Recovery time?

Along with the hysterectomy, I will also be having repairs for a rectocele and cystocele. What is the average recovery time with these additional repairs? I know everyone is different. If some of you who have had this done at the same time can tell me of your recovery time, I really would appreciate your input. Thanks!!


Rayna

Hi Rayna!

I can only share what I have read here, as I don't have first hand experience. It is my understanding that DRs tend to issue lifting restrictions for much longer with this type of repair work included in hysterectomy surgery, sometimes many months longer for specific activities.

Has your DR given you any idea of what s/he envisions for your recovery time? There is more healing to do with the surgery you describe, as you probably already know.

Although I didn't have the repair work, I needed every bit of 8 weeks to recover to a point where I could return to work (not too physical a job) comfortably. I have a friend that had repair work and returned to work too early (at 6 weeks) and was not very comfortable at all.

Best wishes to you!

Hi Rayna,

I had a TVH with cystocele & rectocele plus bladder sling on November 14. I was very tired and sore for the first couple of weeks. For the repairs, the Dr. did an episiotomy, which was probably the most uncomfortable part of the whole business. I found sitting upright in a desk chair or kitchen chair very challenging for a while!

I wasn't allowed to bend, stretch, push supermarket trolleys, hang out laundry, or lift more than 5 pounds for six weeks. I was allowed to drive after 2 weeks, but didn't feel comfortable doing so until 3 weeks. I didn't even want to go shopping for 4 weeks (no-one at my house could believe it! LOL). By six weeks I was feeling well and ready to resume normal activities. I went back to work at 8 weeks (would have gone back sooner, but my office was closed over the holiday break). Since then, I haven't looked back. I have more energy than I've had for years, and feel terrific in every way.

My doctor also included NO STRAINING OR BEARING DOWN , so far for 6 weeks, (that's where I'm at), because of the rectocele repair.

I don't think these add time to the overall recovery. They add some additional discomfort, esp for the first two weeks or so. BMs are very painful for a while, going right along the incision route, they are. My internal stitches for the repair were kinda bothersome in one area up til a few days ago (week 6). Just poking like barbed wire in sensitive places near the surface. Only when I showered, did I notice, at least lately. I never needed a donut pillow to sit on, didn't even want one.Didn't have an episiotomy
-type discomfort. like with babies, minimal/ no bruising, a bit of swelling, but not bad.

Hope this helps. Feel free to e-mail me with any more questions..

Thank you all so much! You have given me a lot to think about. The recovery time will affect when the surgery is scheduled (due to my line of work). All your info is deeply appreciated.

At my appointment today the Urologist said that she would require a minimum of 12 weeks leave from my work. She also said that even then, she did not want me to lift more than 10 pounds for the first year. After the year she said that I could return to my previous work position. ( I teach profoundly mentally and physically disabled students - lots of lifting and positioning in PT equipment - ages 16 - 21 and weighing 70 - 120 pounds - all non weight bearing ). She said that to return to it too soon could cause additional surgery. With 7 years to retirement I definitely want to be careful.

Again, thanks for your help.

Rayna