Post-op
Posted , 6 users are following.
So I finally had my post-op this afternoon following my A&P repair surgery back in February! Consultant was pleased with everything, thank goodness. Me,however, not so much, I am left with some scar tissue which won't improve now, just have to get used to the horrible feeling of it and never put a mirror down there again 😖
My daughter keeps joking that I have a "designer vagina" ....nowt designer about it, Primark all the way !!!!!
My other issue has worsened since the op, stress incontinence and overactive bladder, once again they have fobbed me off, offering me tablets that had dreadful side effects last time, so that's a no, refused me the Botox injections that worked for my friend, oh no, it's 'try physio again' see if it improves, it didn't make a blind bit of difference before the op. Everyone who I have seen for help have said my pelvic floor is good & strong. Consultant said I will probably end up having surgery to rectify things anyway! So frustrating going round in circles !!
1 like, 21 replies
phyl_40063 amchatt7
Posted
Hi amchatt,
Glad to hear your consultant is pleased with everything.
Understand exactly how you feel about scar tissue; I to have scar tissue that has been giving me trouble. I was already on topical firm of vagifem in tablet for, so GP has switched me to the topical cream to target some at the scar tissue.
It should help thicken up the thin walls and help vaginally dryness due to scar tissue.
Been doing my pelvic floor exercises regularly and up till very recent bladder/bowel working fine.
But 2/3 weeks ago overstretched scar tissue.
Am now 6 months post op and been back at work for 3 months and had been making good progress until last fews weeks, seem to have taken a step back. Still only doing my 2 contract shifts and finding things tough going as it has been busier and heavier recently. Takes the rest of the week to recover and have difficulty with pelvic exercises as my pelvic floor seems weaker for a day or two after my shifts. Also using pads again as had weepy bladder for a few days, although think that's improving.
Hoping once the scar tissue settles down again that all will improve. Have now went back to using jug to fill kettle, only putting enough in for 2 mugs and tilting the kettle to fill mugs. Buying smaller milk again. Being really careful about how much I'm doing, taking only a littld wet washing out a bit at a time and resting a lot more again. Generally cutting right back until things improve. It is so frustrating and such a long recovery and just can't be rushed. I think I was getting to complacent as I was getting nearer the 6 months mark.
Don't really know how I can protect my repair from the day to day activities that we have to do. Some things are important for health and hygiene and other things can't be avoided in that we have to earn our bread and butter. I so feel that I should be able to cope with the important things, yet feel I am struggling now. If I look back over the last month I think I probably have been taking longer to recover after my shifts as each week has passed and really just starting to realize it.
Probably need to now think of changing employment if it's not too late and I can find something else. Things will only get heavier and even busier at work in the run up to Xmas.
Anyway some of the girls in work do about 60 pelvic floor exercises a day, they kerp reminding me to do them. I am glad to hear you have a strong pelvic floor and I hope you manage to get the help that is right for you and get things all sorted.
Phyl x💖💖💖
Jan999 amchatt7
Posted
Hello amchatt I'm pleased to read your post op check went reasonably ok but sorry about the scar tissue. I'm a fan of Vagifem as phyl knows and she's brought up a good point. It's worth giving it a try because it just could help x
jan05416 amchatt7
Posted
Hi there like you i had badscar tissue after repair, which at one point my gp said it was the prolapse back, after seaking a 2nd opinion privately my new surgeon removed it 2 weeks ago and did a cystoscopy to see if he could discover the cause or the on going pain, i'm hoping matron may advise here i'm 10 months post op now and this latest op has left me extremely sore /uncomfortable not sure if i should be resting as before, and also hoping matron might advise re havin a bath, hopefully we will all soon be on the mend.
