What should I expect during recovery from cystocele and rectocele surgery?

Kimberly68299

I can defiantly tell you that recovery it's not 2 weeks. I'm on my 5th week after surgery and I still can't seat down without a doughnut ring. Your going to need help for sure!

I wonder why the doctor would tell you you will be able to return to work in 2 weeks. This surgery is getting scary each day. If you could do it over again would you you? What type of work do you do? The first day how would you rate the pain on a scale 1-5? I hope I am just getting myself work up over nothing but Ii just can't get some of the stories out of my head.

Hi Kimberly, welcome to our forum, Umm yep I agree it would have been scary watching a video. Dont forget the surgeons preform this operation every day in the World.

I had my operation over a year ago for repairs for prolapses. Im repaired. Im happy. No problems with prolapses No problems with having to splint to pass a bowel motion or the dragging feeling with my women parts falling out of me.

?I have learnt I cant lift over about 6kgs and if I do I do feel it. 

?What interests me is that the doctor has said you will be back at work in 2 weeks! No way is that going to be  happening if you are having repairs for rectocele & or cystocele prolapses. I had 8 weeks off work and then returned to work on very very light duties. On thing I know is the other ladies on this forum are going to respond with advice. This forum was a life line to me and the ladies that are on this forum are woman just like you and me whom have shared their experiences. 

?It takes months actually Ive read 12  to 18 months to recover. The first 6 weeks for me were the hardest but its worth it. This operation is a major operation you are going to need to rest rest then rest some more to recover. You need to think about a support network if possible for several weeks. Stock up your fridge and freezer. Get in something you can do while you are home recovering like books to read DVDs to watch anything that you can do whilst resting quietly. You will probably need pain relief make sure you have some at home in your cupboard but Im sure the hospital will send you home with some.

?Remember to stay on this forum and we will support you. Try not to be frightened it is a big thing but you will be fine and stay off those videos Kimberly

?Love to you and welcome aboard  

I was scared too!  My doctor told me that I'd only be back to work after 2 weeks if I had to (no sick time or disability insurance, etc).  My doctor wants me off work for 12 weeks!  I'd call them back and see if you can talk to one of the nurses to clear everything up with them.  Do you have a surgery packet or information that they gave you previously?  I have kept mine with me, even took it to work a couple times when I had to contact my insurance company.  I am hoping that you can get in touch with the doctor and get a clearer picture. 

12-18 months?  Wow!  I am blessed to have a large network of friends from different areas of my life that are willing to go to the store for me and help me with my dog.  I didn't see a video but know I was scared about the surgery beforehand.  I am glad that you have that great post surgery experience for us to look forward too.  I look forward to no pain and am so glad I don't have to push parts back in several times a day.  

I had A rectocele a cestocele and a bladder sling done at the same time. I have no idea why a Doctor would think that a 2 week recovery is just fine. Just think: they are cutting a big incision right below your urethra, going all the way back and they think this is nothing. I would say that the average full recoveryvtime is between 6 to 8 weeks. It will take a couple of months before you can resume sexual activities as well as my vagina is now as thight ad a virgin.

Hello Scare1963,

There's no way that total bed back to work in 2 weeks and you need help during recovery. I had a cestocele, rectocele and a sling done at the same time. I was able to go back to work after 4 weeks but was unable to seat down. I worked standing up and when I needed to rest a used a doughnut t ring (buy one!) you will survive, but it's a tough surgery.

Hi Scare

Please don’t allow yourself to get in a state as it won’t help your recovery and planning.

You will need support. You need to do practically nothing for the first month.

If you don’t want family and friends to hang around that’s fine, you’ll rest and sleep mostly at first, but you can accept their help with groceries and general support around the house.

Yes you will be able to pop a meal in the microwave or pop together a quick sandwich.

The most important thing is not to bend down, lift or put undue pressure on your pelvic floor muscles and stitches whilst they are healing.

I will tell you my story so far - I was quietly terrified at the thought of coping afterwards and expected a lot of pain.

I had cystocele and rectocele repairs with stitches, no mesh.

I had a catheter in my bladder after surgery and a cause vaginal pack ( to suppress any bleeding) and a drip.

I was in hospital one night. The following day the catheter and drip and pack were removed and I came home (lying on the back seat of the car). I have taken no more than paracetamol and ibuprofen and two days before my operation I started taking 15mls lactulose at night to ensure there was no constipation.

After surgery my consultant prescribed lactulose 15mls twice a day and the day after I arrived home I was able to pass a stool with no pain at all.

My perineal area is tender and I can’t sit yet but sit on my bed supported with pillows.

Wiping with tissue you need to be gentle and after I use a non perfumed baby wipe to ensure I am clean. I need pant liners only as am loosing just a small amount of discharge/blood. It was heavier the first three days.

I bought a helping hand so I can pick things up from the floor or low cupboard ( only when I have to.

I also downloaded sue crofts book which is extremely useful before and after surgery and much cheaper in kindle form.

I have colouring books my lap top and the atV and radio and sleep in between.

Drink plenty of fluids and eat veg and fruit to help digestion and bowels.

My surgeon told me to do nothing for the first four weeks. He said it is vitally important for healing then gradually very light things. If I stand for more than a few minutes I get a fullness and aching feeling. If you get this you must stop. Take small gentle walks around the house building up gently.

Get some meals into your freezer and pain killers and bowel softener.

