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

Posted , 79 users are following.

Mrytle
Mrytle

I've facing surgery in a week and have reservations.  Would like to know how others have recovered.  

4 likes, 192 replies

192 Replies

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  • Dee0761
    Dee0761 Mrytle

    Posted

    Hi 

    I’m almost 6wks PO from anterior/posterior surgery. From the third day I felt the dragging sensation and almost straight after felt a bulge, was hoping it was just swelling and would go away!!

    I have no pain, no problems using the toilet and no more awful discharge, but have the feeling like everything is falling out, even when I wake up in the morning so it’s not like it’s happening after I’ve been on my feet for a while.

    my 6weeks sicknote is due to expire in a couple of days so just been to my GP to ask for it to be extended as I have a physical job and even tho works putting the pressure on for my return I actually don’t feel up to it. Or at least until I get the ok from the consultant who performed my op.

    GP advice is to get in touch with consultant secretary as I at least should have had a follow up appointment. 

    He did however declare me unfit to work for another 4 weeks BUT said sounds like the repair failed as everything should be more or less back to normal now and I definitely should NOT have any bulge of any sort!!

    Im sooo worried, devastated actually. Ive followed the rules no heavy lifting no bending only showers no driving..... just rested😕

    Why has it failed so soon after surgery, feel there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. 

    Really want to go back to work and get my life back.

    btw the GP did not examine me but I do feel he’s probably right in saying it’s failed bc of the “bulge”

    • Redhead1960
      Redhead1960 Dee0761

      Posted

      Hi Dee,  I had similar concerns as you that I could still see what I thought were bulges and also still uncomfortable down there and unable to tolerate anything other than short car journeys, needed to lie rather than sit etc. At 7 weeks and again at 9 weeks I saw my urogynaecolgist having convinced myself that the surgery had failed. He checked me over thoroughly and was able to reassure me that the prolapses had definitely not returned..... indeed I was confused as I thought I could see prolapses but to be fair I could empty my bladder and bowel without difficulty and also had control neither of which was possible prior to the op. He explained that there was still swelling from the healing, and also there was laxity (looseness) of the vaginal walls which was normal following childbirth, my age (57) etc. He explained that had he cut away all the excess skin I would not be able to have sex as it would be too tight to stretch. He explained that I was healing  but very slowly ...... this happens for some and the normal milestones of 6 weeks etc now did not apply in my case. He said I needed to rest, no pelvic floor exercises using the internal devices, no intercourse (no chance 😆wink and I should be feeling better at around 12 to 16 weeks. I am now at 15 weeks post op and it seems he is right! I can still see what look like 2 bulges, but they move out of the way easily, are not below the hymen line, there is no feeling of pressure and heaviness and bladder and bowels functioning plus my hubby and I did try intercourse ( not sure if allowed as consultant said to wait until he checked me again but we were curious!),,,,,,, no pain at all. Not masses of sensation for me at all if I am honest but mightily relieved that there was no pain and actually hubby said it felt tighter so all good. I am hoping that for you, you also like me just need a bit more time to heal and what you can see is also only the plump walls of the vagina with that bit of looseness necessary for it to function comfortably! I am going to see him again 17 weeks ( a bit later than planned) but hoping that as I am now more comfortable, done the deed and will carefully try and do a bit more in terms of exercise that I will be well on the way finally to a good recovery.....  but rest was what I needed and lots of local Oestrogen cream or pessaries to help firm up and add moisture down there.  I also found that I had a lot of misinformation and bad advice from GPs ... who also didn’t examine me, your urogynae should check you and hopefully reassure you. Good luck xx

    • Imnotadoctor
      Imnotadoctor Redhead1960

      Posted

      Hi Redhead, 

      So pleased you are feeling better. You are a little bit ahead of me & I can relate to what you have said. Although I had very little pain my stitches & swelling were there longer than others. We tried sex at about 8 weeks but was so tight & uncomfortable but now at 12 weeks it feels so much better. My surgeon also said it is a mistake to take away too much skin as it would become very tight as you age.  I still have quite a bulge at the front (we were hoping the SSF would pull that up) but I’m hoping that’s a temporary thing or at least something I can manage. Can I ask are you taking HRT? I am and was told to stop the Vagifem as having both is too much.

