What can i expect from my rectocele repair !

HI

I had a TVH when i was 25 for a prolapse. Now i am 29 and need a rectocele repair.

MY op date is 19/july/04. So i am scared. I Have 3 children aged 4, 6 and 8.

Is there anyone who can tell me what to expect straight after surgery and how long i will be laid up for.

Id appreciate any advice with reagrd this op.

Thanks in advance.

Nicky

Well, I had it all done at once and the repairs hurt more than the TVH. The doctor gave me the "episiotomy form hell" as he called it - that is what bothered me the most - sitting!

Having a BM is not a happy experience - you have to remember never, ever to strain or push. Tears did leak from my eyes the first few times. So, I was (am still now) on 2 stool softeners a day & I have to do the 2 min test - sit on the bowl 2 mins & if nothing happens, get up & try again later. It took 7 days for me to have my first BM after surgery, but then again I barely ate anything those days.

They put a lot of stitches in there & you feel the ache & twinges. The bladder is a bit slow to start & takes time to remember what to do & how to do it.

I was given pain meds for the hyster/A&P surgery but only took them for 6 days - after that I went to Aleve. To me it wasn't "pain" that I felt - more like soreness & being uncomfortable (like riding a bike for hours).

It really depends on your pain threshold.

As for how long you'll be laid up - my doctor said no driving for 2wks so at the end 2 weeks I was driving. He also said to walk - so after 9 days I went for a mile walk - slow & did it every day for 4 weeks. Went back to work at week 5 and the gym at week 6.

Remember, I had it all done so it may be quicker for you.

Hi (((Nicky)))) I'm so sorry you're looking at yet another surgery

I also had a stage III rectocele repaired at the same time as my TVH, so it's kind of hard to tell what part of the recovery was due to the TVH and which part was due to the repairs. I do know that the huge episiotomy-like incision in the perineum was a consequence of the repairs. And my experience was pretty much the same as (((Pam's))): lots of pain due to the incision early in recovery and sitting was very painful. However, this was easily managed with regular-strength Tylenol, right from the 3rd day post-op.

One thing that really helped with the pain was using a peri-bottle filled with warm water to spray over the incision: meant immediate relief!!! You can usually get one of those from the hospital, but condiment bottles will do just as good a job.

One thing to remember is that once you've had a prolapse, you're vulnerable to further prolapses. Therefore, it's important to avoid straining and lifting and those restrictions often are for the rest of your life.

One thing you may want to investigate is going for Pelvic Therapy: it's biofeedback therapy where a small probe is inserted in the vagina. The probe is connected to a computer where the therapist can monitor the strength of your contractions. Of course, this will have to wait until your doctor releases you from the "nothing in the vagina" restrictions. Usually, you need a prescription for the therapy.

Sending lots of s your way and wishing you the best of luck with your upcoming surgery.

thank you both so much for replying,

it helps to know that there are people out there is similar issues.

I appreciate any advice, its going to be hard i know.

My biggest fear is having the episiotomy cut. ouchieeeeee. I had natural births and seems so bizarre to cut that area now. But i guess they know best. I have seen my gyn who referred me to a colorectal specialist and he zapped some internal piles, ( nice lol )and said 3rd degree rectal prolapse, so there is no question it needs doing. I guess i am getting scared as the date gets closer.

any how thank you all so much

Nicky

((((Nicky))))) While, for me, the epiotomy-like incision was the most painful part of the surgery, at least initially, it was very, very easy to manage the pain: at first, I would use the PCA, but I ended up having a bad reaction to it (had difficulty breathing and was very, very nauseous) and I switched to Tylenol with Codeine on the day after I had my surgery and then to extra-strength Tylenol by the third day post-op. However, my "real" life savor was the peri-bottle that I would fill with warm water: it meant instant relief!!!

Hang in there sweetie: we'll be with you every step of the way until you reach the castle door

Hi Nicky,

I'm 17 days post-op. I had my surgery done abomenaly to fix it with a mesch re-enforcement, so I didn't have the episotomy cut. I'm doing better now but still have pain. I know that when I go in for my 6 wk post-op that I will hopefully be fully healed as the colon DR said I will be. Make sure you follow the post-op instuctions, to avoid further complacations. I know it's hard with kids, but it is important! Do you know what kind of incision your going to have? If it's like mine, feel free to PM me with any ?'s you have. Good luck!

I am scheduled for a IVS & rectocele repair on July 13. I had a LAVH last October. My doctor is using a new technique/procedure that has been available in the US for less than 1 year. It is call the IVS Tunneller. They make two incisions near the rectum and "poke" the tunneller in to "thread" the poly tape to the right place and then they tack the vaginal vault to the tape. It is supposed to be the latest and greatest thing available. I have been trying to find someone who has had this procedure to find out what I can expect. I think it just fixes the prolapse and the rectocele still has to be done the regular way. That is what scares me!