Post-Op Recovery Week 6 - Rectocele Repair - Prolapse Surgery

It has been 6 full weeks since my rectocele surgery and I feel really good!

 

Late in my 5th week and for most of the 6th week I was wearing a pelvic floor support garment by Braceability that helped a lot when I was out for my walks and when I was standing for longer periods.

 

 

I was nervous for a while there...  midway through my recovery I wondered if I was going to be worse off. Did I make the right decision?

 

Weeks 3-5 were the hardest. I analyzed every sensation, wondered if I did the right thing, thought I broke it, felt super weak, worried that I would be worse but then I would stop and breathe and focus on the outcome that I wanted.  Stressing about it would not help my situation.

I had a conversation with my friend Maureen McGrath who is a Nurse Continence Advisor and a pelvic health expert. She said "the 6th week you will turn a corner" and she was right! The difference in how I felt after 6 full weeks was remarkable!

I did my restorative exercises diligently every day. Sought support from my friend and former biz partner @physioexcellence as well. I am now on week 7 of the Core Confidence Exercise Program and I also do my hypopressives every day.

 

I tried sex and it hurt so I have some work to do there. Other 'stuff' is fine but penetration hurts. I see my pelvic health physio next week and I'm sure she will do some scar tissue release and muscle release work.

My poops are better! My morning poop was always ok but subsequent poops were a challenge. Not anymore. 

I no longer feel like I have something in my vagina which is so nice!

I will be slowly increasing my fitness intensity over the next couple of months and will explore the Incolite pessary from Gaynor Morgan if I feel I need it.

I am following the advice I give to my postpartum clients...6 weeks is the green light to go to pelvic floor physio. It will be 4-6 months before I am doing any high-intensity stuff and it will be my physio who gives me the green light.

Yesterday I went in our hot tub with my family which was heaven! I took baths during my recovery but missed hanging with my family in the hot tub.

 

I am happy I did it. I am grateful for my community and all the support. I thank my body daily too.

I will be creating new content to help support those going through surgery. There is really not a lot out there and I hope to share my learnings and help remove the shame that many feel in choosing surgery.

Pelvic Surgery Success Program

Are you considering surgery as an option to feel like yourself again?

Pelvic Surgery Success is a one-of-a-kind program that will take you from feeling depressed, anxious, and consumed by fear of surgery to informed, confident and calm so you can put your nagging symptoms behind you and get back to living life with spontaneity and joy!