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POP Surgery Monday
I am scheduled to have a rectocele, entocele (sp) and new sling procedure Monday. I am scared to death. I have read so many horror stories on line. I feel I have a confident Dr. here in Texas. Dr. Jeffrey Hantes. I just found Sherrie's web site and will not have time to receive her book before surgery. What do I need to have on hand prior to surgery? And what can I expect post surgery? This surgery is being done vaginally.
Hello,
I am four weeks post vaginal and abdominal robotic surgery. First, I think it's great that you have such confidence in your surgeon that is very important through the whole process. At the same time I was also nervous before surgery and scared from the horror stories online. I had to stop looking online a few weeks before surgery.
Everyone experiences pain differently but most women I've talked to including me have felt the pain to be manageable. You will be given pain medication in hospital and to take home. I didn't need to take mine about two days after I got home. I took aleve or Tylenol at that time. You will probably be asked to get up and walk soon after surgery. It will be uncomfortable at first but the longer you are upright and walking the better you will feel. You might have gas pains until your bowel wakes up. This bothered me a lot but quickly resolved once I was able to expel the air. Don't fret if you have to come home with the catheter,over 50% of us do including me. I had mine in for a week. Several items that helped me at home were a bed tray, a big covered cup with straw for water or beverages, sensitive skin baby wipes,ice packs. I also found pillows under my knees helped take the pressure off my vagina when I sat up up in bed. You will not be able to pick up anything more than five lbs for the first eight weeks, similar to a gallon of milk. Be careful not to push or pull anything heavy also. I still feel weird sensations or pains that come out of the blue and sometimes my legs just won't walk any faster,but I try not to worry and take everything a day at a time. Good luck with your surgery and do not hesitate to post any more concerns!
I am four weeks post vaginal and abdominal robotic surgery. First, I think it's great that you have such confidence in your surgeon that is very important through the whole process. At the same time I was also nervous before surgery and scared from the horror stories online. I had to stop looking online a few weeks before surgery.
Everyone experiences pain differently but most women I've talked to including me have felt the pain to be manageable. You will be given pain medication in hospital and to take home. I didn't need to take mine about two days after I got home. I took aleve or Tylenol at that time. You will probably be asked to get up and walk soon after surgery. It will be uncomfortable at first but the longer you are upright and walking the better you will feel. You might have gas pains until your bowel wakes up. This bothered me a lot but quickly resolved once I was able to expel the air. Don't fret if you have to come home with the catheter,over 50% of us do including me. I had mine in for a week. Several items that helped me at home were a bed tray, a big covered cup with straw for water or beverages, sensitive skin baby wipes,ice packs. I also found pillows under my knees helped take the pressure off my vagina when I sat up up in bed. You will not be able to pick up anything more than five lbs for the first eight weeks, similar to a gallon of milk. Be careful not to push or pull anything heavy also. I still feel weird sensations or pains that come out of the blue and sometimes my legs just won't walk any faster,but I try not to worry and take everything a day at a time. Good luck with your surgery and do not hesitate to post any more concerns!
I assume your Dr is a Urogynecologist and am glad you are happy with him. I am familiar with Sherrie's book. You may have a catheter in place for a couple of days to begin with and may go home with one in until you can urinate without it. Obviously there will be swelling. If you have vaginal packing to prevent swelling after surgery this will probably be taken out at the same time as the catheter. You will have strong pain killers for around the first week and possibly longer. It may be a good idea to talk to the Consultant about your pain tollerance levels before the op. Make sure you go home with pain killers... and laxatives as well.
No exercise for the first 6 to 8 weeks and this could go up to 3 months depending on your type of surgery. No lifting, or pulling so follow your Drs guidelines on resting etc., You can use ice wrapped up and applied underneath to reduce swelling ( wrapped in daiper for instance ). Keep bowels open and make sure you dont strain, so a stool softener will be a must especially with painkiller. Try Colace or Laxido and eat lots of fibre. Wear loose jogging bottoms, and expect to be laying down a lot to begin with so you may want to have small tables, easy to drink out of cups and something to help you to slowley get up for when you need to go to the bathroom. Dont expect to do much at all for the beginning of your recouperation especially.
I hope this helps and wish you a successful operation and healing.
No exercise for the first 6 to 8 weeks and this could go up to 3 months depending on your type of surgery. No lifting, or pulling so follow your Drs guidelines on resting etc., You can use ice wrapped up and applied underneath to reduce swelling ( wrapped in daiper for instance ). Keep bowels open and make sure you dont strain, so a stool softener will be a must especially with painkiller. Try Colace or Laxido and eat lots of fibre. Wear loose jogging bottoms, and expect to be laying down a lot to begin with so you may want to have small tables, easy to drink out of cups and something to help you to slowley get up for when you need to go to the bathroom. Dont expect to do much at all for the beginning of your recouperation especially.
I hope this helps and wish you a successful operation and healing.
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