Fibroid & rectocele - Recovery time?

I am lookng at lots of repair ,as a fibroid is in my uterus and I have weak pelvic floor muscles and a retrocele.How long did it take for you to recover...I am an avid athelete and hairdresser who is on her feet 10 hours a day...thanks

Hi! Each of us are unique individuals, and depending on the type of hyst, and the types of repairs during a hyst, we all have different recovery times. Do you know if you will be having a hyst and what type? Will they take care of the rectocele at the time of they hyst? Or is an alternative to a hyst an option for you?

Here are some links to some of our articles that may be helpful to you:

Pre-Op Checkpoints--this has information about Pre Op questions along with the various hyst types.

Options to Hysterectomy--this has information about the various alternatives to a hyst, and lists some of the specific options for fibroids.

Fibroids Article--a short article about fibroids.

You can also click on the Resource tab on the left of your screen and search for resources we suggest about fibroids, rectocele, hysterectomy, etc.

Best wishes to you!

Hi I had a little bit more extensive surgery than it sounds like you're planning -- a cystocele (anterior) repair plus BSO (ovaries and tubes removed) in addition to the hysterectomy and rectocele (posterior) repair. However, I had it all done vaginally; while the route of surgery doesn't necessarily affect the total healing time, ladies with vaginal surgeries do tend to feel better sooner than those with abdominal incisions. That is a mixed blessing... my DR told me that ladies with vaginal surgeries tend to overdo it too soon because they "forget" they are supposed to be taking it easy.

That said... my recovery time was approximately six weeks. I had some discomfort a little longer than that because of the rectocele repairs; I had to sit on a donut cushion to be comfortable for quite a while. And, if I had had a job where I was on my feet as much as it sounds like you are, I think I would have allowed even longer and/or tried to start back part time and gradually work up to a full day.

This is major surgery, for sure, and those of us with "repairs" need to be extra careful during those early months post op to try to avoid having to return to the OR in the future for more repairs.

Good luck with your surgery!

s,
-Linda

Rosie D,
I am having rectocele repair, cystocele repair with TVT (bladder sling) as well as the subpartial abdominal hyst. in about 5 weeks. I have been told that I will feel pretty crappy for about a week to 10 days and then each day it gets better. The donut to sit on is great as is the stomach binder thing (both recommended by my dr nurse) and remember to walk and drink. I am planning on walking as soon as they let me get up! When is your surgery planned for? Hugs Raymo