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!

Am not sure how you classify "older", belucky, but I'm 50, so not in the very first flush of youth.

I'd say just do whatever you feel comfortable with. I'm a great believer that doctors emphasise the worst case scenario, and suggest far less activity afterwards than is either realistic or necessary. Our bodies tell us when we're overdoing it or something is wrong.

I've read bits of this thread in the past but thought it was time to sign in and join... I'm booked for a rectocele repair on December 2nd, and possibly a perineal revision, though I'm not sure and will query that at my pre-op on Monday.

The thing that worries me most is how I'll cope afterwards with a 21lb and very active 9-month-old, but if I leave it any longer she'll only be heavier and more active! I'm still breastfeeding, but they're being really helpful and she and hubby are allowed in outside normal visiting hours because of that.

I'm wondering about hiring a valley cushion from the NCT so that I can sit more comfortably afterwards, and have dug out my Feme Pads - glad I didn't get rid of them!

I've asked for a spinal anaesthetic as GAs really freak me out (have had two and both bad experiences) and they've agreed, so I hope they stick with that. Have been told I'll be in for 3-5 days, though RCOG leaflet says 2-3?

oh, another thing I forgot: how does the post-op pain compare to recovery from a 3rd degree tear? I managed that on paracetamol & ibuprofen after day 1 (spinal, then voltarol suppository and some codeine that did nothing but cause trouble, so I won't touch that again) so am a bit perturbed by all the talk of morphine and PCA in the hospital leaflets.

Would be glad to hear from anyone who's experienced both and can compare them. Thanks!

I was pumped full of pain killers as part of the op. After that they offered codeine and paracetamol. I didn't really have any pain from the op at all. Had pain from trapped wind the next day( laid on side and it passed after about 4 hours).

Then just took paracetamol as I needed it. Just a bit sore really- not pai ful as such.

Not sure a valley cushion would be needed as I had a lower back ache but no external stitches ( well 2 small ones on bottom). Sitting was fine and a hard seat was better than a soft one.

I went in at about 12- op at about 4.30- back on ward for 6- eating supper at 8. Stayed 2 nights which felt about right. Went home about 12.

Not nearly as uncomfortable as an episiostomy, but again all my stitches were internal. I gave up on the painkillers on the second day as there weren't necessary.

Thanks! All the talk of morphine freaks me out somewhat. I forgot to ask about it today but will check with the anaesthetist when I go in next week.

It's a grade 3 apparently, so I think I'm doing the right thing, and they're planning a perineal revision, too, so think I will go with the cushion! Physio is hoping to be able to see me on the ward. I might only be in for 2-3 nights, which is a relief.

I'm feeling ok about it, and have a 2 day course this week that I need to focus on.

Has anyone declined anticoagulants after surgery? I've had trouble with bleeding before and don't want to take unnecessary risks either way...

Well I'm week 4 post op today and did a 2 mile walk with pushchair!!bad idea!!am now aching!!

Not only that but I seem to be able to still feel something down there sticking out with a stictch on as well I think,it's making me really aware,I'm hoping I haven't undone any work I e had done,and also thinking if this is what it feels like after forever I want it sorting!!

No pain anymore in general just aching after walk,still taking movicol to bm I think I will be on this forever!!

And rarely taking tablets now so that's a good thing

Three weeks since the op for me, today. I feel totally back to normal, except that there's still a small discharge. Can't wait to get rid of the blimmin sanitary pads.

Wow ivy. Do you have a heavy or dragging feeling still? I have a slight pulling pain as well when tired. I am also aware of it all the time- just a sensation.

Seeing consultant next week. Find out if it's all worked then

No pulling pain. Everything fells fine. I'm still a bit careful about straining when I go to the loo and lacking musculature in that area, but given that I had the rectocoele for over 20 years, that's probably going to take a while to improve. Lots of Kegel exercises going on.
I feel a bit more tired in the evenings than I would do normally, but apart from lifting heavy stuff, am back to doing everything as before.

I've noticed I can feel it more 'down there'when I need a bm or I'm constipated,I've noticed the more I do things this week the more it hurts my bum(where tour tail bone is)other than being tired I'm pretty much bck to normal.

Hope everyone isn't snowed in like me!!

I know what you mean, Suzie. I feel the same. Have stopped bleeding, hurrah!!!

Aw I'm glad you have stopped bleeding I never bled at all really just for about 3 days then had my period as normal,just feels all lumpy and bumpy down there now!!defiantly not the same!!!

Am still a mass of stitches internally, but externally everything looks fine. I suppose the lumpy bumpiness goes away over time, as the scarring tissue goes down?

Hope so!!my bits don't feel the same and I'm not happy lol haven't even tried to touch inside yet!!can't bare the thought lol

Hi Ladies. Sorry to butt in.
I have a rectocele and have been refered for physio. First appointment on Friday. Can you give me an idea of what to expect?
I'm really scared and embarrassed :(

Hi MrsBonkers,

The physio will probably ask your permission to examine you, and test how strong your pelvic floor muscles are, advise on exercises and anything else that may be helpful (biofeedback, perhaps, which helps you do them more effectively). It's a bit weird but they're used to it and are very understanding.

