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Does and don'ts anterior cystocele repair

Posted , 4 users are following.

may73695
may73695

Hi I am 24 days post surgery for anterior cystocele repair. I'm 69. Didn't get much advice except to do absolutely nothing after surgery for 6 weeks except pelvic floors. When can I start doing things like dusting or similar, I am not going to be silly and undo work done. Hope to hear from anyone further along in recovery as to how and what they were able to do. So frustrating watching hubby do everything. Thank you

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • julib16
    julib16 may73695

    Posted

    Hi May

    From memory the first few weeks its ok to lift a half filled kettle to make a hot drink. Week 3 could make dinner as long as didn't stand too long. Dusting at waist height was ok then too. Lots of reclining to ease swelling. No bending for a while yet, but my doctor said bending knees to get to ground level was ok at 6 weeks. 

    Have you read the pinned info at the top of the page? It has some good resources, especially the South Tees info.

    Wishing you a smooth recovery and endless patience to deal with the frustration of not being able to do much xx

    • may73695
      may73695 julib16

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your advice, I really appreciate it. I will look at the pinned info too, but it really helps when someone has been there and can be more specific! I am definitely on a sharp learning curve as regards patience as I have always done all the housework! Many thanks again.
  • Carolmaria
    Carolmaria may73695

    Posted

    Hi May. I'm 8 days post op for anterior & posterior repair plus perineum reconstruction - the most painful thing I've ever had done! The coccyx pain was horrendous & going to the loo has been awful. I'm 68 & had hysterectomy 25 years ago but don't remember this intense pain, nor the hormonal effect - I feel so tearful.  I'm also constantly tired. Like you I will get very frustrated watching my hubby do everything, though he's being marvellous at the moment  - still a novelty for him though!! I really wasn't given any information re after care -I've found much more help, advice & support on this forum. I wasnt told anything about pelvic floor exercises & quite frankly at the moment it's far too uncomfortable to do them. It seems the hospital give you the text book version of recovery, this forum gives you the reality! Good luck for a very speedy recovery.xx

    • may73695
      may73695 Carolmaria

      Posted

      Hi. Thanks for your reply and hope your surgery goes well. Hubby been on sharp learning curve too! I get a bit down sometimes as surgeon says my surgery is life changing, no lifting ever again. The thing is you get told different weights you can do after 6 weeks and these vary a lot, so am tending to do nothing as don't want surgery to fail

      I had hysterectomy and removal of ovaries aged 36 and was on hrt patches until 62 when they took me off them. I really feel that's when prolapse etc got worse. Take it easy all best wishes to you.

  • Carolmaria
    Carolmaria may73695

    Posted

    I know what you mean about the sharp learning curve! We have a pretty traditional partnership-I'm indoors & catering , hubby's outdoors & maintenance-which suits us fine & has done for 44 years! This experience is testing us both!! I'm not the most patient person, I'll find it increasingly frustrating not to do things as time goes on. Quite frankly at the moment I feel too grotty to do anything anyway but I do realise things will improve ( I hope!!). I feel better than a week ago so I suppose I am progressing. Like you I don't want to undo any good that's been done, I certainly don't want it done again. So nice to talk to you & to find people who really understand what we're going through . Take care & keep resting.xx

    • may73695
      may73695 Carolmaria

      Posted

      Thank you Carol. Before surgery had a grade 2 anterior cystocele and the bulge was very low down almost out! I have been concerned as the bulge is still there but smaller. Have spoken with urogynae surgeon and urogynae nurse about it about 10 days after as I was so worried surgery hadn't worked. They have reassured me that it is early days and to start pelvic floors then. I just hope it has worked but I do suffer from anxiety and with nothing to do may be focusing on worse case scenario!! Keep up the resting, and if you are like me, reading! Take care, May

  • Carolmaria
    Carolmaria may73695

    Posted

    You're so right May about having too much time to think about things - we're just not used to sitting idle. Like you I too suffer with anxiety & everything is always the worst case scenario with me! My prolapse was actually outside & has been for the last 17 months, I look after my very disabled 90 year old mother so they wouldn't do the surgery until I promised not to push a wheelchair. In the end hubby AND Mum said I had to think of myself, hence I finally had it done last week. Poor Mum is now confined to her flat which doesn't help me with my guilt & anxiety! Only as I understand it,must NEVER do any heavy lifting again if we don't want the repair failing. I certainly don't want to go through this again. I read & do puzzles to try & pass the time but I daresay that will become tedious very soon, I'm used to being out & about & keeping busy. Take care. Carol

    • may73695
      may73695 Carolmaria

      Posted

      Hi Carol, it must be so difficult for you in your situation with your mom. I do think women in particular are used to putting others before themselves but your hubby and mom are right, you need to think of yourself for a change. Try not to feel guilty, you have nothing to feel guilty about. I have been told the same, surgery is life changing in respect of never lifting anything again. I have felt guilty too as hubby diagnosed with prostate cancer a few months ago and I put off surgery until his nurse intervened and said get it done! Fingers x been told low grade and contained for him and he is on 3 monthly watch and wait. I hope sincerely we both have a positive outcome and can move on with our lives. All the very best to you. May
  • Carolmaria
    Carolmaria may73695

    Posted

    Thank you so much for your kind words May.I'm so sorry to hear you've had the added worry of your husband's illness - I'm sure neither of you needed that.  I'm glad you were persuaded to have the op though, as I've been told, we need to be at full strength & health to cope with what life throws at us in future. I've cut down on the painkillers now as they were making me feel sick. I don't think I feel any worse for it. I'm trying to walk more each day. I feel most comfortable lying down,  standing or walking - sitting is still very uncomfortable & painful. I steeled myself to look "down there" today - I can't see any reason for the soreness but boy is it sore!!! At least the offending bulge has disappeared so I assume all has been successful. I wish you & your hubby well. Carol xx

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