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HELP! Severe constipation 4 days post anterior/posterior prolapse repair and TVT

Posted , 17 users are following.

Annilou
Annilou

Im 37 and I thought I was the ideal patient. I had my anterior/posterior and TVT surgery on Wednesday morning 1 July (it is currently the wee hours on Sunday morning). I woke from surgery with excellent vitals, my catheter and packing was removed on Thursday morning. I had two slightly uncomfortable bowel motions while in hospital, and discharged Thursday afternoon. My bleeding, while still bright red is very light.

However, I have been experiencing the most horrific constipation. I have been taking Movical (I had 3 sachets today). I have tried everything: I usually drink between 2-3 litres of water a day, though at the request of my Dr have reduced in the short-term to allow the TVT time and comfort to heal; I use a step to put my feet on while sitting on the toilet; I sit calmly (adopting a terrible habit of reading on the loo) in the hope that gravity will do the work; and I don't eat bread as it is a usual culprit in the constipation game.

The constipation was that bad tonight that I vomited while on the toilet. I had nowhere to go, thankfully my beautiful husband grabbed a mixing bowl from the kitchen. The stool was pushing into my vagina wall and was excruciating. In the end I had to resort to manually getting it out (I'm so sorry for the graphical information).

The pain, after strong pain relief, is currently like my vagina is on fire and I feel like I have barbed wire in my rectum.

I can feel a lump at the base of my vagina / perinium which doesn't involve any external stitches.

I am terrified I have undone the prolapse repair (or vaginal plastic surgery as I referred to it with my Dr)

3 likes, 57 replies

57 Replies

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  • JoolsB
    JoolsB Annilou

    Posted

    Thank you for replying. Its good to talk to someone going through it all.  I am sure you haven't done anything too serious - try not to worry. It must be a really common problem that hospital is used to dealing with. I have decided that today is just a really bad day, not going to fight it and am laying on bed reading - only comfy thing to do. If my pain is as bad tomorrow then will phone hospital. Try to have a nice Sunday.
  • susiest
    susiest Annilou

    Posted

    Hello Ladies,

    My surgery was 9 weeks ago this Tuesday.  I have gone through all the emotions and feelings you have had.

    I am taking Colace (but it is the pharmacy brand) twice a day.  A gentle stool softener and it is working very well.  Every am like clockwork.

    none of you have mentioned a cream my Dr. Is having me use.  Estrace.

    every day 6 weeks prior and every day 6 weeks after.  Now twice a week.  It is a hormone and also promotes healing.

    I should mention I am 71 and have been miserable for at least the first 7 weeks.

    Now I am feeling better but not 100%.  Good in the morning but I get achy in the lower abdomen during the afternoon so I lay down and rest.

    Try not to lift anything. At three weeks I started bleeding and also got a UTI.

    I also got the mesh and worried about rejection.  Good so far.   I had a prolapsed bladder, intestine and vaginal repair work done.  In 1991 I had a vaginal hysterectomy and this was much more uncomfortable.  I hope you are all doing better and it takes more time to recover than we think it will.

    It was great to find this website and I had my own discussion with a couple  ladies and I felt so much better.

    • janice41238
      janice41238 susiest

      Posted

      Miss Susi,

      I am also using Estrace nightly. Just 5 days post op but healing slow as it is. My procedure consisted of anterior and posterior repair with an ablation of the uterus. 4-6 wks for recovery. Had hoped for a lttle summer to enjoy but will be glad to just heal.

      I pray that you continue to heal. Thank you for sharing.

    • JoolsB
      JoolsB susiest

      Posted

      Hi. Thank you for your contribution as it has made me feel a bit better that I am feeling bad only two weeks after op! I think it is just a shock to be in so much pain today after thinking all was going along so well. Still, bad days are obviously to be expected. Can I ask whether you experienced severe pelvic floor/pubic bone pain? Sitting is a nightmare. I feel like I have been kicked very very hard between the legs! Well, as that has never happened to me I am guessing thats how it feels! I am so pleased that you are feeling better and able to be so positive. Take care.
    • janice41238
      janice41238 JoolsB

      Posted

      Not sure this helps but I too have had the pelvic floor pressure.If I had a sling to hold it I would use it, instead it usually is time for another Motrin. (this is something I have experienced during monthly cycles)
    • susiest
      susiest JoolsB

      Posted

      Hello to you.  Yes, I do feel pressure. It doesn't actually hurt to sit but I get uncomfortable. It did initially hurt but now it is more achy feeling. Inside and low abdomen.  Like I said I am almost 9 weeks but 71 and it takes longer to mend as you get older.  Just take it easy and rest, rest.  Drink lots of water.
    • susiest
      susiest JoolsB

      Posted

      Forgot to say no, I did not have pubic bone pain.  I guess everyone has pain and different healing times. Also I went in for the prolapsed bladder and the Dr. found a loop of intestine that had prolapsed behind it. In addition he ended up doing the vaginal wall repairs.  I was scheduled for 1 1/2 hours but ended up 2 1/2 - 3.  Also the anathesia can do a job on you for quite a while.
  • Annilou
    Annilou

    Posted

    Hello,

    Firstly I need to thank you for replying and contributing. I have found this to be a ray of sanity in my post op days. I think being under 40 contributed to not knowing anyone who has been through similar procedures. Your kind words and willingness to share experiences has helped tremendously (hopefully you can appreciate why I've not been telling all my friends and family what I've had done, just those who have needed to know).

