I am due to go in hospital on the 26th may for Anterior and posterior repair,any help and advice on what to have for pain and have been advice to have a spinal anaesthetic ,feeling scared
It's only natural to feel scared but even though you'll be awake it won't be as daunting as you imagine. The doctors and nurses will talk to you, you'll be asked if you want to listen to music as well. There's lots of advice we can give you but read the Pinned Post on the Genitourinary home page because the moderator has put together some excellent links to give you lots of information and support. You've probably read that for the first 2 weeks you will need to rest and do absolutely nothing including lifting so it's better if you can have someone at home to look after you. Pain is different depending on each person but you'll be given pain relief to take home along with something for your bowels. Try not to get too anxious beforehand because research shows the more relaxed you are the better your recovery. We'll all be here for you and everyone is very supportive.
Hi Christine, I'm in NYC and just had A&P (rectocele and cystocele) repair done this past Wednesday May 18th. Here it is ambulatory so barring complications you go home same day. My surgeon suggested general anesthetia so I would come out of it faster to go home. With spinal (an epidural - which I had for two of my baby deliveries) your legs can take hours to be un-anesthetized and be back to normal so you can't leave the hospital because you can't stand yet. I was scared too - my first surgery ever - but it went well and fast. Operation was at 8:30am and I was home in my own bed at 4pm (was able to urinate at hospital before leaving so I didn't have a catheter when I left.) They gave me hydrocodone Rx to medicate at home but I only used a few the first two nights and switched to 600mg Ibuprophen (Advil) every 6 hours starting Friday and have been ok managing pain with that. Narcotics cause constipation so that is the tricky part. You need to be comfortable though so pay attention to your body and give yourself the meds you need to stay ahead of the pain. I am on day 4 of recovery and still spending much time off my feet. Everyone on this forum emphaIes rest and that is what we must do to heal smoothly. I am not sure where you are or what type of surgeon (gyn surgeon specialist?) and hospital procedure you will have but I hope sharing my experience was helpful. Ask any questions you have to your doctor - no question is silly! You will be OK. It takes courage but know that you will be OK.
I just had AP repair May 10th. In my experience I had solid pain for about 5 days and since then has eased off. At first I refused proper pain management, and that was a mistake. I was concerned with constipation, bur stool softner worked well. Rest, rest ,rest, the first 2 weeks. Don't hesitate to tell well meaning friends that "company". For the first two weeks is too soon. I'll pray for you. I was never offered spinal anesthesia, and very much doubt I would have agreed to it. Matron is your best source of advice. But all the women, I've talked to have been a big help as well. Adherence to the restrictions and positive attitude is half the battle. Hugsxxx
It is very rare for a patient to be discharged home the same day in the UK because the first 24 hours are the most crucial and it's important patients are monitored closely for any internal bleeding and we like to monitor patients pain levels as well. Same day discharged was mentioned at one point at the hospital where I worked and I stopped any further discussions on it so christine I think you are probably in the UK so if you had a general anaesthetic you'd be in overnight. As you're having a spinal you'll be in hospital for at least 1 night. One thing I should have mentioned is if you have pain take whatever you need to to relive the pain because pain hinders recovery, we know that so if you want to take codeine that's perfectly OK because stool softeners and something like Lactulose will sort your bowels out.
Thank you so much for your reply
Good Old USA will discharge 24 hours after vaginal delivery of a baby. The ambulatory surgery worked out ok for me and I feel blessed. However, I am sure there are many women who would benefit greatly from a stay in the hospital for one or two nights post A&P surgery. They rush women out the door because our hospitals are privatized and bottom line is health systems and insurance companies are doing battle over dollars.
Absolutely agree to stay ahead of the pain and take your fluids and colace to soften stool post-op.
Keep in touch christine. Can I just ask are you in the UK? I only ask because some things are slightly different in other countries.
It's the same in the UK momoffour regarding vaginal deliveries. They still send you home the same day if they can. I realise your system is different with insurance etc so obviously that determines a lot if things. I hope you are getting lots of help at home because you need to rest as you know. Don't be tempted to do too much, it's sometimes not easy with children at home.
Yes I am in the UK and have been advised to have spinal anaesthetic,because I have health problems ,I have been told I will have to stay in for 2 nights , thank you you have been a big help
I'll just add my friend had an anterior repair with a spinal anaesthetic and she was absolutely fine and quite enjoyed chatting to the nurses and doctors who made her feel relaxed. They may give you something to relax you beforehand if you're anxious, it's worth asking if they don't offer you anything. I think I would.
Hi, I had spinal and sedation could not remember anything, things to get in for when you are home
green tea wind ease for the trapped wind
movicol stool softener, you don't smell as much with this product and can get over the counter.
I found a water bottle small with a sucker on the top helpfull
paracetomol, ibru, codeine worked for my pain every 4 hours for two week, I am 5 weeks Tuesday and still take parocetomal and ibru.
i also got non centred andrex wipes, they are amazing keep you so clean after going to the toilet
femfresh non cented to wash.
and a few good books, I would recommend Kimberly chambers the Wronged.
if you keep in front of the pain it is more discomfort than pain
matron is the lady for advise on anything that worries you after the operation chic
take care and keep us updated love x💓
Sorry there is a bit of a shopping list there but I wish some one would have told me. Xx
Thank you Matron. My three teens and youngest 9 year old so plenty of help from them and my husband. I walk in my apartment ("flat" ;-) from my bed to bathroom and kitchen and take it easy in bed most these first few days. I understand from this site how essential it is to force myself to rest. I began watch Downton Abbey series on my iPad and I feel so indulgent but it's nice to have a forced break ;-)
Downton will keep you occupied for some time anyway and there's one positive from all of this.....catching up on things you normally don't have time for like reading and watching your favourite programmes.
Thank you so much xx
Hi Christine
i had a posterior repair done just over 3 weeks ago in UK. I had a local anaesthetic as this is how the surgeon prefers to do it. I was very well looked after. Nurses sat and talked to me throughout. I went to theatre at 8am, back in day unit at 9, no catheter or drips, had to do 3 urine output and had a bladder scan to check was emptying ok and back home by 3pm. Surgeon very clear that although it was a local it is major surgery.
Ask them beforehand for gwvetsl anesthetic
So true Matron! I never get to sit and just relax and am enjoying that I must do so now.
My worst recovery aspect since Wednesday surgery happened Saturday morning with first bowel movement, and I am dreading second one and thereafter. Consuming colace 3x day, straight olive oil, lots of water and liquids, fruits and vegetables, and almost no processed carbs, but still difficult and painful.
What is a gwwets anesthetic