Anterior Posterior Repair Recovery
Posted , 8 users are following.
Currently, I am 4 days post-op. I had an anterior posterior repair done on Monday, Oct 17 and finished surgery around 3:30PM. Monday evening I was extremely tired and took my Percocet 2 pills every 4 hours (highest recommended dose for 5-325). I was slightly in pain but was semi-comfortable because the doctors chose to leave my catheter in until the next day.
Tuesday morning I woke up, washed up (sponge bath), and went to the doctor's office around 12 PM to have the catheter removed. The car ride of 40 minutes there and 40 minutes back was too much for me to be sitting up putting pressure on the stitches. I was extremely happy to reach home and lie down in my bed once again.
Wednesday I had less pain from the surgery itself, but was experiencing a different type of pain along with pressure. After being quite miserable for a while I vomited and then had the urge to have a bowel movement. Let me just add that the bowel movements are the single most important factor in your first week at home.
I had been taking two doses of Colace stool softener each day to try and make my bowels soft enough for when the time come to release them. Thankfully, my stool was soft. However, the issue was the fact that you actually have to open your rectum to have a bowel movement. The act of opening your bowel requires the use of muscles, that in my case, were very tightly held in place due to the enormous amount of stitches it took to repair my large rectocele. The pain involved in the opening of my rectum had me in hysterical tears and refusing to use the bathroom; while my stomach and body was saying "you have to release it!" It was an epic battle that in the end was won by the urge to empty my bowels.
The main point I want to make here is that it is extremely important to make your stool as soft as possible. The ability to open the rectum is hard and painful enough that even a soft stool can make your stitches pull and seem like your lady bits are on fire. I cannot stress enough how important a role your diet also plays in your ability to empty your bowels. I have gone low carb and high fiber with plenty of water in the intention to do everything I can to not damage my stitches and break down my repair.
I hope this bit helps you all to understand how the bowel can interfere with healing after not handled correctly. I can honestly say that other than the dirty work of using the toilet, I could have been back on my feet by now.
2 likes, 10 replies
laurapengelly kamilynn
Posted
I had my repair sept 29th and has gone so smoothly..knock on wood. I find it absolutely fascinating that people experience as much pain (or more) than what you and others have described... i was written an rx for T3's but never filled it. I took reular tyleonol twice and that was it for pain relief. Bowel movements have been infrequent but soft enough with regular use of stool softeners and metamucil. The pain i feel is actually hours to minutes before a bm, when i feel a sharp passing sensation through the lower abdomen - different than cramps (but i had been feeling that even before surgery). I allow my body to release the bm slowly and deep breathe..seems to work with little pain.
Some days i feel a brief sharp twinge, like stitches pulling. Other days particularly end of the day, i feel a bit of throbbing down there..i suppose my body telling me ive done too much. But the pain and discomfort ive felt has been manageable without pain meds. Thankfully.
kamilynn laurapengelly
Posted
You had both anterior posterior repair with perineal repair as well? My dr did say mine was a big repair and that he wasn't surprised I was still in a lot of pain. It's possible my repair was a bigger repair. Also, my dr said he had to do a lot to the muscles down there. I'm happy you didn't have the same experience as me, as I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I am on day 7 now and feel much better. I'm thinking my large rectocele repair was the culprit of my pain.
dianelou laurapengelly
Posted
steph16921 kamilynn
Posted
Thanks for the advice. My Md says it's imperative not to get constipated after the op. I plan on following your advise. Thanks!!
steph16921 kamilynn
Posted
Also I am already taking stool softener. I was thinking about starting a laxative a couple days before op. Would you recommend? (Stool softener doesn't seem strong enough to me) I will also ask my dr today at my pre-op
kamilynn steph16921
Posted
It's a good idea to be sort of cleaned out before going in. Also your post-op diet is a major factor. Please drink enough water.
lynn17227 kamilynn
Posted
WBoct16 kamilynn
Posted
kamilynn WBoct16
Posted
I've been eating whole fruits like sliced peaches and prunes. Now if I use the bathroom it's not such a scary experience. I would also recommend blended fruit smoothies with Metamucil or some other fiber powder. And never forget the importance of drinking enough water. I like to drink warm water with lemon. Thanks for your input.
lenore09604 kamilynn
Posted