      I am still having some lack of control with my bowel. It’s better than it was but she did tell me that the repair would probably not “cure” it.  Muscle damage due to childbirth years ago I’m afraid. I’m doing pelvic floor exercises of course but still not using the Kegel machine as I think it’s too early. Hope you continue to improve. X 

    • Redhead1960
      Redhead1960 Imnotadoctor

      Posted

      Hi there, good to hear from you too and your progress. Yes I thought the SSF would hitch everything up too and I suppose in part it has but the apparently normal laxity and now I am more up and about and doing light daily activities, gravity is taking over! Hopefully your bowel control will improve further, it did take a long time for mine to settle and I find it is still sensitive to some foods but a million times better than how it was pre op and up to about 6 weeks post op. 

      I am on Vagifem and alternate this for convenience with Oestrogen cream. The cream is effective and helps the external tissues but is messy so for convenience I use Vagifem. I am taking about 3 to 4 doses a week, more than I thought I would need but when I try and stretch the dosing out I get the familiar sore and stinging sensation as the vaginal atrophy starts up. I am on HRT patches too, femseven conti, which I began in September just before the op. I was worried that it would be ‘too much’ and thought I would be able in time to cut back on the local treatment but I still need the local treatment. I queried this with the urogynae and he said that Systemic HRT is notoriously poor at improving vaginal atrophy once it has started (although I believe had I had HRT much earlier I think it would have helped prevent it but we were too late). The HRT patches have made a huge difference to me otherwise....... I now sleep peacefully, less brain fog and low moods. I do occasionally get tender boobs and I don’t know whether to blame the HRT, lack of exercise post op or my appetite but an extra 7lbs has crept on which I am hoping Slimming World and gentle exercise will help get rid off! Whether I will be able to keep on with the patches and the local treatment in the longer term I don’t know, but the consultant seemed unconcerned healthwise but the GP may be under financial pressure, I guess I wil find out at next repeat prescription review in March! Wishing you all the best with your continued recovery xx

    • Imnotadoctor
      Imnotadoctor Redhead1960

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. If I notice a change down below I will have to see my GP & maybe go back to the Vagifem. I’m happy to use HRT (I realise not everyone is) but I may need to try a different combination. On the delightful subject of IBS/bowels I am about to start reading the Michael Mosley book. Fingers crossed! Thanks again. X 

    • Dee0761
      Dee0761 Redhead1960

      Posted

      Thankyou for replying to me. I’ve got my follow up with the consultant in 2 weeks so will just have to wait and see, but thankyou it’s a very worrying time and not something I really want to discuss with friends or family 🤨xxx

  • wendy69852
    wendy69852 Mrytle

    Posted

    I am 71 years old and just had vaginal hysterectomy on january 25th. also had Cystocele repair and rectocele

    repair done. spent one night in the hospital. I cam home with a catheter as I couldn't empty my full bladder and that was the pits! luckily I have a husband who was able to help me. I had catheter removed yesterday, but feel like I am not removing all my urine. Is that normal for 6 days out? I had no problem at all with that before surgery. 

    Doc has me taking 2 stool softness a day and 2 doses of Miralax per day. I had to take Milk of magnesia to have the first bowel movement. I am thinking I still feel constipated. Don't want to strain though and ruin everything he did. 

    Anyone else have bladder issues that got better on their own. I will say my cystocele was stage 3 or 4. I tried using a pessary and that wasn't too bad, but wanted something permanent. Hope I didn't make a mistake. 

    At 6 days out I am taking 600 mg Buffering and not in a lot of pain at all. Doc gave me Tramadol,but that did nothing for me so stayed with bufferin. I was able to vacuum yesterday and make the bed today. Took short walk yesterday. I used to walk 4-5 miles a day and am only doing about 1000 steps as of yesterday. I just hope now I don't have chronic constipation and a bladder problem.

    Thanks for any help you can give me.

     

    • patti47255
      patti47255 wendy69852

      Posted

      Hi Wendy,

      I am 5 weeks postop and I am still unable to vacuum. Did your doc ok that? and how did you feel a day or two after that? I noticed that any time I overdo it I feel it a day or two later.

      I am used to walking 3 miles a day and going to the gym 5 days a week and I walked for the first time since surgery , about 20 minutes last week and started bleeding 2 days later.

  • abigail831
    abigail831 Mrytle

    Posted

    Hey so I'm 25 and have a 3 year old and have dealt with pelvic pain for several years I've had botox injections 2 times now and have now been diagnosed with rectocele and cystocele and need surgery for both. They will also do another round of Botox in the pelvic flor at the same time!  I am trying to find anyone who has had both sergerys at the same time an what it might look like to be a single mom of a three year old haha this is crazyness!!! I had a stage 4 tear with my son as he was a 10 pound baby and had 3 plastic sergerys and a recovery time of about a year! So I know who excruciating the pain was for that and my body didn't quite handle it well!! Also with the Botox it's quite painful for about 2 weeks but fully back to normal as normal as that gets with all that is happening down there but to have all three at one time I'm just kinda freaking out!! I need to have it done because I'm really struggling to go to the bathroom but is now the right time!!???? HELP A LADY OUT!!! 

