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Exercise after rectocele repair

Posted , 7 users are following.

kp1407
kp1407

Hi all, sorry for asking yet another question! 

I just wondered when people started exercising and what they started doing after rectocele repair? 

I’m 11 weeks post op. Fed up of not doing much. I’ve been on a few walks. I know lifting is out of the question but I wondered if anyone had done anything else other than walking and at what stage?

Feel like I’m just sitting around now putting on weight and it’s making me feel miserable. 

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • phyl_40063
    phyl_40063 kp1407

    Posted

    Swimming; can start as soon as discharge stops usually any time ftom sound 7 or 8 weeks post op.

    X

    • phyl_40063
      phyl_40063

      Posted

      Sorry meant 'from around'

  • robyn94818
    robyn94818 kp1407

    Posted

    Oh wow, neither wonder you're bored. The restrictions are usually only for 6wks. But even by then I would have thought you would be up and about doing most things bar lifting. I think you seriously need to get moving about. Driving restriction is usually even lifted at 6wks.  Lots are back to work between 6-8wks. It's SO important for all bodily functioning to be moving about. You should be able to be going for long walks by now. 

    • kp1407
      kp1407 robyn94818

      Posted

      Oh don’t get me wrong, I have been up and about and driving since 6 weeks. I just still struggle to be on my feet for long periods of time, I feel really achey the next day and for a few days after, so I’ve not wanted to push it too much. 

      I had some complications with a hematoma and was told to take it extra easy as some stitches had come apart and that wound needed to heal itself, so I’ve been really cautious and over anxious about doing the wrong thing! 

    • robyn94818
      robyn94818 kp1407

      Posted

      Oh phew. I think when you have to take it real easy the body slows right down with everything and now needs steadily, regularly building back up. Start with walks daily. Slowly increasing the distance. 
  • margaret_46793
    margaret_46793 kp1407

    Posted

    I know how you feel I’m 12 weeks post op joining slimming world tomorrow, as I’ve put so much weight on being lazy, I’ve been told yoga is good so going to investigate as I used to do boot camp before no more of that I’ve been told , so will keep you up dated , 
  • robyn94818
    robyn94818 kp1407

    Posted

    Go to Genitourinary home page and useful resources. Scroll down to South Tees info. You will find that very useful on post-op advice. I would be checking with the Surgeon who did your ops as to whether Yoga is ok. Some parts won't be. Only your own Surgeon knows the state of your pelvic floor and they will all vary to extremes. What's ok for one girl, clearly might not be for another. 

    • Dlee2001
      Dlee2001 robyn94818

      Posted

      I’m using an iPhone

      You’re advice: Go to Genitourinary home page and useful resources. Scroll down to South Tees info. 

      I have not been able to find this. Thank you. Are you using a computer or laptop? 

    • phyl_40063
      phyl_40063 Dlee2001

      Posted

      Hi dlee,

      Click on your own name, scroll to genitourinary prolapse and click,

      Scroll to emis moderator and click on useful resources, this page is a long list of links including south tees leaflet, pelvic floor advice leaflets and advice leaflet on sexual intamacy. Hope this helps.

      Phyl x

  • bb300
    bb300 kp1407

    Posted

    Hi KP, I feel just like you at the moment. I also had a lot of complications so it's only to be expected I guess but I can't do much without getting very swollen down below. It irritates my bladder sometimes (a bit like cystitis) but I've had a urine test and don't have an infection. I was hoping I did as that would be easy to fix with some antibiotics and I'm now worried it might be a failed prolapse op but GP says she thinks it is just very tender.

    I'm currently doing pelvic floor exercises and core exercises on the exercise sheet provided by the hospital. I have also started to do some resistance exercises with one of those stretchy bands on my arms (being very careful not to stain my pelvic floor) as feel like I'm losing strength now. I'm thinking of going back to swimming which I used to do several times a week but worried the chlorine will irritate my already sensitive insides - any advice on this from anyone would be welcome. 

    I've lost over half a stone, mostly through being ill but also watching what I eat. I put on weight before the operation with being ill so want to lose it now. I use a calorie APP to calculate how many calories I'm consuming each day. I have worked out out how many calories I can have a day (it varies depending on your current weight and activity level), so know to keep within that with my diet. 

    Good luck! 

    • phyl_40063
      phyl_40063 bb300

      Posted

      Hi bb,

      I started swimming around 8 weeks, I started with a few lengths and built up over weeks and months, but only managed to do max of 16 Lengths then I feel like I've just given birth and got a big sore scab down below. I have tried just doing front crawl and eventually mixed it with beast stroke, and eventually just breast stroke but trying to limit how wide the leg stroke us.

      It does make a big difference to the pelvic floor muscles and abs but the discomfort from thin scar tissue around entrance of vaginally passage takes me a couple of days to get over. Don't know what else I can do as we need to keep fit and mobile.

      Didn't get problems from scar tissue till much later after returning to work so not swimming to blame for initial problems.

      Phyl x

    • bb300
      bb300 phyl_40063

      Posted

      Hi Phyl

      Oh heck, I'm worried about it hurting skin tissue. I was given some cream to use today internally today which has a tiny dose of estrogen in it (1mg). I was also given a higher dose estrogen cream/pessary but told to check with consultant before using it. In addition to that I've been put on a high dose of HRT!!! I must admit, I think that's what a really need. I've been an emotional wreck and down below is so sore it feels like I've got little cuts. It stings to go for a wee and I've got huge bulging around vag edge - sorry for all the detail, but just wondering how normal this is. Feels like my skin is paper thin. Do you / anyway else have same problem? If I go swimming, do you think it would make it much worse?  My health club membership is quite pricey so if I reinstate it (I put it on hold for the op) then I'll be paying out quite a lot for what could be one swim! All advice welcome. 

    • phyl_40063
      phyl_40063 bb300

      Posted

      My first repair was anterior along with hysterectomy and did not have this thining scar tissue but had just recently menopause.

      By 2nd repairs (A&P), experience different, so much tighter and stretched tissue thinner. I maybe wondered if if was tighter because both back and front done at same time not all consultants have them done together.

      Matron always said the posterior repair takes a little longer to recover from.

      We are weightless in water and I suppose that even just going in for little while should help, you will find that once you have been using the cream for a whole things should get easier.

      If you are unsure about when to start check with your GP or consultant who may or will be able to advice if you should wait a little longer.

      Phyl x

    • bb300
      bb300 phyl_40063

      Posted

      Thanks Phyl, I think I will give swimming a try. I really miss it and I think it will be good for me to get physically and mentally, bar possible tissue irritation. I'm apply a whole load of that cream and lying with pelvis propped up to take pressure off so should get some relief from that soon.   My consultant is impossible to get hold of and my GP has only just started taking me seriously and misdiagnosed me twice in the year leading up to this so I feel more inclined to trust my own judgement and helpful advice of women who know what this is really like!  Thanks so much for helping me out - this forum is a lifeline for me at the momentsmile

    • bb300
      bb300

      Posted

      apologies for all typo's - I'm typing lying downsad

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