1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Genitourinary Prolapse

Rectocele repair - advice please

Posted , 8 users are following.

donna68613
donna68613

Good Evening All,

I have been looking for information to help me prepare for my upcoming Rectocele operation and am so glad I have come across this site. I am going in at the end of the month and am a little worried about the op itself and how I will be afterwards. My first consultant said I had a womb prolapse after a 2nd opion I was told it was a rectocele( I just hope this one is right)

I have read through alot of the feeds and would just like a little advice from you ladies that have gone through it.

I have been told by my consultant that I will be in hosptal over night and that I should be able to return to work after 4 weeks! After reading some of the comments on here I am now not sure that will be the case. I have a desk job but do drive into work. I also have 2 young children that need to get school.

Please can someone advise me on the following.

Recommended time off work/driving?

How far can I walk and how soon? (sons school is 1.5 miles away)

Did any of you go out like for a meal? I have a 30th party to attend mid Oct do you think I should decline the invite?

Did you all get a follow up appointment? Ive been told my consultant doesnt do them.

Thanks for your help

Donna

0 likes, 31 replies

31 Replies

Prev
  • donna68613
    donna68613

    Posted

    Hi ladies. Countdown to my op next friday. A little worried but think thats normal. Getting prepared I've bought the big knickers and a fibre supplement which i will start now.

    Couple of questions on stuff i have read post op.

    Is it normal to have a catheter and packing put in and if so are they removed before being discharged? Is this painful?

    Thanks for all the advice.

    Jo hope your feeling better.  

    Donna

  • sundagger
    sundagger donna68613

    Posted

    Hi Donna, i had rectocele repair on 8th so am 10 days post op and doing well. 

    It does seem that packing and catheter are the norm, packing is to help stop bleeding. It didn't hurt when then took it out it was just uncomfortable and felt wierd. The catheter i was worried about, but then nurse said i would feel a pop and that was all, and she was right. Good luck x

    • donna68613
      donna68613 sundagger

      Posted

      Thanks Sundagger.  Did you just stay in over night and was it all removed before you were discharged?  Hows the bleeding now? Hooe your getting plenty of rest.  X

    • sundagger
      sundagger donna68613

      Posted

      I didn't go to theatre untill 4.30pm on the Wednesday (8th), and stayed in untill the Saturday so 3 nights, but would have been able to go home on the Friday but i had to open my bowels before they would let me go and i just couldn't manage it!surprised The packing came about about 10am the morning after the operation and the catheter an hour after that as they just wanted to check there wasn't too much bleeding. To be honest i had hardly any bleeding, just spotting and this lasted about a week. I was told bleeding for up to 14 days was normal. 

      I'm trying to rest and finding I'm tired easier, but its not easy with a 3 year old and a 22 month old!! X

  • sarah66796
    sarah66796 donna68613

    Posted

    Hi Donna,

    I actually replied to your post on HappyLady's discussion via Lynne. A loong post lol.

    Packing, catheta etc is all mandatory. we can't get out of it lol.

    I had my op on 1st Oct ...packing etc was all removed the next by 11am.

    As Sundagger said...it feels weird ... it was a tad uncomfortable for me too, BUT BREATHE. Treat everything down there as if during birth/pregnancy...if you are unfamiliar then google/ask a friend about the breathing . Breath, breathe, breathe. Holding your breath and tensing = worst possible thing.

    I havent needed bigger knickers BUT I use my light black cotton bikini style ones that are old and so elastic not ight around anything smile 

    Clothing....loose and where you can put your feet up and legs wide.....you can't bring your legs together. I'm Perth, Aust...so for me it's maxi dresses all the way as they so long, loose fitting and it means no matter where I am I can sit with my legs apart smile 

    Today is day 20 for me and I have discharge which is pink on and off, otherwise discoloured watery but not smelly....which would be bad. 

    You might notice a slight odour in the days following so keep en eye on it. For me I noticed it on day 5 but realised it was probably also old blood/discharge. It dissipated and I'm fine. But as I said....be watchful. Had I noticed it worsening I'd have hopped off to the ED immed.

