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!

[ballsintheair]

Hello Girls,

been reading the threads. Great help, but I can't help but wonder if those post- op mum's without any post - op complications bother to write anything, therefore, the threads are possibly negatively biased?

Well; I'm 9 days post posterior repair for a large rectocele. I Had a pack and catheter in situ for 24 hours. Lactlose helped me to pooh, and I was discharged home 5 days later. Very little pain at all ( most was wind, from the anaesthetic)

I expected to feel polaxed but I feel fantastic. Had some thick yellow non- offensive discharge and lost a suture, down the plug already (not sure from where). Started antibiotics and the discharge has almost vanished.

I'm probably doing too much... can't walk for over 30 mins until a dragging sensation internally starts, so I just listen to my body and rest when I'm tired.

I hope I haven't undone anything internally, I'm not lifting anything heavy, but don;t seem to have a problem moving bending or stretching. I practised yoga for years and wonder if this is because I'm quite bendy naturally? Does anyone have any stories of a recovery like mine, where the work was undone unknowingly perhaps, by feeling better than I am ?

Bit worried now lol!

[kentmumtj]

Hi ballsintheair love the name made me chuckle.

Sounds like you are having a fab recovery which is brilliant, i guess as humans we are all different which explains why we al have different stories to tell.

[kildare34]

Thats great news ballsintheair about your recovery! Positive feedback is great to hear back,especially as I have 4 days to go till operation, not that I am counting or anything

kentmumtj, I have read your story in the threads and how are you feeling now? Did you get to see your original consultant?

I tell ye its a mans world and I am surrounded by 3 of them!!!

[ballsintheair]

Me too Kildaire! 3 in my house too. If I had chosen the size of my original more carefully (6ft 2" Neanderthal)My babies may have been of a modest enough size, for us not to be even having this conversation!

Good luck with your surgery, Don't worry, the worst thing for me is the boredom.

Kentmumtj, I hope I haven't offended you, I didn't mean to imply that mum's who've had negative experiences are moaning. I do genuinely believe that those without complications, concentrate on getting back to normal and don't spend time stumbling across threads like ours.
My excuse is that I'm from a medical background, so I need to know EVERYTHING lol!

We are all different but I also think that some approaches to the surgery are obviously more successful and less complex than others. These forums are a brilliant research tool for sorting the wood from the chaff surgeon -wise

I do hope that you're on the mend soon.
Nice to make acquaintance with you all.

[kentmumtj]

Hi Guys

im not offended at all just glad that there is a good mix of ops that go fantastic ops that go so so and ops that go not so well.

its good to hear others experiences as it seems to be a bit of a taboo subject in real life

well i am still awaiting my appointment, i have one next week but really want to see my original consultant as he s the one i saw from begining to operation to end.

So how am i now well its been 7 months since my operation. i wasnt able to resume sexual activites for i would say 5 1/2 months but think that was due to repeated infections then the problem with it being too tight if you get my drift

since my very gentle colposcopy whereby i felt it fell apart for want of a better word i have been able to resume sexual activities much to dh delight

have only managed it 4 times but its a start. Dh says it feels tighter, he can not feel any scar tissue or ridges or anything different so he tells me.
i must say that i do still have a slightly uncomfortable feeling around the back part of the vaginal entrance and it fels slightly tender although more tender following 'nookie' lol
occassionally if i touch the area i get a pain that seems to shoot up through my body and do wonder if theres a nerve or something exposed [hmmm] although if that were the case i would have thought i would have felt it more i dont know.

DH has had a very close examination of down there and tells me that he thinks the rectocele is back but much smaller. he thinks the size of it now has reduced by 60%. Im sad its back but glad i still work relatively normal if you get my drift.

I occassinally have to place pressure on my perinium when having a BM, i wonder if it will get bigger as time goes by.

Anyway good luck with you op.

And i agree to be a man ....................

