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6 plus weeks post op, how much can I do?

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Nicky1000
Nicky1000

Hello all.....not posted on here for a while just been plodding along after my abdominal rectopexy and colpopexy. A few days ago I reached the magic 6 weeks post op mark 😀. Every instruction I had said for the first 6 weeks don't.................... I realise that I can't now immediately go back to what I was doing pre op but how much can I actually do? I drove for the first time (a short distance) on Friday and although nothing hurt I found it all quite exhausting. I'm still just having short walks each day and my husband will sometimes allow me to accompany him on trips to the supermarket but I don't do anything other than use it as my daily walk! I'm still taking some simple pain relief most days and the laxatives continue to be a big part of my life still haha any advice on the next stage of my recovery would be appreciated thank you. 

1 like, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • Doolou1966
    Doolou1966 Nicky1000

    Posted

    Hi Nicky10000. I'm 7 weeks post op for anterior and posterior repair, and like you thought 'what now?' I've found a website (uk) with some further information which I've found helpful. I will try and paste the link for you if it will let me.

  • Nicky1000
    Nicky1000

    Posted

    Thank you Doolou1966 that's really helpful. It looks like there are some things  I could be doing (don't tell my husband I could be doing the ironing!!) 

    • Doolou1966
      Doolou1966 Nicky1000

      Posted

      Lol! Your secret is safe with me! It's so frustrating isn't it? Sending healing hugs x

    • Ellie1943
      Ellie1943 Nicky1000

      Posted

      HI Nicky, don't do the ironing standing up then! We're not supposed to stand for long either and just build up very slowly until we feel back to normal! This could take some time so enjoy the help you get while you can! lol twisted Same with walking and other things, easy does it until about 3 months or so. My urogynae said 3-4 months for full recovery and then be careful not to do things which put pressure on pelvic floor, (for ever) if you don't want to prolapse again in the future. Be kind to yourelf, Poll X rolleyes

    • Geraldinej
      Geraldinej Ellie1943

      Posted

      I agree totally I had my tvt and posterior repair in February and I feel the strain when I lift heavy things example I was ten pin bowling yesterday but I just done my pelvic floor exercise when I was holding the bowling ball smile
  • Mum2girls
    Mum2girls Nicky1000

    Posted

    I had posterior repair last year . I still took my time with things tried not bend too much at 6 weeks . I didn't push a trolley or pram until the 12 week mark . Same with shopping I took my time lifting small bags

  • edith-
    edith- Nicky1000

    Posted

    Hi Nicky - pleased to hear that you are doing well! As you said, don't drop all the pre 6 week advice so keep to conservative limits!

    Not entirely intended as a scare tactic but I'm actually awaiting an appointment with my urogynaecologist regarding whether I now have a prolapsed bladder. The colorectal surgeon said that commonly a prolapsed bladder could have been masked by it resting on the other prolapses; so once they are repaired, the bladder then falls. I do feel that I've risked myself somewhat by having lifted my partner's wheelchair into the car a couple of times (much to his dismay). It's silly to try and force ourselves back into doing things that we could do before because it won't magically make our bodies heal any quicker. It's just not at all worth it!

    • Nicky1000
      Nicky1000 edith-

      Posted

      Oh Edith I'm sorry to hear that you may have a bladder prolapse hope you can get seen soon and get some answers. I haven't seen either of my surgeons again yet, in fact my appointments for both of them are in early July so I'm not going to do anything too dramatic until then. I hope you managed to get on top of your pain eventually x

    • edith-
      edith- Nicky1000

      Posted

      I was seen at three weeks post op - there's such a variation between trusts isn't there in their follow up approach! The gabapentin was absolutely glorious in sorting the acute pain out. In terms of the bowel repair, I just have this pulling sensation in my back when I need a BM or if I overextend - do you have this as well? Sort of feel like a tight elastic band that woudn't fair very well back in a yoga class! I'll never do downward dog ever again! x

