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!

Lainekids, I think we all are quite aprehensive before having any surgery or even before consulting a GP as we simply just don't know what the "end" result will be. There was very little discomfort for me compared to what I was expecting being totally honest. My worse pain was having my first bowel movement afterwards. I have commented previously that I would suggest to anyone having this surgery to eat small amounts at the beginnng of post op - just whilst you get your own bowel retrained so to speak. I still leaked for about 6 weeks afterwards and was worried this wouldn't stop but it did. I now eat just as I did before but have a glass of prune juice each morning and at night (about 7-8pm) have one sachet of movicol (which they prescribe) along with 10ml of lactulose (again this is prescribed). Obviously, everyone is different when it comes to their diet etc but you will manage. Ensure you do any post op exercises advised. As far as sex is concerned, again I was extremely apprehensive but it was totally fine. Being tense for no reason was totally unnecessary in my opinion as everything feels exactly the same as previous and my husband can feel no difference whatsoever. You will be fine.

Thank you all for your responses, I know it is silly to panic and worry, I am quite an anxious person anyway so that doesn't help.

When I have had the op I will post again and share my experience too as I have found it so reassuring reading other's experiences.

Hello everyone,

I had a rectocele posterior repair on Tuesday this week and am just back home. I haven't been given any movicol or lactulose as my doctor said senokot was just as good. I am obviously panicking about my first bowel movement so wondered if anyone could advise me on how much/when and what to take to make this as painless as possible (surely not possible). I don't want to take too much and wreck my stomach but also don't want to strain. I had bad constipation prior to this surgery so hoping now it will be improved. My general pain is okay - was given codeine in hospital which made me really sick and disorientated so am going to move onto paracetamol and nurofen now am at home. Any advice on getting through the next fews days would be appreciated. Obviously the snow means I now have 3 kids at home...joys.

Thank you

Hello
I am having both a posterior and anterior repair in a few days, and I mentioned in an earlier message that I am worried about how I will look after my 6 month daughter as she needs lots of lifting. I have help every day for the first 4 weeks with family members helping me out, and I will have some help in week 5 and 6, but after that I will need to be lifting her around.
Does anyone else have experience of looking after a young child after this operation and was everything ok, as I can't avoid lifting for 12 weeks as some people seem to advise ?I would love to hear about anyone else's experiences and how they coped with the recovery and their little ones ?
Thanks

Hi, I can only answer blackcats question, not new mum as my children are teenagers.

I was prescribed and used movicol twice a day (not senokot) and when i got home bowel movements were very painful even though they were loose. I had to hold my right buttock and sometimes felt like i would pass out.

I went to the docs and got lactulose and that helped, but even soft stools were painful, but got easier.

I was in alot of discomfort for up to 4 - 5 weeks (although i know not everyone is the same).

I am around 12 weeks post op and still occassionaly use movicol, but use the pessaries more and sometimes i am still in alot of pain around the opening of the rectum - like stinging, burning and aching. but it's not excrutiating like it was.

Maybe you could get a prescription from your local gp for movicol and lactulose.

I have been told by my consultant that movicol and the pessaries can be used forever and that is better than straining.

hi new mum...i can only really suggest getting down to the floor level and pushing your baby up from the bottom and vice versa when needing to get your child up and down from somewhere. When feeding you could sit on a few cushions and sup port your child between your legs so to speak. I certainly wouldnt recommend lifting into a cot at such an early period after your op.

Thanks Jacqs, do you happen to know is Movicol is similar to Fybogel? I have got some of that but if you think it works in a different way then I might get to the docs and get a prescription for the one you take.

Am dreading it and can feel it coming on - have drunk lots of water, lots of grapes and prune juice but it is such a fear in me now as before my op I ate lots of fruit/fibre etc and was really constipated all the time due to the prolapse.

hi blackcat
i'm not sure if it is similar to fybogel (but i think it maybe). I know movicol can be used every day forever, if needs be, so it's not harmful. I don't like the taste so that's why i use the pessaries now.
I know i said the pain was bad when i had a bowel movement, but believe me you do get through it and it does get easier.
My first bowel movement was in the hospital as they wouldn't let me home until i had one as i lived 200 miles from the hospital. It wasn't a soft one either, but it was ok.
Mine got a bit worst once home and the pain seemed to be on the right side of my buttock, so i held/gently pulled that to one side...if you know what i mean...
At the moment, i can't seem to empty my bowels without the pessary, but i am scared to push and don't like movicol.
I also used prune juice but beware of using too many laxative types as I had a few accidents, which were upsetting

newmum, I agree with doing lots on the floor after your four weeks of help has finished.

