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Recovery from Enterocele/rectocele/bladder sling repair surgery

Posted , 10 users are following.

pamela1937
pamela1937

Hi, I am 79  years old. Last February I had a vaginal hysterectomy and Cystocele repair. Two weeks ago I had surgery for a sling bladder suspension for incontinence also an enterocele and rectocele repair. The first week I just got up for my meals and then went back to bed, last week I stayed up longer and walked around my flat. I have a partner who is looking after me regarding meals and house work so I am lucky. I have been bleeding but that seems to be easing off, I have managed the constipation by drinking prune juice, taking the medicine once a day that they gave me in hospital to come home with and two sachets of Movalot in the evening. I still feel very weak and tired but my main problem is the feeling of soreness in my nether regions that make it painful to sit. I was wondering if it would be OK to use some cream such as Savlon to ease this? also is this normal and how long will it last?

0 likes, 36 replies

36 Replies

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  • Laura3333
    Laura3333 pamela1937

    Posted

    Hi Pamela, glad to hear you are able to get out for walks.

    Don't overdo it though, it's still only three weeks. Your surface stitches will be starting to dissolve, but the deeper ones that hold everything together will still be there for a few weeks. Shouldn't cause any problems though.

    Don't do too much standing about at this stage, just puts more dowhwards pressure on  the operated areas.

    You sound to be doing really well, give it time.x.

  • pamela1937
    pamela1937

    Posted

    Thank you Laura, yes I know standing causes me discomfort, walking isn't too bad. I was awake last night with niggling pain  in my tummy again, very low down, right hand side, still here today so I am resting today and it seems to be easing off, not sure what brought this on really as I am trying to follow the rules. Thank you for the information about the stitches.

  • pamela1937
    pamela1937

    Posted

    Hello again, I seem to be getting  a bit stronger, doing a fewl ight chores but not lifting or anything strenuouss. I walked further today, went to town on the bus and to one shop, my partner carried the shopping but tonight I have had some slight bleeding again, is this normal please. I had my op on the 9th October and would have thought things would be healed by now so I'm a bit worried.

  • Laura3333
    Laura3333 pamela1937

    Posted

    You've overdone it Pamela, just a bit too much too soon. Please be more patient with yourself. I wouldn't say it's normal, but considering the activity I wouldn't worry too much as long as it stops. If it doesn't, ring your GP.

    But it's probably just your body telling you that you've done too much. No you won't be totally healed for a few weeks yet.

  • pamela1937
    pamela1937

    Posted

    Thank you Laura, I am just completely resting today and it has stopped so far. so good.. I thought maybe it was that I had done too much, hard to not do much when yu start to feel better, but I have to be sensible I know.
  • tricia92256
    tricia92256 pamela1937

    Posted

    Hi Pamela

    ​Thank you, I thought I was the only person sitting on barbed wire.  I had an interior and posterior repair and tape 2 1/2 weeks ago.  Was wondering what was going wrong - also still a lot of discharge.  I guess it is normal.

    • pamela1937
      pamela1937 tricia92256

      Posted

      No, I rhink the barbed wire feeling is the worst pain of it all. Happily now I am feeling nearly back to normal, I still rest when I feel tired, don't pick up anything heavy but my waterworks and my bowels are back to normal and its great. Hope you go on OK, it will get easier week by week., The discharge will dwindle and the discomfort when sitting will get easier, just hang in there

  • pamela1937
    pamela1937

    Posted

    Hello again, I'm now into my sixth week and see my surgeon next Tuesday. I am still feeling exhausted though when I have done anything, I am having to get up every two hours at night for the loo but don't seem to be incontinent any more. I still have so much discomfort though down there, I imaging from the rectocele, It feels bruised and sore. (not prickling though) If I wasn't seeing my surgeon next week I would see my doctor. I am just hoping that everything is OK and normal..

