Well, the first two threads on this topic got too full... because there are so many of us who have had, or will have, this surgery. Anyone who sees this title and can identify with it, please join in! And read Part I and Part II. This is a wonderful and supportive thread.
Mary

WHEW!! I got worried when I saw a new thread had to be started. I'm new to these health boards and wasn't sure how to find everyone again. Glad I could find this. There is so much helpful info and support, I didn't want to lose that.


Mary, I will try cutting back on the stool softeners and see what happens. Thanks for the info.

Got my Tanalbit yesterday and will start taking it this afternoon. I take so many meds and supplements, it will be difficult to work this in, in between. But I am definitely going to try.

Suzan

Hi Suzan. I hope the others find the new thread! I think Kelley & JJ will, as they were two of the "originals."

I took Tanalbit for 2 days 'till I had a big bout of diarrhea and then read on the maker's website that it's not supposed to be used if one is taking Lonox or Lomotil (or any anti-diarrheal) which I am. As with all supplements, as you say, we have to be careful.
Hope you're feeling OK...
Mary

Hello Ladies,
thank you for all the positive support. I have been struggling with two ear infections the last couple of days. So I actually felt better to be put on antibiotics, i am hoping this helps me heal. Tomorrow will be four weeks. I am feeling better and actually went to the store with my family this weekend with no problems. Driving was actually okay and not hard at all. I am starting to get back in the swing of things, but I still need my naps and rest when i get tired. Still wide open down there and red. But I am taking one day at a time.

I am praying for everyone and will type more later when i feel better.
Lisa

Hi Everyone,

Still here...Glad to hear everyone is doing better. As for me, I still struggle intermittently with slight constipation and bloating, but think that it is more due to other medications I am on. No leaking here at almost 5 months post op. I really feel normal now except a little tenderness after some BM's. I even went bike riding with my kids the other day. I had to sit more on the front part, but it was fine. I had been wanting to do that for a long time! :) Swimming also has been very enjoyable for me. Last year, I couldn't swim at all, due to uncontrolled accidents. I am so glad I have my life back. I just want everyone to keep there chins up, and remain positive that you will get better or hopefully be improved. Take care everyone. It is a long road, but you all will be back to normal soon.
Hugs,
Kelley

Lisa,
Sorry about the ear infections--Hope your feeling better soon. It seems like it took me a long time to regain that stamina and not be fatigued and tired all the time. It will get better with time. Rest helps you heal. Also, keep up with the sitz baths or just soaking in the bathtub--they really help with closing up that wound. Glad you are feeling better otherwise. How is your control these days?? Hang in there!

Susan,

I agree that maybe you should try backing off of the stool softeners. You can still play with the fiber and water also.
Kelley

Mary,

Thanks for the "heads-up" on Tanalbit. I started taking it yesterday and am a bit constipated today. I'm not taking any anti-diarrheals meds at this time.

Suzan

Kelly, so glad you you are doing so well. It gives the rest of us lots of hope. My biggest problem remains that I cannot control the gas. I'm not having as much as I did before the surgery. Hope this Tanalbit doesn't throw me off the routine I've gotten into. I'm not quite ready to venture a bike ride yet, I'm 7 weeks post op, but I am exercising and doing well with that. No aerobics, just 5 lb. weights and some squats. No problems with that. I've been shopping several times, but always in the afternoons after my morning BMs. Still a little nervous about the urgency issue. It is much better, but I look for the bathrooms in every place I go, ahead of time, and watch for McDonalds or other fast food restaurants for potties if I get stuck on the road and have to go. I expect the urgency will continue to improve.

Suzan

Hi everyone-

Just wanted to let you all know that I have decided to postpone my surgery until I'm finished with having children. I am not having any major problems now and I want to make sure that there aren't any complications with any subsequent pregnancies.

Question---did you all go on to have uneventful vaginal deliveries after your horrible tear? Or did you elect to have a c-section. I met with my dr. today and he said that if I didn't have the surgery now, that a vaginal delivery would be fine--but if I wanted a c-section he'd do that if I wanted.

What do you think? Any input?

I feel as if I'm making the right decision. We're planning on my getting pregnant within a year and then I'll have the surgery once my kids are a bit older.

