1 week post op appointment tomorrow

Are you going back to work one week after rectocele surgery? The chances are terrie that you'll need further surgery because this is far too early. Have you read the information on the Genitourinary home page? That explains the importance of resting. Standing for instance is the worst thing following this operation and as a minister I'm sure that's what you'll be doing. In the UK the very minimum time off is 6 weeks and that's too early. Please reconsider terrie, your health is so important and I'm sure you'll want to be completely healed first.

Hi terrier,

You have to be really carefully after pelvic floor repair surgery. In the early days you may feel pain free and desperate to get going. But the internal wounds/stitches still take from 6 to 12 weeks to heal and deep tissues even longer.

Please be very careful not to undo the surgeons good work. The anesthetic can take time to wear off properly and the strong painkillers will still be in your system lulling you into a false sense of being better than you think you are.

This kind of surgery takes many weeks to recover from as the pelvic floor bears the weight of the pelvic organs which support the rest of the body and unfortunately the repair needs time to heal before you go weight bearing again.

You have to rest as you would as if you were still in hospital for the first few weeks and then very slowly begin getting mobile again always being very careful.

I had to have my repair redone as like you I thought I was fine and was impatient to get back to normal but ended up having to go through it all again. Please be careful, when standing you are fighting gravity and in the early weeks your ligaments and muscles are weak due to the anesthetic and shock of the surgery. You will need to build the strength in your pelvic floor back up again once your repair site has healed.

Take care,

It is worth taking the time to heal properly!

Phyl x☺

one week and back to work?! No, no, no,no.

?I too felt great one week after surgery. I had very,very little pain, no discharge or bleeding, I hadn't been sick after anaesthetic (a big thing for me). But I certainly wasn't healed - not even the external stitches had settled down. If you can bear it there are youtube videos showing the surgery - it is invasive and major - but it will give you an idea of what has been done

You may be able to walk - I was - you will not be able to stand though - certain for not mor ethan a few minutes. You shouldn't be lifting objects - if your church gives communion it maybe that just the wine will be too heavy! Seriously nothing over 2lb or about a litre bottle is max for at least three weeks. I am a physically strong person and could feel the strain on the pelvic muscles if I lifted anything over that weight at first

Reaching up over your head as well puts strain on your muscles that have been cut. I was told not to reach into cupboards as well. So if you are a minister who gives lively sermons your gesturing will be cut down a bit!!

?I was convinced my repair had failed at three weeks - do think it was the stitches and is a not uncommon feeling. At 8 weeks I was more convinced and returned to my GP and chased up my post op appt. The consultant told me all was good but I knew it wasn't. I returned to my GP who examined me and has re-referred me. Not due to failure but the repair was good and he feels has exposed a weakness lower down so I have a new prolapse lower down. Now awaiting a new appt. Nothing that was anybody's fault I feel - just a "one of those things" - but don't damage what's been mended.

Hi Terrie glad you are feeling good it's such a relief isn't it . Gosh you have a good appointment system there , I am 6 weeks post op , consultant said I will see you sometime but my clinics are full for 2-3 months ! I have recovery time of 12 weeks as mine was anterior and posterior repairs and removal of cervix from a previous subtotal hysterectomy so 3 jobs in one ! Not sure what you should ask really . Just if it was complete success , if it will last and maybe about the pelvic floor excersise etc . Wish you well .

Hi ladies,

Thanks for your very helpful advice on here. I am 6 days post rectocele/posterior repair and I was panicking last night as at the fourchette of the vagina, I have a 'lump'. I'm not sure if it's vaginal skin or sutures but it's the most painful but and hurts on wiping. It actually looks a lot better than it feels .

I'm scared that this lump will never go down and that I'll never be able to make love with my husband again! Did anyone have this?

Btw, I am in the UK and have been signed off work for 6 weeks.

Thanks

Sue x

Thursday I was driven 2 hours to my 1 week appointment and examined by my surgeon. he was elated to see my healing and released me to drive and go back to preaching today. I had lots of help at church and sat most of the time. I havent had any complications and wonder if there are drastic differences to the surgeries of the United States and UK. I never had a problem urinating after surgery and after 4 days finally had bm. Im not going to start my regular schedule of working or even doing house work but I have swept off the porch and washed dishes etc. my next appt is 2 months an no sex until after the appt. I am so glad i dont have pain and the stitches are melting as well as most of the swelling. I feel very good.