How will recoup be after DaVinci robotic sx for sacrocolpopexy w/sling and rectocele?

[Meldoy]

I am 56, married and have had 5 vaginal births and had a hysterectomy w/bladder tuck 11 years ago. I have rheumatoid arthritis and take a considerable amount of medication for this condition. I now have surgery scheduled for February 4th for sacrocolpopexy w/sling and rectocele repair via Da Vinci robotic by a urogynocoligist. I have a grade 3 prolapse.  What can I expect post surgery? Very Painful? Will sex be better (alot of discomfort now)? I know I need to have this surgery (I have alot of constipation problems, and urinary incontinence), alot of abdominal and low back pain. I have been doing PT for a few weeks now. It has helped somewhat.

[UKlady1001]

Most ladies need 12 weeks to fully recover although you can do more as you go along, it is important to avoid lifting.  Walking is good as long as you start off slowly and not for too long.  
How did your check up go?  I hope you are doing well.  
Did you speak to your Dr about the incontinence.  I have heard of this before after ops but if it doesnt settle down go back to this Dr that did the op and make sure your questions are answered.

Good luck and let us know how you got on

[DMcB]

I am 62 and scheduled mid June for Da Vinci surgery to have POP mesh sacroplexy, uterus and tubes removed -possibly ovaries as well.   Thank goodness I did find a urogynocologist who will be performing the surgery. I have found this site helpful and encouraging with some tips that were not mentioned in my surgery consult.  I am concerned that the recovery process is longer than Dr. stated, but I know now to take the time that I may need to mend.

[maxmyman]

I am going into my 5th week post op Da Vinci robotic sacrocolpopexy. I think I may be doing too much. I didn't have any incontinence before surgery but experiencing a little bit now. Not sure what to do, I have a check up with my doctor next week. At this point, what should a person be able to do physically? What is the simple procedure that your doctor can do that you were telling fretful 61 about? Thank you.

[summer59]

Hello, congratulations on your recent surgery, I know it's a relief when it's over and you can start healing.  Only three weeks post op you still have a lot of internal healing to do even though your not in pain.  I also had a uti after surgery probably from the catheter I had to use for five days.  Your sensation of all the feeling not back is usual too.  Did you have urinary incontinence before your surgery?  I did not so I had urodynamic testing done before surgery to see if I would leak after surgery.  Sometimes the prolapsed bladder will kink the urethra and after surgery lifts the bladder back up the urethra becomes unlinked and incontinence happens.  The bladder is extremely sensitive and does take time after surgery to regulate itself.  I am hoping this is your case.  If your incontinence doesn't improve by your 6 week check up please tell your doctor.  There is a fairly simple procedure your doctor can do to correct that.  Your doing a wonderful job in pacing yourself in your recovery.  You only have once chance to heal correctly.  Good luck

[fretful61]

Hello all, I'm 61 yrs old and  had a Da Vinci robotic sacrocolpopexy with Y mesh April 25, 2014 with removal of both ovaries  ( partial hysterectomy in 1974), so I'm almost at my 3 week post-op. No real complications other than a UTI which I understand is common after this type procedure. Doesn't seem like all the feeling has come back yet? And I'm having some leakage if my bladder becomes too full or if I need to go and cough, laugh, sneeze, etc. I'm taking my time as far as getting back into the swing of things, no lifting at all the first 2 weeks. On discharge from the hospital, they said I could lift no more than 8 to 10 lbs, but I haven't done that. Have found myself holding the abdominal muscles when I cough, sore at first, but no pain as of to date. I'm hoping the leakage will finally go away after I'm completely healed and thinking maybe I'm doing this because everything is back in the "normal place?" Constipation was problem at first, but with stool softeners, lots of water and reducing the narcotics, I seem to be over that part. Any advice on the urinary incontinence going away would be so very appreciated. Scheduled for my 6 week check up in June. Thanks ladies :)

[dgmrn]

Thanks.  I go back in the am to the surgeon. I just feel like I am still healing. She seemed to think I would be ok to go back after 6-8 weeks but I am just going to speak up about how I am feeling. 1.75 liters is a huge amount. My bladder scans were increasing the day I went home from the hospital regarding how much urine was in my bladder and I was surprised when they let me go. I know the goal was to keep my bladder flat with all of the incisions and I hope this amount of urine in my bladder did not harm things. What is a womens physio? I didn't think of the fact that I might should wait until later to start the Kegels exercises again. The good thing is with my current job as an RN it is far less physical than most but it does involve some lifting. I just hope my surgeon is receptive.