[georgiegirl2]

Hello everyone

I am about thirteen weeks post-op now. BMs normal which is good. Have resumed relations with husband - we don't have much of a sex life because of marriage problems, but we have done it twice. He says it's tighter and feels better for him. I have a small knobbly area at the back of the entrance which is still a bit sore. It was sore for several days after having sex. I'm not happy about it so have an appointment to see my surgeon on Tuesday. He might suggest a minor revisionary procedure. I will post on here after I've seen him.

I posted on here a few weeks ago worried I had lost normal sexual feelings. That feels less of a problem now, but I still don't feel as interested in sex as I did before the op. It's hard to describe but if I think about arousing things it doesn't seem to have much of an effect. I don't know if this is because it's not healed up properly, if it's a psychological consequence of having had surgery 'down there', or if nerves etc were damaged by the surgery. It's complicated because I haven't felt sexually interested in my husband for ages and we are not happy in our marriage, so this probably doesn't help matters. I had hoped that the operation would give me more confidence in that department, but I sometimes feel it has given me less confidence and wish I hadn't had it done. I have hated having to discuss all of it with my husband as well, it feels private and none of his business. He didn't want me to go ahead in the first place (he is insecure and was worried I wanted to get it all fixed so I could go off and someone else). This meant I had to explain in more detail than I would wish about the rectocele and the problems it caused me. He kind of had an attitude that my vagina belongs to him and if he thought it was OK then he couldn't understand why I wanted anything changed.

Anyway, all that probably belongs on another thread. I suppose in general I had hoped that having the operation would make me feel good about my body again, like before I had the babies, and it is better since, but I still feel 'damaged'. Whether or not I need another procedure I am thinking of having some acupuncture to try to restore normal sexual feeling and help me feel more confident. Good luck to anyone who has had or is about to have this procedure.

[kildare34]

Hello Ladies

Should be doing a mountain of ironing but decided to come on to MN instead... very bold

kentmumtj - Best of luck with your next appointment, hopefully it will be resolved once and for all. You've been through the mill but coming out the other side. Fingers crossed you will be seen by your original consultant and he can explain himself!

Georgiegirl2 - Have read your thread as well. I am sorry to hear you are still having a few problems. Good luck with your next appointment.

Plus tell your consultant exactly how you feel i.e. feelings of being damaged/not the same before babies etc. They need to know so that they can be more sympathetic to these type of injuries and help you heal physically and mentally. Best of luck.

Right I think I have said enough! Wheres the ironing board....

[oxob]

Hello there..I have been grateful of reading these letters before my Rectocele repair, so now i am 1 week post-op i thought i could add a few tips + info of my own to anyone facing this op.
My op took half hour + i was back on ward within 2hrs Packing + cathetar were taken out next am and i had my 1st wobbly walk to the loo(to wee was not painful..just strange)MY WORST PAIN was from trapped wind(partly due to air pumped in you during op,and to eating for the 1st time again) I was very grateful for the wind relief tablets i took in with me.MY WORST MOMENT was doing a poo 2 days after op. I almost fainted...maybe ask for suppositories to help, they offered me them too late! WORST FEAR was that i had got rectocele back after doing 1st poo-but DR examined me(ouch!)and reassured me that hard lump at top of my perinneum were the clump of stitches beneath(so dont panic if you get this) ALSO my Consultant told me NOT to do any pelvic floor exercises until 6 weeks were up as stitches need time to rest and heal! This makes good sense but the physio leaflet i was given in hospital said start them a.s.a.p....a bit misleading!
A few other tips of useful advice : 1.to shave fully before i went in (if youd prefer to do it than a nurse) 2.To borrow a donut air cushion...invaluable for the smooth car journey home and i can now sit on a soft chair with comfort! 3.Take a loose nightshirt for each day in hospital. 4.My mobile phone was great to have in hospital(texts from + to friends.) 5Also i took in:Wind relief tablets,Arnica tablets,stool softners, prunes,fruit(DONT get constipated after op and drink LOTS of water)
I came home after 4 days, + i can climb stairs slowly,have short baths,and rest a lot. Luckily my children are at school all day but i would advise anyone to take all help that is offered.My pain is mainly backache now.I am expecting a slow, fragile long recovery but a small price to pay for normality in the bathroom and a life without these problems. Good Luck to anyone pre or post op!

