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16 days post prolapse op help please

Posted , 5 users are following.

Carolmaria
Carolmaria

Hi ladies

I'm 16 days post anterior, posterior & vaginal vault repairs & on the face of it am progressing well. The pain generally is manageable though sitting for any length of time is still very uncomfortable, I still prefer to lie down, stand or walk.  I'm increasing the short walks daily. My worry is that I feel very tearful & depressed & wondered if others have felt this way. I'm also desperately tired all the time though I do try to keep my mind occupied with puzzles etc. & I'm still having an afternoon nap daily.I have a wonderful, supportive husband who is doing everything for me so I try to hide these feelings from him-I don't want him to feel it's anything he has or hasn't done. I feel quite desperate & would appreciate any help please to tell me if this seems normal. 

2 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • Laura3333
    Laura3333 Carolmaria

    Posted

    Yep, totally normal, exhausted, tearful, so so tired, just want to sleep.

    It's soooo early Carol, you had a major op, it takes a long time both physically and mentally to get over.

    At 16 days you are doing really well to even do walks daily.

    take it easy for the next few weeks, your emotions will be all over tge place, mine were.

    Make the most of the rest you can get now, don't try to rush things. Resting with feet up, and sleeping whenever, they all help.

    Don't worry, you are feeling par for the course at this stage.xxxx.

  • Carolmaria
    Carolmaria

    Posted

    Thank you so much Laura for your lovely reassuring reply - guess what - it made me cry!!! I'm so pleased to hear how I feel is normal-its all so scary. I have lots of worry in addition to my own convalescence regarding my 90 year old Mum, which my dear sister is having to deal with in my absence, which all adds to my stress & anxiety & causes constant guilt as I feel so selfish for wanting to concentrate on my own recovery. It really helps to hear your account of your progress. This really is a horrible op - worse than my hysterectomy 25 years ago. I do hope you are now fully recovered & enjoying life. Thank you again. Carol xxx

  • Laura3333
    Laura3333 Carolmaria

    Posted

    29 years since my hysterectomy, and I walked it, compared to prolapse repair it was easy. 

    It would be easier if all we had to worry about was our recovery, wouldn't it? But everything else going on as well, doesn't just stop.

    I'm just getting over stomach ulcers and other problems, will never really be fit and well, but glad that part of my life, that you're going through at the moment, is behind me :-)

  • Ellie1943
    Ellie1943 Carolmaria

    Posted

    Hi Carolmaria. All this is par for the course after the surgery you've had. I'm now almost 4 months post op for similar procedures and just had a setback, I too feel very depressed at the moment. Post op depression is quite normal and you should still be resting as much as you can, don't overdo anything or you will just delay your recovery. You must let  your husband continue to help until  you are FULLY recovered or you risk the op not being successful. It is a long recovery for vault prolapse and posterior/anterior repair. 3 procedures in one op! I'm sure he doesn't mind and probably enjoys taking care of you after you've spent years looking after him. Just let him know how you feel and that you do appreciate everything, it's not his fault you feel low at the moment. just part of the recovery process. Take good care of yourself and you should have a good recovery. Best wishes Poll X smile

    • Carolmaria
      Carolmaria Ellie1943

      Posted

      Polly I've just re-read your reply to me & I'm so sorry you're suffering from depression at the moment after a setback. That is such bad luck & I hope the problem is soon resolved.I really hope you soon feel much better & am sending you lots of positive vibes & lots of love from a fellow sufferer.Take care of yourself.Carol xx

  • Carolmaria
    Carolmaria

    Posted

    Thank you so much for your kind words Polly-it's such a comfort & relief to hear that my feelings are normal & that others have felt the same. My surgeon & the hospital really didn't prepare me for the after effects of this op. I've learnt so much more on this forum. I actually received a letter on day TWELVE from the physio dept. at the hospital giving me instructions on dos & donts & post op exercises-a big late I felt! Some of the exercises should have been done from day ONE! I am doing them now as I really want this op to be a success-I certainly don't want to go through it again. I shall continue to take your advice & keep resting-to be honest I don't have much energy to do much else! I'm so lucky to have such a good husband, I'm sure many don't and how mums cope with young children after this I can't imagine. Thank you again. With my best wishes to you. Carol xx

