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!

Hope you have a good first day back,suzy
and good to hear everything still works!!!
I'm waiting for my initial appointment at kings which I don't have yet,hope it comes soon.

Oh Suzy hope all goes well today.

Thanks for posting, its the light at the end of the tunnel.

I am 3.5 weeks post op and it's still not fun. Been to GP who has said all looks ok - I was worried as realised it was a stitch that was bleeding after BM. But it looks ok and not to worry, just eat all the soft poo making stuff I can find.

Can't wait to be 6 weeks, stitch free, pain free and having sex!!

Suzy, hope all goes well for you back at work. you are sounding so positively amazing, very happy for you. Thanks for all the positives. Love your way with words, "designer vagina"
Take care, let us know how your day went.

Hi everyone,
Re questions about how painful or not surgery is-
I had a spinal with a sedative, I didn't sleep but felt relaxed, a very positive experience. I would recommend it to anyone plus I didn't need painkillers staright away only after spinal wore off.

Pain was well controlled, I was up and about on the ward the day after. Catheter taken out next day, which was uncomfortable but didn't hurt. First wee did -drink loads to dilute it. Packing removal did hurt a lot but not unbearable more like gritting teeth. Packing is unbelievably long and thin (about 4" wide and as long as a quilt cover). Felt loads better once out.
Bit sensitive to fully sit. Stitches felt fine, abdomen a bit sore.

I had to take senna to have a BM anyway prior to op. Given lactulose on day 2 and for 6 weeks post surgery. This made all BM's fine (even that first one). Still take lactulose (12 weeks post op) and no longer need to splint or take senna.

Tips:
Watch out for signs of infection, I've had 3 so far. If discharge is different and doesn't smell right, see GP ASAP. Don't do too much, you'll still feel really tired even though you look ok to everyone else. Gruesome video of op on Youtube - it will make you take it easy or show hubby, he might pamper you all a bit more. Take some pads and a nighty into hosp cos of catheter, talc is useful to help get the TED stockings on.

I'm back at work now, driving etc. I try not to lift anything too heavy and still need to work my pelvic floor but doing ok. My designer vagina is the best thing I've ever done. Would I want to do it again? Not really.

Due to infections, me and my understanding hubby haven't fully done the deed yet. Have had a bit of a fumble and everything seems ok and not painful.

Good luck everyone pre and post surgery. For all you pre-ops, it is definately nowhere near as bad as what you think it's going to be. I was really scared but I really needn't have been. xx

Just wanted to say a big thank you to all of you for being so candid with your thoughts and feeling on the op.
Obviously I am still very anxious about it all (three weeks to go) but at the same time I can see that it wont be the worst thing in the world!
Thanks to all your posts I have a huge list of things to ask at my pre-op assesment (next week) as I am a control freak and need to know everything!
One of my big questions (will they will answer next week) is about staying in hospital. My appointment book in says 'day surgery'. Surely they wont send me home the same day?!?!
And one more question for you lovely ladies please - for those of you who just had a rectocele repair - do you have stitches in your perineum or is that just of they do a repair down there? (mine is fine as far as I know as I had two C sections and no vaginal deliveries)
I am also hoping I can convince them to try and do something about my piles and skin tags as they too cause me problems! To be honest I would be happy to sign a form giving permission to do anything they felt necessary to tidy up the mess down there - a trim perhaps!!!
Men don't know ho easy they've got it!!!!
x

I have to have a rectocoele repair and have ovaries out at same time.... not looking forward to it at all. Has anyone else had both ops at same time. I am a bit nervous about it. I had a hysterectomy minus ovaries years back so know what to expect with laparotomy...but with the fanjo having to be attacked at same time is a bit overwhelming. Doc says he will tighten things up down there (made me feel like i had canyon down there :-O)

This site is amazing for people who go through this... my best wishes to you all and hope you are recovering well

...also thanks for the humour in the posts too.... it helps :-)

Missing, you're absolutely right about just making a decision and sticking to it about the surgery. I do feel better about the fact that I am going to have it done and then I will find a way to deal with recovery. Fear of the unknown, it can get the best of you. I do think about it a lot, but not so much in negative ways, but just trying to empower myself with knowledge.

Kazimodo, thanks for your info on having a spinal. I have all sorts of horrible thoughts going through my mind about this. I am really good at thinking about the worst case scenarios. I am mostly worried about getting a spinal headache. They are supposed to be rare, but there's a chanace of course. They are also supposed to be very painful and can last for a week or so. I think I will end up having a spinal though, less risk than general. Glad you're all healed up now.

NeedaFanjob, so sorry you are having your ovaries removed. Can I ask why? How old are you? I have a friend who had to have a total hysterectomy back when she was in her mid-late twenties. She has taken HRT's ever since and she is 48 now. It has been a struggle for her as far as hormones go, but things have remained good for her over the last few years. There are always risks with HRTs, but how you can have quality without them in some cases? I haven't had either surgery done, just speeking from what I know through friends.

