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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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  • polly31782
    polly31782 Guest

    Posted

    I have just had a bladder prolapse repair done a week ago. Please can anyone tell me should I still be bleeding a week on. Thank-you for your help.Polly
    • moira34394
      moira34394 polly31782

      Posted

      Depends what you mean by bleeding. Fresh, bright red blood probably means you should ask someone. When I had my posterior repair and tvt, I had to use pads for 4-5 weeks, but that was just like the tail end of a period.
    • polly31782
      polly31782 moira34394

      Posted

      Oh thank-you Moira. I actually did manage to get hold of my Dr. finally I was panicing about the bleeding. He said I was to see if it got any heavier over weekend if it did I was to go to A & E straight away. Thank-you for your help.

       

  • LadyPink
    LadyPink Guest

    Posted

    At the age of 69 I had a posterior and anterior (Cystocele and Rectocele) repair done October 2013 and had fresh bleeding for only a few days - three or four, but a brownish discharge in drips and drops for about 5 weeks. Nothing excessive. 

    Nine months on and I am delighted with the results and so pleased I went ahead with the operation. 

    • polly31782
      polly31782 LadyPink

      Posted

      Thank-you for your help Lady Pink. But I now have another Question I very foolishly bent down and picked up my Grandson who had fallen down and was crying now I am terrified I have undone my repair I can't actually feel that it has dropped down but am not really sure how I would know. Its 2 weeks tomorrow since my repair

       

  • LadyPink
    LadyPink Guest

    Posted

    Dear Polly

    Oh dear me.. I can't stress enough how crucial it is for you NOT to do ANY LIFTING, carrying, pulling or anything like that - not for several weeks and then maybe months.  Even shopping bags, or heavy kettles of water are a NO! NO! 

    I hope all is still well as far as your operation is concerned, but the only way for you to tell, is to have a feel and also look with a mirror. 

    Could I suggest that next time your little grandson falls over and cries, DONT rush and pick him up, go down to him on ONE KNEE, put your arm around him for a hug to soothe his pain, then when he has calmed down, gently lead him by the hand to show him a favourite toy or distract him in some way. Tell him "Granny has a poorly tummy and I can't pick you up right now" he'll understand. Is your husband around to help with lifting and carrying? 

    Sorry to sound so bossy, but my husband watched me like a hawk after my op, to see that I did as I was told. He drove me mad at times and it was soo frustrating not being allowed to do my usual things. Anyway, it was worth it in the long run. We ladies don't realise how much strain we put on our muscles in that area do we, so we need to be extra careful at a time like this, when they are healing. 

    Fingers crossed now, I hope all is well but do take things easy. This is WHY they say the recovery period can be 'challenging'. LadyPink

    • polly31782
      polly31782 LadyPink

      Posted

      Thank-you Lady Pink for your advice Stupid thing is I know all of this it was just for a second in the heat of the moment I did this. My Husband was furious with me when he saw me, like yours he watches me all the time. I have had a look and feel and I think (Fingers crossed) I have been lucky this time. In future I will think before I act. Thanks again.

       

    • LadyPink
      LadyPink polly31782

      Posted

      Hello again.

      Brilliant to hear you think all is well. We all do silly things at times don't we, but I guess that's the way we learn - from our mistakes. 

      Now just take it steady and before you know it, you'll soon be back to normal. 

      All the best.  Lady Pink

  • moira34394
    moira34394 Guest

    Posted

    4 months post op, my main memory of it all is not the pain, boredom or bother of asking others to do everything, but the anxiety, 'Have I wrecked it??' It was silly, because I was so careful, but every twinge caused a sleepless night. After the haematoma I had an appointment to see the consultant after 3 months. I asked about lifting babies, buggies etc, and he said no problem, just don't move heavy furniture or sacks of compost. I was very happy for 2 weeks, then got a chest infection, and coughed incessantly for 10 days. This can cause a prolapse! Nothing protruding, but wasn't sure if inside felt the same. Back to GP ~ prolapse minimal, nothing to worry about. At least till the next worry!
    • polly31782
      polly31782 moira34394

      Posted

      Oh Moira I know just what you mean 3rd week into my operation its very frustrating not being able to do anything and novelty of looking after me rapidly wearing off from Husband point of view!! Every night I think I may have damaged myself as I have read such horror stories of how easy it is to do. I don't have a cough but I do suffer from Hayfever and keep sneezing nonstop despite nose spray and tablets so if I can't sit down I have to hold myself instead. Oh well see how it is when I go back to Hospital.
  • LadyPink
    LadyPink Guest

    Posted

    Dear Moira

    I know what you mean about worrying. I had a bout of coughing three months ago following a cold, which really worried me, plus once or twice I have sneezed and wet myself a bit. Now I try and pull up my pelvic floor muscles if I have time to -  and that has helped. 

