Post Op experience

Women's health
1

i am 3.5 weeks post op, as I had an anterior and posterior vaginal repair, and was rushed back in for a second surgery just 10 hours after the first one for heavy bleeding.  I really thought I would be out of pain and discomfort by now but I'm not and I've been very faithful to the instructions my surgeon gave me!  How long does this take to heal???  I feel like the 6 - 8 weeks they told me is nowhere near actual healing at all.  What is your experience, sisters?😉

2

You are right barb 6-8 weeks is unrealistic. I was off work for 13 weeks. It was about 8 weeks before I started to feel more my normal self. Remember youvehad major surgery.

3

I was told it would take 6 months to fully heal. I was advised 12 weeks off work. I'm just over 3 weeks post op and was hoping to feel better than I do. Still feels really strange, achy and stingy underneath and still feel really tired. I had posterior repair and rectal plication. I was hoping to go back to work after 8 weeks but will just have to see how I am. When I have tried a couple of short outings I've just felt so tired afterwards. I don't think I ever expected that I would need this much rest as i'm usually so active.

4

I hear you, Rhona!  Thank you for the advice.

5

Thank you Matron!  We are cruising is May so I will wait till then to tell myself I am well!

6

I love cruising. It's a wonderful way of convalescing. Just go with the flow and be waited on hand and foot.

7

Thanks Barb, it's so helpful to have this site. It certainly makes you feel less alone and you feel at least recovery must be going as it should as everyone seems to say the same thing...rest, rest and more rest!

8

ooh ouchy poor you... good advice from Matron as always :-)

9

Hi Barb, I am 16 weeks postop and feel 'normal' now, although I still have the occasional day where I need to go and have a rest for a while. Usually late afternoon it all catches up with me. I have taken the advice of others on here and really listened to my body. Resting when I feel tired and not doing too much. You'll get there in the end!  

10

Hi again, Rhona, when you refer to the pain being "stingy" do you mean like a sharp bee sting sort of feeling?  I am really wondering if everything is ok in there because of this stinging sharp and quick pain that happens when I move the wrong way...

11

Hi Barb,

I just feel like the stingy feeling is there all the time. I think it's probably that healing isn't complete. If you have the pain when you move you may be better to get it checked out. I tried to do a bit more around the house yesterday but my body really told me I wasn't ready so i am resting up today. It's so hard as you want to do all that you've previously done but your body says no. I just felt very achy and heavy at the bottom of my stomach and underneath so I think it will have to be feet up today.

Hope you are ok, let me know how you go. Take care

12

Thanks again, Rhona...I'm sorry for the discomfort you feel.  This is one crazy recovery!  Today is four weeks post op and this is the first morning I have not had any pain at all!  I won't hold my breath, but boy is this a great feeling that I just might be free from all this!  Of course I will still be very careful because I am NEVER doing this surgery again so I'll do whatever it takes to avoid it. Seriously,  this has been the most difficult recovery from any surgery I have had and I can't wait to bid it a final farewell!  I hope everyone on this site has some relief today as well.  I thank you all for taking the time to help and comfort me.

13

Hi Barb,

So glad things are looking up. I'm 4 weeks post op on Thursday so fingers crossed things will feel better soon. I've rested today and I have started to feel a bit better. Take it easy and hopefully onwards and upwards. I agree totally no way do I want this surgey again. Take care and thanks for your continued support.

14

It is so wonderful to have everyone talking about this and supporting each other!!  Rhona, how is your pain and/or discomfort?  We are exactly at the same point in recovery so we should really keep in touch!

15

Hi Barb,

Things feel slightly better this afternoon, I have rested pretty much most of the day and it has made a difference. I felt really achy and heavy down below this morning, but I realise now it's because I tried to do too much yesterday. I've still only had two short outings since my op but a friend is coming to take me to a garden centre on Friday for lunch, so hopefully that will go well. Where did you have your op done Barb? I would love to keep in touch, this site has been a wonderful help to me. I feel like it's my new friend as I'm missing speaking to people at work etc. Hope you are okay Barb, keep me posted as to how you are doing. Take care

16

Thanks Rhona, so good to hear!  I feel the same way, new friends here!  You are farther ahead than I am as I could not sit for very long yet so I hope you'll be ok getting to the restaurant and then sitting.  Maybe take a cushion?  I live in Vancouver and had the surgery at Lions Gate Hospital...you?

17

Hi Barb,

I've only done two short outings and not sat for any length of time so hopefully I will be ok. I had my op in Manchester, England - St Mary's hospital. It's not my local hospital as I live in Liverpool but I was referred there to see a Professor who specialises in this surgery by my own consultant. He said quite often people have to have the surgery redone but he thought this would be much less likely if it was done by the Professor. Fingers crossed it's ok and I won't need it redone. Don't think I want to go through this again. Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. Take care

18

Thanks again, Rhona, do be ever so careful to rest when your body tells you to.  I think I mentioned already that I am NEVER doing this again, I don't care what falls out!  We have booked a cruise to Alaska in May so I plan on being really well by then!  So I promised myself to do very little until then.  Wow, I had no idea it would be like this.

19

Thanks Barb, I know what you mean, never again. I'm just going to listen to my body. Wow that's fabulous, enjoy your cruise, you deserve it after all this. You're right to take it easy until then and then have a ball.