Hi girls
I am 4 weeks post op. cystocele rectocyle and uretheral suspension. I might add this is for the third time. I can't stress enough that the longer you do very little the better chance you will have a successful outcome. I had my first round of repair when my youngest was 2 years. Had very little opportunity to heal while looking after two little children consequently hyster cysto recto failed. Second time round had another cysto recto bladder suspension and perineum repair. During this time had 4 children and a training business to run. Surgeon paid very little attention to dos and don't s and said I should be able to return to work in a few weeks. I did not feel my pelvic area was at all strong but didn't want to appear malingering and I had contracts to fulfill. Surgery failed !
Having had the courage to present myself for the third time I really want to impress upon those newbies. I feel many surgeon are remiss in the info given and lets face it they don't have to live your life after surgery.
I found lying on a short cut sheepskin after surgery was just the best thing to ease the lower back and butt pain.
(Online from Skinnys baby rug large size) I also asked for stool softeners once I was eating after surgery second day rather than waiting until you are so constipated from heavy pain Meds that you feel so uncomfortable and pressured and fear a BM.
I went to a pelvic physio before and after surgery ...invaluable.
I also saw a naturopath to get all the healing advice that I could.
As I am at the 4 1/2 week mark and have not had any of the optional extras that some of you have experienced I am optimistic as to my outcome. I am a very fit 66 year age defier and want to gain the maximum from life.
I really hope you all have the best recovery you deserve it!
I am lying in the ward reading this after pelvic floor repair.
My youngest is 18 months old.
I will be taking your advice I will ask for as much time as possible off work full pay for 6months in the UK is what I am entitled to. So will be asking for a good few weeks off .
Hi peta,
I wish you all the luck in the world. Like you have had surgery twice and not nearly enough advice from consultant, GP.
This forum has been invaluable, but despite nursing and protecting my repair second time round my repaired wall starting to sag again which I'm sure is due to lack of care in work place.
I am terrified of having to have this surgery again as I already have much discomfort and pain from what I believe is tight scar tissue.
I am coming up for 58 so can't retire for another 8 years as yet and too scared to do overtime otherwise would work every available hour and safe as much as I am to allow early retirement.
I hope you are thinking or retiring and that your repair is successful this time round, take care.
Phyl x
hi how old are you i too have3 month old am only 28
You really need EIGHT weeks off work and 3 months would be most ideal. How are you not going to lift small child? If it's possible, you need to teach the child to climb up on you when you are seated. Hope you've got a ton of help lined up for when you get home. Because you don't even want to be picking things up off floor either. That is out for 6wks.
Hi Vicki
Glad my post has been helpful. Lifting your little one will pose a challenge for you. My youngest become a great climber. She would climb into and out of the bath, up into the high chair and into and out of her car seat. I was always there to guide or provide a step for her. My friends were amazed at how capable she was and yet it was just a little challenge for her.
Some long barbque tongs or similar will be useful for picking things up as there is so much at floor level when you are a Mum. Also put all the food items you use regularly on the bench or counter top so you don't have to bend..
I was told to stay in your pjs for weeks so it's a sign to those around you know that you are not physically capable.
You will need to do very little for 4 weeks and then a little more after that. I hope you have the support you need.
Don't worry your bladder and bowel will waken up and start functioning normally after the first week.
I have avoided sitting for 4 weeks but have been walking around for short bursts.
All the very best with your recovery
Hi Phyl
I appreciate your good wishes. I waited 17 years between surgery 2 and 3. Although I have tried to incorporate everything in life that I could do I spent half my life in a horizontal position on the couch. I had lost faith in my situation ever improving. I hoped advancement in diagnostic and surgical techniques would benefit me so that is why I have now taken the plunge. The 4D ultrasound was invaluable in giving an accurate picture. It highlighted an avulsion (a tearing of the pelvic floor muscles from the bone) which explains why I haven't been able to stand up for very long since first birth.
I would like to keep you posted especially to hopefully give you an amazing recovery report in the hope of encouraging you.
Peta
Yes have lots of help and have been given a sick note for 9 weeks.
Feel ok after the operation and have loved this forum for advice on post op care.
I’m 37 x had the operation yesterday with 18month old toddler
Would love to hear how you get on peta.
Like you I too spend much of my time horizontal.
I manage two shifts a week then spend two days in recovery as I suffer what I think is painful tight scar tissue around lower vag...opening and sagging front wall seems to pull that area more.
I then go for my weekly swim (14 or 15 lengths in 25 metre pool which pulls in the pelvic floor muscles and hopefully helps to support pelvic organs. Have to watch though as this strains the tight scar tissue around and just inside vag... area.
I spend next two days catching up around house covering lighter chores, but at least I can space them out and rest as and when needed.
Have had to give up all the things I love doing; My long walks, cycling, gym, and gardening. I do try to keep up with shorter walks but more often.
So very frustrating and scared to do any overtime now.
Work place is exactly that 'a place of work' and not somewhere we can be nursed; feel like a lame duck dragging my feet and not a team member any more.
