Mirror selfie wearing a pelvic floor support garment by Braceability, worn during walks and while standing during week 6 of rectocele repair recovery

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

pelvic organ prolapse post-op recovery prolapse prolapse surgery rectocele repair rectocele surgery Jan 25, 2021

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

By Kim Vopni, The Vagina Coach — Certified Pelvic Floor Fitness Specialist · Published January 26, 2021

What Changes at Week 6 of Post-Op Recovery After Rectocele Repair?

Direct Answer: Six weeks after rectocele repair surgery is often the turning point where recovery starts to feel dramatically better. Consistent restorative exercise, hypopressive breathing work, and supportive garments during activity can all speed up how quickly you feel like yourself again.

Key Takeaways

Many women notice a real "turning point" in how they feel around the 6-week mark after rectocele repair.
A pelvic floor support garment can make walks and prolonged standing more comfortable during recovery.
Daily restorative exercise and hypopressive breathing work support a stronger, more resilient pelvic floor.
Leaning on support from friends, professionals, and community makes the recovery process easier.
Small joys, like being active again or spending time with family, are meaningful markers of healing.

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.

Demonstrating the inhale phase of a lunge exercise during a hypopressive pelvic floor workout at home

Demonstrating the exhale phase of a lunge exercise during a hypopressive pelvic floor workout at home

Performing a hypopressive forward-fold breathing exercise in the gym as part of pelvic floor recovery training

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.

Kim relaxing in the hot tub with her family at night, a happy moment during her surgery recovery

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!

PELVIC SURGERY SUCCESS

Frequently Asked Questions

When do most women start feeling normal again after rectocele repair?
Many women describe week 6 as a turning point, when day-to-day comfort and energy improve noticeably compared to the earlier weeks of recovery.

Can a support garment help during prolapse surgery recovery?
Yes. A pelvic floor support garment can ease discomfort during walks and while standing for longer periods as your body continues healing.

What are hypopressive exercises and why are they used in recovery?
Hypopressive exercises use specific breathing and posture techniques to engage the pelvic floor and core without added intra-abdominal pressure, making them a gentle, supportive tool during post-surgical recovery.

How often should I do restorative exercises after prolapse surgery?
Consistency matters more than intensity. Doing gentle, physiotherapist-approved restorative exercises daily supports steady, safe progress.

Consistent, guided pelvic floor exercise makes a real difference in recovery like this. Join the Buff Muff membership for daily programs that support your pelvic floor before and after prolapse surgery.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our episode:
Preparing For and Recovering From Prolapse Surgery with Amichi Jensen

Listen to the episode

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

What Changes at Week 6 of Post-Op Recovery After Rectocele Repair?

Key Takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions

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