Just hit 6 week mark. What is advice re lifting, bending, standing, walking etc.
Are the the stitches now secure and healed. Do I risk jeopardising the operation if I push past the pain?
Thanks
You are still in recovery and need to take it easy. I'm
10 weeks and I've started lifting, bending and walking etc. however today I'm in bed cause I've done too much over these holiday. So I'd say pace yourself !! Listen to your body and don't try to do to much all at once but gradually .
I am one month post op. Full hysterectomy, vaginal suspension and rectocele surgery. Doc's told me 2 months of nothing over 10 lbs. I had no pain after my surgery, I'm very lucky. I was told I could walk outside a distance at 5 weeks. I bend over with no issues. I over did it this weekend, by cleaning closets and today had some low menstral type cramping. It's my first issue. I also walked a mile yesterday. So who knows what I overdid. I'd talk to your doctor or nurse. I'm sure a phone call is sufficient.
Wishing this is the advice I am recommending to the group I'm currently working on looking at advice following the different types of prolapse and pelvic floor surgery. Don't lift anything heavier than a kettle full of water, take pain relief if you need it especially anti inflammatories. If you put up with pain research has shown it lengthens your recovery. Feet up on an evening and short walks during the day but stop as soon as you feel tired and on no account push yourself.
Hi Matron, is that nothing heavier than a full kettle for life? I've read a lot of contradictory info about how much can be lifted, it's very confusing? My daughter is 1.5 stones and growing, I'm not sure how much longer I can have help with lifting her.
Also, what are your thoughts on running and ballet type high impact exercise? My physio says the whole point of surgery is to get back to doing normal exercise as before but I have read elsewhere that high impact exercise puts you at high risk for a return of prolapse. I'm only early 30's and the thought of being restricted to low impact exercise forever is pretty depressing but so is the thought of another prolapse especially when the menopause hits I guess it will be more likely.
No it's a full kettle at 6 weeks post op. By 6 months you'll be ok to lift your daughter
Hi Ellie,
I had anterior repair with TVT bladder repair last Feb and was told that after 3 months I could return to high impact excercise by my ladies physio which I duly did only for the prolapse to return after 6 months so my advice would be not to do high impact excercise of any kind. I only do walking, and a circuit class do I can maintain the prolapse.
Hope this helps. If I had been given this advice I certainly wouldn't have been out running or going to high impact classes.
Debi
Hi Debi - thanks for telling me that, gosh what a shame for you. Will you have another repair?
Have you heard of the Australian Physio Michelle Kenway, she lists safe exercises and advises against running etc but others say it's fine so very confusing. I guess your experience is a warning to me.
I'm not surprised you're prolapse returned after such incorrect advise. Was it a physio specially trained in prolapse aftercare?
Hi Ellie,
No i am trying to maintain the bladder prolapse by doing pelvic floor excercises with my neurotrac machine. I also have a slight bowel prolapse too but nothing that causes me too many problems. They both can be uncomfotable at times and really probably embarassing more than anything else as I am only 43. Fortunately i have a fantastic surgeon who has still kept me on his file and sees me yearly for a checkup just incase anything changes.
Matron, with regard to the physio yes she was a specialised women's physio who i was referred to by my GP for the incontinence and prolapse issues i was having. After having no success with pelvic floor excercises it was her who put me forward for the anterior repair and TVT repair. Forfunately the TVT repair has been 100% successul and has totally cured the incontinence. The only problem was that the bladder prolapsed again after 6 months and i can't help thinking that the high impact excecise contributed to that. If only i had been informed correctly i wouldnt be in this position now but heyho.
I start my pelvic floor therapy this month with a specially trained nurse practitioner for 6 weeks. I'm excited about that and I'll keep everyone updated!! Until then I'm monitoring myself closely to make sure I don't strain or pull or tug etc without being so scary about myself . Have a blessed day ladies!
Yes it's a shame you were given that information because it was totally incorrect and I'm astounded!! Some Urogynaecologists now have specialist physiotherapists working in their team which I think is an excellent idea because they "all sing from the same hymn sheet" as they say. It's really good that your consultant sees you annually, at least then you don't have the hassle of asking to be re referred if you do decide you want further surgery. I wish more consultants would do the same.
That's good news diann. Yes please keep in touch.
Yes it is a shame as i was totally fine after the two procedures and would never have done anything i wasnt supposed to do. My consultant thinks along the same as me in that we are limited in what we can do with the mesh being banned in Scotland. He already used some of the existing scar tissue to hold the pelvic floor repair in place but this has obviously failed so the options are very limited if any and i am very reluctant to put myself through more evasive surgery when it could all happen again. Would your advice always be that after any type of prolapse surgery that high impact excercise should be avoided?
I have always advised no high impact exercise for 12 months if one repair but 18 months for two.
Take your time, just a little at a time. See how you feel the next day.. I'm pretty sure most of us would do anything or nothing to make sure you don't have to go through this surgery again... Sending Healing thoughts 
My Urogynae is currently the best in New Zealand. He said at my 7wk check that no high impact ever again. I am 57yrs. Maybe depends on your age. I can't see the point of high impact ever anyway. I heard that even "pounding the pavement" (as the saying goes - running) does more damage to important structures in our body, than good. Brisk walking is just as beneficial for keeping fit and doesn't cause the damage running can do.
Different consultants have different views and it all depends on how the surgery is performed, what types of sutures are used, age and condition of the pelvic floor
Thank you to everyone for all of your replies. Matron, I think your leaflet would be helpful, as is your advice on this site. The site is great in able to "hear" how other people are experiencing the surgery.
Thankyou ellie10895, I have now ordered Micelle Kenway's book on prolapse excercises.
by the way, I also found a really good leaflet on enhanced care following gynae surgery by Thameside hospital. As I can't paste a link maybe Google?
Again, thanks. I'm sure I will be back with more questions,
Hi
Not sure if this makes a difference but my surgeon said my tissues had thinned a lot for someone of my age (I'm 42). She told me to I was going to have to avoid heavy lifting in general but that seemed to be advice specific to my circumstances, maybe that is why people seem to be told different things.
Just a thought......