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Recovery time for rectocele posteria repair with mesh?

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Gardener_Jo
Gardener_Jo

Hi, finding so much reassurance from this site, it is so good to know that we are all going through the same or similar things. 

I was wondering if anyone has may ideas of the time for recovery. I was told by my consultant it would be 3-6 months to fully recover due to the extent of the weakness in the posteria vagina wall

I had the op 4 weeks ago, but am still in pain if I do too much, and am feeling so frustrated at being so limited I what I can and can't do. 

Any advice would be very welcome

jo 

 

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  • LadyPink
    LadyPink Gardener_Jo

    Posted

    Hi Jo, I'd say your consultant is about right.  It took me about 4 months to begin to feel more normal. Then as each month went by I felt more back to my usual self. Now 10 months on I feel brilliant and like a teenager again. Shame I couldn't get a face lift done at the same time - I did jokingly ask!  (I'm nearly 70) EVERYTHING is back to how it was years ago - and I mean 'everything' - wink, wink. My husband is delighted. 

    Listen to your body. If you are still in discomfort take paracetamol or similar and please REST. That is the secret. It's a bit frustrating I know, having to ask someone to lift and carry but believe me it pays dividends in the end. None of us is the same and so recovery is different for everyone. It's like having your first baby or going to the dentist, you will hear all sorts of horror stories but remember, it's NOT going to happen to you. Take it all with a pinch of salt. Rest is the most important thing. You will probably have read my postings before on this subject, but it's so important if you want a good result and not have to have the operation done again. So don't put ANY strain on that area at all. Exercise each day by walking, but not too far and no lifting anything heavier than say, a full kettle, no pulling or carrying heavy shopping bags. Don't stand too long - say ironing - that's not good either. Until you feel better, do everything in moderation. When beginning bedroom activity it can be a bit scary to begin with, but the same advice here - be careful. Eventually you won't even think about it.

    I had both my posterior and anterior (rectal wall and bladder wall) repaired and never ever thought things would heal so well, but they have. It's blooming fantastic what modern surgery can do these days. Good luck Jo and take it easy, you'll be fine. LadyPink

    • vicki19088
      vicki19088 LadyPink

      Posted

      Hi There,

      Thank you for sharing your story....I am in the process of having rectocele, and bladder repair....I was wondering if they used mesh for your repairs? 

      Thanks,

      Vicki

       

    • LadyPink
      LadyPink vicki19088

      Posted

      Hi Vicki, No mesh was used. The bladder prolapse was folded over and stitched in a pleat then lifted up slightly higher and stitched in place. The rectal/vagina wall was also folded and stitched along the pleat. The perineum was also tightened a little making everywhere look almost as good as new- but not quite of course. Good luck - LadyPink
    • vicki19088
      vicki19088 LadyPink

      Posted

      Hi Lady Pink,

      How long had you been struggling with this issue?  I am 61 and newly live in California and am trying to establish good doctors.....It took me 3 months to finally get someone to help....What kinds of symptoms did you have? I feel like my insides are falling out....it is very painful to even sit....it feel as if I have been riding a bike for days between my legs......and my pelvis is soooooo sore.....my stomach is constantly swollen......sometimes it feels like I can urinate and sometimes i just can't ......he only time I am comfortable is laying down. I am thrilled to talk to you and am equally as thrilled to hear you are doing so well. It gives me hope

      Vicki

        

    • LadyPink
      LadyPink vicki19088

      Posted

      Hi Vicki

      I live in the UK so our medical services are different to yours. We have our fantastic National Health Service for a start and citizens of the UK get medical services free.

      I first became aware I had a problem about 4 years ago so went to see my family doctor who suggested a pessary ring to support the prolapses. I considered it but then decided against it. Last year I decided to check having corrective surgery and my family doctor sent me to see a gynaecologist/surgeon. I waited about 5 months for an operation date after preliminary examinations and finally had the operation done one year ago. It was fantastic and I'm delighted with the results. I would start by speaking with your own medical practitioner. LadyPink  

    • Gardener_Jo
      Gardener_Jo LadyPink

      Posted

      Hello, I have been off this site for a while, got back to work a few weeks ago, but did far too much, I now have a horrid dragging sensation and pains at the top of my thighs. It seems ridiculous that after having the op at the beginning of July and really taking things easy for 10 weeks I am still not better, but am now off work again. I have an appointment for more tests tomorrow. Fingers crossed some bed rest will help, but I do worry I have done some more damage. I was warned it might be between 3 to six months before I was fully back to normal, the trouble is when the pain goes I felt able to resume normal work etc. more fool me.

      Feeling rather sad today, but hope that you are all doing well and resting.

    • LadyPink
      LadyPink Gardener_Jo

      Posted

      Hi Jo, I have been wondering how you were doing? As you know I did worry you were going back to teaching too soon.  Anyway, don't get too disheartened I'm sure a rest is all your body needs and try some pelvic floor exercises if you can to pull those muscles up. It does really sound like you have been staying on your feet far too long and those dragging feelings go on for more months than medical professionals tell us. I am just at the twelve month post op mark and I'd say I had aches and dragging pains on and off until about 9 months. Nothing serious though. Nothing that a cuppa with my feet up for 15 minutes couldn't put right. Now - touch wood - all is going really well.