Download of borrow some books. I downloaded free ones 😃

Put anything you’ll need in the kitchen at a sensible height and only put enough water in the kettle for one drink and tilt it to the cup rather than lift.

I am sure all will be ok. I’m not far ahead of you in recovery. Keep us posted. Try and not get too worked up.

I really don’t have any pain, just discomfort.

I wish you all the best. Pop in and out of here as often as you need , there is always someone around xx

Thank you, for the encouraging words and advise, I will take them and use them. I am  just scare because I never dealt with pain before beside child birth.I guess, I am just a big baby. I just want to thank everyone on this site for their advise and stories, We as women need this support group. Again, thank you guys and may everyone have a speedy recovery.

Scare I am pleased you feel a bit better. You are not a baby at all. It is a daunting prospect. Take a big deep breath and keep us all informed.

The way I looked at it as soon as I had my op I was on the road to recovery and that is nearer to it all being behind me. We will all be thinking of you I am sure. 💜

Hi Scare1963, I can't add much to the excellent advice given by Paddiwhack and others. We all have had similar repairs and some more than one procedure., some with a general anaesthetic, others with epidural etc and all of these factors combined with general state of health and fitness prior to surgery can influence recovery. I had 3 procedures, posterior and anterior repair plus sacropinious fixation, 2 hour operation, 3 nights in hospital. Personally I have not found it particularly painful but it has been uncomfortable and whilst often I have felt I can  'carry on as normal' , I know it is important to let the tissues and muscles heal properly. I am in the UK and received a 2 week certificate to refrain from work as I left hospital. I queried this as my consultant had said 6 weeks off work. The hospital explained, that 2 weeks was what they issued as standard but I should get further sick certificates from my GP which would take me to 6?weeks, or whatever was deemed necessary. I am now 4 weeks post op and manage with just normal paracetamol or ibuprofen once or twice a day, sometimes none is required. It is such a relief to be able to have normal urination and bowel movements without the prolapses and whilst I still get tired and need to limit my activity to allow healing, I feel very positive about the future and so happy I did decide to have the surgery. My husband is now off work with man flu for the last few days and I drove us both to the pharmacy (only 1 mile away) to get cold remedies and it was fine. I practised stamping my feet as someone on this forum suggested to check I could emergency stop and used my special prolapse cushion. It gave me an amazing sense of freedom, but I won't be pushing my luck with longer journeys just yet.

I wish you luck with your surgery. If you can stock up your freezer before the op that will help and don't be afraid to ask for help from family and friends to bring you in supplies or visit or take you out when you are ready. I was told I needed someone at home with me for the first 24 hours post release which I think is also standard for a general anaesthetic and surgery. Take care.

Hi Redhead. Pleased to read you are doing well. When you mention special prolapse cushion I purchased a ring type memory foam cushion but read after that a couple of people said they weren’t recommended. Can you tell me what type you have as I thought if I’m in the car it would be more comfy- as a passenger. I can’t sit it’s too uncomfortable. I had to lay on the backseat of the car for my post op check and then felt very sick! One hour on windy mountain roads.

Thanks in advance. Keep doing well and hope your husband gets well soon.

HI Paddiwhack, I use an Augymer memory foam prolapse cushion. It is shaped and moulded and I find it gives great support. It fits easily onto office chairs, car seats etc and I got it from Amazon when my prolapse was bad but find it essential to support me on any car journeys, sitting etc post op. I can now sit for brief periods now without it and in any event do lie back if I am resting etc. I would not use the ring type cushions as I can imagine they would create too much pressure, but this is shaped to support the coccyx etc. and whilst I haven't tried it on mountain roads, we live on an unmade road and there a speed bumps a plenty and railway tracks on the roads around so  a normal pillow or cushion wouldn't be enough to perfect my delicate bits enroute to the hospital! Hope this helps. Keep resting and healing!

Thanks very much for this - I am sure mine was listed as suitable for prolapse etc. I’m sure using v it occasionally would be acceptable but I will check with my surgeon next week. I don’t want to compromise healing but sounds like yours is very useful. Best wishes to you too. 

This has been so useful to me, I am in the Uk and have just been told by my dr that I need a rectocele and cycstocele repair, I am in quite a lot of discomfort at present with constant low back and abdominal pain, difficulty passing urine and chronic constipation. I have been trying to weigh up the pros and cons re surgery and it looks that in the long run it may be beneficial, it’s the post op recovery that scares me, the pain and being unable to move around freely. I have a fantastic husband who will definitely look after me but I am used to being busy, working full time in a demanding job, I am worried that I will go nuts, ha ha. Reading yours and the other ladies story’s and experiences makes me feel less of a freak and total treasures me, thank you, I will keep you updated on my progress. 

 

Hi Weegiesmam

I am sorry you find yourself having to deal with the prospect of surgery.

I hope you can take the full time off that you will need. It takes some patience and can be frustrating g but I got quite good at colouring in and complicated dot to dot naught for me by my kids.

I prepared seven weeks of meals in advance of surgery which took a lot of pressure off my husband and we just had a couple of veg to go with it, or rice etc.  That was the biggest help.

I bought a helping hand so I had no excuse to bend and bought a couple of extra pairs of PJs. I lived in them for weeks.

I’m 11 weeks now and feel so much better but still not working. Just gentle office work and loading for our business. Ivan now drive small distances. I am still tired but have ME too so it’s hard to differentiate sometimes.

I am so pleased I have had the op though.

Do keep us posted and be prepared to rest sleep google and enjoy this morning on TV ! 😊