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!

Sorry to be so needy ladies but what did you think? If there is little that can be done I don;t really want to show anyone iykwim

Hi everyone, I am hoping onboard this thread too as I now have my date for op to repair cystocele and rectocele. 19th Jan. Gulp. Reading this thread has been quite overwhelming, it is comforting in one way to know I am not alone, but also sad that so many of us are going through, or have been through this.
I am feeling very apprehensive about the op in terms of actual procedure, recovery time, how long will have to be in hospital, and being inspected and having to bare all. I find these things very upsetting, my bladder test was awful! I am so glad I will be under GA for op. I am also worried about how I will manage as am newly single. I am going to have to be very forward about asking people fo help and company or I know I struggle both physically and emotionally.

Bythepowerofgreyskull: I would go for it and get yourself checked out, I know it is embarassing and unpleasant, but I do think getting it sorted is worth it in the end (or at least that's what I'm hoping!)

Hi
Bythepowerofgreyskull - doctors are here to see these things - I know it's embarrassing, but don't be - they have seen it all before and more... once the op is done it's all back in place.

AboardtheAxiom - I'v not had a cystocele repair, so can't help with that,but re the posterior repair I went in on the tues, had the op on the wednesday, had the packing and cathetor out on thursday, then out of bed...had a small BM on the Sat morning so was discharged Saturday afternoon, with painkillers, movicol. I had a 2 hour journey in the car, which was uncomfortable and I had pain (managed by painkillers) for 2 - 3 weeks.
Slight pain for 4- 5 weeks. I am now 6 weeks post op with the odd twinge and still tired.

Went to the docs today as my doctors note runs out tomorrow, Had an examination and was told it had all healed and fine. I still have the twinges.
The doctor gave me a doctors note then when we talked about the forthcoming redundancies he told me I should go back and show my face as work could be p**d off with me as they are paying my wages whilst off.

I felt upset as I never have anytime off work due to sickness and even struggle to take my holiday leave most times.

Work have said it's up to me and they would prefer me healthy and fit but i can go back if I want.

I don't think me going in or being off is going to make a difference to the redundancy as its not in the criteria for redundancy.

But now i feel torn.

I work in an office but it is almost an hours drive away each way.

Hi jacqs62 - if it is not in the criteria for redundancy and your record is good in terms of time off I would take as much time off as you can and try your best not to worry about it. Bit silly of the doctor to comment really, all places are different in terms of handling redundancies and it is not exactly his area of expertise is it!

I have been told will be in 1 or 2 nights, how long where you told you would stay in hospital for before the op? Was your op for a rectocele bulge only or was more work done if you don't mind me asking? Would hate to be in more than two nights.

Hi Aboard.......

I was kept in hospital after my op for 3 nights (I had to go down the day before because of the distance).

They wouldn't let me go home until I had a BM because of the distance (if there was a problem it would be too far to go back).

I live at home with my 17 yr old daughter, but may has well have lived alone as she has spent 90% of the time post op at her dads house.

My mam has walked my dog for me. I have a friend who has helped too and I have just pottered around the house, not doing much.

....ooops

I think it was just for the rectocele bulge and was cut inside the virgina.

~I think they told me I would be in 2 - 3 nights but can't really remember.

I wanted to go home on the friday, but they wouldn't let me due to BM. I also had very low blood pressure after the op.

Glad you had friend and mum pitching in, shame about your DD though.

I am going to find it hard relying on people and asking for help and know I will have to stop myself doing too much afterwards. Went into gynae's room and first thing he asked was if I had stopped picking DS up. I also mentioned I wanted all my house decorating done before op (have just moved) and he told me I cannot do anything like that after so I best crack on with it. I just know I will be so bored an frustrated.

Hi
I have been finishing off my knowledge questions for my NVQ's and updating my CV.
I also started to do competitions online, but haven't won anything.
I did start doing some light housework after
3 weeks, but nothing major.

I think it's around 3 months post op before you are suppose to do anything heavy going.

Aah your NVQ and CV as ways to pass the time have given me an idea, I plan to look into retraining so can look into that while taking it easy, and also can MN a lot.

Kentmummy - I remember you had your op around the time I went to see gynae, glad yu feel a bit more positive about it all now, I remember really feeling for you at the time.

Hi ladies

I've just noticed this thread and hope you don't mind me posting.

I did do my own thread about rectocele/cystocele physiotherapy and got one reply which I really appreciated but I was hoping for some more input.

I have got both of the above and saw a consultant at the hospital this week. Long story short, he had referred me for physio for it and I just wondered if anyone has had this and if they could tell me what it involves and most importantly, whether it helped?

The rectocele I have is much bigger than the cystocele and I guess if I am honest I can't see how physio would put a split muscle back together but obviously I'm not an expert!

I know this is a thread re the surgery but just wondered if anyone had had physio too or beforehand?

Thanks so much if you can help
Muriel x

Hi girls,
how i have missed everyone this week, went back to work just for 3 hours a day from monday, (6 weeks post op tue), got today off so time to catch up with everyone's blog.
Managed to walk the dogs today - first time, but took it easy, the clean-up was the most difficult with the bending, can't kneel on wet grass and mud.
My consultant said pelvic floor exercise waste of time unless you are promising yourself to do them lots of times every day for the rest of your life, so i had tvt a same time.
If i had time again i would have picked a different time of year for op, this not being able to carry shopping is a right pain, even if it's delivered need someone home to help. gonna try driving today only about a mile, but it's a step in the right direction,

Hi - was never offered physio, but I only had a rectocele which was large.