[oxob]

Hello there..I have been grateful of reading these letters before my Rectocele repair, so now i am 1 week post-op i thought i could add a few tips + info of my own to anyone facing this op.
My op took half hour + i was back on ward within 2hrs Packing + cathetar were taken out next am and i had my 1st wobbly walk to the loo(to wee was not painful..just strange)MY WORST PAIN was from trapped wind(partly due to air pumped in you during op,and to eating for the 1st time again) I was very grateful for the wind relief tablets i took in with me.MY WORST MOMENT was doing a poo 2 days after op. I almost fainted...maybe ask for suppositories to help, they offered me them too late! WORST FEAR was that i had got rectocele back after doing 1st poo-but DR examined me(ouch!)and reassured me that hard lump at top of my perinneum were the clump of stitches beneath(so dont panic if you get this) ALSO my Consultant told me NOT to do any pelvic floor exercises until 6 weeks were up as stitches need time to rest and heal! This makes good sense but the physio leaflet i was given in hospital said start them a.s.a.p....a bit misleading!
A few other tips of useful advice : 1.to shave fully before i went in (if youd prefer to do it than a nurse) 2.To borrow a donut air cushion...invaluable for the smooth car journey home and i can now sit on a soft chair with comfort! 3.Take a loose nightshirt for each day in hospital. 4.My mobile phone was great to have in hospital(texts from + to friends.) 5Also i took in:Wind relief tablets,Arnica tablets,stool softners, prunes,fruit(DONT get constipated after op and drink LOTS of water)
I came home after 4 days, + i can climb stairs slowly,have short baths,and rest a lot. Luckily my children are at school all day but i would advise anyone to take all help that is offered.My pain is mainly backache now.I am expecting a slow, fragile long recovery but a small price to pay for normality in the bathroom and a life without these problems. Good Luck to anyone pre or post op!

[georgiegirl2]

I had another meeting with my surgeon yesterday. He examined me and said that the small knobbly area which still feels sore to me doesn't look inflamed. He can't understand why it hasn't healed properly yet (it's been 3 months). He suggested two options...

1)wait and see; in another couple of months it might have settled down and no longer be causing problems.

2)have a minor revisionary procedure where the tags are excised. I could have this under a light general, a local with sedation or a local without sedation, and go home the next day. He reckons recovery time would be minimal in comparison with the procedure I had and I would be 'comfortable within a week'.

I guess there are pros and cons to both options. I want my result to be as good as possible and can't help feeling if I don't get the revisionary procedure done I won't be happy with the result, even if the soreness diminishes. That said, I don't fancy having to recover from another procedure again so soon and I simply can't fit it in right now. I start a full time university course on Monday. Also it will cost about another thousand pounds.

So I am going to wait and see :-(

[fijay73]

Hi there
I am 6 days post op following repair of rectocele and repair of slight womb prolapse. I am recovering slowly finally managaged to move my bowels today - woo hoo! Thought I was going to need some dynamite!! I am 36 and ended up having to get op done privately as NHS said I would be better off living with the symptoms for a few more years (luckily my DH's job comes with medical insurance). My question is really about the discharge following the op - I'm concerned that I might have an infection but not sure if what I am experiencing is perfectly normal. The first couple of days post op I just had some spotting of fresh blood but when I got home on day 3 it changed to more a liquid type discharge with old blood and a slight smell - which to me, as a nurse, just smelt like old blood. Dont know if it is my imagination or not but I am convinced that the smell has got worse and it is a little gungier looking (sorry for being so descriptive)is this normal or should I contact my GP?
Fiona x

[oxob]

Hi Fijay73...my discharge was very similar and i was told in hospital quite usual....i am now day 10 post op but have my period so all has changed. Hope you are healing well...