Linds 77

Linds,

Hi there. I know there are no certainties with anything in life...but here is what happened to me. I had my 4th degree tear with my first child in 2001. had my second child in 2003 with a very fast vaginal delivery (2 1/2 hour labor total) during hurricane Isabel. 2 pushes and out she came. I did have another episiotomy. Third child came in 2005 (my biggest) and I like to say he just "fell out" 1 grunt and out he came. No tears or episiotomy I did have leaking issues during the last 2 pregnancies, and the leaking became much worse about 1 year after the last birth. for the next 6 months, it got worse and worse until I finally sought help for it. I honestly don't know if the latter pregnancies and births caused additional damage or not. I was scared to death of a c-section and didn't want one unless it was absolutely necessary. If you had an easy delivery of the first, you may be OK. I wished I could have pushed for no 2nd episiotomy during my 2nd birth, but didn't know better, and I didn't deliver with my dr. :rolleyes: I guess the decision is up to you, but I certaintly understand your decision to wait. Good luck to you!
Kelley

Hi everyone,

I have not yet tried the tanalbit, but still plan to. Mitzee, before you had the diarrhea and stopped taking it, did it reduce gas?

I really think that the leaking is diminishing in severity. I'm almost afraid to write that for fear of "jinxing" myself, but I really do believe that it is better. I still have some leaking after most bm's, but it is usually a scant amount. And there aren't as many instances of being unable to "cut off" the stool. I am feeling encouraged! Kelley, bike riding! How wonderful! I am away at my parents' home for awhile and so so sore from the long drive. It's hard to imagine EVER getting back on a bike, but I think the day might actually come, eventually.

Ladies, I do believe that the kegels are helping me, so I want to put that out there for whomever might be struggling with urgency, leaking, and incomplete evacuation. I really thought for awhile that my surgery was all for nothing, but now it seems that my situation might be somewhat better than it was before the surgery. The incontinence of gas continues, and I am also experiencing the crazy noise that sometimes accompanies it. I'm actually glad at this point, because I imagine that it is because the sphincter is really tight!

Linds, My damage came with my first child. She must have "cleared the way" for the others. My two subsequent deliveries were vaginal, and though I did have very small episiotomies with both, there didn't seem to be any additional damage. The recoveries from my second two deliveries were so so much easier than the first one. Good luck to you.

JJ

Hi Jou Jou,

That is such encouraging news! I have said a lot of prayers for you, and will continue to do so. I have started to do kegals also, and hope they will help with pushing the Bm out. Glad to hear you are doing better. You too, will be able to ride a bike soon!
Kelley

Suzan,

The urgency was the last hurdle to crawl over for me. It did take a while, but it did get better with time. Hang in there! Sounds like your doing great. At times, my gas is no big deal, and at other times, I sound like like a semi-automatic shot gun! :) I know it is frustrating for all of us. I am interested in everyone else's use of the tanalbit. I need to check with my dr. next time I see him because of all of the other meds I am on.
Kelley

Linds,
My damage came from my first son 8 years ago. I had some leakage but then delivered my second son who is 5 with a small episiotomy and the leakage became worse. The second delivery was much better and I recovered faster than the first, but the leakage was a problem. Like I said before, it took awhile before I said anything and I am so glad I finally did. Good luck with getting pregnant, it is a wonderful thing!

JJ, I am very happy you are doing much better! That is such good news to hear. I have been praying for you also. I knew you would come through and be better, I just knew it. :) Gives us all more hope..

I am making myself sick over this surgery.. I know I need to have it done, but hearing about the huge open "hole" just freaks me out! I know I have to have it done, but it literally scares me to death. I guess talking about it helps alot. How long do you sit in the sitz baths? Just wondering how long to soak? I guess having constipation issues all my life also, I am scared to death of having an impaction or constipation. I guess I will just have to take one day and a time and see what happens.

Hope everybody is doing great. I have been having gas issues also, maybe I will try the tanalbit and see what happens. I have also been struggling with constipation and not being able to go and bloating, not being able to get it all out, not to mention that time of the month!!! When it rains it pours!! I really want to just feel normal again, if that is possible...

