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!

littlestummy- you need to ask to see a gynae and have your problem assessed. It may be prolapse but you need tobe checked out.

suzyszoo- if it is only 4 days are you not still in hospital? did they discharge you?
I had a repair 19 years back and was in hospital for 5 days; they gave me pain killers and I had no pain at all.

when I was out, I did nothing for almost 2 weeks- DH worked from home nad my mum came and lived in to help out for another 2 weeks. I also could not drive for 6 weeks.

You seem to be expecting too much too soon! Why not contact the hospital and ask them what you should do?

hello again and thank you for your replies. I think I hit rock bottom (pardon the pun) yesterday. I do feel a little bit better this morning. I have learnt some useful things.

1. It is not my anus that hurts but my perinneum, although it does feel like the former. This has helped me relax a bit more about doing a poo.
2. If you blow out in small breaths when you poo it helps a lot.
3. I have discovered feme pads which freeze the area down below and these are fantastic.

I think I was totally unprepared for this op because I went in for a repair to my perinneum and only at the last minute mentioned the rectocele problem and they fixed that too. So I thought it was a small op and it turns out it is a bigger one. I have two questions for anyone further down the line.

1. Are you glad you had this op?
2. When did you lift moderate weights again? I am never going to lift anything heavy but as I have 10 month old twins it is simply impossible for me to never lift again. They weigh about 20lbs.

It could be you have a cystocele, which is a prolpase of the bladder - you could either have surgery or use a pessary - lots of women do this to avoid surgery. Hope this helps.

Sorry last message was for `Littlestummy!!

SuzysZoo

Someone told you to have long baths - don't!!! If you have dissovable stitches - you work it out... not a good idea. Don't worry, I had this op last June and the recovery is horrendous at first, it is very early days for you. Good luck x

Hi everyone. I am new here and an oldie. Am 3weeks psot op. posterior repair with mesh and perineorrhapy procedure. I used old fashioned Andrews salts. 1 teasp in water before bed and no probs with BM. Hospital were amazed. Check with GP first though as not suitable for all.

Hi every one I had my op on 18th march,
on the 11th day after my op my friend came around with her 6 month old,I instinctivley picked her up when she cried.
following morning I had a clump of stitches at the entrance to my vagina. I have been careful since but know I have got "the bulge "back. I followed this thread to try and get reassurance that I am not the only idiot and it may be okay.
thank you kentmuntj for keeping everyone up to date, you gave me a little hope.
Although I have not been for my post op yet I know I am back to square one.I went to the doctors and she said I still have a slight rectocele and to exercise.I am still loosing stitches and have a sharp "spike" inside that does not feel as though it will dissolve. I try and be optomistic that it's got to be better than it was,but just a warning please listen to the fact of not lifting,every thing seemed to be perfect until I did.Don't make my mistake

Anyone out there have a posterior repair or about to have the procedure?

I'm scheduled to hace a posteria repair in the next few wks. Please contact me if u've had this procedure or about to have it.

Hi Gracelady, I had a rectocele and posterior repair last September. Moving forwards, its the best thing I had done. takes time to recover fully but dont regret it for one minute. Feel so "normal" now.Just make sure you rest afterwards which will aid the recovery.

Hi girls

I saw the consultant today and have been put on list for a posterior repair op.

I do have a cystocele too but not nearly as bad and he does not want to both at once in case I end up "too tight", so said he would do one at a time.

The method will not be the mesh one but a 'darning sock' one as my physio calls it.

can anyone who has had this tell me what it is like? He has recommended a month off work afterwards.

I know I will be bricking it beforehand but feel strangely calm that at least I now know what will happen.....

Thanks

I am going in in 2 days time for a posterior repair. I have seen 2 colorectal surgeons who said it needed doing but the gynae man wasn't keen at all, said there was only a 65% success rate and it might ruin our sex life. Am having an epidural -wasn't given the choice of a general. Hope I am not shaking too much for him to do it.

laurensgran - Dont worry about your epidural/spinal block - I had one for my posterior repair last October. It takes about four/five hours for the feeling to return to your legs. It is much safer than a general anaesthetic apparently (all those tubes and pipes the Nurse said to me!). Best of luck with your op.

Hi I am home again and I do have to say it was a lot more painful than I expected. They kept giving me more and more painkillers and I was so sick. I just wish now I could go to the loo. Went 3 days ago in hospital but nothing happening despite the lactulose.Only other moan, a nurse gave me a tablet that shouldn't be taken on an empty stomach and it is now so sore. I am going to be so careful now as I never want to have it done again.