    Anyway, I spoke with the Surgeon's clinic nurse today about my bleeding. While it is of some concern to be monitored, she is doubtful I've popped stitches - she suggested they have been put in very securely.

    She is going to call me each morning for the next week to make sure I'm not developing a temperature or the bleeding is worsening. I'm blessed to have such a good specialist and his team for support.

    So, reassured to a degree. I still feel like rubbish, but that is par for the course, I'm inly 6 days post op. I have taken the advice offered here and spent all day yesterday and most of today in bed resting!

    • nannylin
      nannylin Annilou

      Posted

      Good glad you have had professional advice. 6 days is so early and you really need to be kind to yourself. I am 8 weeks now I think and although I look (and generally feel ok) I am still being extreamly careful although it breaks my heart not being able to lift up my youngest granddaughter of 14 months but I am not going to undo the work of the surgeon and my hard work being 'good'. Take care
  • gigi66
    gigi66 Annilou

    Posted

    Hi Annilou

    hope you are okay after everything I just read you poor lady. I would suggest an immediate visit to your doctor. They tell us nothing in for six weeks at least. On the constipation problem you must due the fiber religiously with stool softeners. I have tried to go without for only one day and regretted it. Your body will get used to it and respond beautifully. Water of course is the best remedy. I went four days without using the JOHN. But it was worth the wait. Eventually my body did it on its own of course I had to do minimal work to make it happen. Please try not to push too much as you can do damage by straining, your body will do it as long as you are on your meds. I wish you a speedy recovery. God bless. P.S. metamucil is the best fiber, I tried Benefiber and it takes longer to work and makes things too pasty and no flushing sensation when you go.good luck

    • Annilou
      Annilou gigi66

      Posted

      Hi gigi66

      I've had an appointment with a surgeon, just not mine (he is in Fiji this week, school holidays!).

      Anyway, all my blood tests have come back normal. He did an exam and is confident everything is in tact. And took a swab, to make doubly sure.

      I've been resting non-stop. I wake up (though sleep is seriously evading me at the moment), shower, dress and then move to the lounge. When I get tired/cold (what is with being so cold?), I go back to bed for a little while.

      This seems to have been the best thing I could have done. My bleeding is subsiding, more like a lighter period), though I'm swollen down there like you wouldn't believe, and the burning sensation- it's like being post-childbirth again.

      All in all I'm starting to see some light at the end of this, one week down - five to go!

      I honestly don't know what I would have done had I not found this forum. Everyone has been kind and reassuring. Their willingness to share their own experiences has been almost therapeutic- I'm not in this alone!

      I've also made a conscious decision to tell my sisters and closest girlfriends about my surgery. I think I'll start off by doing a survey and find those that won't jump on trampolines with their children or do star jumps/jumping jacks - tell tale signs for me not everything was right!

      Thank you!

    • JoolsB
      JoolsB Annilou

      Posted

      Glad you are feeling better. My motto to all awful things is 'This too shall pass' but sometimes it takes a bloody long time! I am now on 4 sachets of Movicol a day, bags of liquorice and glasses of prune juice. You would think that I am never off the loo but still finding it quite painful to move my bowels. But better than it was so must be improving. I agree with you that this Forum is brilliant - who else wants to hear about our excitement at having a poo. Lol. Stay perky. X
    • janice41238
      janice41238 Annilou

      Posted

      I cannot be happier for your progress even if it seems slow.

      It is amazing how I have been able to take something from everyone here and apply it to my experience. To even help explain to my poor husband what my needs are. Such a blessing.

    • gigi66
      gigi66 Annilou

      Posted

      hi Annilou, happy for you and relieved as well. I'm glad you did not cause yourself any damage. In an emergency any surgeon will do I guess as long as our minds and worries can be put to rest. I know what it is like to have a fail. My first surgery for rectocele failed and I have been in pain and physical therapy for nine months. I just had my surgery 6 weeks in now. This time it was done vaginally. I feel better and it feels like its right. Like you I am trying not to do anything to bother anything. As for the tiredness it is right and part of the whole procedure. The cold feeling I guess it is the body letting us know we are going through big changes and we are not taking it as serious. The immune system is weak. I am still in pain and swollen, so lets just take it easy. I can relate to the finding this forum feeling. I thought it was just me in the world with this problem if it was even a problem. I had no idea what was wrong with me until the surgery failed the first time around. 

      Now I am glad it did cause my urosurgeon fixed my rectocele and a few other problems I had no idea were even there. I didn;t think anyone out there even knew about these issues existing. Anyway, hang in there. Please don't feel guilty about laying around, like I do, lol, it is what we have to do. Some people still don't understand cause we do not fit the sick profile, but your body wil tell you to rest. Do not listen to any negative comments from anyone, concentrate on you. I am at the point of no sleep I am so rested;  and not being able to lift or push or do anything that requires strength and effort is driving me insane. continue resting and follow the doctors orders to the T. God bless and praying for a speedy recovery

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