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!

Found out today I have an infection :(

Alexandra46 so sorry to hear you have an infection. Have you got antibiotics? Make sure they take it seriously and keep an eye on you. As Missing My Sleep said earlier it is easy to overlook and then you feel really bad. Ages ago I recommended 'Citricidal' which I took years ago when I had a particularly bad infection that wouldn't budge. It sort of naturally disinfects you from the inside out! Take care and look after yourself, keep us posted.

I am feeling much better and quickly adapting to not working after doing 68 hour week night/lates/early shifts. Amazing how soon you fall into the 'lady of leisure' lifestyle! Still got wobbly legs and my heart is still a bit fast but I don't feel like I am going to have to call an ambulance any time soon!
Good luck to all of you, keep well!

Glad ur feeling good Jackie. x Gives us a few weeks behind u some hope it does get better!

Feeling a bit down and fed up. Wasnt expecting to feel so low to be honest.

Phoned hospital as I had a bleed after Bm, nurse spoke to consultant who said he wanted the RMO to see me straight away just incase. So shot to hospital and doctor had a look and told me I had an infection! Put me on the antibiotics that start with an M which is the right one for 90% of the infections.. She also took a swab just incase it was an infection in the other 10%. She said it shd start having an effect by Weds. So fingers crossed. x

Oh well these things take time.

Jackie, just scrolled up a few pages and am I wrong in thinking u are yet to get this done? If so sorry for previous post, just presumed u were through the other side so to speak. x

Hi Footle,

Im in the middling age bracket at 46. Have seen some past posts from older ladies.

However if I can be of any help dont hesitate to ask.

x

Hi, did any of you try pessaries before opting for surgery?
I have a 9month old so surgery not an option for me at the moment as I wouldn't be able to not lift after.
As I'm not in pain, I wondered if a pessary would help me go to the loo without 'splinting.'

Alexandra46, Don't worry! Yes I am still waiting! Just deteriorating in the meantime. I keep forgetting to take the pain meds and sit or stand around hopping from side to side before I remember! Seeing the consultant on 14th April, hopefully he will have something positive to say and a plan of action to attempt to sort me out. Still a bit wobbly from Friday's little 'do' at the side of the road but generally about the same. I would have been back at work at 4pm tomorrow for a set of nights so that feels strange, I really feel as if it is a disaster now that I have had to go off sick. I am very stubborn and normally keep going no matter what. Just for once I am being sensible!

Footle, I am 48 (49 in 19 days time, so probably classed as 'older'?!!) I'm not sure age matters with this sort of issue as some of the women on the site seem very young (I think there was someone in her late 20's, but also definitely two at least in their 50's, their posts are around 21st May 2009)

Pinski, did you recover from pushing the swing?

Missing my sleep, did your teeth recover?

Good luck with recovery everyone!

Teeth still black, but have dentist next week so hopefully she can fix them for me.

Its two weeks post op and its still hard going, as in there isnt much I can do where I am not pulling on the stitches down under or the tvt stitches.

And having a poo is a drama. I have noticed some blood after the last few times, but am going to take lots of softening things to see if that eases that off.

Have got hold of some antibiotics, cos one of the tvt stitches isnt looking great, and that is good cos I would have no idea if I had an infection in the posterier repair, as I am taking lots of painkillers and the stitches hurt, so who would know.

At least the sun is out. I did think 6 weeks of work was going to be fab but so far its hard going. I am hoping week 3 is going to be easier...

HI all..
bit of an update from me as I'm slightly ahead in the recovery period than most of you, so here's some comparisons...

I stopped ALL painkillers by the end of week two - just didn't need them. Still needed to lie down for rest at LEAST after lunch and usually before supper as well.

I'm now four weeks post op tomorrow (Friday 7th), and today, I drove us 35 miles to a lovely little market town nearby, took a wander up and down the high street, popped into lots of shops and tried on lots of clothes (I've lost 10lbs, so go figure...!) and even had a pub lunch. Had two coffee shop breaks, one morning and one afternoon to make sure I had enough energy... and then drove home. (Husband non-driver...)

I'm just having a rest now - but I did this on Monday and it nearly killed me - three days later and my stamina is already that much better. I'm 39, fit as a fiddle usually and not overweight.

So... just hang in there. I have noticed a real improvement in my recovery this past week - my second lot of perineal stitches came away yesterday - and they were sore and pulling just beforehand... and were also like that when the first ones came out - so maybe when they come away you'll get some relief from them, Missing?

Not sure you should be bleeding with a bm, though - might be worth phoning the doctor? Can you eat more vegetables and wholemeal stuff to soften it all up? I'm very proud of myself - had a poo in 'public' today - for the first time, and it was just easy - I didn't remember what it was like not to need to 'help' it all along, I think I just lived with it for hte past 4 or so years. Madness, really...

So - chin up, girls. There's major light at teh end of the tunnel - week on week I have been significantly better, you will be too!!!
xxxx

Mrs Bonkers, I was shown the pesseries and they are MASSIVE! I said no and my consultant said he didnt think they would be any good for me anyway as my rectocele was so large and hanging low.

Missing, I had fresh blood after BM, and it turned out I had an infection, It was stopping the stitch healing causing it to be open. So I would get it checked out if I were you. x

Jackie:- How long have you been waiting to get this sorted out??? I saw GP in January, consultant in Feb and had op in March!

Pinski, Glad all is going well. Im now on day 10. Can I ask what it was you had done? Was it a rectocele? Or was there other things as well.