I am going in for rectocele repair and TvT sometime soon. I just want to offer suport to anyone out there that needs it. I certainly appreciate all the words of wisdom all you ladies have shared thus far, always look forward to reading the posts daily.

Thanks for the support everyone! ... well I've done first day back at work! and it was a bit of a shock to the system - Unfortunately they didn't break me in gently! and its was manic from the moment go! After my shift - I did feel incredibly tired and washed out! And surprisingly I felt sore - too much pressure from being on my feet for too long - But I've had a rest today and its back to the grind tomorrow. I am sure things will get easier.

Welcome to needafanjob .. great name by the way! and I hope all goes well for you!

Take care! S

Another question for Kazimodo? Did the spinal needle hurt when going in? I am not afraid of needles, but for some reason having one in the spnial cord, makes me feel quite uneasy. Any advice?

sorry spinal not spnial.

Question for anyone. I was reading posts from 2009 and a few ladies had the rectocele repair surgery and after recovery realized the dr didn't fix it. Their experience was that the dr didn't see the bulge when they were laying on the operating table and therefore didn't think it was bad. I am afriad of this as well. My dr said that he could feel it when he examined me from the vagina, but my bowel was empty. Then he made me stand up and bear down and then he could feel it more. I know it is bad because when I have a full bowel, it blocks off my vagina. I also have to splint with my finger fairly high in the vagina. I can feel my tail bone with my finger when I am splinting and the stool moves out. Has any of you had this experience? How bad was your rectocele? Did the dr realize how bad it was upon examination only? I just want to make sure to tell him before the op that he should do a thorough exam from my rectum to the vagina, but at the same time I don't want to insult his intelligence as he has done a lot of these. Maybe it is routine to examine you in this manner while you are anestetised.

Any thoughts anyone?

CongRatulations Footle..... :-) I like to positive feedback about RepaiR jobs too..

Rect... I am having ovaries out as I had a hysterectomy when i was 34 and they left ovaries in. I am now 50 and have ovarian cysts (complex cysts) which are causing problems. Also have moderate rectocoele whic is driving me crazy. I get all the usual probs with going to bathroom and also some leakage from bladder. I am really not looking forward to surgery but hoping the op will help me feel better overall...not to mention having a designer Vag.... :-P

Thank you Suzy :-)

Congratulations Footle

hi all,
Rectdownunder - they sat me on side of bed. One member of staff held my hands in front of me while I hunched forward and the anaethsetist (can't spell it!) told me what he was doing as he did it. He gave me a little injection first to numb area (didn't hurt at all). Then he did spinal, I felt it go in a little bit but it wasn't painful at all. Then you feel your legs go warm, heavy and numb. They help you lie down and then take you through. They also check you are numb before they start the operation which is reassurring!!!!

Congrats! Footle!

NeedaFanjob, good luck to you with all your upcoming repairs. Let us know how it goes and in the mean time, just try to relax, that's what people tell me, but it isn't always that easy.

Kazimodo, thanks regarding spinal. Sounds not too bad. I am most fearful of the possibility of getting a spinal headache afterwards. They tell me that my age puts me in a much lower category to get one, so that helps me feel a bit better. Did they warn you about the possibility of that happening? Glad to know they make sure you're numb first, that was another fear of mine also.

I am booked for May 19th, now I am feeling better about that as I can plan for it now, but nerves are getting to me. I do plan to go through with it though.

Take care all!!

Hello Ladies Happy Easter - Hope you are all feeling well x x

One quick question - Trying to be organised...

Did any of you use a memory foam/blow up ring cushion to sit on afterwards?

Em
x

Morning ladies. DH has been doing everything and I have been lazy until he decided to decorate, and spent last 3 days painting the kitchen and dining room etc, so I was sorting kids, dog, meals laundry etc. Not a lot by normal standards but bloody hell, it wasn't a good idea. He has taken the kids out to the woods today so me and the dog are going to chill out. I am grumpy and horrid as hardly slept last few nights, every time I fall asleepI move into a bad position and pains wake me. Plus I have shooting pains up my fanjo today, its the bad stitch, the one I hate, it's tormenting me, the bastard.

I had thought 4 weeks on that I would be ok but perhaps I over/under estimated. Perhaps its cos I have been busyish the last 2 weeks. I am truly bolloxed. And I know its mostly my own fault. There is the TVT tape, still tender under the skin, and the two entry points in the groin area are very stingy if touched. Posterier repair stitches, mostly ok but one bastard one is giving me shooting pains. Broken tooth, argh ouch still hurting. And I put my back out putting the dog in his cage. So good job I am not a horse, I wouldn't have been taken out back and shot by now.

On the plus side for those BMs are nice and easy no pain hoorah. So for those that were asking about that, recommend supporting the stitches the first few weeks, and taking all the looseners you can get.

