2 weeks post rectocele surgery
Posted , 12 users are following.
Hello! I'm a 39 y/o gal (obvioulsly haha) with older kids. I had rectocele surgery exactly two weeks ago. Dr. used dissolvable stitches and no mesh. Here's my question: Dr. said I'd be great in 1-2 weeks and be able to return to work no problem. (I am a barber working 10 hour shifts standing) I figured I'd take two weeks off. I am feeling rectal pressure when standing for an hour, and soreness/ pressure in vagina. I did one friends' haircut yesterday and had to go home and put an ice pack on my bum and lay down. I am taking Advil, milk of magnesia once daily and 2 colace pills a day. I am going #2, but have developed hemorriods. I'm wondering if I should take another week off? Is there something wrong with me that I'm not feeling 100% yet? Thanks for reading!
1 like, 52 replies
Kegel8Stephanie rene1234
Posted
Dear Rene - please take your time! You have had major surgery. Support that recovering pelvic floor, can you cut hair propped on a stool?
Buy a toilet stool for going to the loo, this will take the pressure off your pelvic floor, and avoid constipation at all costs (but also laxative use as this weakens the muscles).
Please take your time...and good luck, and don't be afraid to rest if you feel sore.
S
rene1234 Kegel8Stephanie
Posted
debbie69766 Kegel8Stephanie
Posted
Jan999 debbie69766
Posted
Stephanie is correct. I have mentioned quite a few times about laxatives making the bowel "lazy". It weakens the muscles in the bowel which is why a stool is an excellent idea, not just following prolapse repair either.
debbie69766 Jan999
Posted
Sorry didn't quite understand the answer?
Jan999 debbie69766
Posted
The bowel is made up of muscle. If you don't use your muscles or exercise than you can get muscle wastage. If you use laxatives for a time the muscle in the bowel doesn't have to work because the laxatives are doing the work and the nerves stop recognising your bowel is full and stops alerting the brain that you need to defacate (poo). It also prevents the absorption of vitamins. The bowel becomes dependent on the laxatives. A lot of women (myself included) needed laxatives on a daily basis prior to surgery and afterwards until my husband went to B&Q and came home with a stool. There's a whole load of information online about about laxatives and it's overuse.
debbie69766 Jan999
Posted
gaynor45570 debbie69766
Posted
debbie69766 gaynor45570
Posted
I will give that a try 😀
Jan999 gaynor45570
Posted
Jan999 debbie69766
Posted
debbie69766 Jan999
Posted
Ellie1943 debbie69766
Posted
Hi Debbie. I bought a 'squatty' stool from amazon. They're made wide so you have to spread your legs in the footmarks to get the correct position. You can get 4" or 6" height. I'm pre op for rectocele still and having lots of bm problems but it worked first time for me. Previously I'd been using glycerin suppositories to help. They are not advised to use regularly either I don't think. x
gaynor45570 rene1234
Posted
I'm astounded that the dr thought you'd be fit for work after 2 weeks. I'm now 4 weeks post op and have at least another 3 weeks off work. I have overdone it this morning by being on my feet for an hour and am now in a lot of pain again. If you read the other posts on here you'll see that most of us are having between 8 and 12 weeks off. Prolapse repairs are major surgery and it takes a long time for the body to heal. I would serious consider asking for a sick note for at least another month. You need to really look after yourself to try and prevent a reoccurrence of the problem. This forum is an excellent way of connecting with others in similar situations and at the top of the page you will find links to very useful information. Take care xx
rene1234 gaynor45570
Posted
Thank you! I wish I had investigated more. The prolapse was terrible, so I'm glad I got the procedure, but the financial aspect/time off work is not good when I didn't plan for much time off. Ugh
phyl_40063 rene1234
Posted
Rene, you long term health is so much more important than anything else. Please be very careful. What is 12 weeks in comparison to the rest of your life?
You are still young and may heal much quicker and faster than some of us but the fact that your pelvic floor failed means it is weak and you need to give yourself time to strengthen it. The pelvic floor supports all the pelvic organs and when you are on your feet you are putting down pressure on your wound which is trying to heal so please be careful.
💕