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My Anteria and Posteria Repair

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HappyLady
HappyLady

Hi Ladies,

Prior to having my Anteria and Posteria Repair, mainly due to problems going for a poo, when to be frank it felt like I was trying to push the poo sideways out of my bottom, resulting in lots of pain and blood - making me very unhappy. After reading this and other forums, which I found very helpful (which is why I'm contributing now in the hopes that this helps others) I decided that although some people had not had a good experience it was worth the risk rather than putting up with the pain for the rest of my life (47 at the time).

On examining me the Dr found that I had significant bladder weakness too and he suggested that he could improve both - he did seem to focus on the bladder a little when I kept telling him it was my bum that was more of an issue - I digress a little as you know how dismissive doctors can be and how hard it is to stick up for yourself, especially in this area which not only affects you physically but psycologically as it impacts your sexuallity and self confidence too.

So I had the op in May 2013 and I recognise a lot of the other post-op entries on this forum but the main instructions were - 3 Golden Rules, number 1 - don't lift more than half a kettle for 6 weeks. Number 2 do pelvic floor exercises or it will all come back and need doing again. Number 3 make sure you stick to rule one and two.

I took 8 weeks off work (I have a desk job and a supportive employer) and followed the rules I, 2 and 3. Yes it was difficult and very frustrating also for the family to remember when you look fit and able but you can't bend to pick stuff up as it would pressure where you shouldn't have it.

It wasn't all plain sailing with pain and concern about stitches not disolving as quick as I hoped but I wanted to let you know that now (9 months on) I feel more confident, sexy and in control of my bodily functions. The Rectocele hasn't made things perfect but things are still improving even after so long so perhaps it will get even better but if not, its much much better than before.

Regarding the sex, thats better too and one thing I wanted to share - I noticed significant dryness for around 6 months, around the scar tissue but I', happy to say that this is also is improving.

Basically well worth having done and I would advise anyone to go for it. Prolaps issues should be taken much more seriously by GPs as it is embarassing to discuss and we deserve to feel 'Right' and everything that entails!!

27 likes, 278 replies

278 Replies

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  • carole20067
    carole20067 HappyLady

    Posted

    Hi, I am new to this blog,

    I have had my second operation for both anterior and posterior repair 12 days ago.

    this operation has taken its toll on me, I have been re admitted to hospital with an infection , impacted constipation and a splintered on my cocyc. Ihave spent 7 days in hospital , the care I received from the nurses was fantastic. At home now and I have been told to watch out for heavy bleeding but does anyone know how heavy or light it should be. I also still have a catheter in situ, hopefully it will be removed on Thursday.

    as I have had endometrial ablation, I only have the lightest of periods now. At the moment I am going through around 10 sanitary towels ( night time size ) is this normal ?

    can anyone help !!!

    • donna68613
      donna68613 carole20067

      Posted

      Hi carole, hope you are recovering and things are improving for you. I'm going in to have surgery on the 24th. Can i ask if your bleeding has settled down?  Daft i guess but i never realised there would be alot of bleeding thought once it was stitched it would be fine.
    • kathyc85
      kathyc85 donna68613

      Posted

      Hi Donna, I had an anterior repair just under 9 weeks ago & started back at work last week. Just thought I'd let you know I had no pain whatsoever ( not sure if that was due to the skill of the surgeon or the old saying' where there's no sense, there's no feeling!) and very little bleeding.  It was like the tail end of a period for a few days. I had to keep reminding myself not to do things I would normally be doing at home. I don't want this to sound glib, but more to say that everyone is so different. 

      Hope it all goes well for you and recovery is easy.

      K

    • donna68613
      donna68613 kathyc85

      Posted

      Thankyou, i hope mine is straight forward as well. I watched the op on youtube and wished i hadn't.  Can i ask did you have to see you gp for a sick note? i think my consultant is only going to give 4 weeks. Do you think i will be up to going for a meal the week after as its my best mates 40th? On a more personal note should i go in shaven not been told.(the things we have to ask)

      Thanks again D

    • kathyc85
      kathyc85 donna68613

      Posted

      Hi Donna, I watched the youtube vid. as well and I have to say it did make me cringe a bit! I was advised by my headteacher's PA to ask for a sick note to take home with me when I left the hospital which they did. Apparently though, hospitals can only give you up to six weeks, so I was told to go to my GP after that which I did, but he looked surprised that I'd asked for more time off, (I was under the impression I could, and probably would have 12 weeks from what I'd read and people had told me) as he said the routine recovery period is 6 weeks. Having said that, he did give me another two weeks, and I think it depends on what type of job you do. I also didn't find out until the day before I returned to work that if I wanted a phased return to work, that was a box on the sick note,(or as it is now called, 'fit note')  my GP should have ticked, and he seemed disinterested in this when I said I didn't think I could afford to lose any wages at the moment, he just muttered something like 'oh well, that's up to you'. Do be sure to ask as although I felt fighting fit, my job is very active and despite finishing an hour early on my first day back, I felt totally exhausted when I got home, and work have been very good in letting me ease back in for a week or so.

