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

Thanks for the encouragement Jools.  I too am still bowel obsessed but I have resolved to try and just live with it until it gets better.  The doctor did say it would take a long time to recover.  The pain I am getting in the lower abdomen is mainly when I stand up - it's like the old menstrual cramps for a few minutes (I am 71 - it's been a while...) But my butt is getting better  - sat on wooden church benches with minimal discomfort.  And they have always been hard!  Now that my my panic and feeling alone with all this "stuff" has been helped by this forum, I already feel better.  The swelling is a bother cause it's very hot here near Ottawa Canada and most of my clothes still don't fit - I look 3 months pregnant for heavens sake!  So again thank you.l

I think this Forum has been brilliant - like having pen pals with same illness! Didn't realise you were in Canada. Hot weather not a problem here at the moment - torrential rain and gales all today. I am not swollen but have put on weight through lack of exercise and a strange post op longing for all things sugary! So happy  you  don't feel so alone any more. Stay perky.

I couldn't agree more that this Forum has done more for me than the weekly phone calls to my doctor's office.  "It's OK"  doesn't really pass muster when one has strange things happening that no one warned you about.  I do feel like like you are a penpal who has gone through what I am going through now.  I have not gained weight - in fact my appetite is down -  but I am slim to begin with so the swelling is quite obvious with most of my clothing.  I had to buy new underpants for heavens sake - my normal ones are far too tight.  I go for long walks every day and have been walking since about two hours after surgery.  The nurse seemed surprised I preferred to walk to an easy chair rather than stay in a hospital bed.  The chair was much more comfortable.  By the way, I assume that your adjective of "brilliant" means you are somewhere in the UK.  I worked for the British High Commission here for 13 years. Thanks again.

Hi Nickie,  I have been following a couple different discussions and I also am 71 and had extensive work done.  Small loop of intestine,stage 3 bladder prolapse and vaginal work.  Tuesday will be 11 weeks postoperative and I still get quite uncomfortable.  Mornings I feel good but by early afternoon I am done.  Lower abdomen achy, vaginal soreness, little pricks and pains.  

Saw my surgeon Thursday and he said he is pleased and everything looks great in there.  I told him I had given myself a six month recovery period and he thought that was great.  I have a feeling they want to assure you that you are doing well and will figure out the recovery.

also I wanted to say I used Estrace cream every day for six weeks prior and six weeks after surgery.  Now twice a week.  Also I was advised to take colace twice a day for bm and I have not had one day since I came home from the hospital without having one.  Now I have cut back to one every night and it still works. Whew, I did just share here.

Brilliant deduction!! I live in Bridport in Dorset which is in south west England, two miles from the coast - very beautiful area.

Thought so!  Nephew was from Britain, daughter went to visit and is still there - married with 3 children. They live in Bristol.

Hi Susie.  You can see my reply to Jane that other than the constipation thing, I am doing fine.  I just came back from my walk - I am up to 3 kms now (1 1/2 kms downhill but 1 1 /2 kms uphill on the return journey).  I saw your earlier post re the cream.  I had the cream before the surgery but I am not allowed to use for the first 6 weeks post surgery - different surgeons, different instructions but then likely different surgeries as well.  The two colace tablets, prune juice, oil and fibre have not worked so far.  I probably should be counting my lucky stars that I am at the stage where I can hardly wait to get back to work next week. and that the constipation issues are the only thing I can complain about!  Thanks for your input.

Hi Nickie, 

I'm  near Ottawa too, in Aylmer. I just had a posterior repair and tvt done July 14th. What did you have done?

Linda

hi Lindie - I had a vaginal hysterectomy with anterior (bladder) and posterior repair (level 4).  I had it done on July 3rd - 11 days before you at the Civic.  I actually live In MacLaren's Landing - about 2 kms from the Ferry from Quyon to Fitzroy so you are fairly close (rural part of Ottawa).   The highway on the Quyon side takes you directly to Aylmer.  How are you doing?

Hi Nickie, who was your surgeon? I had Dr. Baker and really liked him. I'm recovering very well from a posterior repair and tvt. My surgery like I mentioned was July 14th ... Two weeks tomorrow and I feel pretty much back to normal. Occasionally sitting is a but tender. Walking is fine. I feel the stitches pulling a bit as part of the healing. My energy levels are good but I do tire a bit faster. I am NOT doing any lifting or heavy housework but getting back into routine with dinner and laundry minus carrying the baskets. They said no driving for two weeks so back at it tomorrow I've gone shopping and I've done groceries but always had someone do the lifting and carrying. I work in a high school close by so I'm off for the summer which  is perfect. I go back third week of August. I'll be fine by then

How are you doing?

