anterior prolapse repair - is this normal?

Posted , 9 users are following.

I had an anterior repair operation last week. Once i felt up to examining myself i felt a bulge at the front exactly the same as i had before the operation. Is this normal? I thought the bulge would go away or reduce with surgery so im really worried about what the bulge is. The dr said he thought the surgery had gone well so im really unsure why ive still got the bulge. Help! Anyone been through this who can help advise or reassure me? 

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi jsm

    I had a repair in April (front and back) I had the same feeling as you and it lasted for months. I went to my surgeon for a couple of follow ups and he assured me everything had worked and I was just swollen. 

    I still wasn't convinced but the swelling has started to reduce now and I no longer have the 'bulge' inside. 

    I feel relieved now and hope this puts your mind at rest a little. 

    I don't think we appreciate how big these procedures are. My husband recently had a nasal op under General and was only told to have a week off. Considering we're told a minimum of 6 weeks and no lifting for a long time, it's a big deal and our bodies obviously need a long time to heal. 

    Best of luck with your recovery and if your still not sure go back to your consultant. X

    • Posted

      Thanks kirsty thats reassuring to hear. I just wasnt prepared for the swelling to feel so much like the prolapse - it just worried me that id possibly gone through the surgery for very little gain. But as you say hopefully its just the effect of the surgery and will go down in time. Im so glad i found this site - but really wish id found it before the operation. Youre the first people ive spoken to who have actually had the surgery. Its nice not to feel so alone. 
  • Posted

    Hi, 

    I had a posterior repair 4 weeks ago and i have the same concern. I attempted pelvic floor exercises and to check i was using the right muscle i felt around. What i found was a lump and a blockage some days i feel it is really low/ nearly outside. i never had this before surgery my lump was always inside. I am hoping it is just swelling that has not gone down. If it stays id have been better not having the surgeey. To be sure though i have requested a follow up with my consultant. Sorry i can't reasure you just yet.

    Donna

    • Posted

      Hi donna 

      Thanks for replying. Im hoping that like kirsty said what you feel is just swelling. I can totally relate to your fear about it having made things worse. What worried me is thst it doesnt feel like swelling, it feels like the same old bulge. But hopefully it is swelling. Youll have to let me know how your appt goes. Xxx 

  • Posted

    Hi JSM

    I had a rectocele repair nearly 4 weeks ago.

    I would say each week things have felt quite different as if another stage of recovery has been achieved. I wouldn't worry too much at this stage as I think a lot of swelling takes place during the operation and if its 6 weeks recovery then don't go looking for things to be anywhere near back to normal until the 6 weeks are up. My personal feeling is that I am slowly recovering from inside to out. Hope this helps.

    • Posted

      Thanks 48 yr old. It does help a lot. Ive noone to ask these questions to as i dont know anyone who has had a prolapse. 
    • Posted

      Hi JSM

      Please give it time....you will be amazed at the different changes that occur week by week. 4 weeks on and still things changing down there all the time looking more normal than i ever remember :-)

  • Posted

    Hi ladies, thanks this is all good to know. I rather hoped it was still swelling, but as I have also had perinorrhaphy I really wasn't sure what was going on. Doesn't  make it easy putting in the oestrodial cream though does it.  I gave myself a fresh bleed several days ago trying to put it where the picture descibes, not really possible is it with these lumps & bumps..

    Sue

    • Posted

      Hi sue. How many weeks post op are you? Im still bleeding quite a bit too. Not sure how long it takes to settle down. 
    • Posted

      Im still loosing 4 weeks on all day every day expecting it to last for 6 weeks at least! ! Haven't had a period amongst it yet though. 
    • Posted

      Hi Jsm,missed this reply. I am still having slight watery blood  ooze  18 days post & I expect it will go on for a few more weeks as the blood clots dissolve & my perinorrhaphy heals. The fresh bleed wasn't,t too heavy &  a little bit of blood goes a long way. My discharge advise says if you are changing your pad every hour or passing clots bigger than 3cm whilst in hospital to let the nurses know so you certainly shouldn't be be bleeding that much now you are at home.  If you are worried about the blood loss see your GP. Do you feel well in yourself, no temperature.
  • Posted

    Hi jsm, Good heavens it's much too soon to be worrying. The bulge you are feeling is from swollen tissue. Give things time to reduce. 

    I went through a (Anterior and Posterior repair) otherwise known as a Rectocele and Cystocele Prolapse with a perineum tightening just over 13 months ago. 

    Everything is extremely tender, sensitive and swollen for the first few weeks so give it until 10-12 weeks and then speak to your doctor if the bulge is giving you concern.

    In the meantime my advice would be to read some of the older postings on this site sent over the last weeks and months. The comments, experiences and advice from other ladies having had similar procedures would probably be of benefit to you. 

    Stop worrying. LadyPink

    • Posted

      Hi lady pink, interested to hear about the perinorrhaphy. You say perineal tightening. Did your surgeon remove excess tissue & stitch you up as in a perinoplasty or did they just tighten you up internally leaving you with a ridge of tissue externally , which is what I have had done. It's not at all what I expected although I didn't really give it a great deal of thought. 

      Sue

  • Posted

    Hi All

    Just catching up on my emails I am now 10 day after my anteior prolapse repair. I was very surprise on how everything has gone. Now no bleeding at all and no pain. Have only just left the house yesterday for the first time even though I have felt fine and thought I could go out. I am estriol cream every day until end of week and then reverting to once a week as pe doctors instructions.

    My question is after having a look downstairs with a mirror I have no bulge like before but just on the entrance I have a jelly like lump of skin on one side it doesnt hurt at all but is just there. Never had it before as everything was inside.

    Do you think this could be swelling or something that has occured after the operation it looks very strange.

    Thanks everyone.

    Sandra    

    • Posted

      Hi Sandra, glad you are doing well. Can't imagine what that could be. I was also concerned as I had seen a gap in my perinorrhaphy. With so much swelling it is impossible to see what was going on so I went to the GP a couple of days later(3 days ago). She  reassured me there was no gap now but  did see a pusy spot so put me on antibiotics. So perhaps a vist to your Gp would be a good idea. I didn't have a temperature  but it was very sore and itchy. I also had s herbal sitz bath that evening. I think I overdid the lavender as it was very tight & sore that night & I loaded up on painkillers. However the next day it was fine, the swelling is going down , the itching is gone and so has th tenderness. I can honestly see an improvement in the last2 days. I think I will have another sitz bath tonight but be more careful with the salt & lavender.

      sue

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