Jan999 jan05416
Posted
Hello jan. If it was a cystoscopy you had and nothing else was done at the time it shouldn't take long to recover. I know how painful it is afterwards because I had the procedure when I was a Student Nurse in the early 1970's but it isn't invasive like surgery, basically the doctor is just having a look. Are you sure it was a cystoscopy? I'm only asking because you're asking about resting and having a bath. A bath would help the soreness and any discomfort and as far as resting goes you should be ok in less than a week.
jan05416 Jan999
Posted
Jan999 jan05416
Posted
The removal of scar tissue can make you sore but not for long and I wouldn't have thought you should still be having these symptoms. You do get swelling following a cystoscopy but that settles fairly quickly. I would see your GP if it continues.
Ellie1943 Jan999
Posted
Hi Matron. A quick catchup about my appointment with consultant re prolapse op. It didn't happen as he was not in clinic on Wed!
I saw a reg instead and asked her about the porcine tape because of my allergy to polyester. All she could say was that it has to be authorised by the consultant, no one else can do this. I think it must be a budget/postcode think in this area, I don't think the more expensive stuff is used unless absolutely necessary. In my opinion it is as I always react badly to it if I wear garments made from any man made fibre and the bracelet and BP cuff makes arm swell, cause a rash too, they have to put the stockinet bandage underneath before op's to prevent this happening. I just said I was happy to have the surgery but no polyester. I now have to wait until mid November for appointment with the consultant and phone first to check he's in clinic that day. He's apparently in great demand! 
jan05416 Jan999
Posted
Jan999 Ellie1943
Posted
Hello Pollyanna. A registrar that can't make decisions! It seems such a shame that you've now got to wait but I suppose in view of your allergies it's better that you are seen by the boss! I'm not aware that porcine is very expensive but it could be that he has to perform the surgery so has to be sure he's available to do the surgery himself. When I had my out patient appointment when porcine was discussed I had a lengthy discussion about it with the Urogynaecologist and then had to sign a separate consent form. Fingers crossed he's available in November. xx
Jan999 jan05416
Posted
In that case if you have stitches you'd better be careful and take things easy for a while. So 6 weeks of being very careful. I didn't realise you'd be sutured!
jan05416 Jan999
Posted
Oh goodness i've just been trying to carry on as normal, worried now i've done some harm . x
Jan999 jan05416
Posted
I doubt you'll have done any harm but the hospital staff should have given you post op advice because they are the only ones who know the extent of the surgery. If you're unsure I would ask them.
Ellie1943 Jan999
Posted
Hi Matron. I think it's a similar situation with me. Also my age and the fact that I've had two previous pelvic floor op's in the past. They're just being extra careful I believe. I don't mind the wait as it will be the boss who does it and he was very good about getting my cysts/ovaries removed in April. That meant asking another Consultant to be present, one who specialises in those things I suppose. I appreciate that it's for my benefit and so nothing goes wrong. He really is very much in demand! Must be a good un!
xxx
Jan999 Ellie1943
Posted
He sounds as though he is good Pollyanna so I'm pleased you are going to be well looked after. I must admit I was very selective when it came to my surgery because it's important that it is performed in such a way that it will last. He is definitely worth waiting for xx
Ellie1943 Jan999
Posted
His name is Victor Chilaka and he's from Nigeria. Found some info on my local hosp trust. (Derbyshire). He's very experienced. I shall stick with him if he'll have me! lol xxx
Jan999 Ellie1943
Posted
I'm sure he'll have you Pollyanna. It's nice to read about doctors who are so good at their jobs and are well liked at the same time x
jan05416 Jan999
Posted
Jan999 jan05416
Posted
If you said you had sutures I wouldn't have given you that advice but obviously as you didn't mention it I presumed you had been cauterised as is the most common procedure.
jan05416 Jan999
Posted
Hi Matron sorry i didnt realise there were different ways to remove scar tissue thankyou you for your advice, with that in mind do you think it's advisable to have a bath or carry on with shower. x
Jan999 jan05416
Posted
One way to remove it is by cauterisation which doesn't need sutures. Regarding you having a bath, I can't advise you because I don't know what type of sutures were used.
jan05416 Jan999
Posted