[JanJanJanJan]

Hi, did anyone have any problems going to the loo after their op. i had mine on Weds and came home today. Feel bloated, been taking lactulose and mevicol but no signs of anything yet. Am frightened of it hurting and straining the stitches. If anyone can advise of their situations please... thanks

[oxob]

Hello janjanjanjan...hope youve managed to go by now....i think however many laxatives you take now do not really help with that initial first BM I find a warm bath then sitting on a cushion for a short while(if you can bear to) or walking around can help get things moving, but i think all of us in hospital after this op were suffering from fear of doing the first BM Have some hospital style gloves and lubrication ready just incase you need them, but hopefully you wont! Once first BM is over you will feel so relieved...though a bit bruised. After that,well i am living off endless fruits+fibre with no "rubbish" food whatsoever....with plenty of lactalose,prune juice,figs,and ground flax seed (linseed) daily...so determined not to get constipated whilst the stitches are healing.It is working so far...Hooray!
Good Luck

[JanJanJanJan]

Still not able to go yet. I am on my 6th day now....stomach aching like mad..

[oxob]

Poor you ! I was 6 days before i could go after one of my difficult births.Because that was so awful i stayed in hospital until I had BM after this op...so that suppositries or enema could be available if needed. If it goes on too long I would call your Doctor. I got scared and 'made' myself go in the end..with gloves (dont ask..i was desparate! )I did survive to tell the tale...but it was a bit like childbirth all over again. Keep up with good painkillers for when it happens. I did not harm my stitches, so its amazing what the body can cope with. Good luck again.

[kildare34]

Hi everyone,

Well, I had my posterior repair done last Wednesday and I got home from hospital yesterday. The operation was very straight forward and a success according to my consultant.

I was very nervous beforehand and I have to say the nurses and doctors were brilliant. Luckily I was first up on the operating table at 8.30 a.m, so no hanging around. I had a general anesthetic and all I remember is waking up in the recovery room and then being brought back to the ward around 10ish(according to the nurse) Spent the first day in and out of sleeping, hooked up to a drip and a catherar. Felt ok but that was the morphene injection working.

The next day, got the drip and the vaginal pack out, I was dreading that part but in fairness to the nurse she was very gentle and it wasn't bad at all. I had the catherar in for 2 days so it was Friday morning before that was taken out and again the nurse was great. I had no problems passing urine and it was great to be able to have a shower.

I also did a little walking to the hospital shop and that was fine - a little tiring but grand. I also wasn't in too much pain due to all the pain killers i was taking. So far so good you may say.... Except I hadn't done a BM yet!

So on Saturday evening I was given a little concoction to get things moving. Didn't work. So the nurse said she would give me some cooled boiled water in the morning for me to drink to get things moving. Didn't happen!! At this stage I am starting to get really anxious because I was dreading the 1st post op BM.

I then requested a suppositry(excuse spelling!) which I was given. Things started to gurgle and move and I made my way to the toilets which were empty. Even to sit on the toilet bowl was pure agony and I could not get comfy and then someone else came into the second cubicle and so for want of a better phrase, my bowel shut up shop!!! I practically shuffled back to my bed and bawled crying like a baby. I got myself into a right state about having a BM. The nurse came down to me and really comforted me and said to relax and that my consultant said that I could go home and that I could do a BM in the comfort of my home!!!!!

So I was delighted I didn't have to hang around hospital trying to do a BM in peace! Anyway my DH and 2 DS came and collected me just before lunchtime yesterday and I was never so happy to see them. However at this stage I was in agony but held it together. By the way I told my 2 DS that mammy was getting a knee operation!

On the way home, DH stopped at the chemist and got all my drugs! We were due to go to my MIL for dinner but I felt too sore so DH dropped kids to her house and came back with me to our house (she lives nereby and we get on great) When we got home, I have to say I had a total meltdown. I was crying like a baby because I was in pain, the drugs weren't working fast enough and I was scared.

Anyway, I did manage to do a BM and it did hurt but it didn't kill me! I think the thoughts of it was far worse than the actual reality. I had a good sleep last night and feel on the road to recovery. Today so far, I have had a lot of rest and all the family are being very supportive especially DH.