Take care everyone,
Mindy

Hi Mindy,

I know you are scared--believe me, I was too! There is no telling what will happen with your incision, just hope and pray for the best--and take it easy. I did bath soaks in very hot water for 20 mins 4 times daily. I never messed with the sitz bath pan from the hospital--too labor intensive for a mom of 3 rambunctious kids! The tub worked just as good. I would just take off my bottoms, hop in the shower and spray down with the hand held so I was clean, and jumped in the tub with water up to my belly button (except at night when I took a relaxing bath). Here I sat for 20-30 mins every time. In the beginning, there was a lot of oozing, and leaking beyond my control. This is the reason I didn't want a lot of water...Not fun taking a bath in your own @#% if you know what I mean. This was still easier for me than the sitz pan, but that will certainly work as well. I am now having constipation problems as well due to my other meds. I am learning to manage it, but I will say, that wiping my bum is still sore even today after 5 months! It is still tender. I don't know when that will go away. It seems that every time I have a BM--it aggravates my rectum and causes some pain. Mind you, I am not passing rocks, just not as soft as I would like--More pasty, and hard to get out. Is anyone else's rectum still sore??? I think I am the farthest out so far. :confused:
Kelley

Kelly, I'm not really sore. It's more of a "pulling" sensation and occasional itching which I attribute to healing. But I didn't have the opening of the incision like you did.

BTW, off topic, my grandson spent 56 days in NICU at Cedars-Sinai in L.A. last year. He was born with "compartment syndrome" in his right arm. They saved the arm, lots of surgeries and skin grafts. He's 11 mos. old now and they say he will have full use of his arm and hand. The NICU nurses were the BEST. Thanks for all your hard work. I have great respect for you guys.

Suzan

Hi everyone.. catching up here. my surgery was 5 weeks ago and I am healing well except for a small stubborn patch of the external yeast infection right at the anus. The sitz baths still help (the tub is much more comfortable than the little pan, and I can get much cleaner that way, same as Kelley did). The bits of stool floating around in the water freaked me out at first too, but that stopped after a few days. I feel I have much better sphincter control now; still am doing the Kegels though, and probably always should.

I went to Yoga class last night and could do everything except the straight-on sitting poses. I took a very soft microbead pillow to put on top of the blankets for sitting, and it helped. Getting back to the group was therapeutic for me. Even though I do breathing exercises and regular yoga practice at home, it is not the same as being in class; I get too lazy at home.

Linds, even though you have postponed your surgery, it might help to do Kegels in the meantime, to help with future birthing, and later the surgery. If this board isn't around in a few years (?) when you are ready for the surgery, you might re-start the thread!

Kelley, yes my anus is still a little tender. The surgeon told me not to wipe with TP as that was too irritating with the stitches and infection; just Cottonelle wipes or unscented/delicate baby wipes. You're right, the constipation problem could be due to your meds. It's so hard to figure it out, isn't it? Or maybe that bike ride did it! I haven't been able to sit on a bike seat for years due to my vulvar varicosities (which by the way became worse with the surgery, for about a week...).

Mindy, since you've had constipation issues all your life, has any doctor helped you with this? Do you know what makes you constipated? If you could figure that out before your surgery, I think it would help you not be so afraid. The National Institute of Health has a good website (clearinghouse) for digestive diseases: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ and the specific article on constipation is at http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/index.htm

Suzan, I hope your course of antibiotics is working. I think about you and what you are going through. Maybe the candidiasis causes you to have more gas....?

JJ, Sooo glad you are doing better. It seems we all improve, eventually! As for the Tanalbit,,I think it actually increased gas for the 3 days I took it, but it might have decreased in the long run. I did have one bout with diarrhea and I don't know if that was because I was also taking Lonox(Lomotil) for the three days, and that's a no-no. When and if I stop Lonox, and still have concerns about internal yeast, I will try the Tanalbit again.

Robin, keep us posted on your surgery and recovery. It's June 15, right? We are all supporting you and anticipating a good outcome.

Mary
P.S. The moderator wants a new thread started after 5 pages because long threads slow down the server. Do we just wait until we're told III is closed, then someone starts IV?

Hi all, Thank you, everyone, for th prayers. It's nice to be able to post some good news. Kelley, I am also still sore. It comes and goes, depending on how long I sit on the toilet, activities, being on my feet, etc. It is my perineum that really has pain, not so much my rectum or anus. Mitzee, so glad you are getting back to your regular actvities. It does go a long way toward making one feel "normal". Hope everyone is doing well.

