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

UPDATE: 7 week post op Check up - SSF, Anterior & Posterior repair

Posted , 10 users are following.

KJ1234
KJ1234

Hi all

So I had my 7 week post op check up with my consultant and he said all was healing well. Most of my external stitches are now gone but I still have an internal stitch which is still causing discharge.  He gave me a prescription to help with the discharge (which I have subsequently lost!).  He has signed me off work for 2 more weeks which is good as I can see a light at the end of the tunnel now!  I did mention some concerns....

1) The lump!  So I can see a lump at the entrance of my vagina  - i was concerned this was my cervix.  He assured me that is wasn't and that my cervix is 'miles up' (in his words!).  He said this was my back wall and I could see the stitch.  He said I would probably always see this and thats just the way its healed.  This was rather dissapointing but he said it shouldn't affect anything.... Anyone else have any experience on seeing your 'back wall'?

2)  Pain down my leg - This apparantley is from the stitch from my SSF  -this will continue to be a present intermittently for a few weeks  - he told me to listen to my body and not over do it

3) Exercise - Apparantly I can go back to light exercise now!  Very light.  I asked when I can play tennis again - he said best to wait for the 3 month mark.   This is good as I am now like a new born baby with no muscles.  I picked up the dust buster hoover yesterday and bent over to hoover the carpet after the kids had made a mess.  Today I feel like I've been squatting in the gym as my glute muscles are so sore and I mean the post-gym kind of sore!!! 

3) back to work.  He said another 2 weeks to be on the safe side,  and then a phased returrn - no going in during rush hour....well that suits me fine!!

4) Discharge - this will continue for a while.  The internal stitch won't heal until atleast the 3 month stage (around mid may) - this is annoying as wearing a pad is really uncomfortabel, the friction some nights is unbearable! He did give me a prescription (can't rememeber the name of the drug) which I have lost  - annoyingly! 

5) A bath. I can now have a bath. I've had a bath. It was bliss....smile

I hope the above helps some of you!  There is light at the end of the tunnel (and my tunnel is now narrower smile  

K x  

 

0 likes, 23 replies

23 Replies

Next
  • Jan999
    Jan999 KJ1234

    Posted

    Hello KJ. I'm sure lots of ladies on this forum will find your post very useful. Nice to see you're recovering well x
  • phyl_40063
    phyl_40063 KJ1234

    Posted

    So good to hear all is going well and great progress been made KJ1234, can't wait till I reach my 7/8 weeks.

    Hope you continue to make good progress, greatly appreciate the update it's good to here of positive results!

    Happy healing,

    Phyl xx

  • tracey1909
    tracey1909 KJ1234

    Posted

    Hi KJ im 7 weeks post op too but dont have my check up until next week. Ive been worried that i can feel a lump at the enterance but i also have occassional sharp pains in my lips as well as down my right leg. I have attamped intercourse twice,the first time wasnt too bad but the second time really hurt and i couldnt see it through. Pads cause me alot of friction too but i wear them mainly due to my water works. Thankyou for your post i know im not alone x
  • sarah63272
    sarah63272 KJ1234

    Posted

    Thankyou for the update. It's good to know there is an end to 'recovery 'and that a normal life is again within eyeshot. Keep recovering well.
  • Jan999
    Jan999 KJ1234

    Posted

    I'm so pleased you've told us about your recovery and how there is life after prolapse surgery because I say this all the time yet I think some ladies just don't believe it. 
  • jill2310
    jill2310 KJ1234

    Posted

    Hi glad to hear your 7 week post op check went well. I'm now 9 weeks post op and my check at 7 weeks was very similar to yours.

    I have STILL got that discharge, keep buying another pack of pads and hoping it will be my last as I had a vaginal hysterectomy at the same time as the prolapse repair so obviously won't need for periods. They are so uncomfortable, I saw a few stitches on the pad last week but havnt seen any since.  I Can also still see something slightly bulging at the front (which can't be my cervix as I had it removed) so I'm assuming that is swelling coming from somewhere as usually looks worse when been on my feet too long.

    The last 2 weeks I have seen yet again more improvement with my recovery. Doing much more now (still avoiding heavy lifting and hoovering) but making small steps in the right direction😀 It's a long haul but as I get nearer the 12 week post op Mark I am certainly feeling more like myself and so glad I had the prolapse repair, I am interested to know what he prescribed for the discharge, if you find your prescription can you let me know please xxx

    • phyl_40063
      phyl_40063 jill2310

      Posted

      Really good to hear of positive healing in later weeks, very positive and encouraging.

