Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi Matron,
Just to update on last couple of week's concerns. I am now 25 weeks post-op for A&P repair of pelvic floor.
I was concerned about nippy/jagged feeling at front left just inside vag... passage; was worried of possibility of a stitch still being there. Also felt really irritated and had slight discharge pinky/grey and yellow.
You mentioned of possible but unlikely that may still be inbeded stitch causing infection and most likely just overdone things.
Anyway saw my GP today, could not find any sign of lingering stitch, she said that I do have some scar tissue at that side and agrees that I have probably overdone things and stretched the scar tissue. As I am already using tablet form of vagifem she has changed if too the cream form and advised to target that area.
I know that that particular week around a fortnight ago was particularly busy: school shopping, returned to gym after a few weeks off, shifts at work were heavier than usual, had lifted heavy pasta pot (too impatient to ask for help) and because I had been particularly feeling just about fully back to normal had been busier in the house too.
But I suppose you can't become to complacent after pelvic flood surgery and even after 6 months still have to be careful not to overdo things and to stay within limits of what you know you can cope with.
So unexpected as even in early weeks post surgery I never had any suggestion of discomfort at the front end it was always the posterior end that was a bit nippy, thought that would never end yet that is all healed now
Anyway hope the cream works, been resting and it's not been so bad, but is definitely a thin bit of tight tissue to the left side at front end just about a centimeter in (feels similar to the thin skin at bottom of thumb where joins next finger except very tight). May have overstretched it when doing low impact indoor walking/exercise.
Anyway will be more careful as it takes so long to recover. Desperate too get back on my bike before winter starts, but definitely will have to wait a little while yet.
Hope everyone else is doing well and continuing to be careful.
Always grateful for your advice matron, Hope you are enjoying your new home and settling into your new community!
Phyk x?💖
1 like, 37 replies
Gillian22766 phyl_40063
Posted
Hi Phyl & matron, I have exsacly the same as you discribe the last two days have been worse and I do feel a bit of swelling again nothing hanging just swollen.
i was starting to think somthing was really wrong till I read your post then thought of all the things I had done last week, thanks for posting the jaged feeling is not nice.
Jan999 Gillian22766
Posted
Hello Gillian it's lovely to hear from you. I know you had some problems after your operation so I hope you aren't overdoing things too much. How many weeks is it since your operation?
phyl_40063 Gillian22766
Posted
Hi Gillian,
I still don't feel quiet right but the Estriol topical cream has sorted the jaggy feeling , and I'm sure the thin scar tissue feels thicker already ( but that might be just wish full thinking). Cream is a bit messy but worth it as it helps.
Been getting all sorts of niggly pains, and feeling of heaviness not sure what else going on and last night bladder seems to have started constantly weeping so back on pads. GP didn't swab me as she didn't find any left over stitches that could have caused infection. So if it doesn't improve will ask her to check for infection.
Had been gradually coping with heavier items, longer shopping trips, and doing more everyday in house. So now cutting right back again.
Maybe that break from swimming for few weeks weakened my muscles putting more strain on pelvic floor, who knows!
Still a bit shocked that one of the other girls who had similar op around same time may have prolapsed again so it is a bit of a wake up call to not be overconfident or complacent and remember that it can take up to a year or more for deep tissues to heal and not worth taking a chance.
Anyhow don't remember any of this last time, so maybe a good sign that the tissues have actually healed well. I do remember when I had my appendix out that the scar tissue was nippy on and off for years so probably fairly normal.
Hope otherwise that you are doing well Gillian and continuing to be careful.
It is such a long journey of recovery; hopefully by next spring we will all be fully recovered or almost there!
Look after yourself,
Phyl x?💖💖💖
phyl_40063
Posted
Meant to say that when I had my prolapse before surgery I usually had to try hold everything up using ' squeeze and lift' pelvic floor exercise before coughing or sneezing because if I didn't it all goes pushed down and was very painfull; I assume my repair are fine otherwise I would be finding it painful again when getting caught by an unexpected sneeze!
So maybe that is a good indication of how well the repair us holding up .
Phyl x?💖
Jan999 phyl_40063
Posted
I think it is phyl. That's good news. Xx
phyl_40063 Jan999
Posted
Hope so!👍
terrie2904 phyl_40063
Posted
Jan999 terrie2904
Posted
No you aren't terrie it happens to me all the time. I'm sick of repeating myself. Alan (Emis Moderator) has said that if there's any problems we should message him.
terrie2904 phyl_40063
Posted
Last try.....hi ladies I have found this really helpful. Im 51 waiting on a date for anterior, posterior repair plus hysterectomy and I wondering if I should go ahead with the op. I don't have many symptoms and it doesnt affect my life that much, I have lumps and bulges in my never regions and sex can be a bit awkward as with penetration it tends to keep coming out ( I think I've had a tear at some point) and can be a bit painful as it feels like it's hitting the end ( could be down to prolapse I guess) i hope that's not to much information! I'm wondering if I'm going to give myself more problems by going a head with the op.
my Gyni also said it could result in more painful sex and loss of libido which I really don't want. Do I just carry on or if I ignore it will it get worse and recovery be slower if I have it further down the line when I'm much older? Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Jan999 terrie2904
Posted
First of all terrie I can't imagine any surgeon offering to operate on a patient unless it's absolutely necessary. Have you considered perhaps just having one operation eg the repair and not the hysterectomy or vice versa? I've had all of the surgeries you've mentioned but I don't have loss of libido or painful sex although they are also symptoms of the menopause which are easily rectified.
Jan999 terrie2904
Posted
terrie2904 phyl_40063
Posted
I'm 51 originally I said no to a hysterectomy as the only people I know that had them were both in there early 40's which brought problems on, however once I reconsidered I thought it would be easier to get it all done at once especially as I've started menopause, so had a second oppointment and she said it's the same recovery time for all as with one. And I felt quite happy about it at first I guess it just daunting, I look after my young grandchildren twice a week so I'm worried about over doing things as well, I find it difficult to sit still at the best of times (although I may learn to relax which would be a good thing) it's good to hear positive stories on hear as on others were a it more negative
Jan999 terrie2904
Posted
terrie recovery time is different for every patient and I would disagree with the recovery time being the same for all. Following a rectocele repair recovery in my personal and professional opinion takes longer. Hysterectomy nowadays is keyhole surgery mainly and recovery is around 6 weeks but I'm sure you've read other posts on this forum where it can take anything up to 12-14 weeks to recover from a prolapse repair. You'll not be fit to look after grandchildren for a while either because you must not lift anything heavier than a kettle with enough water to make a cup of tea for the first 2 weeks. There's some information on the Genitourinary home page under a section titled Useful Resource, the South Tees information is particularly useful. If you haven't seen it take a look.
terrie2904 Jan999
Posted
Thanks matron my husband has said he'll take 6 weeks off work as he's self employed and I'm hoping that will be enough. It's good to hear you've had all 3 ops and are so positive about them, it's made me feel a lot better discussing it here, my specialist is quite abrupt and brushes my questions aside and we have a slight language barrier as she is foreign but thanks again. I'm usually very positive so hopefully I'll be fine
Jan999 terrie2904
Posted
Keep in touch with us here on the forum, I know the other ladies will respond to you and give you their thoughts and support of course. Just to add I didn't have all 3 operations together. I had a hysterectomy a lot if years ago but I did have a rectocele and cystocele repair at the same time. It's really good that your husband can take 6 weeks off work, that will get you through the first weeks when you will have both good and bad days and need help.
terrie2904 Jan999
Posted
I will thanks again....I think I'm looking at November for the op so will let you know
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