    My surgeon/consultant was a lovely youngish lady who I found really honest and approachable. On my last appointment before she discharged me, she said "Now go home and have plenty of sex!" I must have looked at her shocked. "Well, plenty of sex is really good for those important muscles" she said, with a big grin. 

    As I am into a relatively new marriage since being widowed, I can recommend that kind of physiotherapy too AND it makes you relax and stops you worrying.  (Keeps husband happy too!)

    Lady Pink

    • polly31782
      polly31782 LadyPink

      Posted

      Hi Lady Pink Thanks to you and Moira I am learning more about my Op. than from any other source its nice to discuss it with 2 Ladies who have had it and speak sensibly about their recent ops. Thanks to both of you. Polly
  • moira34394
    moira34394 Guest

    Posted

    Yes, apparently an orgasm is the best type of pelvic floor ex! I'm still waiting to see the gynae physio, so will post again if there's any more information. Going back to the coughing, I actually sat down and held tight down below when having a fit. I think it must have helped, but you could still feel the force of downward pressure from the cough.
  • gigi66
    gigi66 Guest

    Posted

    Hello everyone, I have been looking on my computer for people who have had the same procedure I had done, RECTOCELE REPAIR, EXCISIONAL HEMORRHOIDECTOMY. I thought there were not as many people going through this experience, until I found this page, thank you for sharing, makes me feel better that I can talk or write about this and not feel wierd. I am from New York, USA.  I had the repair and hemorrhoidectomy done five days ago. I am in a lot of pain and discomfort. I know this is to be expected for the first two weeks I was told by my doctor. I have been trying to be somewhat active around the house, mopping slowly, getting up on my own, but from reading all your comments I think I will stop and wait til I heal a little more. I am very scared about the healing process going wrong. I too wonder what sex will be like, alrhough I feel like my vagina is somewhat tighter. I tried to put my fingers to see if it would be different, felt okay.  I am terrified it will be loose, never had a problem. I guess I'm being a dramatic. I am managing my pain okay with meds so far.  I pray I heal as good and quick as you Kiki, that is a blessing. I will continue to post about my recovery for the next two months. Again thank you everybody, this will be my therapy.
    • LadyPink
      LadyPink gigi66

      Posted

      Hi gigi66, Welcome to our Forum Page. Well, you are still very, very early into your healing and recovery aren't you so I do think maybe you ARE expecting too much too soon.That part of our bodies is particularly sensitive so it's natural that things will be rather swollen and tender down there. At least you say your painkillers are keeping on top of of things and I'd say it will probably take around three months before you feel back to normal. Even then, the secret is to take things SLOWLY. For the time being, DON'T be doing ANYTHING! (Apart from a slow walk around your home just to get your blood and muscles moving.)  I'm sure you will have been told the importance of a diet with plenty of fibre, fruit and roughage with plenty of bland drinks too This all helps to keep the bowels working and prevents constipation. Sitting in warm water is wonderfully soothing at a time like this too. If you don't have a bath, try fitting a bowl of water into where you sit on the toilet and sit for two or three minutes - but no soaps or body washes. I had a rectocele and cystocele prolapse repair ten months ago and everything has now healed excellently. Looking back it's hard to remember the frustrations of the 'challenging' recovery period. We females DO have the ability to forget pain and discomfort very quickly. The vagina should go back to being as good as ever and sex if you take it easy at first, will be absolutely great and even better than before. I feel like a teenager again - shame they couldn't do a facelift at the same time - well I am almost 70. HaHa. Just take it easy, accept help around the home whenever or wherever you can and all will be well. This is one time when you have a good excuse to be lazy so be a 'lady of leisure' because believe me, you'll soon be back to doing those household chores. Take care of yourself and dont rush things it'll all be worth it in the end. Best wishes from LadyPink

       

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