      Glad you posted.

      Hope you continue to make good progress!

      Phyl xx

    • jill2310
      jill2310 phyl_40063

      Posted

      Thank you, Honeslty it does get better, time and rest is a good healer! 

      Best wishes to you too xxx

  • jolil1072
    jolil1072 KJ1234

    Posted

    This is good to know as my consultant really didn't give much info regarding work. Etc.
  • jolil1072
    jolil1072 KJ1234

    Posted

    Thank you for posting. I had typed this on the other reply somehow it had disappeared.
  • KJ1234
    KJ1234

    Posted

    Hi 

    Glad you found this post helpful, this forum has been amazing!  I found the prescription  - its an antibiotic called Metradinazole - used to treat pelvic and vaginal infections (So i'm guessing docs being cautious).  Only problem is its a drug that reacts very badly to alcohol - and red wine has been my saviour over these past few weeks! oh well!

    One thing I will say is - even though I am recovering well and feeling so much better - I still get very tired!  Just went out for lunch with friends and am now back in bed ready for a long nap!!!  I am learning to listen to my body and know that it will be some time until I'm back to full strength.

    Take care all  - this recovery is hard work - but I'm sure it'll be worth it in the end

    Kx

    • Jan999
      Jan999 KJ1234

      Posted

      Don't even have a sip of alcohol  when taking metronidazole because one of the ingredients in the antibiotic is  also used in a drug given to alcoholics so it will make you very unwell and vomit for a day or more.
  • Kegel8Stephanie
    Kegel8Stephanie KJ1234

    Posted

    Great news you are doing well KJ, refreshing that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I see you play tennis, please be aware that this is high impact,  See if you can get a referral to a physio before you go back on court - I know you wont want to hear it, but you really could be putting all the surgery at risk with high impact exercise. CHeck out Michelle Kenway - Aussie Physio she has lots of films on You Tube and I know she would be recommending strengtheing up your pelvic floor considerable before attempting anything high impace (even if she would recommend that at all...) 

    So pleased you enjoyed your bath, take it easy, and get strong, improve your posture, pelvic floor exercise and supplement with Vitamin D when doing so - all will contribute to getting you as strong as possible.

    • Jan999
      Jan999 Kegel8Stephanie

      Posted

      I think KJ's consultant knows the extent of her surgery, the type of sutures used and the progress of the healing so I think if he thinks it's safe for her to play tennis around the 12 week mark we should not be causing her any anxiety. I know from experience that Urogynaecologists in the UK are very cautious anyway and I'm sure if he thought a referral to a specialist physiotherapist was necessary he would have referred her. I know of cases where a patient has been told by a Urogynaecologist it's safe to start running at 12 weeks. 
    • Kegel8Stephanie
      Kegel8Stephanie Jan999

      Posted

      I quite agree Matron, but I do feel very sad when women reprolapse and as we all know, subsequent operations are less successful than the first, I think it is human nature that we want to push ourselves (because it is a lifeline to be mended again!) especially after going through the pain and trauma of surgery and recuperation. 'Baby steps' and caution is my preferred option, but as you so rightly point out the Consultant knows KJs case, I can only speak on an overall level.

      Have a geat day everyone! Keep active - safely!

    • phyl_40063
      phyl_40063 Kegel8Stephanie

      Posted

      I know exactly what your saying Stephanie, first time I had my surgery 3 years ago, I went ftom having virtually no life to being able to get out and about again and eventually back to world of work. I was always pushing boundaries, how else can you tell your overdoing it except when you overdo it and your body tells you.

      I was a super fit 10 stone 5 ft 4ins, went to gym and swimming 3/4 times a week, cycling with my child on regular basis, and regular walks.

      I did unfortunately have a much worse prolapse than they thought, and I thought I could get back to what I classed as normal life, had to up the swimming, but cut out all the gym (cardiovascular workouts). Told I could keep the uphill walking and after many months a limited amount of cycling.

      But it's really difficult to stay within limits your body can cope with as you are not really aware your overdoing if until you have actually overdone it. Even worse at work as you don't have the luxury of always picking and choosing what you can cope with!

      Unfortunately we often think we are superwomen.

      Phyl xx

Back to top
Next

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.