Prolapse repair discomfort

[Kaydi]

Hi everyone. I had a rectocele prolapse repair 17 weeks ago and I’m still in extreme discomfort, feels as if I’ve got a roll of barbed wire inside me. At my post op the doctor said this is caused by the stitches but the discomfort increased and is often unbearable by evening. My GP arranged swabs which ruled out an infection.

Please can anyone tell me if It’s usual to be in such discomfort this long after the op and if so when I can expect some relief.

Just from my own experience, this level of pain is unusual at this stage post op, I did still get the 'stuck tampon feeling' if I'd overdone things for a good few months but not actual pain. How was your surgery done? Can you get an appointment to see the surgeon who carried it out?

I've just re read and seen that you've seen the Consultant, did they say when the stitches would dissolve? Mine dissolved at 6 weeks.

He said the stitches take about 5 months to dissolve so I’ve got 3 more weeks to go before I hit the 5 month mark. I was surprised to read yours dissolved at 6 weeks, can you describe what it was like when they dissolved, did you get instant relief or did it happen more slowly?

They started to dissolve at 6 weeks, to the day, everything just felt a lot more comfortable, not as tight, sitting was definitely more comfortable but I didn't have the pain you describe before that either. The pain was pretty much gone after two / three weeks unless I over did it. Maybe it's down to whatever material they used?? Interesting that there's such a difference I think the time taken to dissolve.

Did they use mesh in your surgery?

No they didn’t use mesh but the surgeon said I’d herniated and said he fixed that as well so maybe I’ve got more stitches than usual?
Did they use mesh for you? I’m trying to figure out how come your stitches dissolved so quickly, I wish mine would hurry up.

Maybe because of the hernia they used a different material for the stitches. I was told all along mine would dissolve at 6 weeks and then I'd feel a lot more comfortable. I can't imagine having them for 5 months. I really feel for you.
There's a Facebook group for prolapse support, some of the ladies on there might have had a similar experience. It's Association for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support.

Thanks for this AniseedBall, I’ll go check their Facebook out. As for the stitches I wasn’t told before the op how long they would take to dissolve, I googled it afterwards and read on several sites it’ll take 5 months. Feeling this to be extreme I then asked the doctor at my post op and he too said around 5 months but he said some will dissolve sooner as they’re not all the long lasting ones. So I expected to feel some relief but unfortunately not. I certainly didn’t expect I’d still feel I’m sitting on a pineapple after 17 weeks lol.