    I know it's a very embarrassing topic and especially if you have male physios/doctors but be as candid and as open as you can. Ask, ask, ask, clarify, clarify, clarify until you are comfy you understand. It is their job and there is nothing you can ask which they haven't heard/don't know. I'm lucky, as I said in my post on the other discussion, I don't get embarrassed.

    Oh, and post op yes, your tailbone will probably be very sore, too. Bottom line the surgeons are there to do their job...fix you, you're under a general and they will be as gentle as is required. Let's face it...they are biological mechanics smile

    In my post op literature it states 'bleeding that is heavier than a menstrual period or completely soaks a large sanitary pad and conitnues for more than one hour' contact the Drs!! Also, inability to empty your bladder or burning sensation upon urinating.

    My advise is to also ensure your diet this week doesn't have too much insoluble fibre. That is the worst for constipation. We need the insoluble but too much, bulks up stools and causes impaction. Bananas are the worst culprits, too I might add. Increase the soluble fibre and make sure you drink water. Get your bowels moving in the best fashion BEFORE your op. This will aid in post op too as you will not have any residual impaction. Are you familiar with the Bristol Stool chart? If not, google now.  I'm lucky as I've always had a good diet and I'm a classic 3/4 on the good old bristol stool chart. 

    I'm well versed in the bowel as my 8yr old has encopresis. This a condition where if we do not watch his diet, faeces impacts causing chronic constipation, enlarged bowel. The result is sneaky poo [soiled underwear all the time] and the bowel and brain no longer communicating as to the urge to go. We have it under control and he will out grow it but suffice to say when it comes to insoluble fibre and soluble fibre ratios I'm pretty clued in. 

    Movicol is the gentlest of the bowel movement aids. It is not as 'laxative' like as others.

    Also, the mesh. My surgeons explained to me that they do not go in intending to put in mesh unless absolutely needed. 

    Like hair cuts and make-up, less is more. smile

    The reason as he explained to me, is that far more complications occur doing too much on the woman, than if they do the minimal and some need to return for more. As he said, it is much easier and less complicated on the woman to do extra as required [even if it means further surgery] than to undo too much....there are major complications in that regard.

    So I have no mesh and thus far I'm textbook perfect.

    Save for this swelling discomfort! That is the one thing no-one mentioned and which sent me on my google quest finding this site smile Very uncomfortable...not painful per se...just bloody uncomfortable.

    I'm supposed to return to work full time next Monday. I've just made an appt with the Dr for this Friday to re-assess as I think going back f/t all at once is a bit much. So thinking one day on, one day off. I'm a special needs education assistant with 4/5 yr olds so it's full on.

    Anyway, all the absolute best!!!!!! xox

    • donna68613
      donna68613 sarah66796

      Posted

      Thanks again. I did see your update to lynn. I will read up today on soluble and insoluble fibre. Ive started taking a fibre food supplement(drink) as i dont go regularly and i want to try and be empty on friday if i can. 

      Hope your swelling goes down soon. 

      Donna x

  • donna68613
    donna68613

    Posted

    Hi ladies, i had my op on friday and am taking all the advice i can from this site. resting up sleeping.

    All i was told by the ward doctor was no heavy lifting and dont get constipated. No advice on what's heavy or how not to get constipated. No follow up appointment apparently its not needed.

    I am in some pain which i am managing with painkillers. I have a lot of pressure in my bottom which brings tears to my eyes when standing. I have not yet managed a BM and never found this easy before the op. I am taking lactulose twice a day, i am eating alpen cereal for breakfast and fruit snacks and veg with tea i am also taking a fibre supplement (drink) can anyone offer any other suggestions, whats the right type of fibre to take? When should i be concerned if i haven't been?

    Donna

    Donna

    • Gardener_Jo
      Gardener_Jo donna68613

      Posted

      Hi Donna

      i hope things are beginning to feel better for you. BMs are such a worry especially in the early days after the op. I also used lactulose and was also prescribed laxido to help keep the stools soft in the early weeks. Squatting on my Squatty Potty is now the norm for me, I can't imagine not using it! 

      Pin terms of lifting I was told i kilo, or one litre, so that's not even a full kettle, and this was supposed tobe stuck to for at least 6 weeks. It will depend on the amount of reconstruction you had, but I think that's a good guide.

