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!

[ouchitreallyhurts]

I've had a repair to a cystocele and was told no lifting for 6 weeks. I'm now 5 weeks post op and have to admit to lifting my 2 year old more than once since the op. She fell over and I automatically lifted her back up and on another occasion a car was coming along the unpaved part of our road and again I lifted her up.
You do get used to not lifting too much in that recovery time and things like shopping bags, hoovering etc are easier to not do than the automatic lifting of a child in the above circumstances.
My elder lo's were very good at lifting their youngest sister onto my lap for cuddles in the early days too. I think its a case of adapting

My dd was breastfed up until the op and I could have continued after coming home day 2 post op but chose to use this time to give up (she is 2)

good luck with it all! if its any consolation, my surgery was so much easier than I expected. I was up and mobile within a couple of hours and home 2 days later. Bit tired in the afternoons but that soon passed and the end result is worth it too.

[Bluesunflower]

Thank you for your reassuring words 'ouchitreally hurts'. I'll let you know how it goes and would be very interested in reading about other people's experiences in the meantime.

[denise21]

hi sory to hear you're still having stinging problems and sharp pains. i def think you shoud ask to see consultant earlier than when you're booked...... it may be that you need to have the tape adjusted?

[kentmumtj]

hi just wondered how everyone is as its a while since everyone had their ops

[vampirejude]

Hi all, i have a moderatley large rectocele and I am due my posterior repair op on 23rd sep. At consultant appointment she said i would be off work for around 3-4 weeks but didn't say alot about lifting or resting for 6 weeks, i wish now that i had asked more questions. hopefully I can find out more info at pre op assesment. After reading your threads im feeling a little less anxious but i am dreading the opening bowel/peeing afterwards!! I am looking into getting a rubber ring for my tushy for added comfort.
I really need to consider getting help with my boys (1+6) as my partner will be running our new shop by then so can't really afford to have time off.

Is anyone else awaiting the same op?

[kentmumtj]

ive had the op that your waiting to have, i was off work for 6 weeks i am 4 months post op now, yes the ring will be a very good idea

[georgiegirl2]

Hi there everyone

I had a posterior repair five days ago. I don't feel too bad physically, still quite sore but managing with paracetamol and ibuprofen. I had a four night stay in hospital, and had a vaginal pack and catheter for the first 24 hours which was very uncomfortable.

Having had two large episiotomies when I had my DDs and remembering that experience I was terrified of having a bowel movement. I got really dreadful bloating and constipation on the 3rd day and after trying suppositories ending up being given an enema - one of the worst experiences of my life, humiliating but more than that terribly painful! Things seem to be calming down a bit now but I am worried about infection - I have not had any significant bleeding despite three days of clexane, but I do have some discharge from the sutured areas which looks alarmingly pus-like (sorry, tmi I know).

The only follow up I have scheduled now is with the gynae surgeon on 4th August. I'm pleased to be home and trying not to do too much, but feel very anxious about being 'on my own' with it now. I could have stayed in hospital another night, I discharged myself a day early partly because there was loads of building work going on and it was terribly noisy. I haven't had a decent night's sleep since the op and feel extremely teary all the time.

I sound such a weed! I suppose I could hardly expect to feel chipper at this stage. I'm feeling crazy for having it done in the first place. I had a mild rectocele and a badly weakened back wall. This gave me problems with BMs. Also according to my surgeon I had no muscle left in my perineum at all as a consequence of a huge and badly stitched episiotomy following the very swift birth of my 5kg DD. I have felt for years (DD now 6) that nothing was at all like the way it was before and I partly went for the op to increase my sexual confidence which diminished to the point that my DH and I were hardly ever intimate. He has always said it felt no different for him, but it did for me, less snug and it made me feel very unsexy and 'damaged'.

I've had a section removed from the back wall, the muscles reattached underneath and a further layer of stitches in the tissues above the muscle. He's also rebuilt my perineum. No tape or mesh.

I'd love to hear from anyone a bit further down the road, just for a bit of reassurance really. Did anyone have an infection, and if I am worried about this what should I do? I want to hear that it's all been worth it too I guess!

Thanks

George

[flourybaps]

Hi GG, sorry for delay in writing, I had my op back in Feb and I can honestly say hang on in there it gets better, I was worried about infections too, even went back to Gp for a swab but none materialised.

I had an uncomfortable stich but when that was snipped my recovery was much better.

So Im 4 months on from you and Im so glad I had the op, I can open my bowels normaly and have sex again! Its comforable, no pain at all and I feel more 'normal' down there again.

Im glad I had it done and it was worth it. Hang on in there it will get easier.

Good luck with your recovery just be patient and kind to yourself, these things take time both emotionally and physically to recover from

[georgiegirl2]

Hey, thanks so much for that. I had a not so good day yesterday, but feel a lot better today. The pattern has been that every couple of days I can appreciate some improvement.

