prolapse surgery and pessaries

Any advice for my DD who is to go into hospital in a couple of weeks for treatment (under general) which involves dilating the ureter (or whatever is the correct name for the relevant tube)? She has suffered awful urinary infections and kidney stones and ends up having to use a catheter several times a day. Has anyone undergone this procedure and with what result?

Oh NannaJ are'nt men wonderful what would we do without them and their antic's,I'm so glad you are feeling OK and as said in earlier post you will most probably not feel on the way to 100% until about 6wks.Pleased to hear all the privite bit's are working well that's a god send in it's self.Keep well and let's keep updated as to how you progress.xx

Start of Week 3 after my prolapse repair. I am like a caged tiger with no energy. I am up to a 25 min walk a day and a bit of pottering around the house. DH is doing his best, but drove me apoplectic last night with his antics changing the bottom sheet on the bed and putting new pillowcases on. (I decreed leaving the duvet cover as it was a step too far). I asked him to do the task and he started off very willing, but tried to put the bottom sheet on 90 degrees wrong and accused me of giving him a single sheeet, then, as I flung one of the old pillow cases on to the floor, he picked it up and tried to put it on his pillow. It was only my high pitched screams that got through.

Aside from that he made ammends by doing me some Marmite on toast for lunch, which given that he is a Marmite hater, was an expression of love.

According to my instructions, wk 2-3 sees the stitches starting to dissolve and a difference in the discharge should ensue. Otherwise I am still very comfortable, going to the loo, having a shower, no pain, no backache, no hip ache. Once my energy levels return I will be a new woman.

Still so far so good.

I absolutely agree glammanana. The very thought of what they actually did makes my eyes water. I have no idea of how many stitches I had, and all internal of course. I could have asked but I felt it was a bit melodramatic. Must have been a lot considering how tired I still am, but still VERY glad I had it done. Yes, much better to be out cold for 30 mins or so whilst they poke about.

Yes that's right Sept 8th but hopefully for the day,into the ward at 7-30am
and home 6ish depending on the way I feel after being put to sleep,I just
could not contemplate a local so I opted for general,I don't want to be aware of anything thank you very much!

Yes fingers crossed glammanana was it September you had to wait until and are you in hospital overnight with the botox method?

So glad to hear you are making good progress NannaJeannie be careful in the garden and don't get carried away just enjoy the rest and fuss everyone
make's of you,I did not feel fully back to myself for a good 6weeks and then
the tiredness used to just hit me so be prepared for that,hopefully the repair
I am having will not be as long in recovery but I'll just have to wait and see
I was not as fortunate as you as I had no area to really attach TVT to,
after the cancer problem yrs ago,but this botox method is said to be the
way forward finger's crossed.xx

Thank you pinkhater

Am on day 10 now and made really good progress until today. Wham with tiredness and feeling glum. Have rested a lot and read a lot in response. Perhaps I stayed up too late last night. I am forensic about not lifting anything heavier than 1Kg, even getting DH to weigh things to check my judgement. We have just been for fish and chips and he carried them back to the car as he thought they were too heavy. They were 1.2Kg. This would have not done any damage, but to think I have just consumed about 500gm of fat aaaaarrrrggh! It was nice though and the fish was lovely.

I am itching to go and pick up all the mares tails in a gravel covered part of our garden, I think I will do that tomorrow and be very steady.

All good on the operation though, all fine in the toilet department and no pain. And sleeping much better than before the operation to put everything back into place.

Onward and upward

Hi nannajeannie
about the lifting thing - my gp said nothing heavier than a kettle.
I also found no gardening very frustrating, so I limited myself to light pruning and dead heading. Kneeling was fine though, if you're used to it.
I don't do walks because I have arthritic feet, so kept myself active in other ways. Plus I'm not very good at being waited on, so quickly returned to preparing food. I did take an afternoon nap most days though - after my exercise session. I'm 3 months on and seem to be ok.
best wishes

Now in my second week after my prolapse repair - (hysterectomy done many years ago). My Bladder seems happy to be back in its proper place and it is still lovely to be devoid of hipache, backache and a grapefruit down below.

I am to increase my walking time this week and still lift nothing heavy. I can do household activities but no housework. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN. Of course I will apply common sense, but you don't realise that to do anything usually means lifting something before you do it.

I very rarely dusted anyway, so I am not going to start that now. I have removed washing from the machine, item by item. I have made toast. I have fed the cat. I have had a shower and washed my hair, but DH had to hold the hairdryer and I waggled my head under it.

Sat in the front room bay window, my hanging basket is looking bedraggled so I will have to get DH to put it on the wheelie bin while I trim it.

Still I am very grateful for having the surgery, very grateful.

NannaJeannie - please be patient and follow instructions. Several years ago I had a hysterectomy and, being a bit of a coward, followed those instructions to the letter. It was a bit frustrating and I remember saying after a couple of weeks that I'd gone to work feeling much worse! However the 'no lifting or hoovering' rule is a must. May I add - don't try changing duvet covers either. A friend had the same op a month or two later and being a competitive type decided just to get on with things - obviously saw me as a wimp! I promise you that I have had not the slightest problem in the intervening years while she has had to go back for minor corrective op's at least twice. It isn't about being robust or brave - it's about being sensible and allowing your lovely man to help, as he seems perfectly willing to do. Very best wishes for a full, but gradual recovery.

Oh the joy's of a new man,how lucky are we to have such caring hubby's,if
that was in my dad's time my poor mum would have to get on with it,even though I loved him to bit's he was very much "a man's man" and a women's place
is in the home type of guy,very old fashioned

Thank you Glammanana.

