Posted , 12 users are following.
Hi I have just had a anterior and a rectocele repair 2 days ago and I am in such agony . I can barely sit down and I was just wondering how long I should expect to feel this way. I was released on the same day with no aftercare information so I would be grateful for any advice from someone who had had this done please . Thank you
1 like, 48 replies
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Rodeomom175 janet01834
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janet01834 Rodeomom175
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Rodeomom175 janet01834
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I also took Senokot for a week or so after which is a light laxative/stool softener. This helped a lot so there wasn't any constipation and therefore no straining. Straining can be quite painful and also is not good for the site to heal. I hope you feel better soon. I'm 4 weeks post-op and still have a hard time sitting for any length of time. It does get better 😊💕
sheila89754 janet01834
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Carolmaria janet01834
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I agree with Grace that it's best to take pain killers for a while. I took Ibuprofen & paracetamol regularly for about 2 weeks as I too found it very uncomfortable to sit down. Lying down, standing (but not for long) or walking was better for me. I use a coccyx cushion for sitting which helps. Good luck.
Taff1234 janet01834
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janet01834 Taff1234
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robyn94818 janet01834
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Go to Genitourinary home page and click on South Tees information and it's got all the info you need for post-op. Take pain meds regularly by the clock, not waiting till pain is real bad. Write down the times you're taking them so you can make sure you're taking them when due. Codcomol is real bad for causing constipation & that's the last thing you need. Drink heaps. But you do need stool softeners. You can take panadol 3hrly for a few days until pain is under control. Great combination with Nurofen. But Nurofen is 6hrly. Totally forget pelvic floor excercises at this stage - that's the least of your worries, but from me - don't even think about them at all while you are struggling. You're already sore enough and while it's all so swollen inside there, your not going to be able to do them anyway.
janet01834 robyn94818
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Thank you Robyn! I really appreciate the advice. God us women really do go through the mill don't we!
sherry11721 janet01834
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I hade a grade 2 rectocele repair done in the US, went home the same day, I couldn't void, so went home with an indwelling catheter that I ripped out after six hours. I am a nurse. I voided just fine afterwards. Also had a sling operation which was a success. The rectocele repair was pretty rough , I will be honest. I couldn't take the pain pills, because I was so stowed up from constipation already. So I took dulcolax oral tablets at the recommendation of my surgeon and after five days post op, things started breaking loose. At last, relief. After that I stayed on stool softeners religiously, drank lots of water. Six weeks post op, I am now feeling human again. Until now, my perineum felt heavy and swollen. Thank goodness, it feels normal now. Feel free to ask any questions if you have more. I will tell you that I regretted the surgery the first week...thinking what the hell did I get myself into.
janet01834 sherry11721
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Thanks Sherry , I am feeing that way at the moment . Day four and I am still so sore and can hardly sit comfortable at all.
Did you have a follow up appointment afterwards as I don't seem to have one and this morning I had a stitch in the tissue when I went for a wee. Thought 4 days was a little early for the stitches to dissolve or is that ok?
Carolmaria janet01834
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Hi Janet. I haven't got a follow up appointment either. I was told if I had any problems to ring & hopefully I'd be seen. Not very satisfactory as I've no idea what is classed as a problem! That is why I'm so pleased to have found this forum as the lovely ladies on here have put my mind at rest over so many worries.Take care.x
janet01834 Carolmaria
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Yes exactly , my stitches feel tight and I am wondering if that's just starting to heal and it's the swelling . I also find that If I have wind I almost jump out of my chair with the pressure feeling. Just wondering again if that's all just normal.
robyn94818 janet01834
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janet01834 robyn94818
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janet01834
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robyn94818 janet01834
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Immmm. Don't want to freak you out but that is a little early. They should stay for 10 days. There's probably lots in there so maybe one coming undone & out is ok. But just for peace of mind can you ring your Surgeons office.
janet01834 robyn94818
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Thanks Robyn I went to the Dr today's and she checked it out and said it was fine . Looked like a odd bit of a stitch but said the stitched site looked mildly infected and gave me anti biotics . That may be why it was still so sore .Thanks for your response x
janet01834 robyn94818
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I went back today for a check up after a week on anti biotics for a check up and the infection had gone but I am still in so much pain. The Dr ( who is a gyne Dr) said the stitches are too tight and this is why it's so sore!
What a crap magnet I am!!
I have to let the swelling go down further and go back for him to check it again and he will reassess it!
Pain relief and rest for me!!
sherry11721 janet01834
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Oh no Janet! What did your MD say about the stitches? Will they loosen over time? I will tell you that until 5-6 weeks postop, my stitches felt tight, too. Especially at the posterior vaginal wall right at the perineum. Like a tight "V", not the soft rounded normal tissue. But I guess this is the new normal for us. My surgeon said at 2 and 6 week postoperative exams that all looked good. The tightness has decreased now at 8 weeks. Gotta run...
janet01834 sherry11721
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He said it was all still swollen so he will check again in 2 weeks and see how things are going but he looked very concerned at how tight they were.
This must be why they are still so painful as most people on here seem to be ok with the stitches afterwards.
Can I ask how you all got on with intercourse afterwards because right now the thought makes me cringe after being so sore
sherry11721 janet01834
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Hi Janet,
Haven't crossed that bridge yet...
am interested in what others have to say about this. Honestly, the idea still makes me cringe, so I'm not pushing it.
😎
sheila89754 janet01834
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I was told 6-8 weeks, then my surgeon said 12 weeks, I thought she was joking, she wasn't!
At nearly five months sex is still painful, we've not tried it many times though. I had a hysterectomy too, initially it was the posterior repair, so tight you couldn't even get in. ?? Now it's deep inside, I think it's the vaginal cuff or vault, slight bleeding and sore.
Oh dear.....
It all takes far longer to heal, internally, than I'd anticipated.