1 week post anterior and posterior repair- advice
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi,
I had POP repair last Tuesday (anterior and posterior). The posterior is very sore! I am doing ok but just had a few questions if anyone out there is further on or recovered. I am 43 by the way. Had 3 vaginal deliveries with no assistance but last baby was over 9lbs. These are my questions:
- I am urinating ok but quite often; is this normal?
- I have small amount of pinky red discharge and it smells weird...not what id call super offensive but it smells?
- I keep getting passing wind and sometimes feel air bubbles coming out my vagina?
- Sometimes feels scratchy and itchy inside my vagina?
- Achy butt pain.....I can sit but change position a lot!
- I am opening bowels daily so far, but sometimes feel a weird pressure in back passage...normal?
Think that is it at the mo! Thanks for reading.
I am also interested in women's experience of sex later on - I never had any pain or issues in that department before surgery and am so worried this operation might end up causing issues...and I love sex...lol.
0 likes, 10 replies
Marina_Dee emski1978
Posted
Everything sounds totally normal emski.
1] as long as there is no pain with urination thats fine.
2] Pinky red discharge....absolutely fine. if it becomes very red and heavy then you need to see your doctor or gynae again. The odd smell is ok .If you get a very nasty smelling discharge see your doctor or gynae.
3] wind and bubbles are ok and this should gradually settle.
4] Scratchy is because of internal stitches......they will eventually dissolve . Dont try feeling for them. leave everything alone
5] Achy butt pain is normal.Try to lay down with your feet up as much as possible for at least 2 weeks. Do as little as possible. Your husband /partner needs to know this is not a simple procedure and you need as much help as possible.
6] All normal. Lots of rest is the main thing after this procedure.
Sex should be more enjoyable as your vagina has been tightened, but do be prepared for pain at first and even maybe trying a new position.You must explain to your partner that if you say "stop" because the pain is too bad the it really does mean "STOP".It does get better but takes a few tries. Preferably not before 12 weeks post op for the best result.
emski1978 Marina_Dee
Posted
Thanks for replying.
The pain has eased somewhat but it feels achy/full in my vulva? You know that feeling you get on your period - like a horse kicked in the lady bits?!!
I was brave today and had a look down there and the bulges are gone but I can see some vaginal tissue inside, ( I didn't want to touch or mess about too much so only looked briefly) hope this isn't a sign it's not worked and just swelling? Or normal vagina? ( can't remember....been 11 years!)
I am so super anxious about damaging the repair and scared it will create new issues especially sex wise. I did speak to one of the urogynae nurses and she said the bladder might take a couple weeks to settle as things have been moved and I had a catheter in but only for 2 days.
I have rested lots since surgery - just pottering around the house. Get stressed if I bend a bit to pick light things up off the floor but its so hard not to anything at all! I literally did nothing the first week but as i'm feeling a bit brighter i've just been wandering around the house more!!
Thanks you for your reassurance. Did you have surgery?
Marina_Dee emski1978
Posted
Yes I had surgery.Dont keep looking at your lady bits.....you will be swollen for a while and also achy. And dont try to investigate with your finger until 12 weeks post op. It may introduce infection and the feel and look of it may worry you.
Just dont try to be Wonder Woman, just use this time to be a lady of leisure. It was worth it for me, so I hope you get the same good result.
emski1978 Marina_Dee
Posted
Thank you. I didn't put a finger inside I just looked externally.
Glad to hear it was positive for you. I've been going through the 'why did I have this done' stage the last few days! 😒
Marina_Dee emski1978
Posted
Yes, I think all ladies go through the stage of "why?" and "will it ever get better?" but all I can say is that I have never regretted it. Gave me a new lease of life. You can gradually start some very light pelvic floor exercises as this does seem to get all the bits back in the right place, but only very very gently at first as it can make you ache even more. Then gradually build up until you can do full strength exercises without any pain. If your gynae says you are fully healed at 6 weeks then just laugh. Most ladies say they are nowhere near healed and that it takes 10-12 weeks.
Good luck
emski1978 Marina_Dee
Posted
My Gynae isn't following me up till 12 weeks post op!!! I was a bit surprised at this - thought she would have seen me at 6 weeks then again at 12 weeks.
I have started some pelvic floor exercises but only gently - just once a day. It's funny because my gynae said that my pelvic floor is really strong and I am one of few that are doing it in the right place; so that's positive I guess.
Thank you for your responses and support.
I might be back for more advice! 😊
emski1978 Marina_Dee
Posted
Hi again,
Just wondered if after your surgery you ever did any perineal massage and if so what did you use?
Things are feeling a bit more comfortable down there but the perineum still stings a bit in certain areas. I have already noticed an improvement with my bowel movements so I am hoping this is a good sign?
It will be 2 weeks since my surgery on Tues 21st and I'm still feeling need to pass urine quite often but it doesn't hurt it just feels irritated if you know what I mean?
I keep getting anxious about undoing the surgery - I am being careful as possible but have picked things up off floor ( albeit light things)... it doesn't hurt when I do it but I worry. Do you think it's normal to be this anxious after this surgery? Too much time on my hands !! 😔🤣
Marina_Dee emski1978
Posted
No i didnt do any perineal massage. Never heard of that one...was it recommended? If the urine problem is bothering you do ask your Gp for advice. It may just be the bladder has been irritated from the surgery and will settle down eventually.
At 2 weeks post op you have only just started the real healing so dont get anxious. As long as everything you do is done gently and you dont feel a "kick" in your groin you are ok. You can try 5-10 mins walking outside now but no more and gradually build up a few more mins every day. no running, jogging or riding a bike !!
Yes its normal to be anxious, especially when its all "the unknown" and you have no one to compare notes with.
12 weeks follow up is quite normal unless there is a problem that your GP cant deal with. I'm guessing you are in UK and most clinics are trying to keep the numbers down
emski1978 Marina_Dee
Posted
Thank you for replying. Yes I am in the UK.
I have been feeling a bit better so I put some dishes in the dishwasher but bent a few times then thought 'stop'....no real pain or anything but now I am stressing if that could have damaged anything!
Is it normal for the internal vaginal tissues to feel swollen and achy? Like I said I did look down there and it stressed my head because I thought I could see tissues inside ( not the bulges I previously had). I've decided not to look again for a few weeks!
I've started once daily pelvic floor exercises and they do not hurt at all 🙂. Thank you for your patience.....I am a super anxious person!
emski1978 Marina_Dee
Posted
Oh the perineal massage has been suggested on other sites and also pre and post birth it is recommended....not Drs have mentioned it to me...it helps heal, stretch and relax scar tissue. I think it is too early for that at the minute!