Don't return to work too soon.

hi how old are you i too have3 month old am only 28

You really need EIGHT weeks off work and 3 months would be most ideal. How are you not going to lift small child? If it's possible, you need to teach the child to climb up on you when you are seated. Hope you've got a ton of help lined up for when you get home. Because you don't even want to be picking things up off floor either. That is out for 6wks. 

Hi Vicki

Glad my post has been helpful.  Lifting your little one will pose a challenge for you. My youngest become a great climber. She would climb into and out of the bath,  up into the high chair and into and out of her car seat.  I was always there to guide or provide a step for her.  My friends were amazed at how capable she was and yet it was just a little challenge for her. 

Some long barbque tongs or similar will be useful for picking things up as there is so much at floor level when you are a Mum.  Also put all the food items you use regularly on the bench or counter top  so you don't have to bend..

I was told to stay in your pjs for weeks so it's a sign to those  around you know that you are not physically capable. 

You will need to do very little for 4 weeks and then a little more  after that. I hope you have the support you need.

Don't worry your bladder and bowel will waken up and start functioning normally after the first week.

I have avoided sitting for 4 weeks but have been walking around for short bursts.

All the very best with your recovery

Yes have lots of help and have been given a sick note for 9 weeks.

Feel ok after the operation and have loved this forum for advice on post op care.

I’m 37 x had the operation yesterday with 18month old toddler

Hi Phyl

I appreciate your good wishes.  I waited 17 years between surgery 2 and 3.  Although I have tried to incorporate everything in life that I could do I spent half my life in a horizontal position on the couch.  I had lost faith in my situation ever improving. I hoped advancement in diagnostic and surgical techniques would benefit me so that is why I have now taken the plunge. The 4D ultrasound was invaluable  in giving an accurate picture.  It highlighted an avulsion (a tearing of the pelvic floor muscles from the bone) which explains why I haven't been able to stand up for very long since first birth.

I would like to keep you posted especially to hopefully give you an amazing recovery  report in the hope of encouraging you. 

Peta

Would love to hear how you get on peta. 

      Like you I too spend much of my time horizontal.

                   I manage two shifts a week then spend two days in recovery as I suffer what I think is painful tight scar tissue around lower vag...opening and sagging front wall seems to pull that area more.

            I then go for my weekly swim (14 or 15 lengths in 25 metre pool which pulls in the pelvic floor muscles and hopefully helps to support pelvic organs. Have to watch though as this strains the tight scar tissue around and just inside vag... area. 

         I spend next two days catching up around house covering lighter chores, but at least I can space them out and rest as and when needed.

                                      Have had to give up all the things I love doing; My long walks, cycling, gym, and gardening. I do try to keep up with shorter walks but more often.  

            So very frustrating and scared to do any overtime now.

               Work place is exactly that 'a place of work' and not somewhere we can be nursed; feel like a lame duck dragging my feet and not a team member any more. 

             Everything I do in life I have to make sure I will be able to access a seat and not have to be on my feet for too long. Attempted the school shop last August and took me days to recover; will have to send my 14 year old shopping with older sibling  who is 25 this year, just no way I can cope with being out and about for hours. Feel like I miss out on so much quality time with my teen!

          You would think that by now research would have come up with something better by now, or at least make sure we are all better informed after child birth. 

           Keep us all updated, take care x

                           

         

Hi Phyl

Your experience of life is so similar to mine. Always working around not over straining as it takes ages of horizontal time to sort of recover.  Always looking for seat but not all that comfortable sitting etc.  Like you before traumatic births I was very  fit and loved physical activities.  Prior to my surgery however I was  doing deep water running every day as I found this most suitable.

I feel for you now that I know more of your story and as I said earlier  I hope I can be a light of encouragement as I clock up the weeks of recovery.

Best wishes,  Peta

Fingers are crossed that things work out positive in long run!x👍💕

Hi Welshgirl

Are you posting from Wales? You are four weeks ahead of me but I too feel very conscious of and insecure on the anterior wall. I am hoping it is still the result of swelling. I haven't had a post op check as yet as I am only 4 1/2 weeks but I do wonder if you would get an honest opinion. 

I question the impact of sitting in the first couple of months. If the goal is to not increase the pressure on the pelvic floor and repaired areas ie not bending lifting standing etc then I would consider putting more than half your body weight compressing onto of this area to be damaging.

I am glad to hear you are giving yourself the best chance and I really hope that there is more improvement  for you.