JJ

Learned from a nurse, here's a hint for gently drying your incision area after cleansing: hair dryer on low. I've learned that yeasts and other nasties just love the moist, warm environs, and this helps heal and prevent infection. (Wish I knew it before MY infection!)

I also used a hair dryer on low immediately after my surgery. Plus, I think that a little fresh outside air and gentle sunshine help too (if you have the privacy and the time). JJ

Hi JJ - yes, as I remember that might have been one of your suggestions on thread one or two. I didn't have time to read them all before my surgery.
And although I don't have a yard that offers privacy, I admit to working around indoors with my bum exposed, and taking side-lying naps the same. I like to think it helped.

Hope you're continuing to improve each day too!
Mary

Mindy,

I believe your surgery is tomorrow. Wishing you all the best and hope it turns out terrific. Hope you are feeling better about it. The option of not having it probably wouldn't help your quality of life. So have faith and hang in there. I don't believe anyone on the board is saying they are worse off than before the surgery. Positive thoughts!!

Suzan

Suzan,
Thanks for thinking of me, however I think it is Robin who is having her surgery tomorrow, I am waiting until after the summer (end of August) to have mine. I sure do appreciate the well wishes, I will need them when the time comes.

Robin,
I know you will do just great. You are in our prayers.. When you have recovered a bit, let us know how you are doing.
Mindy:angel:

OOPS! Sorry about that, but I DO wish you well with your surgery in the fall.

Robin,

Thinking of you and sending lots of prayers for a great outcome to your surgery.

Suzan

hey all...Im new to this thread and just wanted to wish Robin good luck with surgery.will need your support when the time comes for me!

Hello all! I'm alive!! My doc said it went as he expected which I guess is good. The car ride home was not fun and now I'm in my bed rotating from front to side to back. So hard to hear my little boy cry or need something and not be able to go pick him up! My surgeon said that the tissue/wound is actually the weakest 7 to10 days post op so I'm going to have to be very careful then because I assume that at that point I'll be feeling better to the point that I'll be tempted to do too much. For anyone who has this surgery upcoming I recommend the homeopathic remedy Staphysagria. This helped so much with my mental state and level of....calmness going into the surgery. Every time I would start getting tense or feeling nervous I would take a couple and it helped so much!
I haven't dared to get out my mirror and take a look yet. Every thing is so brused and swollen and tender. Lots of gas and a little diarrhea. I have to bear down just to pass this! I'm sure my gut is all out of balance because of all the antibiotics. I dread having a BM because it's such a ordeal to get clean afterwards. I have to get my little sits bath things set up. The doc told me to sit in the tub 3 times a day but there's no way I could it on such a hard surface yet. I just hope and pray that this is all worth it!! Thank you all for sharing your stories and for your words of encouragement!!!
Robin

Hi Robin... Wasn't your surgery yesterday (15th) and you're home already... and having BMs to boot? Wow, that is a much different experience than most of us had. Aren't you glad the surgery is over? Now on to the healing. Your little one can cuddle with you in bed; it's just a temporary routine change. As for the tub, you'll have to sit on one cheek or the other. I found the tub easier and more relaxing than the sitz bath bowl... and more comfortable. And I could use the shower sprayer too. The bowl tended to stretch the incision (like sitting on a doughnut pillow, which is a no-no.) Just now, at 6 weeks post-op, I can almost sit straight on a chair. Woohoo - next week will be even better, and for you too!

Instead of the hand mirror, it worked best for me to put the mirror on the closed toilet lid and straddle the bowl, then I had 2 hands free to apply ointment, gently separate the cheeks, etc. Don't be afraid to look; then you can appreciate the progress in the weeks ahead.