Hi Lindie.  My surgeon was Dr Schachter.  I liked her very much and her nurse and office staff have been really good as well.  My butt was really sore for a while but it's OK now - test was wooden church bench Saturday! I have been walking since the surgery day increading the length I walk each day.   My only real problem was with constipation but I took 2 tablets of  Senokot-S (a natual source laxative) and it worked - yea.  First normal (not loose and not rabbit pellets) bowel movement in three weeks this morning and the discomfort  in my abdomen has disappeared .  I started driving at two weeks as well and am being very good with the instructions given. I had help for the first 10 days post surgery and we have been on our own since then.  My husband is disabled but can walk so no lifting involved so resumed caregiving then.  I too have an issue with groceries.  The store puts the stuff in the car but I am getting really good exercise bringing the items into the house - many trips. One carton of 12 pepsi is 9.8 lbs - geez louise.  The clothes hamper was moved to the laundry room  so no basket to lift.   I return to my desk job on August 1st (3-4 per week - no heavy work).  The only additional duty is valet parking (I work in a retirement residence) but that won't be a problem - except for one new car with a standard transmission!  Sounds like timing of your surgery was perfect.  I have no sick leave so I am glad to be well enough to go back to work after 4 weeks plus 1 day. 

Hi. Firstly, don't stress about it all - it's not as awful as you might be imagining. I am five weeks post op from double prolapse op and apart from constipation (make sure you take Movicol - forever if need be!) and some pain if I stand for too long - I feel fine, almost normal and certainly better than before operation. For first 3 weeks I made sure I had lots of rest, laid down every afternoon and didn't do more than read, bit of sewing and watched television. Being so lazy paid off as I don't seem to have had any complications or infections. I do my pelvic floor exercises twice a day and there is no pain from them. Hopefully you will be absolutely fine and back to work after couple of months. Positive thinking! Be brave and good luck.

Thanks for the advice, I too love sewing!

Hi Jane - I had the hysterectomy done at the same time as an anterior and poster repair (stage 4).    At 58 you might as well - I had no problems with the hysterectomy at all.  Other than the constipation, I have had no issues except for intermittent lower abdominal pain and a sore bum and swelling.  The bum is OK now. Went for a walk a while ago and met a neighbour who is a surgical nurse.  She is convinced the pain I have in the lower abdomen as well as a lot of the swelling is likely mainly caused by the constipation. I have been having oil, prune juice (both yuks but bearable) and  I have been taking two Colace tablets daily  but have only been able to "go" once every other  day and only a little - bowels still not really moving.  She suggested I call doctor tomorrow and enquire about something called Senokot.S - no drugs in it, all natural products, and she swears it works every time.  The pharmacist agreed and even suggested I need not call the doctor but I am not doing anything until I check.  If this is OK and it works, I will let you guys know.  I have a part time  desk job (except for valet parking which is walking which is good for us).  It is fast-paced but not really demanding (3-4 days a week).   I have had no issues with fatigue or anything else so if I can ever really "go", I am sure I will feel much better.  I was able to drive two weeks after surgery and the doctor sees no problem with returning to work in 4 weeks.  I think we are all different and it's hard to predict but I was so uncomfortable with the prolapses (bladder and uterus) prior to surgery that I would not hesitate having it done at all.  Hope all goes well with you. If you have sick leave which I don't, taking off until Christmas sounds really good!  Good luck and keep us posted.

Just so everyone knows, doctor approved Senokot S.  She says anyone can use it - but like anything else not every day.   It worked beautifully.  Went this morning for the first time in over 3 weeks, no loose or rabbit pellets - just normal - yahoo.  And at the same time, the pain in my lower abdomen felt a little better this morning and by this afternoon, it's gone completely.  I am about to do a light housecleaning of my house - boy does it need it.  I must be feeling a lot better because I didn't notice how bad it was until about half an hour or so.  So check with your doctors if you wish but if there are constipation problems, "go for it".  Her exact words.

I just love that we are all so interested in and excited about each others bowel movements! Well done you - hope it continues. I am still on two sachets of Movicol each day and not stopping it any time soon.