Jewellerymum, its a good idea to check re how long you are going to be in, I can't believe that you can go that day, that is very different to my experience. It's a good idea to confirm. I had my doctor's email address and emailed him with quite a few questions in the few weeks beforehand, he didn't mind and he answered the things that I wanted to know about. I have stacks of stitches in the perinium but that is cos it had broken, so perhaps you won't need them. Sorry didnt try a cushion, it was more the TVT

congratulations Footle!!!! Now that is a nice big baby - 10lb 8 oz OMG.!

Rect, you are having the same ops I went in for, aside from I only had a small rectocele, but massive pelvic floor damage . So I may have some info if you have any particular questions.

Sorry for long post. 3 days off Mumsnet - this thread, well really the ladies on it, have become so important to me, it's my main source of information and support, I don't know how I would have managed the last few weeks without it. Hope everyone post op is recovering well, and pre-ops feeling calm and positive xx

Missing, Trying to feel calm and positive! Went to the gym today and managed a pretty good session with no nasty surpises. I haven't been for about 3 weeks but was was just about able to do what I had done before. I need to feel strong again as back at work on Tuesday in a tough job, should be okay. I still feel worried about the amount of time in hospital. Quite a few of you on this site seem to be in for one night if not just for the day which seems mad. Consultant no 2 said I would be a Day Case .
Missing, I think you had private health insurance which seems to make thins a bit less rushed? The thought of going home the same day is worrying particularly where pain relief is concerned and also where the possibility of infection is concerned as many seem to get post op infections. Just waiting for new appointment, again!!! Groundhog Day comes to mind?!! I really hope I have made the right decision to wait for the Gyny consultant?
Susy, How's work going? Are you still feeling well?
Footle, congatulations on the new grandchild. How lovely to have been there for the birth!
Rect, I think where the examination of particular parts is concerned there has to be a lot of trust in your surgeon as generally you are 'out for the count' at that point! I would like to think that they would explore all possibilities at that point, maybe even turning you upside down . My problem is that I have no trust left...I am all rung out of trust,

Hi everyone, I m new to this thread and I wish I had found this weeks ago. I so appreciate hearing the stories of your experience and recoveries. I am in the northwest US, so I hope it is OK to post to this site.
I had severe tearing with both of my babies, (giant heads those two). I noticed my rectocele getting worse last year, requiring splinting for BM's and that my perinium was very small after my last baby (7 yrs ago). I had a water birth and it was quite traumatic, and the stitch up was even worse. I think that is what makes this especially difficult, because this type of injury is often the result of a difficult childbirth. At least it was in my case.
I had physical therapy for about 6 months, but it was clear that I needed surgery. i went to a gynecologist who specializes in pelvic floor issues. I am now two days post op for rectocele and perinium repair. I spent one night in the hospital, no bowel prep, no antibiotics. Released home yesterday and feeling better than I thought I would, except for the constant pressure in the rectal area. I am terrified of my first bowel movement, and am taking colace with every small high fiber meal and spending as little time sitting as possible.
The surgery was uneventful, although I didn't get to see my doctor before my discharge from the hospital, my dh spoke with her and she said it all went well. Pretty routine I guess for them. I am taking my pain meds full throttle at least until that first bm, even thought I know it will slow me down. Seems like a no win situation.
My kids are in school all day and dh works from home, so I will be able to rest even though we have no family near by.
No questions yet, just thought I would check in and say thank you to those who have shared their stories and will update my recovery for those who dealing with the same concerns. :-)

Missing, you poor darling. I can't imagine how this has been for you, but I have a feeling I am about to find out.

It is difficult not to overdo activity when you start to feel better. Woman are kind of made to feel that we have to handle everything and anything. Not to put men down, as I love my hubby so much, but when a man gets a cold, they can be rather pathetic. Don't want to see all you hard healing work undone. Everybody is diffeent in how long it takes to heal and living in the instant everything society it is hard to be patient, I know, I am speaking from experience. My doc said it would take me 4 - 6 weeks to heal up and be back to normal. My friend who is a nurse, told me 3 months or longer. I think she is right based on the experiences I've read here. I think when numbers are put out there, we tend to concentrate on them and if the time line is not met, then we are disappointed. Let your body tell you when you are good again and don't feel pressure to make it happen any sooner. Hope this helps and doesn't sound bossy. I wish I was you neighbour, I would come over and give you a hand. Wish you well both phyically and emotionally.

Welcome mommatotwo

Oh dear Missing- you sound like to pushed it a little too hard there! decorating! what were you thinking. Although you feel better in yourself around 4 wks - your body is still recovering... so take it easy!... and don't lift a paint brush!

Congrats Footle! and wow - what a whopper! Tell your daughter to work those peivc floor muscles! It would hate for her to go through surgery too!

And Hi Jackie - work has been ok - but being back and work and being on my feet all day and not taking care of myself has taken its toll.... I'm now on antibiotics for a damn uti! Not fare!... its sooo blooming painful! I'm peeing blood all the time and its making my urethra spasm... ouch ouch ouch! any tips for clearing uti's.... feeling very sorry for myself!

Welcome Momma... I hope your recovering well! take it easy and rest!

Happy Easter all. x x

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