bedpan and being xrayed as I did a BM....
I had to have eneymas, and drink strong laxatives.... then I had the op.

I am now 6 weeks post op. Had alot of discomfort for the first 3-4 weeks, but starting to feel almost normal, although I am still not sure I empty properly and I need to urinate alot more and leak.

I would go back to your doctor and get examined

hi Savan

it doesn't seem right paying for 2 ops when they only did one...
I think my surgeon specalises in posterior repair, so don't really know about the anterior but I have read about other women having them both done at the same time.

I don't know if i have an anterior prolapse but i do leak if desperate and sometimes when i sneeze- and i need to go more now at bedtime after my posterior repair than i did before

Thank you jacqs. I just hope that by doing pelvic floor exercises that it will get better. There are so many conflicting reports about pelvic floor exercises. Some sites say they are useless and others that they are very good, so I suppose its just a matter of finding out for myself. I am not going to go back to see the Consultant, because a) I do not want to have another operation, and b) I cant afford to go privately again - He has said that I have an "open appointment" to go anytime I want - I should have asked if I have to pay again, which I suspect I will.!!!Going to try not drinking too many cups of tea and see if that helps a bit.

hi
there was something on tv about those things you can use (put inside your vigina to do kegal exercise) and they seemed to work, but i suppose it depends on how bad the prolapse is and how long you have had it.

i wouldn't want another op either so am going to look into what else is on offer.
...there is something too which they can implant into your lower back which sends a signal (like a tens machine, i think ) but that would be an op too