rectocele repair?

Hi ladies,
Well, I had my hyster about six months ago, and now they're doing a surgery to reverse one of my bladder suspension sutures and to do a rectocele repair. My question is about the rectocele repair. What is the recovery like for that? Any suggestions for what to have on hand or what to expect? What is a "grade 2" rectocele?

Any help in this matter would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks!

I also had retocele repair and for me it hurts worse than incision in my belly but hey everyone is different. I am only on day 4 of recovery. I have sutures in my rectum and on the outside as well. But I also had hemmroidectomy and fixed episiotomy.

Hello,

I had LAVHD, A & P, and pubo-vaginal sling.

The rectocele repair was much like episiotomy. The main difference is that there seemed to be more sutures overall, because the doc created a more substantial perineum where mine had become thin. I think it takes more time to heal, there are more stitches under the skin and in the tissues. My bottom is still tender when sitting down. I still refrain from bearing down at all. And intimate relations still hurt.

First to prepare I would suggest foods that don't constipate before surgery. Start on milk of magnesia as soon as possible post op or encourage the nursing staff for stool softener such as colace asap. They have standing orders for that stuff so they usually don't have to have a new doctors order for it post op.

Water, water, water. Drink plenty.

Your first bowel movement is the most intense so work hard to keep it soft.

They had me on morphine post op for 36 hours. That is truly the queen mother of all constipators!!! When I was struggling to pass my first one, my 15 yo DD came into the bathroom and asked if I needed anything and I had to tell her I knew I was on my own and in fact in the middle of what felt like 'birthing a bm'!!!

Have a donut pillow available, it just feels better when you sit!

I hope you don't have any trouble post op and will be thinking of you!!

Warmly,
Jessica

Hey, I glad someone is talking about this combo of procedures. I'm scheduled for a TAH & Cystocele & retrocele repair, but I'm also plague with moderate hemorroids and a chronic anal fissure. It has been suggested by one DR to fix them at the same time and by another DR and some others that it would be TERRIBLE.

It sounds like some of you have actuallly had this -- is it really so bad or is it doable and get it all done in one shot?

sagewoman gives good advice about rectocele prep- I had TVH w/A&P repair 2 weeks ago. The first BM I just medicated myself thru- to the point where I had diarrhea- oops! But i'd rather that than pain, believe me.
In addition to her recommendations. . . Get yourself some Tucks medicated hemmoroidal pads too- you can place them on a femine pad and they add comfort to your episiotomy post surgery. I went thru those like crazy, but they were worth it!

good luck

Thanks for the tip Jenna. I too will be having the same surgery that you had. From what I can tell, the repairs are worse to recover from than the hysterectomy! I will add those tucks pads to my list!

Hi Ladies,

I can so understand this thread as I also had a rectocele repair with the perenium and the spinchter muscle tightened. Passing the first BM was like birthing and I'd been drinking and eating correctly. I took a stool softeners. I also found the repair site to be more uncomfortable than the hyster itself, not to mention I was so sick of sitz baths twice a day even if they did help. My husband being a farmer went and purchased a 25 kg bag of salt you mix in animal feed for this purpose. I used the lot!

Take care and have a great day ...........Karen