Hello Ladies,

I had a posterior vaginal repair on June 3rd. I am 35 and had 2 massive babies naturally that stretched my vagina so much it caused mild prolapse of the uterus. I didn't have stitches or perineal tear.
My sex life also suffered because I couldn't feel anything happening!! Obviously my partner couldn't feel any grip either.

I went to see a GP who referred me to a gynaecologist. Luckily through the NHS I got a place in a private Spire hospital.

I was dreading the operation! Never been in before- had both my children at home.
The general- recovery and pain relief were excellent. No pain atall. I had a catheter and vaginal packing for 24 hours. It didn't even hurt when they came out. Within 1 hour I had passed urine- no stinging. Spent 3 days on the ward, on painkillers- codeine, ibuprofen and paracetamol.
Felt fine afterwards- taking things easy. I am week 5 post op now and can feel a lump next to my vagina by the perineum. There is still a blue thread/stitch hanging down from somewhere! When I am on the toilet, it does feel like it's bulging out a bit, but i think this is normal.
I have been to the gym today and have resumed exercise, apart from heavy weights. I do kegels for my pelvic floor every day.
Discharge is sort of pale yellowy. Not infected, just as you would expect from healing wounds I guess. There isn't alot of discharge but I wear bodyforms extra thin pads for now. Wearing pads creates a slight smell, nothing unpleasant. Reminds me of creamy breast milk! Good hygiene and changing pads often helps.
I cant wait to see if my sex life improves- it does feel tighter and I dont get that heavy feeling anymore. I will keep you all posted, lovely to find a forum to discuss these things!
Jo xxx

Ooooops- forgot to say- was on lactulose too, but didn't do a BM for 3 days after the operation. Was dreading it- but it was fine.
I held a pad firmly onto the vaginal area and just tried not to strain. :-))

Now day 10 and have been to GP today because of strong odour, very strange almost an antiseptic smell.She said it doesn't look infected but I am very swollen. Bowels now moving just about ok but the first one was like giving birth!! Am sure I will recover a lot quicker when World Cup is over.

Hi Laurensgran

Day 10 is still early days- the tissues will still be swollen.
Hopefully BM will improve, now you've got the first few out of the way.
Odours are more noticable when wearing pads all day I think. Try regular changes and you could gently swill with plain water. Removable shower head is a good option as you dont have to apply any pressure to wipe.
All the best,
Jo

By the way- I am 5 weeks today and got a small amount of blood after I wiped. I think it's from the small lump at the entrance, maybe it takes a long time to heal fully compared to the internal stitching? Does anyone have any ideas about this? There is a bluey green thread there also. Thanks.

Hi hippychicjo
I,ve got an infection but it is getting better now I am not using pads and rinsing with salty water as the doctor recommended. I find I am getting so tired after the slightest effort eg a couple of minutes walk.My 2 weeks of taking it very easy is going to go into at least 3 I should think.How long before the stitches start to dissolve?

I had two knots come out from dissolvable stitches during week 2.
This morning the greeny blue thread came off also. ( week 5)
I think stitches take between 2 and 3 weeks to dissolve, but may take longer depending on your surgery.
Ask at your 6 week check up.
I am not feeling tired any more- but I was sleeping longer for the first week.
All the best,
Jo

I'm hoping that someone will be able to offer reassurance / advice on this!

I have just returned from Gyne outpatients appointment where this was diagnosed and I was offered surgery. I am just a bit worried about any post surgery complications / problems that I didn't think to ask about.

My gynacologist advised that intercourse maybe very painful afterwards, and not just in the short term . Also that having bowel movements may be painful. Does anyone else have experience of this or is he painting the worst scenario?

I've noticed that lifting and driving are not recommended for several weeks, but does anyone know how long I should wait to go back to the gym or even go for a walk??

Hi,

Everyone recovers at a different rate, I was fine to drive at 3 weeks after the operation- and I went back to the gym at 5 weeks ( no weights just light cardio)
BM werent painful- but a bit uncomfortable at first, mainly due to my own panic! Just drink plenty of water and take lactulose for a few weeks, this can be prescribed by the hospital pharmacist.
Havent tried sex yet, and I am 6 weeks post op. I personally dont feel ready yet, almost ready but think a couple more weeks will make sure I am healed enough.
Good luck, Jo

Thanks for your reassurance Jo.

You have put my mind at ease, though I still feel slightly panicky at the thought!

The trouble when you start researching something like this is being only able to find the negatives! I hope your recovery continues well.

Thanks
Penny