Really hope it goes well.

Ivy and suzy. I saw my consultant this week. I am very lumpy inside- said that was perfectly normal and will go down and by 3 months should be much less.

She said it had worked which was a relief as it still all feels odd

Alsonsaid that the numbness may last for 4 months- I think someone described it as the tailbone- I don't really have much sensation- just a low ache at times.

Sadly now have to start pelvic floor exercises.

ET63 Thanks.
Its the examining bit I'm nervous about. I was fine giving birth but somehow this feels MORE personal - weird huh

Hi ladies

Its a while since I have made a post, thought I would update.

I am 5 weeks post op tomorrow, but not back to work yet, feel ok in my self but cant seem to do much without getting tired and aching down below
A lovely lady recommended salt baths after about week 3 and they have sure helped, lost one of my stitches after 2nd bath, which I was glad of as it was the only painful one.
I had internal stitches but as far as I know I have not lost any ???? Also dont know how it is up there but seeing consultant next week

As for pain, the internal stitches have been fine it was the perenium stitch that was painful, similar to stitch after tear if that helps
Good luck to anyone who is having their op soon xx

Hi,
I wanted to say what a support this site has been.
I'm almost 2 weeks post op, after having a large rectocele repair as a day surgery case- a bit surprising as I was told to take 6-8 weeks off work. I'm and doing well.I'm glad I've had this done now.
I share some of the key things people have raised here. If I was considering this again this is the advice I'd have liked to have in advance,

• Get your hair done before the op,- I looked a sight for sore eyes until yesterdays trip to the hairdresser.
• Eat healthily and take a stool softener a few days before your op.Stock up with whole grain foodstuffs, fresh fruit etc for when you get home.Drink lots of water.I took some senokot for two days to get my natural rhythm back of bm's.I had to breathe through the experience and try to relax the first few times- it gets better!
• Prep those around you about what you will need in terms of help.-Don't be brave on this occasion.

-Stock up with good books and DVD's.Eat chocolates people send you when you're enjoying these!

• Rest when you need to.

-Keep warm and comfortable.(especially in this weather!)

• Pace your painkillers,- I avoided anything with codeine in it even though this was my take home analgesia,I didn't want to get constipated.I managed on paracetamol and ibuprofen.

I put off having this op for ages, I wish I'd done it years ago.
Best wishes to everyone with their ops and their recoveries!

I'm home (yesterday evening), 3 days post op now. Op was Thurs afternoon - posterior repair and perineorrhaphy with just a spinal block (though some sedation might, looking back, have helped me a bit). Catheter and pack were in til yesterday morning as my consultant feels they should stay in for 2 days. Bladder was playing up a bit so they scanned twice before residual was low enough, and had to have an enema as I had agonising constipation and it wouldn't shift, despite lactulose beforehand, prune juice, movicol and gallons of water.

Only had codeine once, otherwise paracetamol and diclofenac. Consultant anaesthetist was unhelpful and told me I'd need pain relief that was incompatible with BF; SHO wouldn't give anything other than codeine (which thankfully was enough but didn't help the bowels...) all a bit stupid and irritating. Will be writing to them about that!

DD2 (9m) just came in once each day for feeds and had EBM from a cup the rest of the time. She slept better than usual, too!

Feeling sore but OK. Need to work out a schedule for my painkillers so it doesn't catch up on me. Had a nice long bath this morning, and the valley cushion is fantastic for sitting on!

Very little bleeding now.

Good luck over the next few days, ET63. Take is very easy over the next few days, and look after yourself.

Thanks; I have lots of family help, and DH has been around til this afternoon so MIL has come to stay the night while he's away with work.

I have awful backache but think that's from trying not to sit on my bottom for two days and struggling to get comfortable. Still almost no bleeding, so having the pack in for 2 days does seem to have paid off.

I was brave and had a look with a mirror. Amazing - looks much better already than pre-op! No bruising, swelling not too bad, and I feel much more womanly. Think it's been worth the trouble.

The Movicol is more than doing its work, so I have no fear about going to the loo any more.

Hi all . Hope anyone who has just had their op is feeling better.

Don't know if I should be here as I haven't got a date for op or anything (don't even know if they will operate due to my young age) but gynaecologist has said I definately have a Rectocele.

I have had the symptoms since my second child was born (he is 15 months) , although my GP says it is unusual I have a prolapse as I have never been in labour (2 c-sections) and I'm only 23.

Don't know if I will get an operation because of the possibility I could have more children? (I know I don't want any more but not sure if they will see it like that)

I have a couple of questions -

Once the operation is done, how likely is it that the problem (or other pelvic floor problems) will recur?

Will I be able to have sex again? and be "normal"? I can't at the moment cause of symptoms and I feel very down about the whole thing.

I have read this whole thread and it has made me feel a bit better to know I'm not alone.