Posted , 4 users are following.
Hello everyone , I've just joined . I had a rectangle repair 6 days ago, and was wondering about recovery times . My stitches are still really sore, with a small amount of pink blood. Is this normal and how long does it take to not be dreading going to the loo. I just need reassurance really . Thank you in advance
0 likes, 8 replies
Jan999 kate51602
Posted
kate what do you mean by a rectangle repair? There's lots of information on the Genitourinary home page under Useful Resource you will find useful (if it was a pelvic floor repair) particularly the South Tees information
kate51602
Posted
Lol it's supposed to say rectocele
Jan999 kate51602
Posted
Well Kate. The soreness and the discharge are perfectly normal but for the first 2 weeks you must rest and absolutely no lifting (nothing heavier than a kettle with enough water to make a cup of tea). The discomfort can get worse due to the stitches tightening so don't be alarmed if it does. You should have your bowels opened once a day but if you have problems don't strain and take stool softeners. No driving for 6 weeks and build your excercise up gradually after 2-3 weeks but don't exert yourself, if you're tired stop. There's lots of posts on this forum about post op care if you look back and as I said go to the Genitourinary home page.
kate51602 Jan999
Posted
Thanks for replying glad to know it's normal, I will have to drive after two weeks though as I'm single parent to three children but will try to limit it to school runs .
christine_67534 kate51602
Posted
Kate, I had Rectocele, Cystocele & Vaginal Vault repair along w/ sling put in due to inconvenience of urine.. I'm as of 14th 3 weeks out I am doing well I still have discharge. I still tire easily just enjoy no hard housework!!! I was told I could drive after two weeks but, go by Doctors discharge paper (mine stated when I could drive ).. No driving while on pain meds. I took pain meds. For 5 days only had to take one last night..As we heal the stiches get tighter which will cause, pain ... Remember no lifting. ..Wishing you a smooth recovery. .
Jan999 kate51602
Posted
The reason why driving is not advisable before 6 weeks is because you would probably not be able to do an emergency stop and even if you did you could damage the repair. Most insurance companies will not insure you before then even when a consultant gives the OK. There is a test you can do to check when you could do an emergency stop but please don't try it before 5 weeks at the very earliest because chances are you'll pull on your sutures and you could bleed. I have seen ladies brought back into surgery because they've damaged the repair. You stamp your foot hard onto a hard surface, if it hurts it's too early. Think about a child running into the road, could you stop?
Jan999 christine_67534
Posted
Just to clarify christine there are certain painkillers which you can take and they don't affect your ability to drive. Not everyone takes something like codeine. Anti inflammatories and paracetamol don't affect patients in the same way. I don't know whether you're in the UK but most insurance companies state you can drive at 6 weeks despite what consultants are saying and unfortunately it's them not the doctor who pays up if you are in an accident. Some will say it's up to the consultant but very few.
DorryC kate51602
Posted
I needed natcotic pain meds for about a week for the surgery pain.
i would not have been able to drive at 2 weeks even without the emergency stop issues. I was much too tired. I think I was a bit more tired than usual bc I got ill (germs from the kids) and just generally I wasn't sleeping enough (in spite of all my efforts to do so). I saw a different doctor at 4 weeks and he put me on some sleeping pills and they did help me sleep longer.
i did drive myself to my 6 week appt but not a chance at 2 weeks just being driven to the doctor was exhausting. It was nuts.
6 weeks was much better than immediately post op. 12, when the tissues fully heal, is even better. I am 4.5 months post op now and I feel like I have recovered from the surgery completely. No more twinges of pain when I lift a jug of milk. I am walking as much as I was before. I have back pain problems so I am still limited, but I feel like my back is what is limiting me now. I am permanently careful not to lift heavy things and also to adapt exercises so they are pelvic floor safe.
hopefully you will be less tired than I was, but just in case maybe get a backup plan for the kids.
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