Hi. Well good news following surgery on May 4th!
I saw my consultant yesterday and she reassured me that my my three prolapse surgeries, anterior, posterior and uterus are all fine. The stitches from the repairs, the vaginal hysterectomy and sacrospinous fixation have dissolved and the lumps and bumps are normal scaring, which do take a long time to settle.
I had my list of questions, which she answered clearly and with additional advice.
I am in a bit of pain internally, it will heal, but does take a long time.
Sex is painful, she assured me that sexual activity can be painful for a long time, but my vaginal capacity is adequate!! I'm sure I'm just so nervous I'm tensing up. 😳
I can start playing badminton, step classes and even horse riding again, obviously I'll take it easy, not go mad and start all activities next week!
Continue with pelvic floor exercises, she did an internal and asked me to cough and squeeze, and said I was doing them correctly. Nothing too fancy, like you're holding tight to stop a wee, and holding in a fart!
I've also been having pressure in my bottom, I wondered if I had piles! Again she said this is normal, lots and lots of healing going on. She couldn't see anything externally but did say even if I had them no one would touch that, following the surgery I've had, for at least six to nine months.
I questioned lifting, gardening and know I can't do the heavy work I used to do; but that's fine. I can get others to lift the compost bags, heavy pots etc.
My main reason for ultimately opting for surgery was stress incontinence, I am still getting a few leaks but the test will be when I return to exercise. She did offer medication, but I think that's more for if there's an uncontrollable urge.
I was worried about the bulge feeling at the very front of the anterior wall. This is my urethra and I'm possibly more aware of it because the other lumps have gone. She's prescribed Vagifem, Estradiol vaginal tablets, twice a week.
She explained that the anterior and posterior repair will not necessarily cure the stress incontinence but until these are secure and healed she cannot address this. I have another appointment in six months, we can then see how everything is doing. I was very pleased that she's offered me this follow up. (I'm in the UK and it's all on the NHS).
So, despite my anxieties I was reassured that so far all is healing well. The whole process will take a long time, I had major surgery and a huge package. My recovery from the actual surgery, and any real pain was so good that I suppose I didn't anticipate the time it takes to fully heal and be able to see the real benefits.
So, I hope that's been helpful, I hope I continue to heal and don't have to report any set backs. I may need further work, for my bladder in the future, but for now I must focus on this next stage of my recovery.