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!

Thanks oxob! Feel much better today. The BM's happened a lot today, so much relief! I think the trick is to not allow myself get constipated as that adds to the soreness. I went for a walk with my ds2 and that gave me a boost as a few days ago I wouldn't have been able to do that. Hope everyone is having a lovely and painless weekend.

Hello ladies,

Glad your surgeries went well. I'm 4 weeks post rectocele op today and feel great.

Started driving already. Lower the seat of your car ladies it helps reduce the lower belly strain when you raise your toes to work the pedals.
Stitches show no sign of dissolving though, bummer- no nookie for me in two weeks at this rate!

Roary the racing car rubber ring came in to his own for the 1st 2 weks

Oxob, if you're still really thirsty you should get your blood sugar checked by your practice nurse.

Kildare, Keep drinking loads and short walks, prune juice and lactulose twice daily have sorted me out. I've been prone to one Bowel movement per week if I'm lucky prior to my surgery but since my new found paranoia, and regime, i've been at least every other day ! Yeay! Also found it helpful, to do the man thing- just take a magazine, sit on the loo and relax... don't push at all and see if things don't just descend.
FyI I 'm just beginning to sleep less in the afternoons and can concentrate on a whole film this week. Isn't it funny , how the stress affects concentration for so long?

Hi, I am two weeks post op now. I am managing to have a BM daily, however I have now been prescribed codeine which can make you constipated so I need to be extra careful with what I eat etc. I have a concern now however, that when I have been to the loo and emptied my bladder and then go to sit down or bend forward slightl I always leak with a rather very offensive smell. Has anyone had the same problem? I attended my GP on Tuesday who said I didnt have any infection.

Hello everyone.

Ballsintheair- Glad to hear you are doing so well. It takes time doesn't it! Thanks for the tip regarding driving, that will be me in 2 weeks time,hopefully!

Jan,Jan,Jan - I don't have that problem at the moment but if it continues, maybe ring up the hospital where you had the op and see what they say?

I think I did too much the last fews days as I was feeling good and lured myself into a false sense of security, ie, went shopping,making dinners, collecting kids from school, not resting and then not taking painkillers as I thought I didn't need them as I could start feeling my stiches to itch I am an eejit! So yesterday I was totally wrecked.

I know I am stating the total bleedin' obvious!!!! but I can't wait to feel back to normal. It is so frustrating!!

Ok,rant over! Its a lovely sunny day over in Ireland, hope everyone is experiencing the same.

Hello JanJanJanJan...I have had a similar problem, and I find I sit on the loo for a while emptying my bladder and having to lean in all different directions to do so.Sometimes I leak a little more as i stand up, but that is getting less and less and i've not had any leakage otherwise. I think a different smelling discharge is quite normal as its all healing up....I am 3 weeks post op now and keep wondering when the stitches start dissolving...i've not noticed any yet.Just enjoyed a nice short walk in the sunshine...my mind wanted to walk for miles, but my body told me not to !
I'm a bit less thirsty now...and managed to sleep my first full night without waking for a wee ..hooray ! Take care everyone x

Hi all,
Just to update on my earlier problem. I contacted the hospital where I had my surgery. The nurse I spoke to said it definitely sounded like an infection, to contact my GP again to get some antibiotics which I have now started taking. Hopefully the next few days will show a sign of improvement. Not wanting ti disappoint anyone - I understand that the stitches can take about 4 weeks to disolve. I tried to feel my inside but it is totally impossible at this present time - I can only feel a mass of sticthes at the entrance so will leave that for a while longer I think.
Whilst writing, I would like to thank all people who have posted comments on this site and answered questions I have had. Its great to talk to people who have been through the same as yourself because they know and understand the experience. Thanks again and Take Care.xx

My stitches seemed to take forever.I had a couple of infections,and still have a slight discharge(TMI?) but GP said this is normal.

I noticed about 3 stitches come away,or part of them anyway,the rest?? who knows.Think mine started at about 3.5 weeks.When I was a Theatre Nurse,I'm sure I remember Vicryl(a mauve linen type stitch material) supposedly taking 21 days plus to be "reabsorbed" or break down and break off.Vicry was commonly used for Gynae ops.

I used a mirror and felt around once I was a month or so Post op.

I had mine done in Feb 09,and feel back to normal now.BM are fine.Sex is ok,although things are tighter and smaller,which is no bad thing,but makes you a little anxious initially.

Glad to hear things are progressing.

hi im new to this site, i had a cyctocele and rectocele repair on tue 6/10/2009 and so far all is well, i have been waiting 11 months for the op after being refered by my gpthey put my in to physio first for 3 months which did nothing , but now its all done but i havent had any pain from it yet i have had a little feel and i can feel lots of stitches by havent poked too far, it is nice to read the information and advice on this as it s not the thing most people want to talk about

Morning everyone

Enjoying a nice bowl of branflakes and a glass of orange juice . Regarding the stiches, I am too much of a scaredy cat to have an explore! However, its good to hear when they roughly should dissolve from other people.