I'm wishing you a speedy and uneventful recovery... keep us posted.
Mry

My dr. said to take milk of mag. and lots of fiber. But I'm scared to take the fiber because I have to bear down significantly just to pass the diarrhea and I don't know if I should take the milk of mag if I already have really loose stools. Any advice?
I thought i was doing pretty well but then I looked and saw how bruised I was. Big mistake. I felt sick to my stomach and when I got off the toilet and was going to get in the shower to rinse off I almost passed out (very unusual for me). I collected myself and got back to my bed but then i had an emotional melt down and couldn't stop bawling. My poor husband didn't know what to do. He sat by me for a while (which is exactly what i needed him to do!) and then started to lecture me on not taking my pain meds often enough (this was ligitimate, I will admit). Although I was uncomfortable down there it wasn't an unbearable pain and I wanted to do as few pain meds as possible. I just felt awful all over. It's hard to describe how you can be in very little pain yet feel so terrible. So I took another vicoden and fell asleep. I do not look forward to every experiencing that again. My son is beautiful and happy but sometimes I wonder if I would have chosen to have children if I had known all that I would go thru because of it. It' s kinda silly to even entertain those thoughts because there's no way to ever know a head of time. I must trust God for a perfect plan that's much bigger than I can see. And pray that I soon forget all this misery. At least I have the hope of it getting better. Congrats to all of you who have survived this.
Robin

Robin, I'm so sorry you're in pain and feeling so down :-( It WILL get better. How long were you in the hospital, and did you have a general anaesthesia?

I can't help with the milk of mag and fiber, as I could have no food for 5 days. Maybe some of the others can help, or you can clarify it with your dr. Good luck!
Mary

Robin, the reason I asked about your hospitalization and anaesthesia is that they have a lot to do with how you feel during the first week or so after surgery. I wasn't just being snoopy... Mary

Hi Robin,

So glad for you that that phase of the process is over. Now it is just waiting out the healing. I would talk to my doc before taking the Milk of Magnesia if you already have diarrhea. I took a lot of fiber, maybe too much and the BMs DID hurt for the first 3-4 days. After that it got better. I just couldn't sit on the toilet very long because it stretched my incision and hurt, so I went as quickly as I could and got off. I had the "bearing down" impulse for the first couple of days. Then things settled down to just having the urge to go and everything working. I am still having 3 - 4 BMs in the morning and I've cut back - way back - on the fiber and stool softners, so my system is still adjusting. I'm 8 weeks post op.

I used the basin they gave me at the hospital for my sitz baths, but could not sit on it the 20 min. they recommended. It had a little tube that squirted the water on my incision as it filled and I would end up leaking some stool, empty the basin and have to start over. I think the bath tub idea is great. If you partially lay in the tub as opposed to sitting straight up, that should help with the pain. You won't be putting so much pressure on the incision.

Don't be afraid to use the pain meds the first while. I took what I needed to to stay comfortable, but was off all pain meds by 2 weeks. I didn't need them after that. So it is very short-term and you won't feel quite so emotional if you can keep your pain under control.

It IS tough on caring hubbys. Mine is GREAT and he felt very helpless as to what to do for me those first days because the pain was so great. I just kept telling him he was doing everything he could and was so helpful with cooking and making sure I had juice and water, or whatever I needed.

Hang in there and know that it is all uphill (or is it downhill?) from here. Anyway, it WILL get better. I didn't venture a look at my incision until I found this list and heard others were looking at theirs. By that time, I was a couple of weeks into the healing so it wasn't so scary. Get lots of rest and allow your body to heal.

Suzan

Hi Robin,

Glad your doing well. Take the pain medicine, It does help, and you heal better when your not in pain. The bath tub may be more comfortable for you instead of the sitz tub. The stretching is definitly not good for the incision. In the tub, the buoyancy helps with laying down. You can get pretty comfy laying on a cheek with your legs curled up to the side, or laying back on your upper back. We all have gone through bouts of depression, and saddnes with this surgery. It is a tough one to endure. You will be feeling tons better soon. I would not take milk of Msg unless you have not gone to the bathroom or need help going. If your already loose--stay away from it. It is normal to have ery loose stool in the begining. It literally just fell out of me with no control whatsoever. Kinda scary, but it improves over time. Then, it became so I had to strain so hard to get these little pieces of really soft stool out. My doctor said the muscle takes a while to get back into shape and be able to push again. This also gets better. The mirror is a good thing. You need to monitor the incision to make sure it is not ripping open, and to see the progress. If it makes you sick, then have your husband look. I was literally unrecognizable down there for quite a while. It will heal up and look normal. Take care, rest, rest, and rest. Give yourself the time to heal. How long was your hospital stay? and please remind me what you had done. I am starting to lose track of everyone. Take care Robin,
Kelley

