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!

Bump for sleeplessinderbyshire

Hi! I am new here but very glad I found this wonderful site! I need vaginal vault/wall, cyctocele, rectocele surgery grade 3. I will be having all done at once. My gyn. and urologist will do surgery at the same time. I was wondering what to expect? My gyn. told me he would make sure sex won't hurt-- what does he mean? Does this mean I am going to be to loose or to tight? I am so fustrated and not getting the right information. Please can anyone tell me what to expect. I have learned to bring gas ex pills for after surgery. Have metromucil for when get home lots of water, fiber,etc. Please tell me what to expect. Thanks! I am 44 have 3 older children 25, 20 both boys married 18 yr. old daughter senior in high school 7 yr. old son with autism. Waiting for response and Thanks!

No idea what to expect. Just wanted to say hello and you're not alone.

Hi everyone! I'm posting from USA, Oregon. I had rectocele and perineum repair 2 weeks ago. I had it done mostly for sexual issues of decreased sensations during intercourse, and some bowel issues. I learned a lot from this thread, and it has helped get my bowels in order. I also way underestimated the recovery time and only planned for a week off work due it being done as an out patient. Way bigger deal than I thought. Any more news on affects to sex life afterwards? I am worried he made me a little too tight. We shall see in 4 more weeks!!
Take care
Ashley
thanks for all your help so far

MrsBonkers Hi! Thanks for trying to respond. I am from Missouri. Why are you on this site? Maybe I can respond back to you. I feel so stupid. I am not afraid of vaginal reconstructive surgery for prolapse. I just feel horrible down there and the thought of being left real loose horrifies me. Hope you are in better spirits! Thanks!

I'm two weeks out and still alot of pain on the stitches when I walk.

jollyelf Have rectocele. Been reffered for physio, but she says my pelvic floor muscles are in ok shape so exercises are unlikely to help. Basically I have to decide if I'm prepared to put up with it and if not go back to GP.
Been told they are unlikely to want to do surgery as I am 34 and not sure if I will have more children.
To be honest, since being pregnant and the birth of my DD 6 months ago my body feel completely wrecked (back, hips, knees) so guess I have plenty to be working on for now.

Just wish I had known about all this before I fot pregnant so I could have made an informed decision. I love my DD, but feel in the worst health of my life :(

Hi, I hope that someone can answer this message. If this surgery has worked or failed for someone, they are unlikely to be on this thread but I'll ask anyway. I have a supposed grade 2 rectocle(its feels worse). My sex life is ruined and I feel nothing anymore. I splint as well. Is this the case for other women with this condition and was it improved by the surgery?

Dear Changed

I too have trying to find out that answer. I haven't found that many posts about sex after rectocele or vaginoplasty. I had repair done two weeks ago, so I will let you all know how it goes!! I had lower sensation after my second 9 pound son!! It was affecting my feelings about myself despite still having a good sex life. The surgeon did make it tight (though I did tell him not to overdo it!) he also did a perioneal repair. I will give report. Let me know if you do find other discussion boards on this. Thx

Hi! I have read alot of scary inf. From what I have been told I am having vaginal reconstructive surgery for Cystocele, rectocele, vaginal walls/vault, enterocele. I had partial hyst. 5 years ago. I have found the love of my life. I am so afraid of how surgery will effect my sex life. I don't understand about how they tighten things up. Do they always just tighten up around prolapse or entine vagina. As I am having variety fixed at once does that mean I will be tightened more or the same as 1 repair? I am having snot coming out anus[sorry tmi] What does this mean? I have alot more pressure in anus now as well-why? I hope anyone reading these lists understands that the quicker you surgically repair 2+ grade prolapse the better chances for longer lasting success rates are! But you have to figure age, and meno. in as well. God Bless each and every one of you. I hope all of you know how proud you should be for these are all very scarey surgeries. God Bless! Kim

Hi all

Haven't been on mumsnet for ages but I am posting this cos I got a PM and I thought it might help to post on here as well as respond to that.

I had posterior/perineal repair in June 2009. The recovery was pretty rough in the first few days and weeks, but longer term I was concerned because I didn't think I would ever feel the same sexually again.

