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How do you cope with work after an op

Posted , 11 users are following.

lynn66084
lynn66084

I go to see the urogynocologist in a couple of weeks for a rectocele prolapse, maybe bladder too. 

I'm not worried about them poking about, but I am worried if I have to have an op, because my job means I'm on my feet for 6 hours a day minus 20min break, plus it involves heavy lifting.  Anyone else in the same situation,with heavy lifting, how long were you off work?

I'm 54yrs old.

0 likes, 47 replies

47 Replies

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  • jane91365
    jane91365 lynn66084

    Posted

    I am also concerned about going back to work. I am one week post op for posterior and anterior prolapse and bladder sling. I am a teacher and am very busy all the time. I do not intend to return until after christmas. I have 2 years until retirement. Just considering retirement early?
    • lynn66084
      lynn66084 jane91365

      Posted

      I would do it if I could but I have about another 14yr before I get to retirement.  I guess it's something you have to seriously think about.
  • nickie54687
    nickie54687 lynn66084

    Posted

    Hi Lynn,

    I returned to the desk job part of my work after 4 weeks and after 6 weeks was allowed to do more of my duties including some heavy lifting.  I saw surgeon at 4 weeks and then at 6 weeks and finally at 12 weeks.  I will have one more appointment at approximately 6 months after they do a cystocopy to ensure everything is still all good.  I was very happy to go back to light duties at 4 weeks because I don`t have paid sick leave.

    My surgeon said if I had had constant standing and heavy lifting, that I would have had to wait until between 10-12 weeks.  I am 71 and in Canada.  From the forums I have been in, it seems the "rules" re lifting and working vary from country to country.  The UK seem to have much more restraints on what you are allowed to do than we have in Canada or they have in US.

    The surgery was definitely worth it though.  My quality of life now doesn`t even compare to living with the prolapses over the year just before the surgery.  It was very hard at work before the surgery and I feel 10 years younger now that it`s done.  And being able to do everything I want to do is very liberating.

    Good luck in whatever decision you and your surgeon decide upon.

    Nickie

    • lynn66084
      lynn66084 nickie54687

      Posted

      I hope everything is still going well for you.

      Just have to go by what your consultant says,in the long run.

  • 1jackie1
    1jackie1 lynn66084

    Posted

    hi lynn, im 18 days in now after bladder and bowel opp, but not goin bk to work till january and i clean peoples houses for a living and then only i will be doin a couple of hours aday .... just remember what you have been told and get told after the opp but spk to the nurses and your consutant ..... good luck and take care ......
  • lynn66084
    lynn66084

    Posted

    Thank you everyone, it's nice to see positive responses , will just see what they say, touch wood may not be as bad as I think.
  • elizabeth43211
    elizabeth43211 lynn66084

    Posted

    Hi Lynn, I had a total vaginal hysterectomy and anterior and posterior repairs almost 12 weeks ago. I've done well but have been very careful re lifting limits, ie 2 kgs after the op. I went back to work after 8 weeks, on half days for 4 weeks, with a lifting max of 5 kgs and have given up the heavy lifting in my job forever. I soon find out if I've done too much as I get a swelling feeling vaginally. The maximum weight I can lift the rest of my life is 10 kgs. Best to go really cautiously and rest as much as you can especially in the early weeks. You want this op to be your only op. There were times I was really worried I had done something wrong but this site is great; I got a lot of information and support here over the weeks of my recovery. Many women say that it takes months to really feel yourself again so it takes a lot of patience but it's worth it to have my problem fixed!
    • lynn66084
      lynn66084 elizabeth43211

      Posted

      That's quite a lot you have gone through, I hope your feeling better.  It seems the best thing,what everyone says is to take it slowly.

      I'm hoping I can get away without the op, if I can stick the job for another 4yr when our mortgage is finished, it won't be so bad. Suppose it depends how long things take to drop further.

