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HELP!! Sorry for the drama but just out of hospital, SSF, Anterior & Posterior

Posted , 5 users are following.

KJ1234
KJ1234

Hi All

Last monday I had an Anterior & Posterior repair and Sacrospinous fixation (reattached my womb!!!)  I'm now back at home and have a lovely bladder infection (I think catheter caused) which is adding to the pain upon pain.  Along with the constant pain down my right bum check and leg (how long will this go on for?!) I have just made the mistake of doing a mirror examination....I can still see my womb at the entrance of my vagina, and some very nasty looking black stitches and skin bulging either side....is this right? Has my surgery failed 5 days in?  I would love any advice from women who have been through this!

Thanks!

KJ x 

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Jan999
    Jan999 KJ1234

    Posted

    Oh dear the last thing you should do is have a look but I know lots if women who do and then panic. Firstly, no your surgery won't have failed. You'll be very swollen and will remain so for a few more weeks. So please don't worry. The pain down your right side is absolutely typical and it's caused by the trauma of surgery and the internal sutures. Position during the operation is also a cause because your legs are strapped in lithotomy poles (very undignified I know). I presume you've got antibiotics for your UTI so drink lots and lots of water, take your painkillers regularly and don't miss a dose just because you may be feeling a little bit better. Hope that helps.
    • KJ1234
      KJ1234 Jan999

      Posted

      Thank you Matron for your quick reply - its certainly reassuring. I hope the leg pain subsides as sitting on a chair is not really an option if I plan to get up again! Have been eating my dinner standing up smile I have antibiotics for the UTI now and have just taken my first dose so I'm hoping things will start to feel a little better in a few days.  Are you sure its not failed ? - what I can see is exactly how it was before - a pink bulge with a little hole in it (guessing its my cervix)  right at the entrance..... 
    • Jan999
      Jan999 KJ1234

      Posted

      I'm sure it hasn't failed and what you describe is swelling that's going to take a long time to settle. This is why it's so important to rest and not lift. I've read  particularly on this website of ladies getting a mirror, having a look and gone into a state of panic. None of them had surgery that had failed. Please don't look again, well not for 12 weeks anyway. Don't worry but keep in touch x
    • KJ1234
      KJ1234 Jan999

      Posted

      Thanks - I won't look again...for a while! x

       

  • ros2015
    ros2015 KJ1234

    Posted

    Hi I had Sacrospinous Fixation and posterior repair 2 and a half weeks ago. The buttock pain is caused by the sutures into the sacrospinous ligament in the pelvis . My surgeon forewarned me that this can happen.I sympathise as the pain is extremely wearing, like continual toothache! Mine lasted for 2 weeks. I found relief from a heat pad and from lying on my side in bed. I was tempted to ask for stronger painkillers as found that paracetamol and ibuprofen didn't really touch it.Hope you feel better soon
    • KJ1234
      KJ1234 ros2015

      Posted

      Thank you Ros2015 - nice to hear from someone going through the same thing. Keep in touch!
  • Resting123
    Resting123 KJ1234

    Posted

    DONT LOOK!! You're mad!!! It's so swollen afterwards, I'm amazed you actually saw anything!

    I honestly spent weeks thinking the surgery had failed but I know now it is just swelling so please don't panic yourself.

    At 5 days post op I could only stand for maybe 5-7 mins at the most. I spent most of the time laying on the sofa and having to occasionally roll myself off onto the floor so I could crawl after my 2 yr old! 😂 I felt like a weeble!

    The first I looked was about 5 weeks and it was still really swollen then. As for the pain, if is very uncomfortable and gets very tiresome but ibrobrufen is good. I went to GP after 7 days as I too had a water infection, he said that it is very common after catheter fitted and once that had cleared up I was much more comfortable.

    It's easier said than done but try not to worry about every twinge, pain etc and think that it's failed...I didn't take this advise but wish I had now!

    Take care

    X

    • KJ1234
      KJ1234 Resting123

      Posted

      Yes I know...won't be looking again for a while! Am more comfortable standing or lying on my side - sitting it out! Can't bear the pain! Will keep you posted! KX
    • Jan999
      Jan999 KJ1234

      Posted

      What analgesics have you been given?
    • KJ1234
      KJ1234 Jan999

      Posted

      Am taking paracetemol, Ibuprofen and at night I take 2 Nurofen plus (but dont want to overdo the codiene as of course I'm constipated and my once flat stomach looks 4 months pregnant!)  I am also on antibiotics for a painful UTI.  It feels like my stitches are stinging today....I think i may now have thrush to top it all.  This is very hard...
    • Jan999
      Jan999 KJ1234

      Posted

      The antibiotics could give you thrush. If you have any Canestan at home use that ot try and get someone to get some from the pharmacy tomorrow.
  • KJ1234
    KJ1234

    Posted

    UPDATE:  Day 10 and I have had an appointment with my consultant as I have a nasty bladder infection (from the catheter). He checked me and everything looks good and in the right place! He said my cervix is up high and what I can see is the swelling and the stitches and told me NOT TO LOOK AGAIN LOL!   The pain I have in my right leg and buttock is much better today and I'm starting to feel a lot more mobile already  -although standing for too long I start to feel 'heavy' down there.  I am reassured that my surgery hasn't failed and now know that I HAVE TO take it easy and allow myself to heal.  Much of the pain came from the infection, which is subsiding due to the antibiotics and my surgeon said I have had major invasive surgery, a SSF is more complex than a hysterecomy, so we must give ourselves the time to heal.

    I totally undersestimated the recovery process, but am now getting my head around it.  My surgeon said everything is going well, and in about 3 weeks I will feel like Ive turned a corner, in 6 weeks I will start to feel myself and by 3 months everything will be perfect!  This makes me very happy....no pain no gain! 

    Thanks for all of the amazing advice I have recieved on this forum, it really is amazing. I shall update again next week (I may not be so positive as that period week....wink 

    K xx

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