Im ok Physically, but it is taking a toll on me mentally. Been feeling very low and anxious. Am hoping this improves soon.

x

Hi everyone,
Sorry I haven't posted sooner. Well as most of you know I've had 2 infections post surgery. I went for my post op check (got the day right this time ) and told her that I was having symptoms again. She had a look with the speculum OUCH!!!!!!!! and said all looked good but took a swab anyway. A week later results back and 3rd infection so back on antibiotics . Can't understand it; not sure if it's from the rectocele repair, the ablation or the Mirena coil. Any ideas, tips ladies as I can't keep taking tablets forever? On a happier note I'm FINALLY back at work, YIPPEE! I've been off since August due to a neck injury. I'm 10 weeks post op but still get tired. Think I must have turned lazy while off .

Suzy - you posted a while back re Mirena coil and speculum after rectocele repair the same as me. I was 8 weeks post op and I'll be honest, I found it quite painful and I felt sore inside afterwards for a few hours. So good luck. Definitely not as bad as getting the packing out .

Mrs Bonkers - re pessaries vs splinting. I used to splint but when I saw consultant I was not suitable for a pessary because of where my rectocele was. If you're suitable, it's worth a try. Lots of people have them and are fine. Others say they fall out or make it difficult to have a sex life (it can rub and chafe)

Pinski, thanks for that, its sounds promising and I am glad you are feeling good. don't overdo it!!

Alexandra, I've been waiting for far too long. Its been complicated as I had an operation in September that was supposed to be the 'be all and end all', but didn't go well. On that occasion I had a large polyp removed but they realised that they had been trying to 'band' or remove live tissue and the situation was much worse than they had thought. The last few months I have been going through loads of tests and waiting, whilst getting worse. Having two consultants probably doesn't help either! Hopefully once I have seen the consultant on Thursday things may move along a bit!! In more ways than one!!

Kazimodo, have you tried echinacea and citricidal... they may help and they won't stop the antibiotics from working, more like support them, good luck with it all.

Dear Pinski thank you, you have cheered me right up. I am knackered and fed up with not being able to do any kind of movement without something tweaking. I am alright when up and pottering, but sitting and lying down are not that comfy so I am getting very tired.

I am glad I have got my hands on some antibiotics, so if anything is not ok down below that ought to fix it, so if the blood after BM hasn't gone by Mon/Tues then I will get back to the docs. If there is an infection that would explain why I am feeling rough - well I guess 2 weeks post op you feel rough anyway so it's hard to tell.

Jackie you poor thing, it sounds like you have had such a hard time, I do hope the consultant sorts everything out.

Kazimodo & Alexandra, there is another thing you can take that is just chock full of vit C, antioxidants etc, its called Zambrosa, and I used to take it all the time - I am going to start taking it again now, I had forgotten about it. It's great for the immune system, if you fancy it let me know, I can give you the phone number you can order it from. It's like a very strong juice that you just have a little of, 2 or 3 times a day. I am going to be knocking it back for the next week or so in the hope it will help my immune system fix everything up and keep me infection free.

Well done you on getting back to work!

I had a posterior rectocele - when I got the discharge notes from the hospital, it said 'LARGE rectocele' - their capitals, not mine. Which was reassuring... And consultant told me that posteriors are much more painful and complicated than anterior. Which is all just aimed at making you feel fantastic about yourself, non?!!!!

In on the Friday, out on the Monday... by the following Sunday I had an infection, no idea what or how, but my pads smelled a bit weirdy beardy... so I had some antibiotics which sorted me right out.

I'm hoping to go back to work straight after easter - Tuesday 5th or whatever? I can't wait!!! Feeling proper positive and happy about it all - Alexandra why are you feeling so down? Are you getting enough sunlight - is there anywhere you can lie down in a sunny room or something? What is bothering you - slow rate of recovery? It's really non-linear - suddenly the energy REALLY starts to come back ... hang in there xxxx

Pinski...a poo in public?! Can't remember what that is like it is so long since I dared! Had to say 'no' to a hen night because of strange bowel habits and logistics. To be able to just go normally would be amazing.

Trying to adapt to being off work... I am finding it really strange having all this time, and being awake during the day is odd as I have a very strange shift pattern which is constantly changing as the week progresses. Not sure all the time off is so good for me though:

1. I have more time to worry
2. I have more time to sort my lovely garden out (therefore more possibilities of doing too much!)
3. I am noticing all the things that need to be done around the house (ditto!)
4. I am getting a bit low as I am not at work and keeping busy with other people's problems. I feel a bit sorry for myself which is never a useful emotion, and then I feel ashamed of myself because I am being so stupid feeling sorry for myself!! Oh dear!

Footle, I had an op in September to 'sort me out'. They decided to remove the haemorroids and a troublesome polyp but realised that they couldn't do what was planned as it was definitely the wrong thing to do. I think from the surgeon's letter two weeks later that he had nearly gone through the wall when he removed the ployp and realised that there was so much damage that there was no structure to operate on.
Since then I have had a whole heap of tests and now know what is wrong: A large rectocele and (almost) breakdown of the rectal/vaginal wall, both requiring surgery, he also suggested re stitching the perineum.
Removal of the polyp was very painful but has reduced the bleeding and a horrid pain on my left side which I thought was an adhesion from a burst appendix when I was 13.

(The moral of that story is 'Do not say to anybody that you have had a premonition that you will have appendicitis in two weeks time, because when you DO get appendicitis in two weeks time nobody will believe you!')

Keep well everybody!

Hello everyone. I have got my op date for my cystocele for Monday 9th May. It's a bit of a gamble as we are waiting to hear about a Sun holiday which may be for May half term. I decided to go ahead anyway in the end as I am unbearably uncomfortable now. Hope you are all recovering well and jackie62 I hope you don't have to wait too much longer.