Rectocele repair ...

I am having vag removal of uterus only with rectocele repair.. has anyone had this done?
What is the recovery like... did you have general or spinal anesthesia?
I am taking off work for 2 weeks... is this enuf time?

I do think you are cutting your recovery time way too short. According to my DR 6-8 weeks is the usual initial recovery time for a vaginal hyst. Some may say 4-6 weeks. And 6-8 weeks is the usual initial recovery time for a rectocele repair. This is Major Surgery.

I think you would do well to reconsider as you do not want to overdo post op and cause yourself misery (almost guaranteed) and possibly avoidable complications as a result.

You owe it to yourself to take the time you need to heal right.

Even if you sit at a desk all day, 2 weeks is way too soon as sitting puts alot of pressure on the healing internal wounds, which is not good.. I had difficulty sitting very long for several weeks for that reason.

Many women have gone back at 4 weeks post op to office jobs and later reported that they felt it was too soon.

I would recommend you wait at least until the 4 week point. Ask your DR for their ideas on this, too. Search on this site for posts on "back to work" and see what you find. Best Wishes.

My ob did that exact surgery on his wife, who is also his nurse, last December. She said she was on pain meds for almost a week, weening each day. And that she was getting around alright the 2nd week. By the 3rd week she was feeling pretty good. Her surgery was the first week in December and she had a Christmas Eve party at her house for extended family. While each person recovers differently, playing it by ear and beign prepared to take more time off if necessary might be a good idea.

Thankfully this is a once in a lifetime surgery, huh?!!!

Hi emmjay,

I had a vaginal hyst with rectocele and cystocele reapirs, and 2 weeks definitely would not have been enough recovery time. At two weeks post, I was still on pain meds and was not able to concentrate enough to have been able to go back to work.

When I did go back, at 5 1/2 weeks post-op, to a desk job, I really shouldn't have. 1/2 days would have been much better.

Have you talked to your doctor? Most doctors will not release you to go back to work for at least 4 to 6 weeks, and that also depends on whether you run into any unexpected complications.

Please do not cut yourself short on the necessary time to heal. Even though you will not have an abdominal incision, there will be many internal stitches that need time to heal properly, as well as the episiotomy-like incision that you will have for the rectocele repair.

Please keep on reading and researching, and come back to ask any other questions that you may have.

's

Karen

Oh how I agree! I had tvh with rectocele and cystocele and 2 weeks is way too early for work. At two weeks my bottom was still sore from repairs , I could not sit straight----had to sit on side.
I do agree that everyone heals at a different pace but also you need time to heal. You will have many internal sutures which I will tell you I still had some at 7 weeks on the rectocele.
I think you should talk to your doctor again about work.
I was told 6 weeks off and believe me you will need the ENTIRE 6 weeks. You will tire very easy as you recover.
Please search the boards and see what others have said about recovery times.
You only get one chance to heal right !
Take care and best wishes to you 's to you!

I just had a TVH with rectocele repair. I could not sit without major discomfort till my 6th week post op. I am a secretary and I am so glad I told my job it would be 6 weeks. My dr. hinted that it would be longer than 4 weeks. Now I know why he said it would take longer with the repair work. The TVH never gave me a problem at all. Also at first you might have a problem with constipation the first week. There is swelling around the repair area and this makes things difficult. Drink lots of water and eat a lot of fiber. Stay off the rear end as much as you can so you can heal. Good luck on your surgery and recovery.

s

Hi Emmjay,

I am having a vaginal hysterectomy and rectocele on 6/3. I plan on being off 6-8 weeks. I am very nervous about the surgery and all the pain. I also do not know what to expect when I get home. Hang in there and let's keep in touch!

lsiwud