Sitting her on your knee, have lots of comfy cushions on floor, etc. Will she be 6 months after your 4 weeks of help is up? It will obviously depend on where she is developmentally at this time, no good saying let her climb up onto your knee for example, if she can't do it! I would also say don't go bak to your usul routines at 4 weeks post op, keep yourself at home for another week or two if you can as much as possible, just as with you having a small one you will need to rest up as much as possible.

If it's any comfort I am having the same worries about my huge 5 year old.

Hi there,

Thanks so much for your note. I am having a terrible morning. I can feel like I really need to go but despite having a vast amount of prune juice/fybogel/senokot yesterday I can feel there's a there's a big hard constipated lump that needs to come out (way TMI sorry, sorry). I have put in pessaries this morning to try and and soften it but the net effect is that I am now leaking around it but it just won't budge. I am petrified of straining but I can't see any other way of getting my bowel moving.

Sorry - I know there's nothing you can do and nature will eventually take it's course but am slightly at wit's end. DH had to take children to school and has left without saying bye - he can't face the details of what I am going though ( who can?), he just wants it to be over and me healed etc.

Also because now stressed at pushing my bladder has stopped wanting to go and hence haven't had a morning wee despite pints of water being drink yesterday.

I am just worried at tearing all the good work and being left in the same situ as I was when I went in. Jacqs - I know your first post op BM wasn't soft - will I damage myself? All other pain absolutely fine - don't feel incapacitated at all - just this issue that I need to get over.

ps. I know I must be coming across like a overwrought banshee - sorry.

Do you have a number for the ward or gynae department that you can ring for their advice blackcat?? Don't apologise! Everyone on here is or has been in the same situation and we all understand.

Thanks for your message SilverLining - will do that I think just for some reassurance on the stitches. No change vis a vis BM - backside just feels swollen and trussed up tightly - not ideal when am constipated. Why oh why.

hi i know BM's can become compacted. Have you tried drinking warm water?

I would ring the ward you were on and ask their opinion.

I had my op on the wed and had a small hard BM on the thur - but had been drinking movicol twice aday - i think you can drink up to 8 of the sachets through the day if it does become compacted.

Try not to panick though as this will make it worst. I know this sounds daft, but try to relax, watch tv, read etc

i still have probs going and am scared to push

Hi blackcat: my gp told me that fybogel and movicol work differently.Fybogel bulks out the stool whereas movicol actually works on the gut to shift things along. I'm 3 months post op and back at work fulltime.Since then, my fibre intake is erratic because I work in the community and eat on the run. I've had to go back to occasional use of both fybogel and movicol + a suppository now and then because if i don't 'go' daily it becomes hard. Altho' my rectocele is cured straining doesn't seem to move anything:better to wait for nature as others have said. I don't have the pain in my buttock any more but sometimes theres a dull ache. I think lots of fibre and fluid is the answer. Trouble for me is Allbran worked great but gave me loads of gas which I just can't deal with when I'm in and out of peoples houses!By the way Movicol costs a fortune- get a prescription but Fybogel at my local chemist is cheap (but was expensive at the Tesco pharmacy)

sorry i miss-typed - i had a bm on the friday evening after the operation on wed morning....

i'm quite lucky , as i don't pay for prescriptions at the moment as on low income,but my surgeon has only recommended movicol.
lactulose has helped as it seems to oil...

Thanks everyone for their advice. It is really appreciated when you are up against it.

I have managed to "go" but because of the cocktail of laxatives I am now in a bit of a pickle with my stomach. Feel very unsettled now and it has knocked my confidence a bit. I was feeling quite chipper the day after the op but now I am realising that it's a long haul and there are no pain free shortcuts.

Am going to try and get a prescription for Movicol on Monday and try and manage on Senokot over the weekend. Considering this is such a major part of daily life and one's healing post op I am surprised how blase the nurses and consultants were about it to be honest.

Anyway thanks everyone for their support today.

Hi there,

I have read your posts with interest as I had an operation 6 months ago to mend a front a back wall prolapse. I also had a hysterectomy to remove my womb which had descended. I am 38 and have two kids (4 & 6 yrs).

As there are quite a few varied posts on here, I am posting to tell of my experience of the op itself and the months after. I hope that someone finds it useful. By the way, there is a great website by the Hysterectomy Association which has really useful information - for those having all sorts of gynae repairs.