Hi Jools, Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would every join a forum - and definitely not one about bowel movements - lol.  I guess it's only funny now that I have some resolution.  I just looked up Movicol since I had never heard of it.  Guess what.  It's the same as Senokot S here in Canada!  If I hadn't felt so lousy when I first joined this forum, I would have done this long ago.  So we have both come to the same medicine that works - just different names in different places.  Hope others are able to take advantage of our previous issues.

Hello, I had my op. early June 2015, Rectocele, anterior & posterior. I am relieved to have found this forum. I was in hospital for 4 days , I had my op under general anaesthetic. Immediately after my operation I felt really good, don't get me wrong I was very sore, I said to my Consultant I felt as though I had been kicked by a mule! (never been kicked by a mule) I had expected to feel sore, so no surprises there. I was worried about my first BM and had not done one by day 4. On day 4 day of hospital discharge, I said to the Doctor that I was feeling unwell and in a lot of pain, that I felt I was getting worse not better, and had a weird yellow dicharge,  their reply was  'this is to be expected, you have just had major surgery" Not wanting to make a fuss I accepted this explaination. My vitals were all over the place....warning signs that all was not well? Doctor did not seem to think so! So I was discharged.  I went home that evening and had a normal BM, I was so pleased it was ok, because that was by far my biggest worry. But the next day when I had a BM I collapsed with the excruciating pain in my lower back, I just fainted flat out, The discharge was much worse,  same thing happened on the Sunday.  Monday I went to see my GP because having spoken to the ward sister asking for advice I was told to go to A&E. Well the state I was in, it was not possible for me to sit for hours on end in A&E. My GP  had a quick look "down below" and said that the discharge and by now the awful smell was indeed an infection.  However when I finished that course of antibiotics I was back to square one, fainting with low back pain, this time I immediately went straight back to the ward, as my consultant had advised me to, I had a battle on my hands to be seen, but I refused to take no for an answer, I  had blood tests  and a swab taken, the results showed nothing present, I was not surprised having just finished a course of antibiotics!  I was sent home with more antibiotics. Again on completion of my second course of antibiotics,  I went straight downhill, severe pain and fainting. and heavy yellow discharge, by now it was like someone had switched on an internal tap!  I went to see a different GP. I did not have the energy to do battle with the ward staff again!! This GP gave me more antibiotics, this time it was a double course, yet again, no inprovement, so I was finally admitted back on the ward after yet another battle with ward staff and my refusal to go to A&E. I was put on a drip of antibiotics and after 4 days started showing signs of improvement, I returned home to complete the course in tablet form. The fierce lower back pain did not reoccur. I then saw my Consultant 20th July. Nothing was discussed about the previous  6 weeks events. After examination The Consultant said they were not happy with my recovery and I now have another appointment for 17th Aug. The reason I am telling you about my experience is , hopefully to help anyone who may be having this operation in the near future. In my opionion and from my bad experience, my advice to you is, if you are not well or have any concerns have them addressed as soon as possible, my regret is that on day 4 post op, whilst I was  being discharged. I wish I had asked to see my consultant, I knew I was not well and for weeks after I kept blaming myself for not standing up for myself! I have now come to accept that the doctor who was discharging me was not really listening to me, their job was to discharge patients on day 3 or day 4 at the latest. Second regret was taking prescribed antibiotics before a swab was taken (the GP had not taken any swabs). This caused no end of problems for subsequent tests because having been on antibiotics for 7 days all tests taken after that were no good! So don't be afraid to request swabs to be taken. Painful? yes,  but a must so that the doctors know exactly what they are treating. During all this time I could not get an appt. with my Consultant, their secretary would not entertain the idea of giving me an appointment. I have sinced learned, my GP could have arranged for me to be seen by my Consultant as an emergency. So if you find yourself in my position,  seek help from your GP.  So now 8 weeks post op. I am just beginning my recovery and long may it last. I take Dulcoease one every night and so far so good. I find I tire very easy and some days are better than others. Oh, one of the things we are not told is, not to bend/lean  forward whilst sitting down, I did and oh boy did I feel my stitches pull! I have been very fortunate to have my family to take care of me, I have not had to lift a finger and have been able to rest and do absoutley nothing more strenuous than doing crosswords! I am 60 and retired. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and don't be afraid "Stand up for yourself"  I wish I had done so. Oh one more thing, the post  WIND does go away!!