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Posterior repair for a rectocele

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I am going into hospital next week for a posterior repair to hopefully sort out the rectocele I have had for the last year.

I would be grateful for any information and comments from anyone who has undergone this procedure.

I am very nervous and embarrassed about the whole thing. I will definately leave comments on my experience once it is over.

12 likes, 223 replies

223 Replies

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  • LadyPink
    LadyPink Guest

    Posted

    Good luck with your operation. No need to be embarrassed either. Once you are with other ladies you will find you feel very relaxed and will be discussing your symptoms along with everyone else. A few good tips for afterwards: do drink plenty of liquids and eat plenty of fruit and roughage to prevent constipation. Take laxatives if these are prescribed too. And, please please don't try to do too much too soon. Make the most of your convalescence - at least 8/10 weeks. 

    I am 8 months post op after a rectocele and cystocele prolapse repair with a perineum tightening too- and I am no spring 'chicken either' being a young 70 this year but still pretty active - if you know what I mean. It's going to be well worth it you'll see. Let us know how you get on. 

    • jennie43338
      jennie43338 LadyPink

      Posted

      Ladypink, you have made me feel a little more positive about my problems. I am due to have an op in the next few months. I have a rectocele and stress incontinence. I have been given leaflets on TVT and colosuspension and I imagine I have to decide what I want to do. When I asked what would happen about the rectocele the Doctor said they would sort it out at the same time. I know I will have to ask lots of questions at my next appointment and my main one is what happens to our sex life?! I have been married second time around for 6 years and we had a very satisfying sex life until these problems increased. You have put my mind at rest a bit but other posts make things sound pretty dire. 
  • jennie43338
    jennie43338 Guest

    Posted

    Hi, I am 57 yrs old and have a rectocele and stress incontinece. I have been advised I will have surgery in the next few months but I am very confused. The Doctor gave me two leaflets, one for TVT and the other for Colposuspension. I asked what would be done about the rectocele as this is as much a problem as not getting to the loo to wee on occassions. She answered that they would 'sort that out at the same time'. I know I can ask questions when I go back in two months but would like to hear anybodys comments about their experiences. I am petrified my sex life will disappear as I remarried 6 years ago and it is important to us both. Thanks.
  • LadyPink
    LadyPink Guest

    Posted

    Hi Jennie43338, You are in a similar situation to the one I was in last year.  I was diagnosed with a prolapse of the bladder (causing some bladder incontinence) and a rectocele, which was worse. I was told all about the operation needed to correct this condition by my lovely lady consultant surgeon but like you I was still extremely concerned and anxious. Like you too, at the age of 68 I had not long remarried (after being widowed) and suddenly I was having a wonderful sex life again. I didn't want anything to jeopardise this. On more than one occasion I made up my mind to cancel the operation which had now been set for October. I finally went and chatted with my GP who really put my mind at ease, then I read and researched on Google and watched procedures on YouTube (scared myself some more) however at the last minute I decided to have it done. Jenni I was soooo glad I did. It's well worth it and my husband is delighted too! You will read some horror stories on websites but take them all with a pinch of salt. Not many people write and say how successful it was - I AM. Go for it. Things will only get worse if you don't. Be prepared, so there'll be no surprises, ask as many questions as you can think of no matter how daft you think they are, and be prepared to take it easy for the first 10-12 weeks. Then whoopee!  I didn't have a TVT so I must have had that other procedure and the rectocele was done by folding over the bulge and then stitching it like a pleat I guess. Gradually the folded bit has sort of shrunk and all smoothed out- oh and I also had my 'baggy perineum' tightened which has made a vast improvement. 
    • jennie43338
      jennie43338 LadyPink

      Posted

      Hi Ladypink, Thank you so much for your reply, it has helped me a great deal. Do you mind me asking questions as I think of them? Did you have a bikini line cut for the op? I am worried about that as I had a major op due to an ectopic pregnancy nearly 30 years ago and my stomach muscles have not been the same since. I can understand why you were on the verge of cancelling the op, I think I will feel the same. Once again, thank you for your encouragement. : )
    • LadyPink
      LadyPink jennie43338

      Posted

      Hi Jennie, All the repairs were done via the vagina. Don't ask me exactly HOW, but that's what they did. So no cuts through the abdomen or rectum at all. Amazing the way modern surgery has advanced, don't you think. And with me having a 'tidy up' of the perineum area too (my lady surgeon said and I quote "It's all a bit 'baggy' down there!") all in all I was thrilled with the result. (I did ask jokingly if she could do me a face-lift at the same time, but sadly she said she couldn't. What a pity!). Best wishes.
    • jennie43338
      jennie43338 LadyPink

      Posted

      Hi, haha pity about the face lift, I would like a boob job!! Thanks for letting me know about the op, I am gaining more knowledge from you so I can plan my questions. Thanks so much.