Here goes...it's a long one...
Operation and aftermath: For those who are going to have an operation for similar issues, I can say that the run-up to the op is worse than the actual op. I was so anxious! On the day, I had a spinal anaesthetic and after a drip with liquid paracetamol. Both were fine and I had relatively little pain after. The uncomfy parts for me were: 1) having the pack taken out (this is very quick though). 2) trying to poo, although the nurse gave me a glycerin suppository - how do you spell that? - to help and it worked. (I now have some at home that I got from the chemist incase of difficulties, they are v effective although it isn't great having to put them in!). 3) the post-op wind(!) which thankfully lasted only a few days. Be aware of post-op infections and do report any pain/heavy bleeding or discharge as infections can happen - but many women have no problems at all. I got an infection 10 days after the op but antibiotics got rid of it.

Aftermath: Tiredness is very common after operations so I would say that it is important to get help where possible and to rest as much as poss. That said, do try to walk a bit each day, building up slowly, and do try gentle pelvic floor exercises as much as you can. My pelvic floor is so weak that I am having follow-up physio. Do not try and lift anything remotely heavy for quite a while after (you will soon know your limits). Gentle Pilates 3 or so months after is helpful too. I kept my ovaries after the hysterectomy but I think my hormones have been really erratic since the op. I am hoping that they are settling now but don't be surprised if you feel wobbly or a bit strange every now and again. I have also had panic attack type symptoms which I gather are quite common due to the stress of the surgery although not everyone gets these of course!

Diet: Try to drink lots and lots of water each day to keep regular and eat as much fibre and fresh stuff as you can. My system was all over the place afterwards - for 2 or 3 months and it still is very sensitive. I had bouts of loose movements and also awful constipation which was just the worst. I have found that cutting out refined carbs and drinking lots is the best thing to keep the system going. The consultants recommended prunes etc and also mint tea to help with the digestive comfort.

Physical sensations and 'relations': Since the op I often still have the sensation of being 'heavy' down below, especially if I do too much. I do worry constantly that I have undone all the good work of the op'!! I find that walking does help the heavy sensation to pass, weirdly. It took me a while to get used to the idea of 'relations' with my husband but it was OK once I got over the mental hurdle. My consultant recommended 'Astroglide' lotion lubricant which you can get on the internet (NASA developed it for spaceships apparently but it is now used on humans and it completely safe!). It is much better than KY. I do still get a little bit uncomfy afterwards and I am hoping that will pass in time. I must say that since the op, I just haven't felt 'sexy'. A lot of the time I just want to wrap up in a comfy jumper with a good book!

Lifting etc: I would recommend talking to a physiotherapist if possible to see what they recommend for your personal recovery. They will be able to advise you on how to lift etc and any exercises to do. I have learnt so much from my physio which no-one had ever told me before (I wish they had!).

All the best to you all, whatever stage you are at. Take care of yourselves. You are not alone!

Exxx

EKP-that post was so helpful
thank you
Ive been told today that the earliest new date for my op is 15th feb so I'll have to do that anxious wait all over again
L x

EKP - thanks for your info.

My situ is quite similar. Am 38 with a 8, 6 and 2 year old. Delivering my first child I had shoulder dystocia and hence a bad delivery. I had c sections foe the other 2 but both were very big babies ( I am 5'2" and my husband is 6'4") so there was a lot of pressure on an already weak pelvic floor and prolapse bowel and womb. I had my op on Tuesday this week. I was also due to have a hysterectomy but without removing ovaries but actually I had some fibroids removed in November and a Mirena coil inserted and I have found that all my symptoms in that area improved so I just had a posterior repair.

Anyway it was day one being at home today and my first BM so at least that's out of the way. Other milestones to come.....

Thanks for your info and your advice on Astroglide - will check it out.

Hi there,

I hope you are all OK in this big freeze. I hate it!

Anyway, thanks for your messages.

Laine4kids, I am sorry you have to wait now til Feb, how annoying for you, but it amazing how quickly it will come around. The anxiety but is tricky, I really sympathise. The Dr recommended 'Kalms' to me which I found helped a bit when I felt anxious. You can get them from the chemist. Is there any one thing that you are particularly concerned about, or is it the whole thing?

Blackcat99 - Welcome home! I hope you are OK. Well done for getting the op over with! Have you some help at home? If so, just rest as much as you can. The uncomfy feelings will pass slowly. I am pleased that the Mirena coil has helped - my sister is having one fitted next week to help with awful periods. She is quite anxious so I will let her know that your symptoms have improved - hooray!