Day 7 now and progress is slow but in the right direction. I am up to 15 minutes walk a day now and aim to increase by 5 mins a day during next week (I am following a sheet from the hospital). DH is still being a total amazing help. Ever vigilant to what I might need passing to me. I even have to ask to have my laptop put on my knee if I dont fancy sitting at my desk.

DH decided to tackle the washing before, I supervised from the step to the utility room. I said 'separate out the light stuff' I did not add 'from the dark stuff' - we did not have enough whites to run a load, and if I had said 'just put the whites in' he would have taken me literally. So he put the 'light stuff' in and I saw him chucking in black socks with my shabby but light knickers and bras. He thought I meant light in terms of not-heavy.

You don't realise how, when breaking down household tasks you really need to be ultra clear, almost like a computer programme. We have division of labour in our house which I have encouraged, but bless, he has never done the washing. He has learned to use the new electric steamer though.

Now I must wriggle my ankles and do a few pelvics.

Take care,you will be surprised how tiring a walk will be so be
careful,and let everyone wait on you hand and foot.Thanks for the good wishes NJ I just wish it was over and done with

Day 3 after my prolapse repair and still making progress. Just had a shower unaided and DH is making lunch, something with Broccoli - sooooo important. Might be able to go out and walk round the block later, if the rain stays off. Not taking painkillers any more, just very ginger about moving about. It is frustrating not being able to lift anything and load the washing machine etc but needs must. And I am starting the pelvic floor exercises.

So far so good

Good to hear you're doing well. I'm reading this thread with interest as I'm beginning to fear that I am entering 'the prolapse years'. [Sounds like an Adrian Mole book, doesn't it...'crimson..the prolapse years']. Oh joy.

Thank you everyone for good wishes.

I had the surgery (with a good specialist) on Monday midday. Woke up in the recovery room singing 'the wheels on the bus..' (which is what I normally do on Mondays) and wittering about how I 'must fix the hood on this pram'. I spent a long time in recovery as I have a very low respiration rate and the ward would not take me back. The aneasthatist gave me a stimulant and I compensated for that too. I explained to them that low respiration rate is normal for me and I had ensured that it was on record - I have done that for many years as a relaxation technique. Anyway I got back on the ward and got no sleep as a lady with a shouting psychosis had been admitted.

So far I am very comfortable, resting and reading at home and feeling such a difference, I am taking paracetamol of course, but I feel better, no low backache, no hip ache, and no small grapefruit trying to escape from my vagina if you will pardon the expression.

I have got leaflets telling me what to do, physiotherapy sessions booked and Pilates to return to eventually. Right now I am very optimistic.

glammamama, I hope your botox works Ok, I have heard about that

Hi girls,I had this procedure 2 yrs ago and am sorry to say it did not work for me
but I know girls who it has helped,I am due to go back in for more surgery
on 8th Sept when I will have the neck of the bladder injected with botox to
strenghten the neck of the bladder (I've heard all the joke's)here's hoping
it will help as I am up 4/5 time's a night and have shares in Tena lady products,
Don't listen to horror stories just research your specialist and if you are not satisfied find someone you are happy with,even if you have to wait a while longer
Take care NannaJeannie and have loads and loads of rest

Good luck NannaJeannie
I hope by the time you read this you'll be recovering nicely. Also hope you get plenty of good help and advice re drinking and resting plenty.

Well, I am going to hospital 8.30 am Monday morning. Pre-op was done last week. Prolapse repair scheduled for a morning slot. Nil by mouth after midnight so I am just going to have a sneaky bowl of cornflakes now. I will continue to report when I am home if DH would be kind enough to pass me my laptop whilst peeling me a grape.

Hi nannajeannie
I followed the usual advice about not driving and lifting for 6 weeks (except for my little grandaughter, who lives with us - but don't tell anyone ! ) As regards bladder control, it was not as bad as I expected but I did follow the exercise regime properly for the first few weeks and I did take things really easy. I guess my advice is just follow instructions and give yourself the excuse to have a rest at least once a day.Good luck.

Jangly : thank you for your good wishes

pinkhater: good to hear you are doing OK. I had a subtotal hysterectomy about 15 years ago, so my repair on the bladder is a separate job now, my surgeon said he might take the cervix out this time. Since you had your surgery in May, where are you up to in being able to drive and lift things? Although I am having my pre-op in a couple of days and I could ask questions like that, it would be nice to hear it from a fellow grannie. Of course what I really want to know is when will I be able to pick up the grandchildren again

I am going through this now. First step was a ring pessary which was a disaster as I 'leaked' continuously, then a larger one was tried, same result. Then to the consultant and urodynamics with a friendly nurse (absolutely vital as extremely intrusive procedure) then a Fluid Diary where all input and output had to be measured - not easy when out and about!
Next step back to consultant who I know is going to suggest surgery, but am very wary of any surgery due to horror stories.
Anyone else got to this stage?

Hi all
I had pelvic repair surgery for a prolapse in May. It was a double job - bowel and bladder and they did a vaginal hysterectomy in order to make it easier. I had it done in one of the nhs specialist treatment centres and I'm very happy with the outcome. The actual operation was not as bad as I thought, but I was unfortunate in that I had a couple of infections in the wound and had to take antibiotics for ages. As far as my present comfort goes though, I would thoroughly recommend it. By the way both the surgeon and my gp told me that sometimes, no amount of exercises can prevent it and it's just the luck of the draw.
Good luck to anyone having it done.

Good luck Nannajeanie