Viginal repair

Women's health
1

Hi everyone I'm new to this site but wanted to try to find others that's been through the same thing. I had my operation 9 days ago

I had grade 2-3 cystocele, grade 1 rectocele and 1st to 2nd degree cervical decent. I have been feeling fine really apart from suffering with emptying my bowels. Until the last couple of days when I've been very stingy and burning feeling when sat down. Has anyone else had this? Was worried incase I had maybe got an infection. I'm wondering how long it's taken everyone else to get back to normal activities? I have 5 children so I am obviously very busy normally. My partner has taken 2 weeks off work to help run the house and with the kid's but he's due to go back to work next week. Wondering what I will safely be able to do. Any advice please? Thanks in advance x

2

Hi Victoria,

Do nothing for first couple of weeks then only very little for next four, you can start a little light dusting but know bending/stretching. Got to remember just had major surgery, you have got to still mainly rest and no lifting anything more than a mug of tea. You can start with a daily 5 min walk working up to two times a day.

You have to listen to your body and only do a little at a time and see how you cope. If you overdo things you will be sore and get a heavy sagging feeling and will have to rest with feet up which you should still be doing for mist of the time any way.

No hoovering, lifting heavy laundry, shopping, no lifying heavy toddlers or driving for a good number of weeks.

Can't do anything that can cause down pressure on your pelvic floor.

Those who rest the most in the early months are the ones who have the most successful repairs.

Please take care,

Phyl x

3

Hi Victoria. I agree totally with Phyl. If you go to the top of this page and click on genitourinary prolapse you should get a list of suggestions on after care to read. Lots of info to read and absorb while off work and Resting! As much rest as poss during the next few weeks, gradually returning to normal in about 3 months as long as you take care now. Best wishes for a good recovery.

4

Thankyou so much for the advice! The hospital gave me very little information on aftercare. So im very grateful for feedback. When you say no bending does that mean u can't bend to pick things up off the floor? Would i be ok to crawl? I know it sounds like a daft question.but I have a toddler that likes to leave things on the floor lol. Really struggling already as I'm so used to being active! What about the stingy burning feeling I have been having, mostly when sat down. Is this normal? Or could it be an infection? Thanks again vicky x

5

Hi Victoria,

I hope you have plenty help with your toddler.

As to bending, mean exactly that no bending over to pick up things from the floor or anything like that causing down pressure on the pelvic floor surgery.

You should still be mainly resting horizontally with feet up for most of the time at least for first 2 weeks.

Must admit my hubby agreed to watch my elder daughters toddler just after I had surgery. He couldn't/wouldn't even change him for bed I was furious with him for agreeing to taking the wee one!

Anyway I went down to floor level on my knees and helped little one to change and as much as you try to avoid weight bearing he unfortunately did lean on me in such a way that I did weight bear. I was trying to put a pull-up on at the time. The pain was pretty sharp and new it wasn't good. Anyhow I did seem to survive it.

Even now my hubby fails to realizes how easily it could all prolapse again if not careful.

You really have to continue to rest throughout the early weeks and following months.

Are their any family members that can help you with your toddler once your partner returns to work? Maybe the older kids could help a little.

I'm afraid most of the chores have to be left, and get help doing the important things.

The pelvic floor supports all the pelvic organs and while in recovery from surgery you have to be really careful not to put pressure on the wounds where the stitches are, you don't want to have to go through this again.

I didn't manage to sit for any length of time until much later, like you say it gets a bit nippy and uncomfortable. I'm sure I was about the 2 month mark before I could sit for any length and even then had to get up and walk about for a while every now and again.

Please take care, I know how difficult thus will be with a toddler so please try organise some help if possible.

Look after yourself and take care.

Phyl x💖

6

Hi Victoria

I'm 8 days post op and I too have stinging burning sensation, not unlike thrush and finding it hard to sit straight. I'm staying on my side or back sort of sit lying on my hip too. Think we just have to take it one day at a time and expect to feel different things. You could always ring GP for a chat or I was given phone number of the ward and told to phone nurses any time if I had any questions.

Don't overdo things with the kids. Don't start back to normal too soon or you'll never get the rest time back if you overdo it. Once people see you doing anything they'll think you're fine. The general advice on here seems to be do virtually nothing for 2-3 weeks then slowly build up and even after 6 weeks take it easy until 12 weeks and beyond.

Best

Helen