      If you feel as well as I did when I came home, as long as someone could ferry you around and fetch & carry, and you aren't going to be too active, remember LOTS of sitting around and only gentle pottering to start off with, your appetite may not be up to much, but see how you feel, I would have happily gone out as long as it didn't involve too much moving about. As for your last query, I wasn't told to shave, but was asked by the (male, slightly embarrassing!) nurse before I went into theatre if I had shaved 'the area being operated on' recently, which I hadn't, for about 2 or 3 weeks, but don't think they did anything anyway. It may depend on the hospital or surgeon.

       I hope that helps, the worst problem for me was feeling sick after coming round from the anaesthetic, which is normal for me anyway.

      Best wishes, & good luck with it all, make sure you start your kegels as soon as is comfortable for you!!

       K

    • kathyc85
      kathyc85 donna68613

      Posted

      Hi Donna, I have just realised it is today you're op is booked for, I meant to message you before to say good luck, & don't worry, but hopefully you will have already had it done by the time you read this.  Let me know how it went.

       K x

    • donna68613
      donna68613 kathyc85

      Posted

      Thanks Kathy

      I'm waiting to go to theatre, going down around 12. Was asked if i wanted a spinal or to be fully asleep. I've chosen to go to sleep don't fancy being awake while the Doc's messing about down there. 

      D x

  • dawniedaf
    dawniedaf HappyLady

    Posted

    Hi there..i hope no-one minds me joining in but im in a bit of a pickle..4 weeks ago i had an anteria repair.  Following the op i had the catheter removed but couldnt pee at all..then i got an infection and had to go back and forth to the hospital trying to wee with no luck. They taught me how to self catheterise (which i found most distressing), but now 4 weeks on i still cant wee properly.  First thing in the morning i cant go at all and have to self catheterise,  during the day i can wee a tiny bit, more like a dribble but have to keep going to the loo, and never feel 'empty'. Has anyone else had this problem as im really getting stressed that i will be left like this  forever? 
    • judyp65
      judyp65 dawniedaf

      Posted

      Hi Dawn I have been looking for someone who has had this same problem 😊 hope you can help, I have just had a anterior repair for a prolapse and buttressing were they put  stitches in your bladder hoping it will improve my overactive bladder, and like you I cant wee after I am 6 days post op and i have to use throw away catheters which is hard to get send to after a few days I have had the tiniest drops of wee coming out but just praying it will all return to normal soon, the consultant said it's probably just the swelling. Can you tell me if you are back to normal and if so how long it took ? The worst thing again for me is the consistent urges I get were I feel I need to wee all the time and having to use  the catheter more than normal or just sitting on the toilet more than every hour to feel like you are actually desperate to go to toilet and nothing comes out 😞 hope you have fully recovered from your op and hope you can give me something positive. Thank you .
  • donna68613
    donna68613 HappyLady

    Posted

    Hi ladies, i had my op done friday morning. I'm in a little pain but managing with painkillers while lay in bed its fine. When i stand and walk the ache in my bottom brings tears to my eyes. I have not yet been able to have a Bm and think I'm scared. I'm taking lactulose also alpen for breakfast and a fibre drink supplement. Any suggestions to get the first one over and donw with?

    Donna

    • moira34394
      moira34394 donna68613

      Posted

      Hi Donna, I remember worrying about this. After 4 days when I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable, I used a gel suppository from Boots. Did the trick within half an hour. Since then things have been fine, and I realised that the dreadful constipation had been due to the prolapse, and also contributing to it. 3 tips, which are for life, not just while recovering:

      1. When having a bm, sit with your feet up, either a grow-tall step, or a squatty potty, or anything that raises your knees higher than your hips. This will make it effortless (or at least much easier)

      2. Just wait. Also blowing out gently through your mouth (little breaths, not blowing up a balloon) If nothing happens, give up and try later when you feel the urge.

      3. DON'T STRAIN This is the worst thing you can do

      I have also started taking probiotics after having so many antibiotics for bladder and chest infections, and they seem to really get things going. Plus, all the fibre in the world won't work unless you really do drink loads of water. 2 litres a day is not an exaggeration.

      Hope you get some relief soon!

       

    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 donna68613

      Posted

      Plenty of fruit especially prunes (not juice) and 3 pints of water each day.  Alpen would not work for me - the nuts are hard to digest and would bung me up!!

      Hope you have been able to move things along as I notice your post is 2 months ago.

      G x

  • nicola19969
    nicola19969 HappyLady

    Posted

    I just had a posterior and perinium repair on friday morning, 

    Im already fed up with being sore and uncomfortable. I keep getting little not so nice shooting pains. I just want to be better now sad

    Bm scare me. I have lactulose but im still scared to let it pass. Feeling down today

    • donna68613
      donna68613 nicola19969

      Posted

      Hi Nicola, i too had my op friday.  Its only early days for us yet. I am also afraid of having a Bm and think subconsciously i must be holding back. Something needs to move soon i don't want to get worse. I think i will have to do what moira did and get a suppository from chemist. 

    • nicola19969
      nicola19969 donna68613

      Posted

      I have been sitting breathing trying to let nature work it still makes me very anxious. Finding it hard with the kids wanting to play, 3yr old wanted carried to bed and tucked in que tantrums when I couldn't grant his wishes sad
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