  • may73695
    may73695 Carolmaria

    Posted

    Hi Carol. I would say totally normal, I am up and down, tearful etc but I think that is natural as we have all had major surgery. Like you I read a lot, rest a lot, go for short walks weather permitting, and get frustrated a lot about not being able to do something I can see needs doing!! Hubby has been great, but don't like to see him doing everything! I am 5 weeks post surgery today and can drive again next week thank goodness. Some days I feel walls closing in. Hope you feel better soon, and we all have such a good result it will all have been worth it. May

    • Carolmaria
      Carolmaria may73695

      Posted

      How lovely to hear from you May.  I felt so low when I posted this. It comes & goes. I too get frustrated watching my hubby do everything, he's so good but I just want to be able to do things myself. It's been such a comfort reading the posts on this forum, nothing really prepares you for how you'll be affected, does it? Hearing that other ladies feel the same is so reassuring.  I'm so pleased you'll soon be driving again. I look forward to that day too, though at the moment I don't even feel able to go out in the car as a passenger! Thank God for online grocery shopping! Good luck & my best wishes for your continued recovery.Carol x 

    • may73695
      may73695 Carolmaria

      Posted

      Hi Corollaria, I know what you mean about feelings coming and going. One day things don't seem so bad and the next wondering if you will ever be ok again!! Went as a passenger to supermarket yesterday, not there long, when I got back went for a lie down and fell asleep for over an hour. I think because we can't see all the stitches etc we don't really accept that this is major surgery and in my case as I am 69 now, I have to accept that I'm not going to bounce back so quickly as someone younger maybe. Didn't have a very good night, probably due to sleep in the day. Personally I wish I had been given more info about what to expect and when. I know we are all different but I was just told to do nothing for 6 weeks. What can I do then???? My follow up appt with urogynae surgeon is at 3 months post op so keep looking things up here or other sites trying to work out what is sensible as I don't want to have this done again!! Hope you are feeling a bit brighter in yourself and continue to make an excellent recovery. May

    • Carolmaria
      Carolmaria may73695

      Posted

      Well done May for going to the supermarket - big progress indeed. I can imagine how exhausted you were though, I get exhausted after my short walk! Had a bad day yesterday, felt SOOOO tired all day - then like you couldn't sleep last night!! Everything seems so much worse at night doesn't it? I'm glad you have a follow up appointment - I haven't even got that, just told to ring if I had problems- well how do I know what's right or not?!! Think I'd be going mad without all the help, support & advice I've had on this forum. Think you're right about not bouncing back at our age (I'm 68) - I'm sure I progressed quicker than this 25 years ago after hysterectomy.Take care. Carol xx 

    • may73695
      may73695 Carolmaria

      Posted

      Hi Carol, I too had hysterectomy and removal of ovaries when 36. Wished they had stressed to me the importance of pelvic floor exercises, nobody said anything. Spoke to my urogynae nurse specialist this morning and was asking her about what I can and can't do after my 6 weeks is up. Basically it seems listen to your body and a lifetime ban on lifting over 5 pounds. I am going to do some dusting but she said to leave vacuuming until after my 3 month check even though I followed orders and got the Dyson cordless as surgeon said other vacuums are too heavy. So hubby still needs to keep his newly found cleaning skills!! Take care, thinking of you, get in touch if you want a chat, May

  • luvmydogs
    luvmydogs Carolmaria

    Posted

    You are doing very well, Carolmaria. I am 4 weeks post - op and still in my pyjamas most days. I too feel teary and sad. It was such a shock when the surgeon told me I would never be able to dig the garden or lift anything heavy again. I am 71 and I guess I am grieving for my lost strength and independence.
    • may73695
      may73695 luvmydogs

      Posted

      Hi luvmydogs, feel just like you. I am 69 and love my garden but was told in no uncertain terms that I will never be able to lift a pot again. I was told to do nothing for 6 weeks with no other info really. I am 5 weeks post op anterior cystocele repair. As you say there is a period of adjustment from what we were able to do and what we must not do again. I wish you an excellent recovery. May
    • Carolmaria
      Carolmaria luvmydogs

      Posted

      I'm so sorry you too feel so low luvmydogs.  This really is a horrible operation. It's been such a comfort to me being on this forum - you really do feel so alone after hospital. I was given so little info on what to expect that it's reassuring to read other ladies experiences.  It's very daunting being told we must NEVER lift anything again. My hubby just said that probably means we should never push a supermarket trolley either - there's a scary thought!! Do hope you soon feel much better. I measure my progress in weeks rather than days -it does make a difference as day on day I don't seem to progress at all. Take care.Carol x

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