Please do feel free to ask me anything, honestly, as I am happy to share my experience. I know that I am not an authority but just chatting helps sometimes. I hope I didn't sound preachy in my last post, I really didn't mean to, but I just wanted you all to know that although it is an unpleasant thing (that is hardly ever discussed!!), we can get through it! It's crap having such complicated gynae bits isn't it?!

Take care.

Exxx

Hi all, Im in tomorrow to have rectocele/cystocele and possibly bladder sling ops! I am VERY nervous now!!!I am trying to pack my bags but cant seem to actually function - makes it feel more real i guess! I know it needs to be done, Im only 25 and seriously need my life back now! Im worried most about my son, his dad will take great care of him I know, but as we are separated he will be at their house without his familiar things. Im also a bit concerned about how Il manage when I get home. I live alone with my son, and my sister and my friend have both said they will do what they can, cooking extra meals, popping up to do housework etc, but I dont want to be a burden on them either.
I am also worried about the pain! Im such a complete wimp, I screamed so much when I was in labour with my son the midwife told me to shut up as I was scaring the other patients!!!! Im sure I wont have such un-sympathetic nurses this time round, but it really is bothering me too!!!
Is it normal to be feeling this way or am I being completely irrational??!!
A little advice will be greatly appreciated!!!!
Thanks all!

Hi nickinix - huge good luck for tomorrow. I found the op absolutely fine - I was a bit uncomfortable but nothing like I was after giving birth. Keep taking the painkillers and you'll be fine. Make sure you ask the nurses for some laculose or movicol. I wasn't offered any and could really have done with some yesterday! Wishing you luck - let us know how you get one.

Thanks to everyone else for their advice. I am having a much better day.

EKP - thanks for your feedback. As regards the Mirena, I has hideous periods - all over the shop and v v heavy. Plus developed fibroids that didn't help at all. Doc was convinced I would have o have hysterectomy to stop symptoms and so was going to do op all in one go but the periods were so bad I asked the consultant to remove the fibroids and put a Mirena in in November to see if things improved temporarily. I have been amazed. Immediately bleeding stopped. No side effects as low drip drip of progrestrone. I have been really pleased with it so do let your sister know.

Have a good rest of your weekends
xx

Hi there,

Nikkinix, good luck with your operation. Like blackcat99 says, it is not as bad as childbirth. Any pain can be managed quite effectively but the pain is nothing like childbirth, honestly. If you are uncomfortable just speak to the nurses and make sure you have a good supply of painkillers and also stuff to help your bowels move at home. For the post-op wind (if you have any), which can be a bit uncomfy, someone recommended Windeez or similar. Honestly, if I can get through it you will be fine. I am not good with pain and I am generally quite anxious. It isn't the most pleasant thing but you can do it! Things do improve over time, they really do.

Also, you will not be a burden by asking people for help. Do ask them as it is great to have help with cooking/cleaning and childcare at first. What goes around comes around and I am sure that you will help your friends in turn one day. Just go with how you feel and don't push yourself.

A tip for when you have to poo (sorry, but these things are important!)..my Gynae recommended getting a flat wad of loo roll in your hand and supporting your pelvic floor region underneath whilst you are doing a BM. DO NOT strain, just try and let it come. If you flatten your hand and support underneath it does help (obviously remove your hand when you wee!). I always do this now.

Blackcat99, thank you for your message. It is reassuring about the Mirena. Thank you. I am glad you are feeling Ok today, I hope it continues that way.

Happy weekend.

Exxx

Thanks for the replies
I just cant wait for tomorrow to be here now! I dont know what I'll do if they don't have a bed for me now though!! I think that would be the worst bit, building myself up only for it to be cancelled due to snow or something!!!
I will bear in mind what you say about supporting the pelvic floor region! I will also make sure to pick up a pack of windeez on route tomorrow!
I will try to keep you all updated, I have found these forums so helpful!
Oh and I have the mirena coil, best thing I had done! It did hurt when it went in and for the rest of the day, I found a warm bath and hot water bottle helped though.
I used to have awful periods, so very heavy and painful, I would lose 2 or 3 days a month just literally rocking with a hot water bottle I was in that much pain! As soon as I had the coil fitted though my periods all but stopped.
Best wishes to you all, Nic

hi nickkinix
i was scared stiff when i went for my rectocele repair in october and i almost cancelled the op when i got to the theatre.

the pain is nothing like labour and the painkillers they give you work well.

you soon forget what it was like and the pain is managable. everyone is different and some people seemed not to have any. idid have some pain but the stitches i had when i had my children were much worst. i didn't know i had these stitches.

it will soon be over and the op is fairly quick