Hi all
Well it looks like my op is next Fri 18th Nov. Its something I have been putting off as I had a cystocele repair and hysterectomy so i kind of know what recovery will be like etc.
A few questions which i would like some advice on please.
Will I be having any sort of enenma? I do not take well to morphine or tramadol . So will ibruprofen and paracetamol be enough for the pain.?
Will I have to have a catheter and all that horrible packing?
I have also been told that it can change the shape of your vagina making intercourse painful!! Well its practically non existent now , will this improve over time.? I remember after my cystocele repair it was at least 6 months before it was comfortable. I am having visions that at 49 I will never be able to have intercourse again 
Many thanks to any advice.
kar xx
Hi Karen,
You won't need an enema, at least not for the rectocele. You will have a catheter in for the first night also packing in for the first day.
Morphine or tramadol would be the worst things to take, re constipation. Avoid at all costs!
It might be an idea to start taking lactulose a few days before your op to keep your bm's soft, and also for quite a while afterwards.
A rectocele repair done vaginally does make your vagina narrower, especially at first because the swelling lasts for quite a few weeks. It can also tighten you up permanently, so sex might be better, but not for at least six weeks.
One thing I wish I'd known about was that you are stitched down the back wall into your perineum, so sitting is a bit uncomfortable for a while.
Good luck, hope it all goes well.
You'll need lots of rest, so stock up on tv programmes, and / or books' and let someone else do the work for a while.
First two weeks, nothing but rest.
Kar I'm pleased you've made the decision to have surgery and as long as you do as you're advised I'm sure it will be successful.
You may have an enema but it is unusual these days however if you can take something like Movicol or a similar stool softener prior and after the operation that will help.
You will have a urethral catheter overnight and vaginal packing but don't let that alarm you. I always insist patients have pain relief before they are removed and once they are you'll feel more comfortable.
Intercourse shouldn't be more painful after this operation.....it should be better and more comfortable.
Regarding pain relief, one thing I always say is pain hinders recovery so don't refuse any pain relief such as Codeine, Morphine or Tramadol because you can take medication to counteract any constipation such as stool softeners. I have found Paracetamol won't help your pain in the early days. If you are in pain you must take pain relief and any good nurse or doctor will emphasise that after all it's our job! Take it regularly as prescribed before the pain reaches a peak. Rest is extremely important so for the first 2 weeks don't do anything and definitely no lifting apart from a kettle with enough water to make a cuppa. The information on the Genitourinary home page under Useful Resources is worth reading particularly the South Tees information that I had input into. Alan the Emis Moderator and I have also put together some excellent advice and I'm in the process of sending some more information to him.
I hope you're not disappointed steph xx
OFCOURSE not. Could've used your advice!
I was aware of some of the responses and I was just a little bit worried so I've decided just to "test the water" so to speak xx
Wow matron glad to see you are back x
Only briefly karen. I've been working with my local Health Trust on some advice following prolapse surgery and I have to admit it has taken over my life but I have been checking in now and again and wasn't sure what to do but the nurse in me wanted to help so I thought I'd just see how things went x
Question then. 2 weeks post. I spot every time with bowel mvmt from vagina. Is this normal?
It is steph. I presume you've had a rectocele repair? I apologise I need to catch up but if that's the case it's perfectly ok because every time you pass a stool it catches the sutures but don't be alarmed because they are tough and able to cope with the stool passing and will still heal.
Hi Matron, Don't go again! There will always be challenging people who argue wth everyone, ignore them.
You are needed on this forum, both for your knowledge and as a woman who has herself experienced this surgery.
Phyl and a few of the others, including myself have been trying to help answer questions, but you can't beat a pro! ( by the way, in the op's post I meant avoid constipation at any cost, not painkillers) Morphine after my TKR made my prolapse worse, even with lactulose.
I hope you stay around, and jump in and help when you are needed 
Hello Laura. Thank you for your kindnesses. I know what you meant about the painkillers, I wasn't disagreeing with you. Some people and I include myself cope well with opiates and don't get constipated but I agree with you about Lactulose I don't rate it to be honest. I'm sure you and Phyl have been wonderful and I don't intend to be so involved because I know a lot of ladies don't like a professional responding to posts.
Good to see you here again Matron! 😉
We have just been trying, but don't have the knowledge you have, and sorry to disagree, but I think it's the minority of ladies who wouldn't want proffesional help and to be honest, who gves a stuff about a few awkward ones, when you can reassure so many others.
You gave me some good advice, I didn't know who else to ask, so came on here, and you were always about, ready to help.
A bit stern at times, but trying to help ladies who were worried sick, isn't that enough reason not to let judgemental,people chase you away.
This isn't a Matron fan club btw. Lol!
Hi Kar67! I have my rectocele surgery next 5th Dec and I am a bit worried also. Like you I had already a cistocele surgery.
I had the pack also for one day and it was not painful for me. I didn't have pain eather, only the first 2 days. I also heard a lot of stories about painful sex but it has not been my case. Just a bit bothering at the beginning but now one year after my first op everything is fine.
I hope the rectocele op goes as well as the first one.
Hope the best for you! Please keep us updated!
By the way I have been told to have an enema at home the day before the surgery.
Hugs!!!!
Hi Kar67
it depends on your surgeon think. I had surgery as Frimley park Hospital. In April for a recto else and on Nov 1st for anterior repair. Both were done by local anaesthetic. In at 7am and home by 3pm. Given Naproxen and paracetamol to take for 10 days. I had no packing or catheter. Given lots of info and advice in discharge and they emphasis on it being major surgery. Take moviol and saw GP after 2 days after rectocele because painful to pass stools and given suppositories to use at night and they really helped. Good luck. As matron says rest up and listen to your body
Sorry I sounded stern. It's just my way....been in nursing too long. I take on board your comment and I'll try and come across a bit softer if that's the right word x
Thank you. Missed you all if I'm honest x