  • Doolou1966
    Doolou1966 Nicky1000

    Posted

    Hi Nicky and ladies, hope you're all well. I am currently signed off work until this Friday, which will be 8 weeks, and am increasing my daily activities bit by bit. A bit of bending, hanging washing out a few bits at a time, carrying them on my shoulder outside, a bit of ironing stood up, lifting small amounts, a bit of driving etc etc. I've been sitting in between doing things but not really putting my feet up. I'm still feeling some discomfort as the day goes on, similar to pre op. My dilemma is do I go back to work? How soon is too soon? I have a great boss who has said take whatever time you need and don't come back too soon. I can have a phased return, short hours etc., office only. I'm usually driving and home visiting 20-30 calls a day. Sorry for the long post ladies, just am not sure what's best. I've never thrown a sickie in my life, and my boss knows that. My new hrt seems to be helping lots, but with no follow up appointment I'm not sure?! Trying to get a physio appointment at the moment, to get at least an opinion on my progress? Thanks for reading if you're still awake lol. Your thoughts would be gratefully appreciated x

    • Nicky1000
      Nicky1000 Doolou1966

      Posted

      Hi Doolou

      I've just been signed off for another 6 weeks which will take me until the 2nd week in July and about 12 weeks post op. It also covers my follow-up with the general surgeon and is a few days before I see the gynaecologist so I'm hoping they'll give me some more advice re returning to work. I'm going to have a phased return with shorter hours when I do go back as I normally work 10 hour shifts as a nurse. Sounds like you are doing all the right things just make sure you don't try and do too much, everyone who is much further down the road to recovery than us seems to feel that rest is the best way to recover well, which is clearly what we want. X

    • Doolou1966
      Doolou1966 Nicky1000

      Posted

      Hi Nicky. Sounds like you will need the full 12 weeks with a job with long hours and being on your feet for a long time. I've just sorted another week off, making that 9, then looking to have 2 weeks phased return on shorter hours, office based. I managed to get a response from physio finally! July 8th! The whole gynae system in this area is lacking to say the least! So I guess I'll have to see a Gp for some reassurance, for what it's worth. Hope you're all ok, and sitting comfortably x

  • Cazinbed
    Cazinbed Nicky1000

    Posted

    Wow... my gynaecologist said back to work in 6 weeks. I was told I could go back to Pilates about 6 weeks. I've had 3 procedures at once. It seems there is a lot of inconsistent advice in all respects. Today as it's 2 weeks since my surgery I've got dressed and have done some washing up etc. I think I'll go back to bed! 'Rest' is such a subjective term. I've basically spent 2 weeks in bed but to me that's being infirm - rest is sitting down. Even when you look on the web different hospitals say different things. I guess we just have to listen to our bodies. At this minute mine is saying have some ice cream and then a sleep. 😴

    • Ellie1943
      Ellie1943 Cazinbed

      Posted

      Hope you enjoyed the ice cream and a nap afterwards. You're quite right, listen to your body and obey it! lol twisted I've been 'resting' on the bed every day since my op, 3 weeks, 3 days now. Went out for lunch with my daughter and grandson today then bed for a couple hours as I felt exhausted when I arrived home. I DON'T think 6 weeks off work is anywhere near enough for the 3 procedures you had. Hope your GP is on your side Caz. X rolleyes

    • Cazinbed
      Cazinbed Ellie1943

      Posted

      Hi Poll.. ice cream was lovely.. didn't sleep but will tonight I think. So glad you were able to do something as nice as go out with the family. My GP hasn't been that good, but he doesn't know me as I'm a new patient as I moved a year ago and haven't been to the surgery until now. I'm so much better on this Naproxen. My work says to be off as long as I need but I'm a lecturer so I would have been working from home anyway! I'm read posts above, I've been bending down to pick up towels etc ... hope that hasn't affected me. 😱Caz x

    • Ellie1943
      Ellie1943 Cazinbed

      Posted

      I shouldn't think that bending slightly to pick up towels, clothes etc occasionally will hurt but not too often if poss. Don't try to bend and lift anything yet, that's not a good idea. If you can do an emergency stop while driving without pain or discomfort, that's a good indication you are ready to drive again so possibly ok to go to your lectures I would think. (Stamp hard on the floor to test this)! That's usually after 6 weeks though. Click on Genitourinary prolapse at the top of this page and look for 'pinned' posts from that link. Lots of info about after care and Matron's posts are very helpful if you can find some of hers.  Take care. x smile

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