Normal or not? Worrying for nothing?

Hi alybee, it really is a shocker isn't it! I'm normally really active and to just be forced to rest because it physically hurts to walk for more than 20 mins has been so hard. I feel like the sofa has actually moulded around my ever growing bottom lol. It's so reassuring to know that someone feels exactly the same. Are you in the uk?

Hi Matron, I had no advise on what to expect pre op, just the usual on no lifting etc. Nothing about what to expect with all the aches, pains and that everything I'm feeling is probably normal. What you've said however does make perfect sense now I think about it. Blimey, this really is one hell of an op! It's knocked me for 6... I just thought I'd breeze through it and be back to normal after say 5 weeks... How wrong could I have been lol. Thank you once again for your advice. Maybe you should write a book about the post op haha... I know I'd have read it cover to cover at least 20 times by now!! 😊😳

Hi Resting,

 yes it's good to know we are  in the same boat and yes this sofa has definitely  changed shape and there was a big dent where I keep sitting LOL. Matron should def write the book. I mean I knew it was no picnic and I had seen these  posts  before so I didn't expect much but when I felt better after a few weeks I thought it would go upwards quickly instead of back to square one more or less. Yes I am in the UK, London op and still no aftercare.

 Let  me know when you feel better or  things really change and I will too. I keep hoping it's the next day and then I get up and it all starts again !

Hello Resting. I have worked in gynaecology for a lot of years and I had to have a posterior and anterior repair and it knocked me for 6 despite all the advice I'd been giving ladies. It made me a better nurse in the same way after having children it made me a more compassionate midwife. You can't describe what it's going to be like until you've been through it and I am now doing some work with my local Health Trust looking at the advice given following all gynaecological procedures and we hope to role it out to all NHS trusts.

I'm amazed at just how much has changed when it comes to the advice  is given  and what to expect following surgery because that was always something I would stress and it was made clear in the written information given on discharge. It would stop all the anxiety I read about here. Please keep in touch ladies and let us know how you are getting on.

 Thanks matron, I was told absolutely nothing and received no papers. except a list of meds.When I asked about exercise the consultant said do what you like and if it hurts stop. They said there would would be discharge for two weeks where is it is clearly  6 unless I am abnormal  and nothing about what to expect or what to do.  Also to use the oestrogen cream whereas the nurse discharging me said no wait so I asked the  dr at home   who said take it and then I read on the pamphlet  wait  2 wks after an op  so I waited . All very confusing. I will report back after my check in 2 weeks.

thanks for all support.

Alybee this is major surgery and a lot of people including professionals forget this so it must be treated as so and very precise information should always be given. It's hardly surprising some surgery isn't successful.

I think you are right to raise the issue of aftercare and after advise... I'm in Northamptonshire and although my surgeon was/ is fantastic and very reassuring, there is no written information regarding after care. I fell into the trap of looking towards the golden '6 week moment' when all would be normal again but I can see now that that is naive of me!

Thank you though for reassuring even though I'm sure you've heard the same problems a thousand times before 😊

Hi bresychen,

This forum has been beyond helpful, if I hadn't found it I'd have just worried myself to death! You're so right that it is so incredibly boring and so incredibly frustrating with the 'up and Downess' of the recovery.

It seems like forever! Matron is right; I definitely feel like this operation is kind of played down in terms of how long the recovery is.

But hey ho, I've read encouraging stories on here so there is light at the end of the tunnel 😜

Keep in touch and maybe we can all cheer each other up!!!

Hello bresychen. I don't know what your job is but I really think you are going back too early. I hear Urogynaecologists say as I do "listen to your body". If you don't feel as though you can do a days work and still have some energy left over then it's too early.

Regarding the guidance. A lot of guidance out there is too prescriptive because not every woman heals and recuperates the same so this will be far wide ranging and will be different depending on the type of surgery a lady has had eg with mesh etc.

Hi Matron. Maybe you're right but I will create a lot of bad feeling. Because of the advice I received pre-op I promised work I would do quite a bit from home during latter part of my recovery. I haven't! If I organise it well I can sit most of the day. I have a footrest which just takes the pressure off my stitches. I will probably try to work short days as a compromise.

BTW on the advice you're putting together, I meant it's a great idea and you should definitely push to get it rolled out (rather than can you provide it now). I would have managed other people's expectations of me very differently if I'd known more.

Onwards and upwards! My husband is going to put all the kids' clothes on the bed tomorrow and I'm going to sort out what's too small/got holes in etc.

I wish I'd found this forum sooner. I worried myself sick. At my lowest I spent two days just weeping. My poor husband was simply bewildered. I think someone should write a separate guide for the person looking after you.....

Lovely sharing with you ladies!

I'm pleased you won't be on your feet all day. The work I am doing is with other professionals and there's a lot of work involved but one of the pieces of advice is probably going to be not returning to work before the 8th week and only after a post op check by the consultant. When I had surgery I went back after 13 weeks but on graduated return for the first 4 weeks.