I have being reading this thread for the last couple of months and it has been a great help but for some reason, I didn't think I would be so tired and sore. I know its only day 6 post op. Anyway sorry for writing a novel and the TMI but its cheaper than therapy! Take care everyone and I'll post soon.

[kentmumtj]

hey guys well your all post op now.

i remeber that bowel movement and it wasnt the first i dreaded but the 2nd 3rd 4th 5th etc etc, must say im ok now though. What i did at the time was wrapped loads of toilet paper around my hand and supported my perinuim as i was convinced i was going to split open which i didnt but it offered me comfort.

I sadly missed my hospital appoitnmetn as the stupid hospital resehduled my appointment with another consultant and i received the letter the day after my new appointment so will probably have to wait weeks again.

you all have to take it easy and rest and take the pain killers if you need them.

I found i drank loads of water to keep my stools soft and it worked

[Laine4kids]

thank you all so much for posting your post op details
I am waiting for my op on 6th jan and have no-one to ask any of this.I'm having a rectocele repair,cystocele repair and vaginal hysterectomy because my womb is heading south too.
Thankfully i have finished my family but istill find it upsetting.
I was wondering if anyone has any idea how long after the op I could go abroad?I really need something to look forward to.
hope you are all recovering well and I think kentmums hospital needs a firework up its neather regions!!

[kentmumtj]

laine4kids hear hear i would say thats what they need to perhaps then they would understand how sore muy neither regions have been

well i had my op in Feb i had booked to go paris disney at easter but had t cancel as i was still to sore to join in all the fun rides but did go abraod in August on a lovely relaxing holiday
i guess it depends on your rate of healing as we are all different
how soon would you be wanting to go?

[JanJanJanJan]

Finally managed to go at 5am this morning. Took more lactulose than prescribed and also had a curry for tea. Felt so uch better afterwards. Went again at 8 too. Although it did hurt passing the motion it wasnt as painful as it could have been. Aprehension and nerves can get the better of you I suppose, as time goes by....you can only think its going to be worse than ever. To say I am releived is an understatement.

[kildare34]

Hi All,

Jan,Jan,Jan,Jan - I am delighted you finally had the 1st BM. It is such a relief to say the least . You are right, nerves can get the better of us.

Laine4kids - It is very upsetting thinking of the surgery, but just think of how good you will feel when you are fully recovered. I am heading off on holidays in 6 weeks time and the doctors have said that is perfectly fine for the type of operation I had. Ask the doctor to give you a time frame before you book?

Anyway off to take some painkillers and a cheeky nap! My mother is minding the kids, so brilliant

[oxob]

you must feel relieved JanJanJan. I am 2 weeks post-op now and still have an incredible thirst...i know it is good to drink lots of water but i am also waking through the night with such a dry mouth and guzzling bottles of water...has anyone else got such a thirst...maybe its all the lactalose + prunes? Apart from a few headaches i am pain free now...but still taking things slowly. Hope you are all doing o.k. out there.

[kildare34]

Afternoon everone.

Today I don't feel great. I am still sore and I am getting obsessed with my BMs again. Haven't gone since Tuesday evening. I have started taking laxose since yesterday and drinking plenty of fluids and fruit etc. I am breaking wind and I feel the urge to go but I know I am mentally stopping myself going(if that makes sense) because I know its going to hurt. Can someone tell me when the soreness goes? My doctor told me that it takes 2 weeks. I guess I am just feeling very impatient and teary at the moment. I was doing great during the week and now I feel I am going backwards. Please cheer me up! Hope everyone else is feeling well.

[oxob]

Kildare34...sorry you are feeling bad...sometimes i think when you need a bm but cant go it makes the bruising and healing up inside feel worse...keep on top of painkillers...i also found diclofenac tablets good which you can now buy over the counter and my nurse said they were a good painkiller.(but check what you can take them with 1st) Be kind to yourself, rest lots, and good luck