1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Genitourinary Prolapse

Posterior/anterior prolapse surgery

Posted , 6 users are following.

kim93478
kim93478

I had surgery 11 weeks ago. My bladder had completely prolapse and rectum was being pulled down with it. I'm 53, and was in great physical shape. Have been weight training most of my life. I had 3 natural vaginal deliveries. I'm 5ft 6 and weight 120lbs. My middle child weighed 10 lbs and was. 23 inches long. My 3rd child had to be pulled with forceps. Throughout my life, I have done a lot of heavy lifting in the gym and out. It defiantly took its toll on my body. I went back to work at 14 days post op. I'm a teacher, so I tried to not stay on my feet too much. Got tired really easy. I started walking a mile after 7 days. I have 3 grandsons, the youngest 1 year old. I did pick him up more than I should have, but couldn't resist. I never had any pain at all. I drink prune juice everynite and poop fine in the morning. I do feel some pressure in my left side of tummy but hoping that's normal. My spouse works overseas so I have no help keeping up the house and yard, so I did resume most normal chores st 3 weeks including mowing and weedeating. I just returned from vacation with my grandkids and kids and defiantly overdid it. I pulled a muscle in my back and freaked out thinking I screwed up something from surgery. After worrying for 2 days I decided to go with the flow. I suppose forever we will all worry whether or not if there is a pain here or there, it's the prolapse coming back. We are women and take care of children, parents ect. GoD made us strong so we could handle all the crap our bodies go through, so we have to live our lives and not be afraid or embarrassed about these things. I'm going back to the gym this week and I know will have to modify everything I did before, and I will. Hoping the surgeon did his job well and healing will continue and I will be fine. I sure wish I would have know 20 years ago to not try to work like a man, but for as long as I live, I will talk about prolapse, ect to as many young women as I can, so at least they are aware. I'm grateful to have found this blog.

4 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • maureen31239
    maureen31239 kim93478

    Posted

    Hi Kim

    I am pleased that you have made a good recovery. However I am a little surprised if not envious at your speedy return to normal.

    I am also a teacher and 2wks 5days post op. I have been advised to not return to work until 6 - 8 weeks and lift nothing more than a kettle of water.

    I also still have my stitches and after close inspection are all intact.

    You have given me a boost and I hope to return to gentle exercise of swimming and aqua aerobics in a week or so.

    Can you tell me when you started driving again?

    C

  • martina40186
    martina40186 kim93478

    Posted

    So glad you are doing so well so quick. I dont think I can return to my job after 2 weeks post op on thursday. I am an anesthesia/surgical assistant and work on my feet 8 hours a day. I hurt ahen on feet for an hour and after bowl movement in alot of pain sad
  • keepsmiling15
    keepsmiling15 kim93478

    Posted

    Hi Kim,

     Deep down we are always worrying after this type of surgery,  but yes we have to overcome it! I am 7 weeks post op from a PROLAPSED uterus. I hate the word PROLAPSE. But like you, need to face it and hope the surgeon did a great job. I too am telling every young and all woman i know about prolapse. I wish i was aware of it years ago. I  have also done alot of heavy lifting in my life because i needed jobs done . We have to look forward now and continue with life. Like all problems in life that come our way, we have to face them and try and solve them if and when they come up. Wishing you well Kim! Here's to your good health and life! x : )

    • kim93478
      kim93478 keepsmiling15

      Posted

      Im glad I found this forum, at least when I do feel helpless I can always get on here and know I am not alone...........
    • keepsmiling15
      keepsmiling15 kim93478

      Posted

      Kim,

      You are certainly not alone when it comes to prolapse surgery! Women do not want to talk about it because we feel embarrassed because it is our private parts. We feel so angry inside and blame ourselves that we did not take care of ourselves years ago. We even feeled annoyed for being a woman! I cannot remember how many times i have said i wish i was not born a woman! Nobody told us about prolapse years ago.I am sure it is still not known why excately prolapse occurs. Why do some women get it and others do not? We go through so much post surgery trauma mentally! You are not alone Kim. One thing i do know is i will always do pelvic floor exercises for the rest of my life! 

    • keepsmiling15
      keepsmiling15

      Posted

      i was never ever told about pelvic floor exercises after having children.
    • kim93478
      kim93478 keepsmiling15

      Posted

      I wonder about the pelvic floor stuff. 6 months before my bladder fell, I actually had gone to doctor for some fecal incontinence issues . I never peed on myself except for sneezing and jumping, so I never expected the bladder thing. Anyway, I went to physical therapy for 3 months do to biofeedback pevic floor therapy. Basically they insert a probe in your rectum which is connected to a computer and you squeeze your pelvic muscles to strengthen them. It did help with the rectal issue but obviously my connective tissue holding my bladder was the main culprit. I ordered a book and cd about pelvic floor exercises and do some but not regularly. The surgeon repaired the tissue between my rectum and vagina that had torn from having babies and a couple of bad episiotomies, so that definately helped. Just not sure how much the pelvic floor execises will help if your connective tissue is weak. So, we willl see. I never had a hysterectomy and actually still have a regular period, so that couldnt have been an issue. Sometimes they say that contributes to the prolapse, but who knows. Just my thoughts for today.

      Hope you are having a good day!!

  • martina40186
    martina40186 kim93478

    Posted

    I am 12 days post op and doing well from rectocele surgery. After I heal I am going to look into pelvic floor exercises...I also didnt ever hear of pop prolapse before I got it. 

    Am healing quite well with the exeption of painful bowel movements and sore/pain when imon my feet too long.

    Martina

    • maureen31239
      maureen31239 martina40186

      Posted

      I am 3 weeks tomorrow and as you can tell bored as I'm counting the days. But I get a dragging almost period like pain after I've been on my feet too long. Apparently my consultant says this is a mystery as it was a rectocele repair. I also try to keep regular - daily, by eating bran flakes and drinking prune juice. If I miss a day I take movicol. For me bowel movements are easier than before but probably because I needed to almost layback on the toilet for my bowel to drop back.

    • martina40186
      martina40186 maureen31239

      Posted

      I get the period like pain too when on my feet too much and pinch like pain once in a while. The stitches on area between rectum and vagina feels very strange but i guess normal. I feel the tail end of the suture...real pokey, prickley. Skin is lumpey and hard with internal stitching. Im 2 weeks tomorrow! Have dr appt on thursday, I know I cant work yet....I somehow thought I would but realize I cant....I work on my feet all day at my job, assisting anesthesia and surgery and have to help lift patients sad
    • maureen31239
      maureen31239 martina40186

      Posted

      That's reassuring that we feel similar symptoms. My external swelling has reduced slot over the last week. Internally I am not sure what is going on. I am supposed to insert oestrogen cream daily using a plunger. Last week I seemed to catch myself and I bleed so left it until yesterday. However I had difficulty with inserting too deeply. I can only assume and hope this is temporary and due to swelling.

      I also have a browny grey discharge although not offensive but requires me to wear a liner something I haven't need for many years as I had a hysterectomy 24yrs ago.

    • martina40186
      martina40186 maureen31239

      Posted

      I have to wear panty liner as well due to light discharge. Why estrogen cream?
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.