I'm less worried about infection now too. My surgeon said I may have blood or bloody discharge for several weeks, but it seems to be lessening now. Such a relief to be beyond the first awful few days.:-)

[MangoJuggler]

Hi guys, can I direct you to a lady needing support here

Thank you

[kentmumtj]

i to am 4 months post op and had 2 infections sadly i am not in the same place as flourybaps as i am not able to have sexual relations with dh as they have sewed me up to tight, i am still uncomfortable on a daily basis and at the moment am regretting having it done at all as i may need antoher smaller op .......hopefully one day i will be glad i had it done

[georgiegirl2]

What are the symptoms of an infection?

[CAPE]

Hello, have been reading your posts and thought I would ask a couple of questions. I'm set to have the rectocele posterior repair in one week's time. I was told I could go back to work in two weeks' time. I'm more than a little apprehensive about this, although I definitely need the posoterior rectocele repair.

My OB did a bladder repair ten years ago and I was never very happy with that...he cut me open! However, he is obviously more experienced now and is operating with a urologist. Is this the normal routine, i.e., an OB and a Urologist? I had to do the Urodynamics test to check out my bladder. The Urologist didn't think I had a current bladder problem, but OB is saying they don't know what they will find when they get in there. So, my paperwork that I signed gives permission for these procedures: anterior repair and posterior repair with grafts, transobterator sling.

Did any of you sign paperwork for surgery you did NOT receive? Any input appreciated!

[bubblerock]

Wow - the time off work really differs between NHS trusts doesn't it? I'm 5 weeks post op (posterior repair) and we were told 12 weeks off work and housework, 4 weeks off driving due to insurance issues! I feel absolutely fine, the op was much better than I thought, no real pain, stayed in 4 nights, no follow up booked other than physio for pelvic floor. Keep meaning to update on the new thread!! Haven't had sex yet - waiting for 6 weeks, can't wait to be honest!

[kentmumtj]

georgiegirl - the signs of my infection was a foul smelling discharge and a lot of pain and soreness which seemed to last about 5 weeks.

cape - i too was told to sign off work for 2 weeks and ended up having 6 weeks off work think this was due to the recurrent infections i got.

bubblerock - i glad your feeling so well its fantastic news, i too didnt drive for about 5 weeks as to be honest i couldnt sit on my bottom aread for that long and after 5 weeks it was very gentle sittign down.

As for the sex department sadly for me there is no action there 3 failed and painful attempts and i mean really painful i went back to docs. Turns out ive been sewed up too tight.......great am now waiting to see surgeon again and may need another smaller op

you were told 12 weeks off wow what area is that im south east

[CAPE]

Soooo.....I may be a bit too optimistic in 2 weeks off work, if I read correctly! The nurses in doc's office told me that they had women calling in ONE week wanting to know when they could have sex, go back to work, etc. etc. I'm pretty sure I won't spend but one night in hospital, though, because that is probably all insurance will pay!

Doc told me to expect the foul smelling discharge as normal. When I asked what it was, he said it was dead tissue "sloughing off".....

[bubblerock]

I'm in Lancashire, kentmumtj - sorry things aren't going to well in the sex dept, must be annoying! Discharge wasn't very pleasant for a while and I worried about infection but I spoke to the practice nurse on the phone and she said it was normal and just give it time. Just make sure you take it really easy after the op, I felt quite well but you need to give the tissue inside time to heal otherwise you'll be back in the same place in a few years

The physio at the hospital said something I hadn't really thought about before, how our bodies are designed for us to walk on all fours so that our insides are kept in place by our strong stomach muscles but with evolution our poxy pelvic floor muscles can't cope with all our organs bearing down on it because it's not what it was designed for!

[georgiegirl2]

Cape, I am now 12 days post-op and cannot imagine how anyone would be thinking about sex after a week. I still feel a bit sore and tired, though it's getting better each day. I have times now where I can forget about it. But the idea of sex appals me right now (ditto cycling!)

I don't think a week off work sounds like long, nor does a night in hospital. I was scheduled to stay in for 5 nights, and came home after 4 but would have felt unready before then. If you're coming out after a night or two, make sure you have plenty of help at home, don't be on your own. I felt like s* for the first couple of days and was on 4 different painkillers including morphine.

It seems to be healing OK now. It's much less sore and I'm mad enough to keep looking with a mirror. It looks less 'angry' and I even had a feel inside - it does feel tight, but not in a bad way, just much more like it was before I had the girls, kind of familiar. That said, it's pretty sore still and I'm hoping that some of the tight feeling will diminish when the stitches go and it's all a bit more flexible.

I bled very little in hospital until the day before I came out when I had an alarming show of bright red blood. But I was assured this was normal, particularly since I was given clexane, a blood thinner, to guard against DVT. I had a creamy/pinkish discharge which has lessened a lot in the last couple of days. It didn't smell really horrible, but it did smell - a kind of bloody smell, a bit like menstrual odour. Sorry if this is tmi, but I wanted to know as much as possible what to expect so thought I'd share!

