Hi I'm 1 week pre op I haven't been told what I can do and can't do apart from don't heavy lifting. It's been hard as a single mum with 3 children my youngest is 17 months which she is so clingy I know I can't pick her up been so hard.wanted some advice on what I can do and can't I'm also a carer for elderly just wondered if anyone else does this job .
Hi Lisa I can imagine this is really hard for you especially with 3 children. You do need to take it easy and not push yourself. I'm about 10 weeks post op went back to work after 8 weeks but told them I will not do any standing or lifting, which I haven't. So if you're job involves those things I would give yourself a good time to heal you don't want to set yourself back...So take care.
Are you fixing a prolapse as well as the TVT? Or just the TVT?
I think if you are getting the TVT only, the recovery isn't quite as hard... but I don't know what the restrictions are as I just know the prolapse recommendations.
Thanks for reply I stand at work most the time and do a lot of bending as wash the service users and dress them I'm not going back to work for a while just worried what I can do . Getting so bored lol .
Was it prolapse repair also?
Yes had anterior repair and transobturator tape done x
Yes it was prolapse repair x
I had a prolapse and the tvt repair so not really sure if it's the same. I know the boredom can get to you and some days I didn't feel to bad did a couple of jobs but it did me in a bit. I remember the advice I was given was that your body will tell you when your tiered and when you are put your legs up and rest. My first 2 weeks I did nothing at all but unlike you didn't have kiddie's but did miss picking up my granddaughter. So try rest as much as you can. Don't know about you but I don't want to go through it again x
Definitely don't want to go through it again I've been resting but have done some washing up I don't know if I should be in can't do a lot with baby like dress her or change nappy as she won't stay still and don't want to strain my belly maybe just rest x
I think there are some general recommendations from hospitals in the sticky post, but for me I was told just to rest the first two weeks. Rest as in other people taking care of the kids and bringing me food. Lots of rest. I gradually did more as I could but I didn't take a (very short) walk until a month had gone by. I slowly built up but it took about 14 weeks for me to feel like the op wasn't limiting me. I read that it takes 12 weeks for the body to fully form the scar tissue and heal, so you really are limited for a long time.
I read a kindle book about recovering from gynaecological surgery by Sue Croft. I found it really helpful as I wasn't given much in the way of recovery directions.
Oh maybe I just rest then they don't really tell you much at the hospital. Thanks for your help most appreciated x
I had posterior repair and sling I'm a disability support worker so same tasks as you I'm 7 weeks post op and only back to work yesterday but requested light duties in a letter from my gp he said it's a full 3 month recovery said bobbed making lifting Laundry baskets or doing laundry as it's a lot of bending up and down etc im placed in the community for a few weeks until I can go back to the respite centre
That's a big help I will see consultant before I go back any way . I have so many I have to bend down for will just have to have lighter duties x
You are right Dorry, if it's a TVT recovery is about 6 weeks even less in some cases.
The Genitourinary Prolapse home page has information under Useful Resources that you will find helpful particularly the South Tees information. For the first couple of weeks you shouldn't lift anything heavier than a kettle with enough water to make a cup of tea. Don't be concerned if your pain gets worse around the 3rd to 4th week, that's the sutures tightening. They'll eventually dissolve but can take up to 16 weeks.
Thank you I will have a look I feel OK in myself. Hard baby trying to climb all over me today .
I'm sure you will get lots of replies to help you. It must be so difficult having young children following this surgery. You will need to change your mindset to lifting which will be so difficult with a young family. I really feel for you caring for you 17month old. All you can do is avoid lifting him and encourage him to lie down for you for nappy change etc. Once you have fully recovered keep your pelvic floor strong. As you are only young you have a good chance to keep those muscles strong. It's so difficult to avoid lifting. Even shopping is difficult. Just think of all the ways you can avoid heavy lifting. Good luck.
Thank you Mary it has been so hard my mum has helped with my little girl but try not to put too much on my mum as had heart attack last year. Little one has decided she likes to climb today's not understanding I can't get her down lol x
10 days post I feel a bit down not doing nothing it's been hard with my 17 month old mums been taking her home a lot.got bit of brown discharge smells a bit not liking not being able to bath as it fells dirty down the it feel like popping when sit down do I still need to be wearing my Ted stocking as walking round house a bit keep feeling like feet are cold but not as got slippers on .sorry to be a pain .
I'm 2 weeks pot mine and I think it is safe to take the teds off. My dr was ok with me not wearing mine. I too thought it smelt funny, but had a check up and no infection. She said it will smell a little as it is clearing out everything but to worry when it smells like meat turned bad (lovely description 😳. Today and yesterday I have been bleeding more heavily and using wipes to clean myself up. Hope it gets easier soon. Don't know how you are doing it with a toddler. Credit to you.