Hi Rosie12, its great to hear from other people about their experiences, good,bad or indifferent. That is brilliant you are managing your pain!

By the way is everyone doing their pelvic floor excercises? I am but its hard to remember. I nearly have to write a note to myself to remember!

Anyway have a good day ladies.

Hello again..I am leaving doing my pelvic floor exercises until after the 6 weeks are up.This was the advice I had from my trusted Gynae who did my rectocele repair. I did tell him the leaflet we were given from the physio in hospital said to do them, but he insisted I must not exercise the area until the stitches have healed, and they need rest to recover not exercise. Well that is only how he told me but it does make sense...just that i must make sure I do them eventually. I will bring this issue up at my 6 week check, as if it is good advice then its confusing to get a leaflet that says otherwise.
Has anyone else got views on this?
Also does anyone else seem to have a clump of stitches making a slight lump at the start of perrineum near vaginal entrance?
If anyone is having short baths instead of shower I recommend a few drops of tea-tree oil in it to guard against infections.

Keep eating the prunes and sipping that prune juice !!

hi i have got the clump of stitches. i havent been told when to resume pelvic floor exercises. i will have to have a good read of my paperwork they gave me. i have been told not to have baths only showers.i will have to get some prune juice too the lactulose is disgusting.

Morning ladies,

Isn't the internet wonderful? What would we do without each other?

I've had hardly any post rectocele op advice at all, I'm not actually sure how extensive my surgery was. On examination I was told I had a small enterocele, that didn't really need too much doing at present ( but I'm a nurse so he agreed that he would do me a service and sort it out sooner rather than later.) Having had the op, he told me on passing, that I actually had a huge rectocele and he didn't know how I had so few symptoms. I can't help but wonder how my huge rectocele was missed on examination by the gynae consultant until I was anaesthetised? I do yoga and have worked hard on my pelvic floor muscles, Maybe that is testomy to how effective they can be and it only showed up after the muscle relaxants? Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Any advice that I did receive was contradicting any leaflets that I'd been issued with. ( Wonder If I got less advice co's I'm a nurse , but gynae is not my speciality) Pelvic floor exercises were too sore initially anyhow, so I started on day one and then stopped pronto lol!

Yesterday I got an appointment through the post for my 6 week check IN 3 MONTHS TIME!!!!

I've been told verbally by the nurses that I need 12 weeks off work as my job can be quite physical! Has anyone else been told this? Hope so ;-D!

How long is it until I can get back to exercise and what type am I allowed to do ? As I'm not being followed up for so long I need all the guidance you've been offered please ladies ;)

Also I was told not to bath for 2 weeks but haven't wallowed yet, only showered, I also have all my stitches firmly in place still and its 5 weeks on Tuesday.

Still feel fine, just worried that I may have undone some of the work due to over doing it as I felt so able! Nothing symptom wise to alert me yet!

We all seem to be having such differing recoveries don't we?

Have a lovely pain free, free flowing bowel of a weekend.

Look forward to hearing from you
x

Hi.......I have a clump of stitches. It felt like the BM was still trying to protrude so I tried to feel. I was advised to do the pelvic floor excercies by both my consultant and physio, however it is difficult due to still being quite painful. Feel rather disorientated today like I have done to much movement. Yesterday, I walked down to the shop and had to sit down on the way back. It took about thirty minutes when normally it would take 5. Just having a coffee then its back to bed for a good rest for me.

hi everyone-hav just signed on as i found this message thread when trying to research my op on 16 nov. can't seem to get any info from nhs and the internet ranges from the downright horrifying to stomach churning. hav been told my op will be done as a day case-prev op was to be 22/7 but canx as my BP too high-now on tabs for that-but was booked in for at least one night then. this time they just sent me a leaflet all about their private rooms for hire at £80 per nite! been told mine is not a bad case but not sure how long b4 i can drive again or work-do 3 eves at supermarket with really heavy lifting! can anyone help me with any of this info please

hi everyone-hav just signed on as i found this message thread when trying to research my op on 16 nov. can't seem to get any info from nhs and the internet ranges from the downright horrifying to stomach churning. hav been told my op will be done as a day case-prev op was to be 22/7 but canx as my BP too high-now on tabs for that-but was booked in for at least one night then. this time they just sent me a leaflet all about their private rooms for hire at £80 per nite! been told mine is not a bad case but not sure how long b4 i can drive again or work-do 3 eves at supermarket with really heavy lifting! can anyone help me with any of this info please

Hi Loujay44/ladies - Welcome to the ever increasing club! Regarding driving, I was told by the hospital not to drive for 4 weeks and it also stated the same in the physio leaflet. No hovvering for 6 weeks (yay!) No sex for 6 weeks(boo/yay - depending on how you are feeling!) No lifting anything more heavy than 1.5 litres or 1 kg in the first 2 weeks and than you can increase lifting to 3 kilos say in 3 weeks. My physio also said if you are doing any lifting/coughing/stretching do a pelvic floor excercise whilst you are at it. I agree there seems to be an awful lot of conflicting advice re when to do your pelvic floor excercies.

