newbie here..2 weeks post cystocele, rectocele and vaginal hysterectomy..with alot of questions....

Hi just had my op for rectocele last week. Don't feel too bad but bloated and stomach cramps. Have had good poo so far with fibre drinks. Bit of bleeding but nothing serious. Feels like a big lump at the edge of my vagina and am wondering how long before this goes down. First week off work and frustrated at not doing anything.  I think the boredom factor is going to get to me!!! Hope you are doing well.

Denise.

Its sounds like you are probably a nurse with a hectic work schedule.

I sympathise and I am sure in time you will get back to your usual self.

Many women have posted on this site and your heading has promoted many answers. This must be a time issue and everyones body is different as we all heal at diferent rates.  Get better soon

I have learnt now that there are different surgeries out there and depending on the specialist they choose what they are most familiar with. Also I believe there is a slightly overlapping of disciplines out there too, if you have polapse in all 3 compartments. 

I have prolapse in all 3 compartments so I may have to have a surgery too.Did you have a recto-pexy for your bowel and bladder?

This is when bowel and bladder are supported with mesh via tummy,

And vaginal hysteectomy too underneath?

Or did you have everything done under?

This is something which I may have to consider at some stage.

I asked a few ladies below if their prolapse was worse at end of day prior to surgery. The answer is yes, as this should be the case.

With me I wake with discomfort in my anus early morning and this discomfort stays with me the whole day. I have bought a ring to sit on, and this discomfort has been creeping on for 4 years now, and starting with a pushing sensation I thoght initially originating from my back primarily in the beginning at night time.

Now my discomfrot is 24/7 but primarily anal discomfort even though my womb is at the entrance of my vagina.

I am not worse at the end of the day but wake up in discomfort from the moment I wake.  Sitting is difficult and I now have bought a blow up ring via Amazon which may in fact help you for a bit. I bought the square one helps out especially now while Im typing this on my lap top.

So for me It is difficult for me to help my pelvic floor or anal end with exercising as it is though there is a foreign object stuck there. 

It was mentioned to me although I do have prolapse in all 3 compartments, and it depends on the degree before us women have surgery that I may have Pudendal Canal Syndrome. It is something I had researched but Im not a medic so put it to one side.  I may go with an injection in the bottom as a diagnostic if it works then it could be that I may need a releasing of a nerve and this could be the reason for my feeling of a foreign object in my bottom.  

I mention this for any other ladies who come to these sites.

It is a may be and I may try this initially as it is not a surgery, and in my case my prolapse is not worse at the end of the day.

As I said I do have prolapse in all 3 compartments however I guess it depends on the degree if I go with a surgery or not.

I have some other complicated medical history which I shant go into, so I need to get better first and then have this injectiion as a first port of call.

I also need a CT and ultrasound as I have much tummy and groin pain which may or may not be related to some internal prolapse, (intussception).

I hope you and the other women who have all have SURGERIES get better soon.

Sandra 

Hi Denise,

Whatttttt?!? .....There is absolutely no way you should be thinking of returning to work at 6 weeks!!!!  Sorry to be so blunt but just listen to what others ladies here will also tell you. This is a serious operation you have just had, it's still very early days and the way you look after your body during this recovery time is crucial. Forget what medical professionals have told you about "you'll be back at work in 6 weeks" that's a load of tosh. This recovery time is known to be 'challenging' and it is just that but, if can you rest, rest, rest, with your feet up for most of the time, no housework, no lifting anything heavier than a full kettle, no lifting kids or anything in fact, and no driving - then and only then, you'll have fantastic results. I don't want to scare you by my comments but I'm telling you as a wise old bird (I'm 70) who had a double repair rectocele and cystocele with a perineum lift 16 months ago I think I know what I'm talking about. I'm sure others will back me up here. I nearly went crazy at home resting, resting, resting and being unable to to do what I wanted to do a but I can see now it was so worth it. Being on your feet at work at 6 weeks will be crazy and as you'll find out, being 'on your feet' is worse than sitting down. You have to allow your internal muscles to heal, shrink back and get used to their new positions. On your feet makes your tummy ache, back ache, things feel 'heavy' and things can 'drop'. All the hard work of your surgeon and the team, will be a waste of time. My husband arranged to temporarily work from home during my recovery and by gosh he made sure I didn't do anything I shouldn't. Now looking back I thank him. I feel fantastic. Being newly married months before my operation I had just begun to enjoy a sex life once again, somwas worried all that would end. I was so wrong - it did and yippee! So, Denise please, please take things easy, don't rush to get back on your feet and back to work. It'll be a big mistake. Those ladies who did, regretted it.  Take it easy, rest up, be a lady of leisure, forget work, forget housework that'll always be there and if you do as you're told - like me you'll feel absolutely terrific and it'll all have been worth while. How you look after yourself now will reflect on how you're going to be this time next year and for years after. Your body is precious after all, isn't it - so look after it. You be good and all will be blooming fantastic you wait and see. LadyPink

I agree. I am 6 weeks post op (vaginal posterior prolapse without mesh just layers and layers of sutures) and I've been back at work for 2 weeks. I have a mostly desk job and made it VERY clear I cannot lift anything over 5-10 lbs for a long time. The sitting has proven difficult. I even went back on pain meds on some evenings and continue to take a low dose over the counter pain reliever daily. I am only 27 but recovery has been painful. I had to drink that magnesium sitrate at one point and I am on stool softeners plus mirolax everyday. My doctor has me on it for the "foreseeable future" and I have no issue with that because, trust me, it's worth it. I hate being taken care of so post op was my worst nightmare but every time I did things I knew I shouldn't have (even if I felt well enough at the time) I paid for it later. when I went in to the doc for an emergency visit because I popped sutures (carrying things I wasn't supposed to be carrying, down stairs I want supposed to be carrying them down), my doctor lectured me like this "I know it's hard, but this is an investment. Do it right, now, and you'll reap the benefits for years after." He is so right!

You don't want to have to start over. Good luck and take it even easier than you think you should.