      (Try a glass of wine if you're feeling sad - it always works!) . Hope you'll feel better very soon. LadyPink  

    • Gardener_Jo
      Gardener_Jo LadyPink

      Posted

      Once again, thank you for your positive words. I have resorted to tramadol, as the pain is so bad- so wine is out of the question! I have been relatively pain free for a while so this is a real shock to the system. My boss doesn't want to see me till Monday and only then if I'm ready. So I will take this time to rest and repair.

      thanks again jo x

    • LadyPink
      LadyPink Gardener_Jo

      Posted

      Oh dear Jo, I am so sorry.  I didn't realise  your pain was that bad. Let us know what happens when you see the doctor. Take care of yourself - all is not lost yet. Does everything still 'feel' right? LadyPink
    • kim20077
      kim20077 LadyPink

      Posted

      I have ALL been so much help to me. I am having anterior/posterior vaginal wall repair and TVT on Monday. My question is probably the craziest ever but I'm gonna ask anyway!! I've watched all the YouTube videos and answered most of my questions but... Here goes.... When u come out of surgery and back to a room are u in regular bed or in stirrups??! The reason I ask is Bc my children will be there??!! Sorry for this crazy question but I knew you all would know!! Thx for all ur info!!
    • Titian12
      Titian12 kim20077

      Posted

      Kim

      I'm in uk so there will be differences in many things but I am sure not in this.  You will almost certainly be in a bed, with catheter in situ and some vaginal packing which you won't see but which may feel uncomfortable.  If you are having a general (which I assume?) in UK you would also have drip in arm for fluids and oxygen tube in nose.  It is these last two things that I think can be shocking for children though it is just routine post aneasthetic care and if you tell them before hand thy will be find.. I'm thnking they are not adults?

      H

    • Nznana13
      Nznana13 Gardener_Jo

      Posted

      Hi Jo, Your story is very similar to mine, but a wk after my surgery I felt like I was sitting on a melon it's was extremely painful.So I went bk and it turned out to be a big hematoma which they put me bk under and drained.I am now post op coming up 6 Wks and feeling extremely frustrated because of the dragging and pressure feeling.No to mention the pain and having to b still on codine to b comfortable.I'm interested in how u hot on? My Surgeon said after the first procedure that I would b fine in 2 Wks to b able to do daily walks.I can't even walk up the rd,the pressure and drugging is to much.I am meant to b walking 4 cancer in 4wks and its a 4-5 hrs and I'm so disappointed. I dnt think I would have done this if I had known it was going to take so long to recover.I'm stressed because I'very gone bk to work but I'm so sore and having to push myself Thu the day.How long did it take u? Im feeling very down and eating to make myself feeling better. sad Really needing to get bk to walking and gym.

    • Nznana13
      Nznana13

      Posted

      Sorry! Predictive txt has changed some txt.
    • bamboozled
      bamboozled LadyPink

      Posted

      Great to read your post. I am four and a half weeks post mesh removal from anterior prolapse repair and still in a lot of pain and discomfort . There is a redo of rectoseal as well to be done later. I have been so worried that I am still in pain and you have helped put my mind at rest. I am 70 next June and a young 70 Hate how I am
  • Gardener_Jo
    Gardener_Jo

    Posted

    Thank you Ladypink, that is really reassuring. I am trying my best to rest as much as possible. 

    I do feel that these things need to be discussed more, it seemed such an embarrassing thing when I first went to the doctor after about a year of suffering in silence. I so wish I had been more active earlier. But I am on the mend now. It's just another woman's health issue that simply isn't mentioned enough.

    i had first assumed I had hemeroids, and that went on for a long while, then I was told it was a rectal tear, but I always knew there was more to it, I just didn't speak up!  It was a relief when it was all properly diagnosed after the first op for the repair to the rectal tear. One problem is that the rectal surgeons and gynochological surgeons are two separate fields. 

    Well thanks again for your very positive and helpful input.

    jo

    • LadyPink
      LadyPink Gardener_Jo

      Posted

      Hi Jo, 

      Like you I thought I had haemorrhoids and been told years ago I'd got a tiny anal tear anal too. Then I saw someone on tv's Embarrassing Bodies with exactly the same kind of vaginal 'bulge' as mine and was amazed when I heard it was caused by a rectocele prolapse. It prompted me to visit my doctor who examined me and confirmed what I suspected. I had got prolapses of both the bladder wall and the rectal wall. After another three years on and it had become a little worse and I began to research the condition online. I finally went to see a new GP after I'd moved to another house and discussed an operation with her. She wrote to our local hospital requesting an appointment. The rest is as they say, history.

      I too was surprised when my surgeon told me that Gynae surgeons and rectal surgeons deal with those two areas separately. 

      I think I have been really lucky as I dealt with females from beginning to end so never any embarrassment to ask intimate questions or to be examined. I had a female GP, a female gynaecologist/surgeon and of course all the nurses were females. I found with being with only ladies made the whole thing far more relaxed and you could always share a joke and have a bit of fun.

      This forum has got to be a big help too. It's really nice to swap experiences with others and offer advice if we can. I wish I had found this website BEFORE I'd had my operation then I wouldn't have been so worried before it was done. 

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