9 weeks po rectocele repair still not feeling the same

It wasn't extremely painful Angela. But very uncomfortable. And it takes a while. You really need to do as little as possible till 6/8 weeks. I had a perineal repair too. And that was what really hurt the most. I just want my body back and lead my normal life without thinking about my vagina all the time, because I feel it. Sounds a bit awkward, and I do notice an improvement in my BM and there 's nothing "coming out" anymore, but all the same....

Thanks for being so honest about it all! This blog is great because if you talk to friends they just say oh it will be fine! Hmm! I will just try to take it as easy as possible and try not to be picking things heavy up. I will think positive!

 

Hai Iamnotadoctor,

Thanks for your reply! I was told to take six weeks off, but I work 4 days a week and have full days with heaps of pupils in secundairy school. So took two extra weeks plus a schoolholiday, assuming that would be enough.... It is a bit disappointing that I still feel this way....Perhaps go and ask If I can work 3 days for a fortnight. Difficult though, because they have to cut down my lessons (😯this doesn't sound right: don ' t know the word for it - that what I meant with my English 😣....).

So you think this tamponlike feeling will likely go away? Does anyone know when the underlying stitches normally will dissolve? After three months or so?

In the UK we usually have a post-op check at 6 - 8 weeks to see if stitches are dissolving. If you haven't had a check up maybe you should just to put your mind to rest?

Working fewer hours to start with would be a good idea. At 9 weeks I wouldn't worry too much about some aches etc as you are still healing. Don't lift anything too heavy or stand up for too long. X

I did have a po check up at 6 wks. I was ok. My posterior wall was quite hard, the urogyn told me. And it sounded like it meant to be that way...

I am happy with all your reactions. Indeed they send you home with not much information. Minor operation, they told me.

And at the 6 weeks check up my urogyn proclaimed that they are considering a trial in which people go home with no rules at all. They just have to listen to their body. There 's no proof that a lot of rules help to prevent. If the tissue is too weak, it will prolaps again anyway.

Told him his was not a good idea. How many people can actually listen to their body? And what do you do when you have small children?

They have to be firm in their does and donts and give good information of what to expect. And no straining or heavy lifting will help for sure... anyone can tell...😛

HI Merel! I had only anterior repair, but in the w list for December for rectocele. I understand you very well, I had a sick leave of 3 months cos I still felt the tampon feeling and very depressed. But here in the forum the girls said that I would be better with the pass of time and today at 11 months post op I feel almost perfect. This is a long way, need to be patient, you will be much better. You only need time. hUgs!

Hi Merel,

The problem with 'no rules' and 'listening to your body' is that most of us will push ourselves beyond a safe limit; by the time our body tells us we have overdone things it'd to late and we have already over stressed our wounds/stitches and maybe even caused repair to fail.

Thus is all very well if they are footing the bill to have repair redone, but is a huge inconvenience to us women and our employers to have to go through it all again, and we loose out on a huge chunk of our life.

We have to take progress slowly only a little at a time to protect repair. None of us know who has weak tissue and who dosn't. So best not to take a chance not worth it.

💖x

Thanks trizwizz!

I think I ' ll go to the head of the school tomorrow and ask If I can work on reduced duties, as you call it. That ' s possible, I am sure. I just needed some convincing... Was afraid people would look at me as some sort of crybaby. And you are probably right: two or three extra weeks will give me some relief.

Grateful for all the support I've found here!!!

Xx

Here in the UK we have a GP (general practitioner) who is the doctor who is out "first port of call." (sorry not sure how to write non-idiomatically!). We would typically see them first and they would refer onto consultants or specialists. Once the main surgery has been done the consultant or surgeon would do a post operative follow up to see if everything is ok. It is the GP who we would see if we needed further time off work - they would "sign off" any sick certificate. Generally - but not always these days - it is the GP who would know us better. Although they can work in bigger practices these days, if you want to you can try to see the same GP, this helps us to build up some sort of relationship with them so they get to know you a little bit. Although I will see any doctor in my practice in an emergency - urgent sickness - if I want a consultation with someone who knows me a little better I will try to see one particular doctor.

?This is a very lonwidned way round what I'm trying to say. But i went to see thsi GP and told him how I felt - said I felt like a bit of a "Moaning Minnie" as I just didn't feel well enough to work. His reply was "I know you well enough to knwo you don't moan unnecessarily so if you say you don't feel well you aren't well." He then signed me off work for a further 4 weeks with a review after that.

My job is not really one that can be done on light duties - I would either be fit or not, so I was off till I was fit.

?I'm not sure of the system in Holland but do you have a GP or type person who can give you that type of consultation? From what I have learned on here it is very unwise to go back to work too soon. If you don't feel weel you probably aren't!

?We also have Occupational Health - most government run services have these departments and they are supposed to check with you that things are in place for you to return to work either on full duties, readjusted duties or with discussion. I had ither surgery before and they were very good. It does depend on what they are like - experiences of people has been mixed! But if your school has sucha thing this may be an avenue for you to explore?

Let us know how you get on!

second paragraph - should be "long-winded"

Done! For the next two weeks only checking tests and homework. And then at least 1 week 3 days instead of 4 . I think that's not bad. Less stressful anyway.

Thanks again!😊

Well done - it is hard to say sometimes especially when you are committed to a job and teaching is a committment - not just a job. The less stress will help too. Let us knwo how you get on