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After Rectocele/vaginal prolapse surgery....return to pump classes?

Posted , 8 users are following.

rita2602
rita2602

Tommorrow I am having rectocle/posterior vaginal repair surgery and was wondering if I will ever be able to return to weight training classes eg. pump?  My greatest concern is being able to return to an active lifestyle as it really helps me mentally.  I have always be a jogger and done a weights program to keep fit and toned.  Every thing I read implies that I wont be able to do that again as I may risk having to do the surgery again.  Has anyone out there returned to a weight training program?  Just need to feel a bit positive before my surgery tomorrow!!

2 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • chris00938
    chris00938 rita2602

    Posted

    Rita, I think you'd have to ask your surgeon about this one.  I'm no expert but am thinking that yes, it could have certainly made the prolapses worse, so you might not be able to do it again, but then on the other hand, if your muscles are that strong, you might be able to do a limited version, but this is specialist stuff, so you'd be best asking there, I think.
  • sueStace
    sueStace rita2602

    Posted

    Rita, my post op info said I would have to avoid heavy lifting following surgery or chance it would prolapse again! I'm also an active person and have found the last 5 weeks hard being so inactive! See surgeon next week for check up and going to ask when I can resume horse riding and my keep for classes! Good luck with your op and pls don't do anything until you've spoken to your consultant about resuming pump or weights!
  • gwen04451
    gwen04451 rita2602

    Posted

    Hi, I like to think that I a quite active and fit 55 year old (nurses in hospital commented on my pulse rate smile  ). Used to visit gym approx 5 days a week  and did 7 -10 km each time and had just started yoga class. Have found the last 7 weeks really good recovery wise and was eager to know when I could go back to excercise. Saw Consultant last Wednesday and was told yoga ok, avoid tummy crunches until 12 weeks and just to walk rather than jog/run until 12 weeks too. I know that doesn't help re weights!
    • rita2602
      rita2602 gwen04451

      Posted

      Hi Gwen, I am 51 and very active too.  I know that I wont be able to do these exercises for a while, but I was just hoping that I could eventally return to weight training after at least 4-6 months.  I find that weight training is the only way to keep muscle tone.

       

    • gwen04451
      gwen04451 rita2602

      Posted

      I rita, I excercise for fitness, weight control and I find it helps me mentally. I was fortunate that I didn't put on weight whilst inactive following the op but it's amazing how quickly you loose muscle tone! However, I've started back at the gym very slowly and will see how it goes. There are quite a few article on the net re lifting following surgery. I have NO medical knowledge apart from what I read so and only repeating what I've read but they say that the type of surgery we are having is in the most part due to birth trauma and that allowing for a reasonable recovery period lifting shouln't pose a problem. I am only repeating what I have read and hope I have understood it correctly - I would definately ask the surgeon for his option first though.
    • rita2602
      rita2602 gwen04451

      Posted

      Hi Gwen, thanks for your feedback, it is appreciated!!  Exercise helps me mentally too.  I am hoping not to put on weight but I know it's going to be difficult since we are heading into the Christmas period of over indulging and all my favourite treats.  It's a good time and a bad time for me - bad because of the food but good because my oldest son is on uni break and the younger one (16) has just started school holidays too, so they will be able to help me a bit.  Thanks again. 
    • gwen04451
      gwen04451 rita2602

      Posted

      All the best Rita - let us know how you are getting on. xx
    • pam7653
      pam7653 gwen04451

      Posted

      I had a hysterectomy, vaginal suspension and rectocele surgery less than a week ago. Had one night following surgery with cramping, I've taken one pain pill. I feel great! I also was active, jogging, swimming, kayaking etc. I was told repeatedly that I do nothing strenuous for 2-3 mos. even if I start jogging months down the road it could come back. No heavy lifting again either. I will consider light jogging by late spring if I feel I can handle it. I am on Prednizone for POLYMYALGIA too so I must give my body extra time to heal.

      Please talk with your surgeon. Everyone is different!

    • chris00938
      chris00938 pam7653

      Posted

      That's so good to hear Pam.  I wasn't active before my op - severe knee arthritis had left me avoiding exercise, but after doing Tai Chi once things had healed I went on to get an exercise bike and treadmill and have really got into it and lost a stone from the exercise and feel so much better for it.  But the op went very easily for me too.  You're so right, everyone is different, and some get a far easier time than others as we've seen on here.
  • DorryC
    DorryC rita2602

    Posted

    Weird.  Not sure why my reply was deleted.  I posted a link to an article on safe lifting with a prolapse fron an australian pelvic floor website which seems to have reasonable information.  If you are interested in reading it, you can google "Safe Lifting Weight Limit with Prolapse or after Hysterectomy"

     

    • DorryC
      DorryC

      Posted

      Ah!  I just realized that the website with the link sells a DVD with pelvic floor exercises.  I have never used the DVDs and I am not recommending them.  I thought the actual article was helpful.

      I didn't even realize they were ads for that site instead of generic ads.  Brain just blocked them out.

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