One of my friends bought me a doughnut cushion from some medical website. It's made from visco-elastic material, like Tempur mattresses and it's been absolutely brilliant. It's made a huge difference to how comfortable I've been.

Good luck with yours, let us know how you get on :-)

[CAPE]

Georgiegirl2 - thanks much for your input! It really makes me think that I've signed up for more than I know. In looking at my paperwork, I consented for rectocele repair, bladder rpair and if my brain were down there, I'm sure they would tunnel around in that also!
This doc is not big on pain meds...he gave morphine for one night in hospital when he did former surgery, then percocet next day and sent me home with a mild painkiller. Am wondering if you might be located in Canada, if that is an "ok" question.

Thanks for info about cushion; I'll look into that prior to surgery as I have been wondering if it is uncomfortable to sit down.

[kentmumtj]

well i think your doing very well being onyl 12 days post op and youve been able to have a feel inside ...........i couldnt do that for at least 10 weeks and even then it hurt to touch the area

cape GOOD LUCK Am just glad im not going through it all again

[georgiegirl2]

I'm in Hertfordshire. I went private for the op but don't have insurance, so it was on a pay as you go basis. It was 3560 if anyone's interested - eek. I had a sign on my door saying 'premium care'. I guess I got stitched up in more ways than one! I could have done it on the NHS but I'm starting a university course in September and I didn't want it to interfere with that. Plus once I'd decided to go ahead I just wanted to get it out of the way asap.

Re pain relief, I had morphine twice but wasn't in real agony, it was partly to help me sleep.

They gave me codeine daily, as well as paracetamol, and something called ketoprofen that they shoved up my bottom (nice). I had to ASK them to shut the curtains when they did this, even though there were a load of builders outside (so much for 'premium care').

I think the codeine was a bad idea really, because it causes constipation, which is the last thing you want after this procedure, believe me (see my earlier post...)

Yesterday I got my husband to drop me in town and I did a bit of pottering around. I've been for the odd 10-15 minute walk. And last night I went to the pub with two girlfriends and got absolutely trashed!! I can't even remember how I got home. Not advisable of course, I guess my alcohol tolerance must have gone down...

No driving yet, but I've been out with friends in their cars and it's not that uncomfortable.

Discharge has completely gone now, and smell is well, pleasant.

I think it has been OK so far really. I'm so sorry kentmum that you have had a hard time with it.

The first few days were pretty awful though, and I was a real cry-baby!! I can't imagine now how anyone gets addicted to plastic surgery - this is the first time I've had an operation and it's a simply ghastly experience!!

Boredom is my main problem now, not to mention bankruptcy - internet shopping has been my distraction, with fairly extreme consequences!!

[maturestudentlikegoodwine]

I am due to go in on Friday for a rectocele repair and perinium repair plus removal of skin tag, I am feeling physically sick and panicky. Is it really that bad, I am getting to the point where I want to cancel I'm that scared. I had the op booked last year in March and chickened out because of my phobia of general anethstetic but they have told me they will do it under spinal and sedation this time, and Im still freaking out

[CAPE]

This is about 48 hours post op for me and it has been ROUGH! In the hospital, they gave me morphine in drip, oral pain med AND shot to control the pain. Rectocele repair was "larger than normal"...whatever that means. Came home with only a mild painkiller and it doesn't do much good. I spent yesterday and last night urinating continuously, so haven't had any undisturbed sleep. Very difficult to sit even though doc said it wouldn't be. Haven't experienced the first post-op BM but am not looking forward to it. They also did bladder repair, but not as major as rectocele.

I know it had to be done and am glad it's over, but I didn't expect this much pain. Was told I could drive in a week and go back to work in two weeks. We'll see...one of the very worst things for me was the packing of the gauze upinside after surgery.

Oh, well, maybe tomorrow will be better as I'm not moving around too much today. What have others of you experienced regarding lessening of pain?

[denise21]

Hi just an update for those of you who are about to have ops or only recently had them. Now 10 weeks post op - anterior repair, posterior repair and TVT tape. I am now so much better, the pain goes, can drive comfortably even over speed bumps, sex is fine. healing good according to the consultant at 6 week check. second visit to gyne physio next tuesday then that should be me finished with the hospital. first 2-4 weeks post op are def the wors. dealing with catherter, pain, discharge etc and boredom from not being able to do much - but its so much better getting past the 6 weeks. was worried about sex and how my vagina would be after the 3 ops but its fine, def tighter prob feels shorter than before which consultant explained would be the case. Hope that helps - now glad had done.

[kentmumtj]

cape - for my pain relief i took tramadol to be honest i really dont know if it eased the pain i felt but i guess we are all different.

hope your recovery goes well, as for the sitting down i was not able to sit down without any pain or discomfort for about a good 6-8 weeks but i guess thats because i had many infections.