I'd like to tell you that it took a few months, but all feelings got back to normal. I am very glad I had the surgery, it sorted out all my problems with BMs and I feel like my body is (almost) back to the way it was before I had the children. I had a great result (in the end) and I think doing the surgery was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I feel back to normal and much better about myself as a woman.

I really feel for everyone on here, those who have had the surgery and those who think they might need it. So many women seem to have these problems. It's easy to feel like a freak but the presence of forums like this is very helpful.

If it were men having the problems it would be so different. It's hard as well for male doctors to understand how childbirth damage affects a woman both physically and psychogically.

Best wishes to everyone

Hi jollyelf,, and thanks Georgiegirl for re-posting. In terms of tightening the vagina during a repair, you should probably ask your doctor specifically what to expect. If you have a perineal repair (the outside) as well as everything else you will probably start out tighter than before kids, but should things would stretch to accomodate your husband as you got back to intercourse.

Like georgiegirl, I had rectocele, and perioneal repair. It's been 18 days and I'm starting to feel much better physically. The outside, the perineum, looks great, like prelude. It feels tight inside, but I know it will work out great overtime. I can tell I am going to feel better about myself. I will keep you posted!

Thanks georgirl!

Hi! Dangergirl, thanks for responding. I don't know what a perineal repair is for. I have grade 3 rectocele, cystocele, vaginal vault/walls being repaired. Do you know how to tell if you have a prolapsed urethra? When you say tighter than before you have sex first time do you mean it just hurts putting it in? Or is it very hard to get penis in for along time? Thank You all for responding to me. You had surgery 18 days ago, any advice to make surgery easier or smoother? I am glad you are feeling better. Just don't make the mistake of doing to much to fast! That is like taking 1 step forward and 2 steps back! lol Do you have any chuildren? I hope all goes well. Thanks!

Hi Jollyelf

perineal repair is the outside, the vaginal opening. Sometimes tears and stretching from the births can cause it to not come back to where it was before to enough of a degree to cause distress. This was a big part of my decision. My 2nd 9 pound baby left me pretty loose feeling despite lots of kegals. I think my rectocele was a 2, but it wasn't bothering that much yet.

Tighter means the opening into the vagina, and the vagina is smaller. The perineum got sewed back up and some vaginal tissue removed so the whole thing is smaller. We won't be starting to try back at sex fir another month, I know it's going to be better, but I think it will be uncomfortable for a few weeks. Dr has prescribed vaginal stretching exercizes.

I didn't take enough time off work. Only 2 1/2 weeks. It's unavoidable for me. My surgery was outpatient, I think less of a repair than certainly what you at getting.

Stool softeners and laxatives are a must!!!! Start before and carry on. First bm was really painful. Get a donut seat. My outside stitches still aren't healed and are sore.

When is your surgery?
Ashley

Hi! Dangergirl, I already seen gyn. who says I need surgery. I see the urologist tomorrow. I don't know if their needing tests but Urologist and gyn. do surgery together. I sure wish you was closer. I would help you. Sometimes Dr's don't realize how much pain, and exhaustion are involved during these surgeries. It would be nice if they had been thru it themselves so they could empithize[lol]. I am so thankful that this site is here. I sure wish you could take as much time as you need. If you do to much you could have same surgery again. I have weird question I am having mucus come out anus, andnow am having air bubbles coming out vagina[silently]. I don't do anal-tmi sorry],I am so embarrased from all this. But lot dose of embarresment is better than God forbid cancer. I wish you a Haffy day, try and rest and go slow! God Bless! KIM

Hi Mrs Bonkers, I haven't heard from you. Maybe they can fit you for pessary? Also check and see incase I am wrong, but from what I have read in past you can have rectocele repaired and if you get pregnant again explain to Dr. about prior surgery and they will do c-section. I am not trying to nag you or anything but everywhere I have accidently found[I am computer challenged} it states if you do nothing your prolapse will get worse! If you wait to long surgery success is much harder. Again I think they mean prolapse outside body. I was 18 when I had bs and had grade 4 episiotimy with tearing. That was 25 years ago. He was over 9 lbs. and I was in girls 14 slim jeans when got pregnant. It destroyed me. I will give you my e-mail and you can e-mail me if you want [email protected] You take care, and kiss dd for me! God Bless, KIM