  • Over_it
    Over_it lynn66084

    Posted

    Hi! I am 13 1/2 weeks postop from anterior repair, NO mesh or sling. I was stage 3-4 before surgery and still have a stage 1 prolapse after surgery. The surgeon used my own body and tissue and was happy with the results. The surgeon said that the tissue is not new, obviously it's my age, 55, and it will still have a tendency to stretch, as it did before. I am much better than before surgery and would definitely still have the surgery if I knew then what I know now. 

    Listen to everyone when they when they say to take it easy, even if you feel you can do it. You will be sore for a couple days when you do something you shouldn't. Surgeon told me not to lift heavy things and to never do repeated heavy lifting...EVER. I still feel pulling or pushing when I squat or bend over, must be the new normalsmile Otherwise, I feel pretty good. 

    As far as sex goes, some positions are more comfortable than others, but over all, pretty good. Per recommendations on this forum, we tried coconut oil instead of KY or other "normal" lubricants and we both found it to be way superior to the others. We will always use coconut oil, no mess & stickness, good for you and absorbs into your skin well. Lubricate both of you before any penetration and should work well.

    Hope you do well. I used a support garment after surgery, which was designed for those who opt not to have surgery, and it helped tremendously. I still use it if I'm going to be on my feet for an extended period of time and it really helps. 

    I also use vitamin E to moisturize (the coconut oil helps also). 

    We have one body for our entire life, we need to take care of it the best we can and give it the best opportunity to heal.

    Good luck to you and God Bless!

    Trish

     

    • lynn66084
      lynn66084 Over_it

      Posted

      Thanks Trish,

      God,this getting older thing is no fun is it lol

      I thought an operation would sort out a prolapse totally, did they offer you the mesh or sling, seen a lot of bad comments about the mesh though.  Not sure what a sling is though, maybe need to look up.

      At least your feeling better for it. The coconut oil, is that the food grade one.  I want to be able to keep up with sex, because it makes me feel good, helps to de-stress.  The internet is good but sometimes you read things that you maybe shouldn't like some women can't do it anymore after the ops.

      I have to be careful because of infections, like I only use water to wash the vaginal area.  Doc told me no soap, nothing in the bath, not even the stuff designed for women, like femfresh.  I felt disgusting when she told me, but you know what, water by itself does work, even on periods, though I do use the very slightest shower gel for the back end. So need to be careful what I use.

      So I guess digging on a garden will be out too, if I have op.

      Thank you

      lynn

       

    • Over_it
      Over_it lynn66084

      Posted

      I was not offered mesh, but we did talk about it and my surgeon said he does not use it, it's not worth it with all the trouble it causes. I was not givin the option of the sling or " tape", and hadn't heard of either one until I joined this forum, which was after I had surgery. 

      I did chat with a lady on here who was having cadaver tissue of some sort used, which may be a good option. I tried to research it, but couldn't find anything on it. I have also lost track of who it was, but would be interested in her results.

      I also had a rectocele about 30 years ago when I was in my mid 20's, using the muscle from my uterus, which they removed at that time. My surgeon said it is still looking good and I haven't had any problems with it. So happy they didn't use mesh.

      Most of the stories I have read that have a lot of problems, especially with sex, have had mesh used. I don't know if it makes a difference, but I am in the US and my surgeon was totally against the use of mesh.

      Yes, this getting older thing is tuff sometimes, but it sure beats the alternative!

      Blessings to you!

      Trish

       

    • lynn53651
      lynn53651 lynn66084

      Posted

      Lynn

            The best coconut oil to buy if you are using it as a lubricant is the organic all natural coconut oil from the health food store. That way you are not getting anything that is no natural that you are applying to very private parts. The natural organic coconut oil is very healing and very good for your skin inside and out. Lots of people use it as a lubricant for sex as well. If you have an operation digging in the garden will be a temporary no no, until you get back on your feet and have rested for several, several weeks. What stage of prolapse do you have and is it a bladder prolapse and are you in pain with it or not?

