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Anterior and Posterior Repair

Posted , 13 users are following.

christine00898
christine00898

I am due to go in hospital on the 26th may for Anterior and posterior repair,any help and advice on what to have for pain and have been advice to have a spinal anaesthetic ,feeling scared 

1 like, 34 replies

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  • Jan999
    Jan999 christine00898

    Posted

    It's only natural to feel scared but even though you'll be awake it won't be as daunting as you imagine. The doctors and nurses will talk to you, you'll be asked if you want to listen to music as well. There's lots of advice we can give you but read the Pinned Post on the Genitourinary home page because the moderator has put together some excellent links to give you lots of information and support. You've probably read that for the first 2 weeks you will need to rest and do absolutely nothing including lifting so it's better if you can have someone at home to look after you. Pain is different depending on each person but you'll be given pain relief to take home along with something for your bowels. Try not to get too anxious beforehand because research shows the more relaxed you are the better your recovery. We'll all be here for you and everyone is very supportive.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 christine00898

      Posted

      Keep in touch christine. Can I just ask are you in the UK? I only ask because some things are slightly different in other countries.
    • christine00898
      christine00898 Jan999

      Posted

      Yes I am in the UK and  have been advised to have spinal anaesthetic,because I have health problems ,I have been told I will have to stay in for 2 nights , thank you you have been a big help
    • Jan999
      Jan999 christine00898

      Posted

      I'll just add my friend had an anterior repair with a spinal anaesthetic and she was absolutely fine and quite enjoyed chatting to the nurses and doctors who made her feel relaxed. They may give you something to relax you beforehand if you're anxious, it's worth asking if they don't offer you anything. I think I would.
    • christine00898
      christine00898 Jan999

      Posted

      Please can you help me any advice,i have my op and now they are sending me home with a bag cos my bladder is not empying 
    • Jan999
      Jan999 christine00898

      Posted

      What have you been told christine about emptying your bag and looking after it?
    • christine00898
      christine00898 Jan999

      Posted

      Not a lot to be honest,does this mean I will. Have it forever ,so upset 
    • Gillian22766
      Gillian22766 christine00898

      Posted

      Hi chic, I to could not wee after the operation day after surgery I had the cathiter out I could not wee I ended up screaming in pain they had to do an in out cathiter then the put one back in for a further 24 hours took it back out and it took me all day to start weeing they came to me at 8pm the following day and said again we are going to cathiter you I flatly refused and said I wanted another day and if I couldn't we then so be it.

      the next day I was weeing more but it appears it is what is left in your bladder, he surgeon came to see me and said with such an operation you bladder gears bruesd and sometime needs more time to recover, I went home without the cathiter and it took me a few days to control my weeing

    • christine00898
      christine00898 Jan999

      Posted

      Hi can help plz,I have had my Cather out today, and now I have a lot off pain and can't seem to go for a pee 
    • Jan999
      Jan999 christine00898

      Posted

      Your urethra is probably sore and a bit bruised following the catheter being in so you sometimes get the sensation that you can't pee. Keep drinking lots and if you have a bidet have a soak failing that just swish warm water around the vulval area.
    • lorelli
      lorelli Jan999

      Posted

      dear matron

      hope all well.  have been trying to send you a private message but telling me this function has been disabled.. sad  Could you let me know if you have a facility still for me to PM you please.  Thank you kindly

    • Jan999
      Jan999 lorelli

      Posted

      Hello lorelli. I'll activate it now x
  • momoffour
    momoffour christine00898

    Posted

    Hi Christine, I'm in NYC and just had A&P (rectocele and cystocele) repair done this past Wednesday May 18th. Here it is ambulatory so barring complications you go home same day. My surgeon suggested general anesthetia so I would come out of it faster to go home. With spinal (an epidural - which I had for two of my baby deliveries) your legs can take hours to be un-anesthetized and be back to normal so you can't leave the hospital because you can't stand yet. I was scared too - my first surgery ever - but it went well and fast. Operation was at 8:30am and I was home in my own bed at 4pm (was able to urinate at hospital before leaving so I didn't have a catheter when I left.) They gave me hydrocodone Rx to medicate at home but I only used a few the first two nights and switched to 600mg Ibuprophen (Advil) every 6 hours starting Friday and have been ok managing pain with that. Narcotics cause constipation so that is the tricky part. You need to be comfortable though so pay attention to your body and give yourself the meds you need to stay ahead of the pain. I am on day 4 of recovery and still spending much time off my feet. Everyone on this forum emphaIes rest and that is what we must do to heal smoothly. I am not sure where you are or what type of surgeon (gyn surgeon specialist?) and hospital procedure you will have but I hope sharing my experience was helpful. Ask any questions you have to your doctor - no question is silly! You will be OK. It takes courage but know that you will be OK.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 momoffour

      Posted

      It is very rare for a patient to be discharged home the same day in the UK because the first 24 hours are the most crucial and it's important patients are monitored closely for any internal bleeding and we like to monitor patients pain levels as well. Same day discharged was mentioned at one point at the hospital where I worked and I stopped any further discussions on it so christine I think you are probably in the UK so if you had a general anaesthetic you'd be in overnight. As you're having a spinal you'll be in hospital for at least 1 night. One thing I should have mentioned is if you have pain take whatever you need to to relive the pain because pain hinders recovery, we know that so if you want to take codeine that's perfectly OK because stool softeners and something like Lactulose will sort your bowels out.
    • momoffour
      momoffour Jan999

      Posted

      Good Old USA will discharge 24 hours after vaginal delivery of a baby. The ambulatory surgery worked out ok for me and I feel blessed. However, I am sure there are many women who would benefit greatly from a stay in the hospital for one or two nights post A&P surgery. They rush women out the door because our hospitals are privatized and bottom line is health systems and insurance companies are doing battle over dollars.

      Absolutely agree to stay ahead of the pain and take your fluids and colace to soften stool post-op.

    • Jan999
      Jan999 momoffour

      Posted

      It's the same in the UK momoffour regarding vaginal deliveries. They still send you home the same day if they can. I realise your system is different with insurance etc so obviously that determines a lot if things. I hope you are getting lots of help at home because you need to rest as you know. Don't be tempted to do too much, it's sometimes not easy with children at home.
    • momoffour
      momoffour Jan999

      Posted

      Thank you Matron. My three teens and youngest 9 year old so plenty of help from them and my husband. I walk in my apartment ("flat" ;-) from my bed to bathroom and kitchen and take it easy in bed most these first few days. I understand from this site how essential it is to force myself to rest. I began watch Downton Abbey series on my iPad and I feel so indulgent but it's nice to have a forced break ;-)
    • Jan999
      Jan999 momoffour

      Posted

      Downton will keep you occupied for some time anyway and there's one positive from all of this.....catching up on things you normally don't have time for like reading and watching your favourite programmes.
    • momoffour
      momoffour Jan999

      Posted

      So true Matron! I never get to sit and just relax and am enjoying that I must do so now.

      My worst recovery aspect since Wednesday surgery happened Saturday morning with first bowel movement, and I am dreading second one and thereafter. Consuming colace 3x day, straight olive oil, lots of water and liquids, fruits and vegetables, and almost no processed carbs, but still difficult and painful.

    • robyn94818
      robyn94818 momoffour

      Posted

      In New Zealand most vaginal deliveries go home between 2-4hrs after delivery!!
    • Jan999
      Jan999 robyn94818

      Posted

      Some do in the UK but not 2 hours but 4-6 hours 
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