Hi Kim

the air bubbles are likely from the vaginal issues that you are having repaired. That should go away after the surgery. The mucus from the anus i'm not sure about. You should definately let the gyn know (or reg dr). Their are bowel conditions like crohns or ulcerative colitis that can cause this, or infection, or perhaps a medication. I do think you should get it checked

Ashley

Jollyelf - Mucus can come from piles, too, so it may be nothing worrisome, but I would have it checked out.

I'm almost 5 weeks post op - rectocele and perineal repair. Perineum has been very sore at times, and some unpleasant memories of pain after DD1's birth haven't been helpful.

I've had two infections and now have awful thrush from the antibiotics. Bruising and swelling didn't help with the first infection.

BUT I'm still glad I had it done. Despite all the trouble, things are looking better than before and I feel like me again.

I was feeling ready for sex last week, though one or two stitches still seem to be there so hopefully those will dissolve by the time the infection and thrush clear up. DH is being very patient!

Hi, DANGERGIRL and ET63, Thanks so much for responding. I am having surgery this Monday. I can't wait! Just curious why did they cut perinium for? Please let us know how happy you and dh are after the deed!!! I appreciate all your advice and help. I feel so alone and don't want anyone to know what is going on. I don't know what I would do without these chats! Bless each and everone of you for participating in these talks! Thanks and hope all are well. Later KIM

Hi Kim.
I'm having some time for 'reflection' about my issues. I have to be in the right frame of mind to think about it IYKWIM.
Healthcare here in the UK is probably a very different set up to what you're used to too!
Just wanted to wish you luck for Monday.x.

Dangergirl - Since my posterior repair, I have found full penetration difficult as my vagina (inside) seems too small/short. My gynaecologist did not mention vagina stretching exercises so I would be really interested to know what they are. Can you tell me how they work?

Hi Tuffie

the vaginal stretching exercizes are where you take 5 min daily and use vaginal dilation to stretch. After doing this for a few weeks, sex should be more comfortable. Basically, ( to be graphic), you get vibrator, or dildo, and increase the size to allow stretching. My doctors post operative instructions say to do this daily and to increase the size and discomfort until the opening and inside stretches to accomodate size. He literally writes "no pain, no gain".!! Ha ha.

How long ago was your repair?

The vaginal tissue is very pliable and forgivable, remember babies manage to get through! Things should improve with time

Ashley

Hello everyone

I haven't posted on here for a while because I haven't needed to :)

I am now 3 months post op and am feeling ok,other than getting constipated now and again and small lump in front of my vagina and pain in my bum sometimes when I sit everything is back to normal,I feel everything down there is alot better when not constipated

Hope everyone had a lovely Xmas and new year

Hi all, Happy New Year. Thanks esp to Dangergirl and ET63 - sounds like you've had exactly the same procedure I'm due to have in 3 weeks time. ET63 - Interestng what you say re unpleasant memories of pain after DD1s birth - I too had a bad experience after DD1s birth and was anxious about recurring memories - although am focusing on the positive that depsite any pain, I won't have to sit up on it to feed a baby every 2-3 hours...that was unbearable(almost 4 yrs ago now bt still makes me wince)! thanks for tips re stool softners and donut ring. What about hair removal before op? I am due to have perineal repair and wondered whether being hairless down there would be beneficial prior to the op. Never had it completely hair free down there -or do they shave you during the op? any other tips to help post op? Many many thanks for everyone's advice - rerally helps to know I'm not alone :) X

Dangergirl. Thanks for the info.I wish I'd known about these stretching exercises sooner. The quality of information given to patients seems to vary enormously so thank goodness for sites like this. Would you believe I had the repair 2 years ago and have been muddling through ever since. My dh is fortunately very understanding ! I will certainly give them a go.Thanks again.