Best wishes,  Peta

Hi Peta

No I'm in England now but from south wales..

All I can say is lusdten to your gut.forewarned is for armed.

First few weeks I laid on sofa,if I was sitting I'd always have feet up on stool. I have done no bending,lifting, even now I won't lift a kettle,I'm still boiling in a saucepan lol crazy I know but one bitten twice shy. Never lift heavy bags ever again, although I never did before but its easy to forget isn't it.

I have always known that our body doesn't start making strong internal scare tissue till 12 weeks o be careful until that time and from there on. I'm looking forward to starting back swimming to stay slim. That's another thing us ladies must watch is weight as this can really affect our repairs. Keep resting PETA.hugsxx

Heavy lifting after repairs is sonething you need to avoid if possible.uf strsining on the loo can cause damage then heavy lifting sure will. You must remember hun that these repairs are not forever.limit dowwRd pressure and try avoid heavy lifting.doctors dont really give out much aftercare. Its forums like these that are resl.good luckx

Hi Welshgirl

Thanks for reply. I never gave it a thought that this might not be permanent along with great after care!! I had a TVH in 2016 and because I felt ill with that it was easy to rest. This time round I feel a bit of a fraud if you get that? I am resting to the letter but it is a struggle not to say to husband I will just do that!!I have discomfort and swelling also had a slight bleed since slightly increasing activity so I know how important it is.

Looks like I have more than just return to work discussion with my manager.

Thanks again.

Heavy lifting is out forever if you want your repairs to last as long as possible. My Specialist said basically the bags of groceries are it for good. One at a time. 

Heavy lifting is just out oif the question for me just to be on the cautious side. I am very slim and will never lift heavy bags,high impact exercise and moist oif all kegals. Its scary to think repairs will not last a lifetime. I myself is being way too careful even at 8 weeks I wrong carry anything heavier than a pint of milk.our internal stitches take months to strengthen up.

Keep smiling hunx

Hi Ragnar

I am so glad the forum has been helpful and that you have been proactive in giving yourself the best chance to heal and hopefully avoid reoccurance. 

I am not sure on the suitable weights following recto but as I had bladder, anterior recto and vault as well I will be avoiding lifting anything. Even though they say up to 10 kilos if I was to lift a 2 litre milk I would feel the strain so I don't of course. Everyone is different but if you are in a job where there is lifting then as a woman you will be prone to these problems. A pelvic physio opinion would be a good start before you have a discussion with your manager otherwise you won't know what is realistic for you. I had to give up a role where I was carrying lots of equipment and take on a supervisory one.

Have you been informed as to the correct position to be in to have BM for now and the future?

All the very best with your recovery Ragnar

Peta

Hi Robyn

Thanks I will take all advice on board. The only thing my consultant said was to see if I could avoid working a hoist that was part if work duties.

Thank you

Hi Welshgirl

You are right about info from doctors. Like I just said to Robyn my consultant really only said to avoid using the hoist at work. She also thought 6 weeks should have been enough time off but after giving a job discription to my dr she was great about 12 weeks. Heavy lifting was only mentioned in the first few weeks.

Thanks for advice. Take care

Hi Peta

Thanks for getting back to me.

As a support worker there can be a lot of heavy work. My manager has helped me avoid some pre op which was great. These things will have to be kept in place. There could be some unavoidable situations if I was on my own with any of our members such as seizures and clearing safe spaceif they fall to floor. I love my job so hopefully I can work round majority of concerns. Talking to a physio is a good idea. Thanks.

I only know about position when having a BM cause of this forum. Was only told to avoid constipation. This has been difficult. My bowel is really sluggish. I have had lactolouse, dulculese and now using celevac. Have also had to resort to a suppository twice as I was terrified of thought of straining. Along with a virtual vegetarian diet.

Thanks again for your help. Take care

Needs to be a physio specialising in this area Ragna. Sounds like you are really thinking about your own important needs which can get overlooked when you are in a support role. 

Steamed brown rice is good. Gentle on bowel and a good mover. Naturopath recommended a probiotic daily and kombutcha (raspberry lemonade flavour) to have all the good bacteria flourishing so that the lining is healthy.

Peta

Thanks Peta will give rice a try and look out for the kombutcha.

Take care

One thing comes to mind... We have forever to return to our normal daily chores but just one chance to heal and recover for a positive outcome.

