To repair a rectocele or not..

I am new to this forum, I joined after having a posterior vaginal repair for a rectocele on Friday just gone. I just wanted to share my experience as I feel it may help someone who may be wondering if it is worth going through the surgery. 

I am 54 years old, I have had two natural childbirths ( over 35 years ago) with no major issues. I had a vaginal hysterectomy in 2004 because of endometriosis. I have chronic asthma which causes me to cough very hard and deep putting a great strain on my 'nether regions' 

I started to notice something odd in the undercarriage a few months ago, my bladder, which had been super strong since my hysterectomy, was no longer as good as it used to be, I would also feel something 'pop' in my vagina whenever I coughed, so I started holding myself whenever a coughing fir occured. Things got worse in the bowel department too and I started to get badly constipated too, it just didn't feel right, when I strained, it felt like it was coming forward into my vagina rather than going down into the loo, if I put my fingers in, I could feel it bulging and I had to push it back to be able to actually go. I visited Dr Google.. (and cleared my search history !) and up popped rectocele! It fit my symptoms perfectly, a brief trip to my GP and an internal confirmed it. She referred my to the same Gynae who did my hysterectomy and I had my repair done on Friday, one overnight stay and home on Saturday with pain killers and strict instructions to rest as much as possible for 4 weeks, then 2 weeks of light household duties - IE: dusting, NO hoovering, standing for long periods of time etc. 

So today is Wednesday, I am sore down below, but nothing major, no worse than when I had my children and had an episiotomy, I have mild cramping in my stomach and do feel tired. I am taking paracetamol and ibuprofen which are helping with the discomfort, and lactulose. I still hold myself when coughing, that is normal, it hurts my stitches! but there is no popping sensation! And Joy of Joy... I can go to the toilet!!!! no strain! no pain, no feeling that I haven't voided completely.. I had forgotten how great it felt to have a good proper poo! I almost cried with relief.

I read so many websites about this repair and wondered if it was worth the aggravation of surgery, should I just poke up with the problem and accept it as part of my life, I know I am only on day 5 of my recovery but By God the difference is incredible already. If you are in doubt about having it done, get yourself a damn good gynae - ask for stitches, not mesh - and go for it, and be prepared to rest to recover. 

Sorry to waffle on, but I am so happy to be seeing an improvement already, just wanted to share it... back to resting now, hubby has put the kettle on again  

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