9 week Post Op check

Women's health
1

I had my rectocele surgery post op check today and all was well! Everything has healed as it should, and my consultant said there is no scar tissue there at all! He really is an amazing surgeon! He reiterated the need to continue to avoid straining on the loo and doing any heavy lifting and he has referred me for some physio to help stengthen my "poor pelvic floor muscle tone" I have my consultation and first session on Friday..... 

2

Hi Pearl,

So pleased to hear that you are all healed and that you have no scar tissue, so very lucky!

Good luck with physio... and for the future.

Phyl ☺x

3

Wow that's amazing Pearl! I hope I'm as lucky when I go to mine.

All the best for the future x

4

wonderful to hear positive reports. I am 12 days after surgery and am healing well. stitches are starting to itch but I am being very careful. trying to stay off feet as much as possible. great news

5

and Sue52969 - My Surgeon said that he can tell which ladies have been sensible and which haven't just by looking, he said the ones who have rested and not been lifting have no, or very little scarring. My partner made sure I rested, so it seems all the frustration of 'wanting to' but not 'being allowed to' paid off. Good luck to you both too x

6

Thanks Phyl, off travelling as soon as that is done, can't wait. Thank you for your support in this group x

 

7

Thats great news Pearl. If there is no scar tissue that is a plus, becuyase scar tissue can be a source of pain and knots or trigger points which can stop the pelvic floor functioning healthily. To make sure your surgery lasts have a look at a toilet stool - it helps making pooing easier and prevents straining (long term laxative use makes the muscles weak so try to tackle constipation naturally - and always lots of water!)

Let your Physio guide you with strengthening exercises and posture correction because if you do not change how your body works you will reprolapsse. Strengthen up, improve your posture, don't strain, and your surgery will hopefully last you a lifetime.

last but not least - wath your weight, a 10% drop in body weight will improve the strength of the pelvic floor by 50% - it is critical. So good luck,

S

8

Hi

Thanks the advice. Where do you stand with exercise post posterior repair? I have been given no advice. I will be 2 weeks post surgery on Friday. I have been resting and not lifting and have been doing my pelvic floors. I usually run twice a week, 4miles each time. My plan was to start walking next week, 30 mins a day. Is that ok? I'm so worried that I'll gain weight with all this resting and no exercise, although I'm eating healthily and am not overweight at present. Will I ever be able to run again?

Thanks

Sue

9

Hi Sue

I can’t advise you, only your Consultant/Health professional is in a position to know your situation. Lots of Physios advise against running - it's too high impact on your pelvic floor, you risk reprolapsing, and as any Surgeon will tell you, each successive prolapse operation is less successful than the first. I know this may seem devastating to you about running but please seek out alternatives. Primarily after your recuperation you need to strengthen up and try to get a Physio referral. Ideally a physio will be able to show you how to exercise properly and correct your posture. If you do not change what you did before you will prolapse again. The prolapse is a 'weak point' in your body, and without looking at strengthen, posture changes (sit up straight, BBC bum at the back of the chair etc.) the weakness will manifest itself again.

Good news about your weight - watch it like a hawk, Im a big fan of Diet Doctor 

Walking is great, so too is swimming and cycling, Physio Tasha Mulligan Likes cycling because it works on the core muscles and the pelvic floor is supported without the impact and jolts of running/sit ups/weight lifting etc.

Hope this helps Sue, do try an get a Physio referral - you wont regret it!

S

10

Thanks for that, great advice x

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Thanks for the advice Stephanie, I do watch my weight, I have chronic asthma and mild emphysema so exercise is doable, but only on a gentle level, so I dare not put weight on! I drink a lot of water, but my diet is not perfect as I do not like vegetables, only fruit. I am working on that though! aversion therapy! 

12

You are so right Pearl, long term benefit to resting and allowing proper healing is the repair being more successful and lasts much longer!

Phyl ☺x

13

You very welcome Pearl, enjoy your travels.

Phyl ☺x