Good day today, had a totally painless BM for the 1st time since the op - hurrah!!! The prune juice is the way to go.

Everyone take it easy, I am off to watch strictly come dancing, tape x-factor and watch Ireland v Italy in between! Plus have a few well deserved cheeky glasses of vino

loujay44 hello there..not quite sure if it is a rectocele repair you are having done? I also found this website so useful before and after...us women SO like to talk! I was told at my pre-op to take 6 weeks off for Rectocele op, but that you are entitled to up to 3 months off and might need it...I guess it depends what your job is.
janjanjanjan i also had thought my clump of stitches were bm bulging, but DR convinced me it wasnt...but it is still reassuring to know others have the same result from surgery.
I do not have a shower available at my house, although i was also told showers are best, but they said it is ok to have short, quick baths as a long soak might dissolve the stitches too soon (and i would NOT want that to happen aaarghh)
I also have to walk so slowly on my walks...and have to concentrate so hard to NOT trip up....this is very tiring.....giving us all a taste of what life will be like in old age. I also felt very cold out walking, so wrap up warm...cos you cant walk faster to keep you warm!
If you have still got op to come....then feel reassured by most of these messages, I was really nervous, but once you are on the ward the nurses are so nice and it is good to see that there are usually a few of you having the same op that day. You will soon be writing your op story and giving tips to others...good luck x

hi all, i am a dental nurse so spend a lot of time on my feet there is also alot of running up and down stairs between surgeries so i have been signed off work for 8 weeks havent been out to get the prune juice yet as i live 3 miles away from the nearest shop and not allowed to drive at present so relying on husband for lifts.I requested an epidural for my op which worked well for me the packing and catheter werent too bad a bit uncomfortable coming out but the nurse did it quite quickly so it was over and done with . i has to have 3 big wees and 3 clear empty bladder scans before they would let me go home i was in for 2 nights which was fine. still no pain im worried i will over do something and not feel it

Think you mostly get advised to never lift more than 25lbs post op,or in the future.

After a month I think you mostly feel "recovered" just depends if you have to lift at work.I think using the stairs etc. would be fine.

I am 9 weeks post op from rectocele reapir with a graft in the posterior section. My privates still feel different, like the inside is still swollen or just not right yet. I feel pelvic pressure that I have not ever really felt before. Like my privates are dragging a little. The surgery went well and the recovery is going okay, but i am surprised it is taking so long to boince back. Did it take anyone else a long time to feel normal (down there) again?
jillycoop

thanx all for your replies.

i find it really sad/upsetting that there are so many of us out there and yet it is still such a taboo subject-even with my closest friends.

has anyone else had theirs (rectocele repair) done as a day case? this is my main concern at present although the list is quite long as my date gets nearer.

Hi Loujay44, had cystocele and rectocele repair last Monday 5th October as a day case. As I am 63 I was a bit worried, but everything was fine. Tip to help with BM, blow your nose when trying to go, works for me along with the lactulose. Best of luck for your op.

Hi, as at tomorrow I will be 3 weeks post op. I had a bath earlier and felt a large clump at the entrance so had a look afterwards with a mirror. I have a large ball of sticthes hanging that appear to have desolved leaving a string waiting the final desolve. I did feel a little uncomfortable yesterday which must have been the clump trying to release so to speak. I do still feel quite a dragging sensation but am managing to do a BM quite easily now.

I would be interested to know when they take packing and catheter out if you go home the same day? Usually they do that the next morning, and they asked me to lay flat and still for 1 hour after packing was pulled out to minimise risk of haemmorage. Rectocele repair is still classed as major surgery so i am surprised they will send you home the same day. Is it the hospitals advice or your choice?( as i know some really dislike hospitals.) I felt very safe whilst in hospital, and although you do not get a lot of sleep it felt the right place to be for the first few days. At least you know if you go home you can always phone the ward for any worries or advice....and no doubt use mumsnet !!

Hi Oxbob, I live near Edinburgh and had my op in local hospital in Haddington, East Lothian. There were no problems with me having packing removed same day, think it was about 4 hours after op. Am going on fine at the moment, don't expect much sleep your first night home, I was going for a wee every 2 hours, but now maybe just once which is quite good. Hope you go on okay.