No one has even mentioned pelvic floor exercises - post op on 29 december, so maybe will do then.

Have a doctors note for another 2weeks, but am toying with the idea of going back on monday then booking some leave the week after.....
am a bit torn because i'm in the pool for redundancy (although sick leave is not in the criteria)

Thanks for your replies!

The Dr went on and on about the pelvic floor thing, never asked how the rectocele/cystocele was affecting day-to-day life but asked four times if I had done the exercises when pregnant.

I did and actually luckily I don't have any incontinence issues which is partly why I don't have a lot of hope that physio will help, as I don't think my pelvic floor can be that bad to start with.

I have had two babies naturally (10lbs and 11lbs) so I put it down to that really.

Thanks again!

Excuse me for not knowing all the jargon (well I am coming up to 63 in January) but what does dd, ds, dh mean, is it dear daughter, dear son etc.,?

Hi Aboard
I had the rectocele done and it was done with a spinal block and sedation. I could hear them talking in the background, but couldnt really hear what they were saying - I did hear the surgeon say that it only took 20 mins for the op altogether!! I went in on the Monday at 4pm had the op at 7pm and could have come out on the Wed, but because the surgeon forgot to tell the nursing staff, I actually came out on the Thurs evening! They let you come out (where I was anyway) when you can do three wees of about half a pint!!! They didnt mention B.Ms at all to me, although I didnt have a problem really with that - a bit painful to start with, but nothing excrutiating.

Sorry should be EXCRUCIATING!!

Hi - I don't know the jargon either, but I presume what you have suggested is right.

Also, ~I had a feel inside for the first time and I feel a bulge more than i did before.
does anyone else still feel as if the bowel isn't emptied and is tempted to push with the finger still (i have to stop myself trying this as i have done it for so long)

I spoke to the Specialists secretary yesterday as I had emailed a few weeks ago about the pain and received a letter back. when i mentioned i still get pains, she said it would be better for me to stay off work as long as i can...(damned if i do, damned if i don't but i only get one chance at good health and there are other jobs).

Hi Jaccqs,

I would stay off work as long as possible, because you wont be any better thought of if you go back too early. As you say, you only get one chance of good health. Without your health, you could have all the money in the world, but wouldnt be able to enjoy it, so I would stay off until after Christmas at least. It takes approx three months for everything to heal properly I`ve heard.

Hi - work are pretty good apart from me being in the redundancy pool....but am ok until the end of March
I'v had no pressure to return, although I did almost cancel the op because of the situation, but was told to get it done as my health comes first and it wouldn't affect the outcome of my job either way.

Never been off this length of time (apart from when I had morning sickness for almost 9 months and was off 7 of them.)

Should have been at a party tonight, but didn't go because i still don't feel 100% at 6 weeks post op.

Sorry to ramble on about work -

This op has made me realise just how lonely someone can be when they can't get out and about as normal(for whatever reason)...

HI just wanted to add my experience as i have reading theses posts prior to my op really useful

Now day 5 from op of posterior, anterior and tot repair, and i am amazed as to how good i feel. Once packing was removed the relief was enormous.

Am continuing to take regular pain killers, 2 senna tablets each evening and have managed first BM without too much pain.

lets hope things continue like this.

a big thankyou to previous posts, it has really helped

Muriel76 - I had physio for my cystocele and rectocele. The pelvic floor exercises are slightly different than the ones used after the birth of a child however. With me doing them as often as possible I resulted in NOT having to have a cystocele repair which is great. I am almost 12 weeks post op for a rectocele and perenial repair. Feel normal but a little tender at "the bridge" area iyswim. Hopefully it will settle.
Jacqs62 - I still get that feeling that i havent emptied my bowels. Increased the movicol which helped. Bear in mind the bowel doesnt like being messed about with so can apparently go into spasm for a short while. Using the muscles regularly will help them work as they should.

Reference the Jargon used - if you look at the top of the mumsnet page there is a tab for "acronyms" if you click on this it will show you what they all mean.

Returned to work last week, 8 weeks post op. On phased return which is really nice as I still feel tired by the end of my half day at work. Seeing consultant on Weds and hoping he is happy with progress. Tiredness is really the biggest thing for me as I usually have so much energy.
I know we are all different, but the range of advice given by health professionals is scarily inconsistent in some important areas!To be honest, this thread has been the most help to me both pre and post op. Thanks to all and may it continue!

Hi Septemberbabe - you are right about the range of advice given by health professionals being inconsistent. By the time I go back to work it will be around 8 weeks too, but will have seen the consultant for my post op examination. But I was told initially 6 weeks, and even two weeks!
Have had some strong shooting pains today in the rectum area.

Want to be fit and healthy when i go back in the new year, as I have to apply for my own job or look for a new one.

JanJan
Do you think you could describe the pelvic floor exercises you did to help the cyctocele? I am now 8weeks and two days post op, but can STILL feel a lump in the right hand cleft of my leg - has anyone else got this - it is driving me mad and worrying me so much - everyone advised me to have this op done, saying I would feel like a new woman, I do not, because I am still always desperate for a wee, and have weed myself coming back from walking the dog. I am still having to use Tena Lady, which I thought would be at an end. Am really miserable thinking this op hasnt worked, especially as the Surgeon said it only took 20 mins to do the posterior repair, and I would have thought it would take much longer.