                                                Lynn

    • lynn66084
      lynn66084 Over_it

      Posted

      I have seen on a forum somewhere that there have been lots of problems with the mesh, so don't think I would go that way.
    • lynn66084
      lynn66084 lynn53651

      Posted

      I don't know yet, just want to be prepared, I don't think it will be bad, It's a rectocele, (bowel) see the urogynocologist on the 12th.  The doc said I had a rectocele but she said my womb was fine, didn't mention the bladder, but I do leak.
    • lynn53651
      lynn53651 lynn66084

      Posted

      Are you constipated? Just wondering, because a lot of pushing will contribute to a recotocele prolapse? Are you able to move your bowels okay without struggling etc.

                                                      Lynn

    • nickie54687
      nickie54687 lynn66084

      Posted

      Lynn since you mention you are having surgery by a urogynocologist, I would not worry about mesh.  I had some concerns and my urogynocologist showed me the mesh urogynocolosits as opposed to gynocologists use now compared to the "old" mesh they had issues with.  Incidentally, the problems with the "old" mesh happened to 1 of every 100 patients who often were found not to have followed post-surgery "orders" about what to do and what not to do.  I would definitely mention your leakage to the surgeon.

      I am 3 months today post surgery and no problems - and no signs of problems.  I would go with whatever your urogynocologist wants to use for the best outcome for you.  Mine said there  were other options but there were more recurrences with prolapses if they used any of the other options currenty available.  She had heard of cadaver tissue but there was still little evidence that this worked any better and some evidence showed it could deteriorate.  She is the specialist not me.  I went with what she recommended and am pleased with the result.  No more leakage, no more prolapse and a normal life for the first time in a very long time.  I am 71 so this might have been part of her recommendation.  Take everything you read into consideration but in the end, it is yours and your surgeon's decision.

      Nickie

    • lynn66084
      lynn66084 lynn53651

      Posted

      No usually the opposite actually, Had a few accidents when fairly loose, can't stop it.  Very rarely constipated.
    • lynn66084
      lynn66084 nickie54687

      Posted

      Thanks Nickie, your right, they know best, but still hoping I don't need op.

      The one thing I would do is do what I'm told though.

      Lynn

    • 1jackie1
      1jackie1 lynn53651

      Posted

      after having posterior repair just over 3 wks ago  and still suffering slight constipation now and then i dont push at all but makes me worry the prolapse will come bk
    • nickie54687
      nickie54687 1jackie1

      Posted

      Hi Jackie,

      I am 3 months post surgery and still need to take two colace each day.  The surgeon said in my case it would likely take up to 6 months to get back to normal.  In the first 3 weeks, I had to take Senakot every day; then for the next 2 weeks, 1 every other day.  And at three months, I still need to take one every 10 days or so.  The surgeon explained that the bowels had to be shoved to one side to do the hysterectomy and to repair the bladder first.  So the stage 4 tear was the last to be fixed so the bowels were out of place for quite a while (surgery took 3 hours in my case due to bladder resection).  She told me this at the six week check up and she has so far been dead on in timelines.  So do whatever you have to NOT to get constipated.  As long as you taper off as time goes on, it's all good.

      Nickie

    • Over_it
      Over_it lynn66084

      Posted

      Haven't used mess in either of my surgeries and would never even consider it.
    • 1jackie1
      1jackie1 nickie54687

      Posted

      got an app to see my surgeon 27th oct so hopefully putting my mind at rest so will let u no how things go ... but in meantime hope your recovery goes ok x
    • nickie54687
      nickie54687 Over_it

      Posted

      Hi Trisha,

      After a long look at my options and the fact I had a great surgeon, I am not the least bit concerned about the mesh used.  It was my only real choice at my age and I feel great.  My prognosis using it is much better than if I had tried any alternative.  To each her own I guess.

      Nickie

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