Hi i just joined and posted my first question a few hours ago, still learning. Forgot to add (i had a hysterectomy 10yrs ag0), that day ten post-op today I still feel as if vagina 'full', bulging and feel terrified the posterior repair has collapsed in....I've done everything I've read, spend most days lying or sitting with legs up....toileting feels like the stuff of nightmares as I can't bear the new and unusual sensations.
Is it normal to feel like this - i had a look and just inside vag could see what must be walls etc. But right there, right at the entrance. I guess its early days and all swollen still. 🤔
Ten days is so very early, you’ve had major surgery and there will be lots of swelling and even more healing to take place.
My follow up was 12 weeks, before then my consultant said it was too early to assess how everything was.
It’s really hard to be patient but patience is the answer! ☹️
Rest, rest and more rest. Eat sensibly, drink lots of water and gradually build up your mobility; walking is best, a little more each day.
Good luck.
Thanks so much Sheila! Thats very reassurring. R
Hi Ruth
I am 5 weeks po and still have the bulge I have had it since the op was done
I have been told several times that this is swelling and too stop looking but I find it impossible
I too had a hysterectomy 5mths ago mine was done by mistake I went in for A&P repairs so the horror when I woke still very prolapsed I think has added too my anxiety too the offending bulge I can still see!
I think we expect too be instantly cured from this but I wish we left the with a more realistic expectation
I completely agree with Shelia’s advice I am resting as much as o can, keep legs elevated and I soak pads put them in the freezer and use them as an icepack does help with the heavy feeling
Also keep on top of ibruorofen even if you don’t need for pain it will help with swelling
Please don’t torture yourself as I have throughout my recovery xxx
I am nearly a year on from A&P repair, sacrospinous fixation and vaginal hysterectomy. I still have a bulge, ridge like, I’ve been reassured that my prolapses are fixed and this is my urethra! I still have stress incontinence when exercising, one of the reasons I opted for the surgery last year. ☹️ So still a bit of a way to go yet.
Stay strong, wise words which are hard to follow. Xx
Chloe you are so reassuring, thank you so much! It really helps. I'm a nurse but still feel completely lost with all this and don't think i was well-prepared. It is hard to resist looking when i feel anxious - going to the toilet is awful and i spend all day obsessing over it until it's happened then panicking afterwards as each time feels entirely different! I appreciate your advice - just had bruffen now! Unsure about when to start doing Kegels?? R
Hi Ruth
Don't even go looking till at least 12 wks.
You won't see the new you till all swelling goes down hun.
I've had tvh and anterior repair and for me the first one failed at 3 wks but this time I have a new consultant who I feel is impeccable with his work. I too feel scared that it may fail again but I do feel a bit better but still not healed and I'm 10wks today. My advise is throw aeasy the mirror, you will be paranoid every time you look and at this stage it going to look bulgy. Xx
Hi sheila
What do you mean by urethra? If its not prolapsed why do they say it your urethra.is that normal yo feel it .just curious lol. Rest up.x
Id wait 6 wks then start.give yourself time to heal.x
I really believe a prolapse carry’s a huge emotional burden with us ladies, so this surgery means so much not just for our physical health but also for us too regain some body confidence and carry on with our ‘normal’ life not worried and restricted as too what we can do without our insides dropping out 😪
It’s human nature for us too read and expect the worst, sometimes I hate having a smart phone but it has helped keep me reasonably sane in the past 5 weeks
I don’t know if it will help but I have started taking Kalms and also made a concious effort too turn off my mobile at nighttime which seems to be when I consult Dr Google the most as it is when I feel the worst....
I have downloaded the squeezy app from NHS and have been doing sets of kegel’s 3 Times a day from 2 weeks PO I can already feel an improvement with the strength in my walls and I find I am allot more aware of engaging my pelvic floor when doing normal day to day activities
We are strong ladies to have take. The plunge and gone through this very invasive and demeaning process in the first place we have too keep this strength at this time when we are feeling so vunerable although I understand it is very hard xx
I agree Chloe, i think its a very invasive and vulnerable process...love to know the exact name of the app? Thanks for your support! R.
I’ve got the NHS App, it’s called ‘Squeezy’! Blue icon, figure crossing their legs .... it’s great. 😊
It’s called “Squeezy” Ruth
I hope your feeling a little better xx
Hi welsh Girl
Have you still had bulging this time around? Sorry u had too go through it again let’s hope last time xx
I too have had a posterior repair due to a large bowel prolapse. Im 7 days po and cannot walk due to the pain in my bottom, do you have this problem too. I find it easier to lie on my side. Long way to go i know and i too am going stir crazy, think ill have to get my knitting out. Agree with the toileting. Absolute nightmare. I just wish the pain would go away. Its like having a gold ball shoved up my bottom lol consultant seeing me next monday for a check. Just hoping it has worked. I too have the same thoughts that it is pushed back into the vag as it feels unnatural and solid. Tbh im glad ive joined this forum as it makes me feel its normal to feel this way.
Hi thank god i dont have that pain really just very bizarre sensations as i learn to breathe out instead of push when on the loo. Cannot relax until passed it each day will happily take softeners the rest of my life!
My 'golf ball' sensation is in my vag, feels as if will drop out, but ive read enough on here to hope thats just normal post op swelling. So take bruffen for that. I'm day 11 or 12 now and only walking round the garden clutching myself coz of the vaginal 'falling out' sensation.
Can anyone else reassure us that this is all normal?! 😅😅
I am day 15 and I looked at Day 4 and it all looked pushed in and I looked again last night and it actually made me cry. I am embarrassed to get so graphic but it looks like my entire insides are all about to fall out and it feels that way too. I am no help other than telling you I feel the same way. I feel like it’s my fault because I’ve been walking around so much. I had the minimally invasive rectocele repair and a bladder sling. I walked around in Walmart last night and was peeing every step. I never did this before. I am only 35 and I can’t believe I am so broken down.
I’ve looked on Real Self and all the even 1 day post op pics look better than the way I look at Day 15. The 6 week pics look brand new. The opening is basically like it’s supposed to be before you have children. Looking at myself after this operation makes me feel horrible. I can’t see the bulge but everything is just pushing into the opening and the opening goes all the way up to just under the urethral opening. This can’t be normal.
Please let me know what your doctor says if you’ve consulted them. My doc is one of those super positive nothing can go wrong overly confident doctors. I don’t feel like I’ve gotten correct discharge instructions. I was told to go about my business as soon as I felt able but just not to lift over 10lbs or bend excessively (don’t do laundry or wash dishes.) I called on Day 8 and asked if I could take a walk with my daughter and they said it was fine. I’ve been going everywhere and feeling no pain at Day 15. I had the minimally invasive rectocele repair and a mid urethral bladder sling. I am disgusted when I compare my post op pics to any other woman.
My surgeon said not to even think about Kegals until the 4th week. I am so confused.