Keep resting my friend.xx

A squatty potty is valuable after these ops ragnar50 they place our bowel and bladder in the correct position for evacuation. Google it and you will find wonderful information. You will find your bowels will thank you.

I'm on movicol and find it brilliant. Its very gentle and can take it long term if needed. I have had no straining since day 2. All it does is bring water into colon for loose soft movements. X

I'm interested to knoiw if you have any idea why your last 2 ops failed PETA?

Was it lifting to much in the early weeks?

My consultant told me 2 things never to do ever.. Straining and jumping or running. These exercises cause too much pounding, but I haste running so have no issuebwith it lol,no chance of me on a trampoline either lol. Not much else was told to me. Its a good job I have all knowledge I cash educate myself and others by experiences. Male consultants willl never know how we feel only know the medical side of it.xx

My hubby does most of the shopping now; I only occasionally buy a few light weight items when on my on and use a back-pack as anything hanging below hip/knee level gets increasingly heavy and innards start to sag. 

                  When at work I roll anything heavier than 2 pints of milk and usd hand scanner on anything large like cases of soft drinks/ beer, and ask them to lift it back off themselves or keep it in trolley if I can catch them before they move them onto the conveyor belt.

                     I put my socks and shoes on at the stairway to avoid downpressure, so difficult sometimes to avoid down pressure.

Phyl x

Good thinking Welshgirl!

Thanks Welshgirl I will look that up.

I have just noticed what you said to Peta about jumping and running. My job looks as if it going to be detrimental 😿! It doesn't happen a lot but there is chances that I have to jump away to avoid assault or run after members who try to wander when upset. I hope I don't have to consider a new career as I love what I do.

Thanks for advice. Take care

Its just so hard i know hun. All qe can do is our best snd be vigillant as to what we do.

I was speaking a nurse in hospital and she told me she had bladder prolapse but the thought of coming bavk to work after it put her off.. you would think that in this day and age they would be able to come up with more of a permanent repair that would stop all these repairs having to be done again.its mind blowing when you think of it.x

Hopefully now that more females are taking up jobs that use to be mainly male dominated we should see more and better research in this area. Surely now that they have and intend to again extend working years (earliest retrial age being 66 now for majority) they will have to deal with this issue as I can't see how they can I force this with so many females having problems; I'm sure I read research somewhere that declared 1 in 4 females over menopause having some form of prolapse issues. They can't expect women to work on and having the expense of repeat surgery on a buckling NHS. 

                          Phyl x

Hi Welshgirl

I am living on the Gold Coast in Australia.

Just in response to your question "why did your last 2 ops fail" I'll try and keep it brief. I think it may be useful to some but it really saddens me when I look back at how much life I have missed out on and the lack of care from surgeons.

I had 2 traumatic births. After first birth ended up with prolapsed everything tearing from front to back and tearing of muscles that connect to the pelvic bone. 2nd preg spent on the couch couldnt stand without everything falling out. 2nd birth well you can imagine what that was like.

2 years after 2nd child had hyster and repairs at that time performed by gynae, no information, no idea of need to nurture this surgery. mother helped for 2 weeks with children then it was over to me. I just had to get on with everything a mother of 2 has to do from 2 weeks after surgery. My mother also had no empathy. 

16 years later 2001 I had second round.

No info, no understanding of surgery requirements, very  alouf  urogynae this time . I had a training business which was on hold. My work had required lots of lifting and carrying of equipment, training materials etc. As a mother I did all the other stuff without any additional help. After a couple of weeks I just had to get on with it all.

I dragged myself around spent every possible moment lying horizontal outside of work. In my lunch break I would lay horizontal in my car to try and relieve some of the pain.

The worst part of my issues was the levator avulsion (tearing of pelvic floor muscles from the bone) but this was only discovered this 3rd time 2018 via 4D ultrasound.  Because this is not able to be repaired I do not have any pelvic floor support so I can't expect a complete result.  However I did ask to be supported like our Sydney Harbour bridge so I am hoping whatever anchoring that could be done was. I have been able to research my own info this time speak to pelvic physio and also see the very glossed over generic info that is given from a much more experienced point of view. 

When I look at what I normally do in my life pre op I am now going to make some radical changes. I can do this as I am not working and my children have grown up.

Rather than my life being totally limited by these issues I am now going to totally nurture my pelvic area and make it the priority.

Sorry about the essay but you asked for it ....hehe

I am now 5 weeks yay!!

Thinking positively about all those recoveries going on out there

Peta