  • robyn94818
    robyn94818 pamela1937

    Posted

    Good that your seeing Surgeon soon. I'm wondering if you have an infection. You're exhausted feeling as the body is in repair mode plus slow mode as the necessity to rest winds you right down so hard to get active again. Which is why a steady slow increase in activity from early on is important. Going for lots of short walks and steadily building that up over those weeks. It keeps everything in your body active. Helps with digestion, muscle strength etc. Let us know what Surgeon reports. 

    • pamela1937
      pamela1937 robyn94818

      Posted

      Thank you Robny. I wa swondering that too as I am sweating so much at night t too, Anyway I will let you know what he says, thank you
  • judith83137
    judith83137 pamela1937

    Posted

    Pamela I have had the reococele repair bladder sling and the mesh sling for levator repair st 65. I am very sore and can't sit also 15 days post op

    I am siting laying on my side.

    I have been to the doctor to get antibiotics fot infection.

    Dont use abything with out asking the doctor.

    I did 2 salt washes today in a bowl. Use only rock salt its sterilized

    I hope you're feeling a little better

    It is a long process and others are saying

  • judith83137
    judith83137 pamela1937

    Posted

    Pamela I have had the reococele repair bladder sling and the mesh sling for levator repair st 65. I am very sore and can't sit also 15 days post op

    I am siting laying on my side.

    I have been to the doctor to get antibiotics fot infection.

    Dont use abything with out asking the doctor.

    I did 2 salt washes today in a bowl. Use only rock salt its sterilized

    I hope you're feeling a little better

    It is a long process and others are saying

    • robyn94818
      robyn94818 judith83137

      Posted

      Did your Dr. agree to salt washes? Is that different to salt sits? The issue isn't so much about which salt, it's your anus soaking in same water that's getting all around recent surgical incisions. 

    • judith83137
      judith83137 robyn94818

      Posted

      The specialist info said sit in a shallow salt bath. I can't sit.

      The Gp said to use rock salt i boiled water only lower myeslf in it a little.

      My op like yours but I have 3 cm cut on either side of the orivate area grion which were a little infected

    • pamela1937
      pamela1937 judith83137

      Posted

      Hello again, thank you for all the help and advice on here. I saw my surgeon two weeks ago and he said everything was healing nicely. Just to continue as I was doing, remember I had had two major surgeries in 8 months and my age, take things steady and no lifting. I feel that I am better now, occasional soreness when I use sudo cream lightly, my incontinence is fine now and my bowels working fine. I still get tired quickly and just rest when I do. It is a long process but day by day you do start to feel better and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Take care and hope you are feeling a lot better soon
    • robyn94818
      robyn94818 judith83137

      Posted

      At what point post-op did they say to do salt sits? I'm just concerned others are going to read this and commence salt sits when it's just a big NO sorry. Your surgeon advised what 99% don't allow. It's nothing to do with salt being sterile and boiling the water is a waste of time. If you can drink it then sitting in it it doesn't need boiling. It's the pure fact your anus which harbors nasties for surgical sights, that's adding those nasties to the water which then transfers the nasties to surgical areas. Boiled water or "sterile salt" doesn't do anything to stop nasties from your bum infecting recent surgical areas & tracking up the surgical threads & deep inside tissues where they just shouldn't be. But it depends what stage your Dr. said to do sits? Any stitched surgical area anywhere on our body should be kept as dry as possible at all times. Soggy warm moist stitches are a perfect environment for infection especially having been subjected to germs from anus. This is why the practice was ditched long long ago for mothers with stitches from giving birth. TRULY. It's archaic and just "no" to advise salt sits. I know your Surgeon said to (why & what indications led to this?) but believe me, 99% would advise DON'T!

    • pamela1937
      pamela1937 robyn94818

      Posted

      I remember you giving this advice to me when I had been told I could bath rather than shower, I was glad I followed it and have not had problems with infections and all has healed or is healing nicely, thank you
    • Laura3333
      Laura3333 pamela1937

      Posted

      Hello Pamela, glad to hear you are doing so well. Keep active and rest when you need to. You are obviously doing everything right..x.
    • robyn94818
      robyn94818 pamela1937

      Posted

      You're just incredibly lucky, lots wouldn't be so lucky doing this 

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