Hi Ladies, I've been reading a lot of older post today. I had surgery for rectocele and cystocele almost 6 weeks ago. Also a sling for bladder. Both of mine were stage 4. Last year when I went for annually physical the Gyn said everything looked good. I'm 50 years old and in good Heath. I was doing a lot of lifting boxes, and never thought it could hurt me. Then suddenly I had a bubble of pink flesh where I could see it. I did have a lower back ache for 3 weeks prior to this happening. It's been so emotional for me, and there isn't really anyone I know that had this problem.
What I would like to know is how much activity should I have after my 6 week check up and what should I expect my days to be like. Should you walk a mile or is that to much. I've been walking about a quarter of mile a couple times s day.
I haven't had any real pain only pressure on bottom area from rectocele. I have had pressure from my bladder not empting sometimes it a good flow, other times it barly comes out. I end up making several trips to get relieve.
Any comments or advice, thanks in advance.
Theres all that advice about what you can and can't do linked to the Urogynae homepage. Can't remember what Matron used to refer to the link by. But she said it lots in posts for many months.
You can walk a mile now. If nothing is hurting from doing it. I would go further even if you feel up to it. You must have had, or be about to have a post-op check with Urogynaecologist? That person will ascertain if you're healed enough to resume some housework etc.
Hi, I am at 4 weeks. I've had sacrospinous fixation, anterior and posterior repair. I also don't quite know how far I should be walking. If I stand or do too much I get a lot of pressure down below. Isn't it hard to know what you can and can't do. I'm 45. Fit and healthy and usually walk miles every day. X
You shouldn't be doing much at all at only 4wks. Only frequent short walks. You need to rest rest rest for 6-8wks. At least until your Urogynae has post-op checked you for full healing & personally cleared you to start increasing activity
Hi I'm also 45 and at 3 weeks post op for rectocele/cystocele and TOT repair. I'm glad I read your post as I too have been getting a lot of pressure down below and was a little worried by it. I have been listening to my body and resting when I need it and being careful. Don't think it's helped that I got an infection, just finished a 10 day course of antibiotics and awaiting results from a swab test. Hopefully it's cleared now.
The 5wk mark might feel like a set back, but it's just the stitches tightening as it heals. Bending is to be avoided where at all possible. Not just no lifting only as much as enough water for a cuppa in your kettle.
I also have had an infection. That has cleared now. It's good to speak to someone else in the same boat. I feel panicky all the time that it has gone wrong.
I phoned before and the results are normal so far just got to phone back on Monday for the last result hopefully that will be fine too. I'm the same worrying if everything is OK. Been feeling quite uncomfortable these last few days with the pressure.
Noooo you will be fine. It's a long slow process to recover. Remember it's major surgery. I've got mesh sling (I think mine was called anterior repair and TOP) - 11mths ago now & I would always try & convince girls to get sling for proper support instead of relying on already fragile thin tissues to hold all up in place long term, if it's not used. Plus to ALWAYS have a Urogynaecologist do pelvic floor repairs.
It gets worse before it gets better. And don't expect to notice any big improvements too early on. Getting better is a painstaking process. Be patient. I had a bladder infection from week 1-5 without knowing as I didn't have the usual signs and symptoms. My worry at week 5 is what made me find this forum as I felt I might look stupid if I ring my Urogynae's Nurse to ask what my symptoms do mean. SO dumb on hindsight.
How do you feel now? . I'm off work for 3 months but a little concerned when I go back as I'm a nurse so on my feet all day. I know everyone is different but I've read a lot of lady's saying they still felt discomfort at 6 months.
Oh thank you. You have made me feel so much better. It's the swollen dragging feeling I get when I've probably done a little too much. I am being very careful but it is hard being a mum of 3 🙈
Thanks everyone you are making me feel so much better.
Good to hear from others that have had similar surgergy. I did take a women probiotic for vaganial and bladder. That might had help me not to get any infection.
Did you have warning that you were having prolapse, or did it happen suddenly. I wish gyn would make that part of our visit. I'm a proactive type person and would had been doing whatever I could not to have this happen. I find myself worrying how well it will heal. And also my future restriction. I know that a person needs to active with exercise to be heathy and fit. I just worry about it happening again and doing enough exercise to be heathy.
I know I'm putting the cart in front of the horse. Lol.
Thanks for the post, I will be putting my feet up more. Can't wait for my 6 week check up next week. It's been a long 6 weeks! I am lucky not to had any real pain. When does the bladder go back to normal?
I do the same worrying. I think this is such emotional thing, being such a private area, it really messed with my mind in the beginning. I had lower back ache and thought I was just doing to much. We had sold out house, lots of packing. When it happen I cried like someone died. I'm not one to cry. Now I'm okay with it. Feel like I'm all wrapped up in my body with doing the right thing. I'm sure my husband getting tired of hearing it all. Lol
I get exactly what you are saying. I feel like it's my only topic of conversation. It's such a big thing. It doesn't help you can't have a look at your stitches and see how it looks. I had hysterectomy 4.5 years ago. It was nowhere near as bad as this. My brother took me to a shop before to get some comfy trousers as I'm uncomfy and now I'm aching and feeling like I've over done it. Ridiculous. Lovely to talk to you 😁
I brought the loose fitting dresses that feel more like PJ. My lower belly is still swollen. It feels better not to have something touching it. Hope your achyness goes a way. I only have the pressure feeling on my bottom and the feeling bladder isn't emptying all the way. I do take omega everyday, not sure if that's what may keep some inflammation down.
That's good to know. I was noticing I was feeling a little more this week. Thanks. Grace
There is quite a bit of pressure in the bottom isn't there? I'm so relieved the awful pain in my right buttock has eased. Gosh that was horrific. X
You are always going to have to be careful with anything that puts strain on pelvic floor. Prolapses can happen very slowly or suddenly. Lots got them from traumatic births. Our tissues get weaker as we age. A PT with specific training in pelvic floors is worth visiting. Also vaginal oestrogen which can help to strengthen tissues, especially in menopausal or post-menopausal girls. Dr. prescribes it.
50% of girls who have had vaginal deliveries will have some grade of prolapse and worse grades if baby was over 9lbs. Also forcep deliveries wreck our nether regions. It can take till 40-50's to realize we have a problem down there.