Hi, just discovered this site tonight looking for some advice. Am really shocked reading some of these posts at how long its taken people to get back to some sort of normality. I'm not sure if the hospital staff didnt give me enough info or if I didnt really take it all in but im driving myself mad here at home. I am constantly cleaning myself, paranoid about smells, everything still feels really bulgy and so uncomfortable. I get so tired after doing the smallest things but am unable to sleep properly. I was expecting to be fit for work after about 6 weeks but am now thinking this was really inrealistic of me (Im a TA in a primary school) Just on my period and its very very heavy and the cramps are worse than i have ever had, not that the bleeding had stopped yet from the surgery. All in all I am feeling really low at the moment. Sorry that my first post is such a miserable one but its nice to have a bit of a rant as I feel like im trying to keep a brave face for hubby and famly.
Does or did anyone else feel this way? Is there at light at the end of the tunnel?
I'll be 4 weeks Post op tomorrow. I too was astounded by how tired you feel after doing the littlest thing. I went into town yesterday with my husband because I am sick of seeing the same 4 walls. Walked for about 10 minutes had a coffee in a nice little coffee shop walked 5 minutes back to the car park. I got home and went to sleep for 2 hours. 😕
Before my op I was going to the gym 4 times a week and working 33hrs per week. Plus looking after the house.
Walking is uncomfortable and feels like everything is going to fall out at any moment.
Like you I feel totally fed up and wondering when I will start to feel Human again.
I hope you feel better soon.
To be honest I think that telling us 6-12 weeks is rather optimistic. It may take that time for stitching to dissolve but the deep healing inside can take up to a year, depending on what you have done, I know I tend to forget that, as soon as I feel ok I tend to overdo things forgetting that I still need to go easy! Take as long as you can to let things heal properly and don't be going back too soon!
Look after yourself, Phyl xx
I think this group will be my salvation, stop me going crazy xxx
Hi I know just what you are saying and don't apologise for post being negative. This forum is all about helping each other through major surgery - that is what it is even if it isn't often acknowledged as such. My info from specilaist nothing from hospital gave very unreaqlistic recovery rates. Got more relaistic times reading through the posts on this forum. I too told my boss back full time at 6 weeks . Becaus ethere wwas no one else to do parts of my job I have been doing odd hour or 2 few days a week since op. At 3 weeks post op I tried to do half a day working from home. Not easy wadding through all emails and back load of work and my planned 4 hrs turned into 6 2 days in a row. Following day Mon this week I have high temperature and pain- truns out bad bladder infection. So keep your fluids way up. I ached and had throbbing and shooting pains down there and evryone who kindly replied on this forum and my specialist advised me I had sat for too long - over done it - at 3/4 weeks I shouldn't be sitting that long. So resting up now. My specialist has advised sitting for no longer than 30 miunutes and gradually building - i have a desk job. Have been strong following all advise and told boss only do 3 hrs through out day and from home till I can sit without discomfort. Think 7-8 weeks is much more realistic time to return to work. I will see how I feel after seeing my spec at 6 weeks. My best advise listen to your body and abov all rest . If you ache or are exhausted the day after you have attempted something then you have clearly overdone it. I know I have. Above all think of how easy or difficult it would be retruning to work? Can you manage to get to tiolet in time - I know my bladder control is not good at the moment and where I work it is a decent walk or should I say run, would I be able to get there in time? no way at the moment. Do you have to sit or stand for long periods? I couldn't manage sitting at the moment. Is there somewhere you can have a rest or put your feet up at lunhc time etc. Probaly not in a school. I have read graduated returns are best. half a day or stagged days and gradually build your strength. Fellow paitents have posted that there is a huge improvement in weeks 5/6 and I am so hoping that is the case. Good luck and hope this helps. loads of healing wishes
Hi amchatt7. If you look under this forum, top of page, Genitourinary Prolapse, look at some of the older posts for some from Matron and some regulars. She's on hols at the moment but her advice is brilliant as she's a nurse in this field and also has been a patient with same problems. She would tell you that we all go through this round about 3 weeks or so and your period would also make you feel down too.. There is light at the end of the tunnel I promise! Don't be too brave, the hubby and family need to see how you feel, then you might get more help and understanding. It is a long recovery and you need loads of rest to help this and no stress if possible!
It's good to chat to others so keep coming on the forum, you'll have more replies tomorrow I think. Sleep well, goodnight, Pollyanna UK 
Thank you so much, really helpful x gald to know my symtoms are "normal" x
What great advice Phyl, so more realistic than what our specialists give us. I too have been overdoing it and am I suffering now . Resting up now. Think it is major surgery and sooner it is recognised and taken more seriously in its recovery time better it will be for us all. Agree with going back too soon but sometimes work demands and employers make this impossible. If we were better advised over recovery times we could better inform our employers. You look after yourself
Hi Jolil, sorry to hijack your post , but your reply pretty much sums up how I feel so thank you so much for posting it. makes me feel normal and realise I am not alone. Sendng you healing wishes and hope you get to normal realo soon
Hi Amchatt
I'm 3 weeks post op too X I've done very little and am not really in any pain just a bit uncomfortable . I work with children too and have been told to take 12 weeks off work as it's physically demanding. I work with under 5s. I have a chart if you'd like me to send it that tells you what you are able to do post op weeks . Lots of ladies on here say it's helpful as they aren't given much info. I was lucky enough to be given this by the hospital I was in . Happy to send if you pm your e mail address . Hope you have s better day tomorrow x
I have Rosiepix chart and it is good, real eye opener on real recovery times x
Thanks, that will be really helpful x
Hi I wondered if you would mind sending me the chart too please?
I'm now 6 weeks post, yes I agree it's a very long/slow road in the 1st weeks which I wasn't prepared for! I am 37 and have had post & ant repair and vaginal hysterectomy.
I think in another week or so you will really feel like you have turned a corner. I feel so much better this wk, swelling gone down dramatically, bleeding/discharge finally stopped, I havn't felt as tired in the afternoon and BM under control!!!
Slowly starting to build things back up but trying not to over do it now feeing better as still early days!
Good luck with the rest of your recovery ladies. (I don't think you'll be fit for back to work at 6 weeks amchatt but you will certainly be starting to feel so much better 😉) xxxx
Hi amchatt7
I have my anterior repair next month hun and like you don't stop
from morning till evening time. I am dreading the feeling of not
doing anything. We must though be so kind to ourselves, after all
we have been through the mill and back. When you can't see any
wounds its natural to want to do things. Take it easy hun!!xxx
Thank you all so very much for replying, I think I had the best nights sleep since my op last night, felt such relief after all your supportive messages, knowing that I'm not alone in how I'm feeling and what I am experiencing x x
today is a new day, the sun is shining here in Liverpool, I WILL have a good,mpositive day and won't feel guilty for taking it slow and easy 🤗🌞☕️🛋🖥💅💤
Good for you hun!! We must stop and hug ourselves. Surprising what is does mentally.😘
I knew I would struggle being at home all day and not being able to do much, hubby has really stepped up and has been doing most of the jobs around the house, kids, not so much, they have their own lives to live and are out and about. Prepare yourself for being very emotional after your op, I was a right whinge bag for the first week. I had never had surgery prior to this, had my 2 kids naturally, so no anesthetics before, still have weepy days but after reading other oists on here I'm not going to let it worry me now.
Hope your op goes well and I wish you a good recovery too xxx
Hi Jill
On me your e mail addy and I'll gladly send it on
Xx