Everything I do in life I have to make sure I will be able to access a seat and not have to be on my feet for too long. Attempted the school shop last August and took me days to recover; will have to send my 14 year old shopping with older sibling who is 25 this year, just no way I can cope with being out and about for hours. Feel like I miss out on so much quality time with my teen!
You would think that by now research would have come up with something better by now, or at least make sure we are all better informed after child birth.
Keep us all updated, take care x
Hi Phyl
Your experience of life is so similar to mine. Always working around not over straining as it takes ages of horizontal time to sort of recover. Always looking for seat but not all that comfortable sitting etc. Like you before traumatic births I was very fit and loved physical activities. Prior to my surgery however I was doing deep water running every day as I found this most suitable.
I feel for you now that I know more of your story and as I said earlier I hope I can be a light of encouragement as I clock up the weeks of recovery.
Best wishes, Peta
Fingers are crossed that things work out positive in long run!x👍💕
I am also on my second anterior repair and also had tvh and I cash tell you I'm absolutely paranoid to do the normal things.
I diud absolutely nothing the first 6 weeks after the first but it all still failed. I am 8 weeks now and just completely paranoid to say the least.
The only exercise I will do is swimming and walking and I will never hoover again lol. My hubby is an angel so he will do the chore when home on days off.
Even now I feel that I'm heavy and insecure in the vag but have been reassured at post check vagina has excellent support and bladder. I wonder for how long lol.
I have a new urogynacologist now who I just become a professor so I'm in excellent hands. Since the last failed repair my uterus was 3 cm from entrance so definitely a weak pelvic floor. I am doing 30 kegals a day hoping that will help..also on vagifem. I just pray all Weill keep strong. I'm age 50 ,slim fit and healthy, don't smoke or drink. Just think early meno brought all this on asbi was completely fine until age 41😢.xx
Hi Peta
I am just over 4 weeks post op for rectocele. After reading all advice on the forum and a discussion with my doctor I have a 12 week sick line. I will then be entitled to claim back the up coming Easter holidays giving me a further 2 weeks. My manager has been great even before op he removed some of the more physical duties from my day but as a support worker some times this maybe unavoidable.
I will have a back to work interview with him but what I am confused about is the longterm heavy lifting and if there is a limit to what we should all be lifting even after recovery. Obviously nearer time will ask doctor but have you had any advice on this?
Heavy lifting after repairs is sonething you need to avoid if possible.uf strsining on the loo can cause damage then heavy lifting sure will. You must remember hun that these repairs are not forever.limit dowwRd pressure and try avoid heavy lifting.doctors dont really give out much aftercare. Its forums like these that are resl.good luckx
Hi Welshgirl
Thanks for reply. I never gave it a thought that this might not be permanent along with great after care!! I had a TVH in 2016 and because I felt ill with that it was easy to rest. This time round I feel a bit of a fraud if you get that? I am resting to the letter but it is a struggle not to say to husband I will just do that!!I have discomfort and swelling also had a slight bleed since slightly increasing activity so I know how important it is.
Looks like I have more than just return to work discussion with my manager.
Thanks again.
Heavy lifting is out forever if you want your repairs to last as long as possible. My Specialist said basically the bags of groceries are it for good. One at a time.
Heavy lifting is just out oif the question for me just to be on the cautious side. I am very slim and will never lift heavy bags,high impact exercise and moist oif all kegals. Its scary to think repairs will not last a lifetime. I myself is being way too careful even at 8 weeks I wrong carry anything heavier than a pint of milk.our internal stitches take months to strengthen up.
Keep smiling hunx
Hi Welshgirl
Are you posting from Wales? You are four weeks ahead of me but I too feel very conscious of and insecure on the anterior wall. I am hoping it is still the result of swelling. I haven't had a post op check as yet as I am only 4 1/2 weeks but I do wonder if you would get an honest opinion.
I question the impact of sitting in the first couple of months. If the goal is to not increase the pressure on the pelvic floor and repaired areas ie not bending lifting standing etc then I would consider putting more than half your body weight compressing onto of this area to be damaging.
I am glad to hear you are giving yourself the best chance and I really hope that there is more improvement for you.
Best wishes, Peta
Hi Ragnar
I am so glad the forum has been helpful and that you have been proactive in giving yourself the best chance to heal and hopefully avoid reoccurance.
I am not sure on the suitable weights following recto but as I had bladder, anterior recto and vault as well I will be avoiding lifting anything. Even though they say up to 10 kilos if I was to lift a 2 litre milk I would feel the strain so I don't of course. Everyone is different but if you are in a job where there is lifting then as a woman you will be prone to these problems. A pelvic physio opinion would be a good start before you have a discussion with your manager otherwise you won't know what is realistic for you. I had to give up a role where I was carrying lots of equipment and take on a supervisory one.
Have you been informed as to the correct position to be in to have BM for now and the future?
All the very best with your recovery Ragnar
Peta