Excercise advice xx

We still haven't tried but I was advised against it for another couple of weeks but I'd had total hysterectomy, A&P repair and a tvt (bladder sling) so I have quite a bit of healing to do. I get very emotional. My daughter says to me 'is it your hormones again mam' and gives me a hug. Haha. Take it easy. It'll be worth it in the end and don't stress over the sex thing. A lot of woman have said same thing. Lots of lube and slowly does it is what I've heard on here. X

Hi, I had sex the same day as I was examined a step to far I think, we had full penateation but we will waight a bit till the next time I felt like the left wasn't healed enough, get som lub I believe it will help.

i couldn't relax xx

hiya mrsg85 i didnt have a great deal of info ref recovery (A&P and a hoist up of the womb cant remember the correct term atm).  I got a lot from this forum.  Wasn't offered a post of check had to fight to get one which I had at 17 weeks last monday.  I can't have sex as too tight and hurts too much they said I could have further surgery to loosen... I just can't face that.  I was starting to getting back to feeling a bit normal.  I've opted for dialators to stretch got to give it 3 months.  It's difficult but there are lots of success stories on here and I'm trying to remain positive.  Take it easy and listen to your body. xx

Hi. My physio told me about those dilators and she said they are good. I was expressing my concerns about sex and she suggested I by a slim vibratir to try and get used to having something inside me again before hubby. Haven't done anything about that yet so don't know how I am inside. Watch this space!! Ha.

Aww good look.... I wasn't up to try anything at the recommended 6 week point took me a bit longer... just thought problems were due to healing... I've been stitched too tight hopefully they will work. Just couldn't face more surgery atm.... Aww good luck xxxx

Thank you and you too. Hope the dilators work. X

Smm103 I'm in same position as you waiting to see consultant next month as my dr says I'm fine behind stitching but I've got a very small opening she's not happy with what they have done to me. I had Rectocele and a bowel plication which is as you say is a bowel hoist up and it's that part of op that's the problem. There is no way I can put myself through anymore surgey in the near future the thought breaks my heart this op has been the toughest yet!

No not had post op check yet still waiting for my appointment x

I  think my issues may have been picked up sooner if I had my post op check before 17 week point.... I did try and chase this up a few times, unsucessfully.  I hope you get yours sooner than me x

The day I let hospital I was given a letter to ring my consultants secretary and make an appointment for approx 8 wks post op. So as soon as I got home I rang up and got my appt over the phone. Can't fault them. Can't believe after surgery no appt was offered. Are you in uk?

Aww good they sound fab. I'm in the UK, seems to be a bit of a post code lottery unfortunately with the standard of care.

OMG Caroline he sound incompetent. Can't believe you w wee told that. But I do agree there doesn't seem to be enough info on prolapse repair recovery. I didn't get any. I just got stuff regarding my hysterectomy and tvt. However my consultant did tell me no work for 3 months due to repair. And my physio filled in in on what not to do and rest I got from here I really feel for you having gone through that and then it fail probably due to his ignorance.

I know the nurses couldn't believe it either when I told them! My gp signed me off for 6 weeks and after that was up I went back and she signed me off until 22 July, which is he end of he school term. I work in a school nursery, went for a visit on Friday and need up staying for the day. I was exhausted and very uncomfortable when I came home x

I also work in a school for special needs so I can relate to how hard it can be. I'm due back just before the end of term and hoping to go back for last 3 days on phased return so a nice general intro so hopefully by sept I will be fully fit. Hope you're resting up as much as possible. X

Fi I work in special school too due back 9 days before term ends but seeing consultant just before have asked for occy health but not referred yet

I asked my head to refer me to OH and she said it's not precede sure after an op absence but said she's happy to work out a plan for me to come back. My 12 wks takes me up to a wk and a half from end of term but if my dr will allow me to I'm gonna stay off an extra week as still not ready. Then head said I can do phased return which probably be mornings only. But heaven help me come sept as some things I still have to avoid like any lifting and I'm not going to sit on small chairs anymore as that's not good for us. Hope you get support you deserve on return.

Good luck. X

Sounds exactly same as me! There is a lot I still can't do I'll be 17 weeks when I'm due back had few complications on my journey and dr wants to see me after I've seen consultant to decide if I can return. GPhas been brilliant and very supportive. I am worried about my long term working life.