    Thanks for all the eiarlyer posts they have been helpful! 

  • cassie-in-aus
    cassie-in-aus Mrytle

    Posted

    I am 41 years old. I am 7 days post op after a rectocele and cystocele repair.

    I had 2 nights in hospital.

    I have had no real pain for which I am both surprised and grateful. They had me on targin and panadol in the hospital but I have taken no pain relief since coming home.

    I get some stinging while peeing. For the first few days I had some odd sensations which I put down to the effects of the catheter. Those are passing.

    I am currently having a moment of huge frustration and panic though as well as self doubt, wondering if I did the right thing having this surgery as I am really struggling with bowel motions. I try so hard not to strain. I am taking a stool softener as well as benefibre. I eat apples and nuts and salady things and veges and have also added prune juice to try to ease things along. I don't eat meat and very little if any dairy. The hemorroids that have occassionally appeared since I gave birth 16 years ago are back with a vengeance and they are not helping at all. I am terrified of pushing too hard and breaking the repair. I am also now using a hemorroid cream but it is not helping. Couldn't get into the dr for 2 more days and wondered if anyone has suggestions or at least can tell me they had the same thing and it all turned out ok? I was feeling so positive on day 3 but now I am feeling very low.

    • cassie-in-aus
      cassie-in-aus

      Posted

      Oh the other thing I had is a bad rash and itchiness with the hair regrowth.

      So even though no wound pain, the rash and the hemorroids are making sure I am plenty uncomfortable.

    • wendy69852
      wendy69852 cassie-in-aus

      Posted

      I am now 3 weeks out from cystocele and rectocele and hysterectomy.  The hardest part was the rectocele. I switched to soft diet and that helped a lot. Also took miralax and stool softners twice a day. Lots of chicken soup and water and ibuprofen every four hours to reduce inflammation. That helped with the pain in my butt. Things are much better just the last few days so hang in there.  I find that sitting up straight and hissing or blowing air keeps me from bearing down. I also use vaseline on my sore butt.  Hope you feel better soon

  • patti47255
    patti47255 Mrytle

    Posted

    Hi I had a cystocele repair and sling, enterocyle, vaginal hysterectomy and sling. I am almost 5 weeks post op and feel like the surgery has failed. It was horrific pain from the beginning, I felt like i had back labor and my stomach was full of razor blades. I had a catheter for a week and then had to sellf catheter. I was constantly calling the doctor because I just knew that I had a bladder infection (but I didnt). Last week I felt so good, I felt like I finally recovered, I could go to the bathroom without pain and decided I felt good enough to try to go for a real walk. So I went for a 20 minute walk and 2 days later I was bleeding and my stomach hurt so bad.  My belly button started hurting. I went to the doctor and they said it was fine and showed me how to clean the pus out. They didn't look inside and told me if I am still bleeding in a week to come back in. It feels like I have a bladder infection when I go pee and still sore getting up and down or standing for very long. Has anyone else felt like they were getting better and than relapsed? I dont want to call the doctor again and find out that there is nothing wrong, I feel like such a whiner. I am usually a strong person, I go to the gym 5 days a week and power walk on my breaks. I thought I would be back to work in 2-3 weeks. Any input would be appreciated smile

    • anne532
      anne532 patti47255

      Posted

      Can't you spk to your consultant or there secretary for advice rather than your doctor. When is your review ?

  • blackcrane
    blackcrane Mrytle

    Posted

    I had a rectocele and a cystocele repair 8 days ago how long do I need help in my home is it okay to stand and cook light housework I'm just not sure how much help I need. I have a lot of pain when I stand for very long and I can't sit very long without a lot of pain is driving okay

    • wendy69852
      wendy69852 blackcrane

      Posted

      It took me a good 3 weeks before I felt like I could really do everything I was allowed to do. I want back to work for a half of day after 3 weeks. Just one day. At 4 weeks I felt even more like myself. Now at 6 weeks I feel completely normal. Still not allowed to lift anything heavy until 3 months out. I sat and used a recliner most of the time. Didn't stand very much until 3-4 weeks maybe. Be patient it does get better. The first 2 weeks are the hardest.Good luck with your recovery.

    • anne532
      anne532 blackcrane

      Posted

      Did your doctor not give you a chart dos and don't ..... i was advices not to drive for 4 weeks as your not insured after surgery and you need to be able to do an emergency stop safely without injuring yourself

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