       I bought a little shopping trolley,I got a very cheerful one -  bright pink with flowers, it meant I was able to do a little shopping when I was up to w,asking round towns  and not always have to be asking friends, family and hubby to do everything 

    • donna68613
      donna68613 Gardener_Jo

      Posted

      Hi jo, im 2 weeks in now,(no mesh just stiching) I'm doing ok still ache but not much pain. Still struggle to go toilet i try squatting but the pressure in my bottom is worse can sit on the loo for half hour sometimes. I am not lifting much and my husband is great (he is ironing right now), can i ask how long you were taking pain killer's for? I'm having codeine, paracetamol and ibuprofen.  Also how did you know you were ready to go back to work? I sit a a desk all day but do 10hr shifts. I have a 6 week fit note, and think that I'm supposed to go back then. I still have 4 more weeks to recover. 

      How are you now? How long since you had your op?

      Take care

      D x

    • Gardener_Jo
      Gardener_Jo donna68613

      Posted

      Hi Donna

      i am glad you are not in too much pain, and getting lots of help.i took painkillers for 6 weeks, but stopped the opiate based ones like codine as soon as I got home. The opiates contribute to constipation, so aren't helpful if you want to get BMs back to normal, so if you can manage your pain with out them, I'd advise you to try to stop, or take as few as you can. The pain does ease off.

      i am still not back in work full time, I'm on limitd duties. I had the op in July and went back to work mid September, but did too much so I now have a note for limited duties until the beginning of December. You can ask for one of these from your GP and negotiate with work about your hours and duties, my work have been very supportive. As I has quite a large rectocele and mesh repair my gynocologist did say it would take 3-6 months to fully recover. 

      I recently had further tests and it seems the op wasn't competly successful, as there test showed an anterior rectocle.so thats very disappointing, I have an appointment to see my gynochologist in a few weeks, Im trying to remain positve.

      Donna, I can't stress enough how much you do need to rest and do not rush back to work. Be kind to yourself. You've been through a lot.

      Josmile

       

    • donna68613
      donna68613 Gardener_Jo

      Posted

      Thanks jo, i will try and rest and not do too much. Its hard though when i can use my arms etc and feel stupid not picking the simplest of things up.  

      I am doing small things like making boys sandwhiches for school and washing small amounts of pots. Also making tea when I'm up for it.

      At the moment i feel i should go back to work when my note runs out and can only see me asking for longer if I'm still in pain, otherwise i would not know what to say to the doc when they think 6 wks is adequate! 

      I don't have any follow up appointments just told that if anything goes wrong to go back to my gp and then get refered. I did email my consultant to ask how it went and for a bit of aftercare advice but he hasn't replied! I have not had a proper look/feel but hopefully it has gone well. 

      I hope your ok im guessing your fed up. Hope it all gets sorted for you. I've read a few posts now that say they have had one done and then need another.  I wonder if when they strengthen one side the other side fails. They should do both at same time.

      Thanks for the advice and allowing me the chance to chat to someone.  

      D x

    • Gardener_Jo
      Gardener_Jo donna68613

      Posted

      Donna, this is a great site for getting in touch with people who really do understand what we are going through. I felt so much better being able to chat here. 

      It does feel frustrating sitting around, and I felt pathetic always asking for help, but you must. Time passes.

      in terms of return to work only you will know if you're up to it, six weeks is the standard length of sick note, GPs can't write them for longer, so when it's nearer the time, you will know if you're going to be up to it, and if in doubt get another note - don't push your self too hard to conform with the six weeks recovery expectation, we are all different and if it doesn't feel right to you then don't risk it.

       

    • val29779
      val29779 Gardener_Jo

      Posted

      Hi Jo, I have just found this website and what a relief to find it. I am 3 and a half weeks out of having a hysterectomy and a rectocele repair op .I've been worried sick about the feeling of pressure and like a bruised feeling after a bowel movement. But reading your posts are really helping me to just be a bit more patient. I feel like it's all gone wrong and have wished I'd not had it done at times. I'm resting a lot and not doing much but still feel it all the time. Sick of hearing myself moan ha ha. But am taking comfort from all your posts. Thank you X
Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.