      Best wishes.

    • carol1951
      carol1951 LadyPink

      Posted

      Hi LadyPink

      Did you have the op done privately or on NHS?  I'm hoping my NHS surgeon will give me a 'tidy up' when he repairs my rectocele.

      Kind regards

      Carol

    • LadyPink
      LadyPink carol1951

      Posted

      Dear Carole,  

      No I didn't have my ops done on the NHS, I had them done on the NHS. As for the 'tidy up' that was my surgeon's idea and suggestion. I felt a bit 'hurt' when she spoke of my 'lady bits' as being a 'bit baggy'- HaHa - but bless her, she did a good job that when she was discharging me 10 weeks later, I just had to give her a kiss on the cheek to show my thanks.

      If your surgeon hasn't said anything about this to you, I would certainly ask him/her if this is needed. 

      I have to stress that this is a difficult time when recovering. After the initial discomfort of say, a week to ten days you begin to start doing the chores you did before. It is sooo important to TAKE IT EASY. Let the housework wait. Walk around a little more each day and do remember the pelvic floor exercises. I bought one of those 

    • LadyPink
      LadyPink carol1951

      Posted

      Sorry Carole - pressed the reply button too soon.... Meant to say 'after you are over the initial discomfort' you FEEL like you want to resume your usual chores around the house etc but DONT. It's so important to rest and let everything settle down. The recovery time can be challenging but just remember not to overdo it by being on your feet too long or lifting anything. 

      I did did my pelvic floor exercises (when I remembered) and even bought one of those pelvic floor exercisers that you see advertised in ladies magazines. 

      Sex began again after around 14 weeks and the difference was noticeable. So much than I could have imagined - and this was one of the main things I worried about as I was only a year into a new marriage after being widowed. Now it's hard to remember I've had it done.

      I'm sure all will go well for you too.  LadyPink

       

    • carol1951
      carol1951 LadyPink

      Posted

      LadyPink

      It's unclear in your first sentence whether you had the op done privately or on the NHS!

      I have written a letter to my surgeon about my 'baggy bits' and have an appointment next month.

      I've been using a pelvic floor toner and strobe for the last seven weeks and am noticing the difference already.

      My physiotherapist said the rectocele op can make the stress incontinence worse; did you notice that?  She said the stronger the pelvic floor muscles are before the op; the better the results.

      Good to hear your positive comments regarding sex; something for me to look forward to!

      Thanks for info and advice

      Carol

       

    • LadyPink
      LadyPink carol1951

      Posted

      Apologies Carol, that's what happens when you're not concentrating. I was trying drinking a glass of wine - I'm away on holiday at the moment. I was trying to say I did have my op on the NHS and had been referred to my local hospital by my GP. 

      Sounds like you are getting well prepared. I do wish you well with everything. LadyPink 

    • jennie43338
      jennie43338 carol1951

      Posted

      Hi Carol, how are you getting on? Can you tell me if your op was done via a cut in the abdomen or through the vagina? My Doctor has recommended either the colposuspension or TVT along with repairing the rectocele at the same time. I cannot find anyone who has had the op via the cut below the bikini line & to be honest I would rather have it done without being sliced open (again!) Jennie
    • philippa_35766
      philippa_35766 LadyPink

      Posted

      Hi Lady pink... I had a rectocele repair

      8 days ago.... I asked about the follow up appointment... I was also wondering if the pain I am experiencing is normal... Apart from the sore stinging feeling, which obviously is the stitches which probably haven't dissolved yet I have a really quite strong period type pain... I was wondering if you experienced this?  

    • moira34394
      moira34394 philippa_35766

      Posted

      Hi Phillipa

      I had a period type pain for weeks, but it eases eventually. It didn't seem to mean anything.

    • philippa_35766
      philippa_35766 moira34394

      Posted

      Hi Moira.... Thankyou for your speedy reply!  Its a great comfort to know that if other people have the same symptoms then it's probably the normal and expected recovery. 
    • moira34394
      moira34394 philippa_35766

      Posted

      Yes, that's what so good about this site. I'm 5 months post op now, but still get prickly sensations. This surgery is a much bigger deal in terms of recovery than I expected. When I had my appendix out I was back to business as usual after a couple of weeks, but I'm resigned to the long haul of watching and being careful with this.
    • LadyPink
      LadyPink philippa_35766

      Posted

      Hi Philippa, Yes I had the same period type pain which as someone had already said, begins to ease as your recovery progresses. It's still very early days so take it easy and relax; you're bound to feel sore. Look at it this way your body has been through a trauma, so give it chance to settle and heal. Everything sounds fine, so try not to worry. Take care. LadyPink
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