I've been told by consultant I'm healing well although at top of vag I'm still a bit raw so had been told to continue taking it easy. I'm now 10wks. I'm so pleased with the timings of my op that I can go back just before the end of term giving me a bit longer to heal. But like you I am concerned about my long term health regarding my ability to do job properly. I work in primary so lots of little ones to get down to etc and behaviour strategies that we have to contend with. But I still have 20 yrs to go till I can retire and never done anything else and it's worrying. But I suppose only time will tell.

20+ years for me too, older class for me with unique challenges have same sort of issues, I should imagine. I have office skills but stale as been working in sch for many many years

Why is sitting on kids sized chairs not good for us when ladies on here are pushing to get back to cycling! I can't work out the physicality of how a small seat on a bike shoved up high into groin then constant downward pushing of legs/hips to cycle, can possibly not be bad as forever when a girl has weak pelvic floor!! Men are a lot more prone to testicular cancer who cycle a lot - due to all that constant squishing of their balls and the pressure that the whole act of cycling puts down there. I of course know the anatomy differences but the seat being right up in groin on a girl doesn't make any sense to me that it won't cause damage in an already weak pelvic floor.

Interesting Caroline as my surgeon has said exactly the same on more than one occasion, I'm 5 weeks post op and have seen him twice due to complications and each time he's said its fine to lift my children, iron, bend, stretch etc! He said coughing, sneezing and straining are the worst things to be doing as they put a lot of strain on the pelvis. He also said I'd be fine to return to work after 4 weeks! I'm still in quite a bit of pain, had multiple infections, 5 lots of anti b's and I'm off for another two weeks...praying to god I'm better by then as this is really getting me down!

I think my posterior repair is holding up, I've tried to rest as much as I can but I have ironed a few bits and lifted my youngest who's 11kg a few times as she's been in danger but I now think I've got a cystocele, yay! ??

Well for a start I was told many years ago by a gyny physio that small chairs are bad for the pelvic floor because unlike men we don't have a muscle across that lower area due to needing the space to allow for motherhood so when we sit on low chairs with our legs high up it pushes everything inside south hence woman get prolapse. It's like squats they put pressure on that area too.

As for cycling your sitting on the seat. It's not pushes up your vagina as you seem to think. If you have the correct sized seat for your bottom you don't get any pressure points causing soreness. Also your feet/legs are on peddles so you aren't putting pressure on your pelvic floor.

If your so unsure why don't you get advice when you go for your next appt as I was told by my consultant and my gyny physio that it was safe to do so therefore we tend to follow the guidelines of the professionals. As for men and testicular cancer I can't comment as I've not looked that up being a woman.

A pelvic physio told me that cycling was fine, when healing complete, as long as a more upright position was used ie no drop handlebars which causes pressure, only gentle hills ( or low resistence on a gym bike) and no straining eg into strong wind. A broad, padded seat will give plenty of support across the bones.

As an aside re men : my brother is a long time competitive amateur cyclist and has had a number of checks for prostate problems. Those hard, narrow  racing saddles can cause undue pressure and inflammation of the prostate which then gives a high reading for the PSA  test ie a false positive marker for cancer. All clear so far, thankfully. 

The thing they are trying to get you to avoid is trying to do things that put a lot of pressure on your pelvic floor - not pokey outside things, but you using your muscles too hard.   Coughing, sneezing, lifting, pushing, and lots of ab stuff... Loads of stuff puts pressure.  With exercise, everyone recommends exercising of course but you can modify things so they are safer for your pelvic floor.  Just like you might do lower impact exercises if you had bad knees.

the Australian government made a website, pelvicfloorfirst, that has a lot of information.  Michelle kenway has a lot on her site as well as YouTube videos but she also has links for her books and promotes her books which some may not like.  I think the Aussie site is on the Useful Resources sticky.

Ah bless you, it sounds like you've gone through the mill! Go and see a female gp they are more understanding, mine has signed me off until end of school year now - July 22nd. Are you in the Uk? Xx

Your head sounds very understanding. I'm going to pop in a few times before the end of term for an hour or two and Just do a bit of reading with the children. I'm not obligated to do this but have been climbing the walls at home and thought it would be a nice break from the house.

good luck xx

Well I think after I asked to be referred to OH she must have thought I wasn't happy coz I got a text asking why and was everything ok. Before my op she was expecting me back after 6-8wks. But I put her straight on that. It'll be a different story once at work. They be fine for a short while then they'll think/presume I can do everything. But OH have said if I have anyproblems to get back in touch as they support me 100% on taking it slowly and easy. Time will tell. X

What made you think you have a cystocele? Funny that i have exactly same feeling. I feel my urethra is falling out...