I had what my doc called an overlapping sphincteroplasty and perineal revision. I was under general anaesthesia and was in the hospital for one night. I was on a liquid diet for 2 days pre op but was allowed a soft diet in the hospital and sent home with instructions to eat lots of fiber and take milk of mag. My dr. said he'd rather see the bowels move right away then wait because of the problems he's seen with constipation and impaction. I had a similar surgery done by an OB 10 months ago. She did an end to end repair with no bowel prep or special diet before hand and now looking back I think it parcially re-tore when I had my first bm 3 days post op. Then it tore more when I strained too much one time a couple months ago. Up untill that point I had decided that i was going to wait to have the surgery untill after having one more child but when I tore again I was so frustrated I called and scheduled the surgery. And here I am. This is so much worse/more involved than the first time. I wasn't bruised anything like this the first time. I don't know if it has to do with the position I was in--on my left side this time rather than up in stirups. How long were the rest of you in bed? The doc didn't specifically say 'bed rest' for any given amount of time, in fact he said frequent short walks are recommented but this is day 4 and it's still about all I can do to get back and forth to the bathroom. I haven't washed my hair since the morning of the surgery b/c I have no energy and I'm afriad of passing out in the shower. Blah blah blah.....sorry about all my complaining!
Someday I'll do a triathalon again if God has mercy on me!
Robin

Robin, overlapping sphincteroplasty results in LOTS of swelling and bruising, which gradually disappears over four weeks or even more. I didn't look at my bottom for five days, as I was still in the hospital, but when the nurse there changed the loose dressing and applied antibiotic ointment twice a day, she said it was very bruised and I could tell it was quite swollen. For surgery I was in the prone jackknife position which I think is most common; my tear was in the anterior (front) segment, the usual damage from childbirth. I had a Foley catheter and IV drips (and no food) for 3 days there, then soft food 1 day, then regular hi fiber 1 day and released. I did not have a BM until the day after I got home, and I'm still working on getting the consistency and frequency regulated after 6 weeks. In the hospital, I was not allowed to lie on my back or sit up - only side-lying, and I could not get out of bed until day 4, then to take short walks in the halls and use the toilet to pee. I had morphine and antibiotics and probably other meds thru the IV, which really helped, and I'm not one to usually take many meds or supplements. Once home I was not allowed to sit for a long time, even if I could! Just now it's getting comfortable. So I think perhaps you have to pretend you are in the hospital, and take the pain med, stay in bed when you are not in the bathroom, get nursing and loving care from your hubby, and be very very very patient and kind to yourself. It WILL get better. And talk to your dr when you have concerns and questions...

And let us know when you're ready to do that triathalon!

Mary

Hi Robin,

I think my surgery and recovery was the most different from everyone else's. I had overlapping sphincteroplasty, perinealplasty, and levator muscle plasty. I was in the hospital 6 days on strict bedrest. I got out of bed on day 5 briefly. I had a dressing and drains in my incisions, and a foley catheter. I also was on morphine drip and antibiotics, as well as other IV pain medication. Upon discharge, I was on strict bed rest (only up for bathroom/ shower) for 3 1/2 weeks, and I was on a clear liquid diet for 9 days followed by a full liquid diet for 2 weeks, and then soft, then high fiber diet. I was also on benefiber 1 tsp twice daily when home, no stool softeners. I had percoset for pain relief, and alternated between that and ibuprofen as needed. I was on lifting restrictions (nothing over 5 pounds for 5 weeks) I also did 20 to 30 mins sitz baths 4 times daily for 6 weeks. I still have pain during bowel movements and lately have been wondering if I may have a small fissue up inside the rectum. I have no leaking of stool anymore! YEAH!!!!!! Everyone's post op directions are different. My surgeon was very particular, and for me, this has been success. Your body will most of the time tell you what to do as long as you listen to it. If you are experiencing a lot of pain--time to lay back and rest more. I did not sit at all for 2 1/2 weeks, and mostly laid on my side. It was a long time before I was even comfortable being able to lay on my back. You know your body. I wouldn't induce diarrhea--that is very sore, but if ever you are feeling a little backed up with stool--Milk of Mag is a great gentle way to get things moving. Remember to drink a lot of water also. Time will be your best friend. My surgery was January 18th, and besides the painful BM's, I now feel great- and more like a normal person without leaking issues. Take care
Kelley

PS--I also had multiple instances of light-headedness, fainting and blacking out for many weeks post op. My blood pressure in the hospital went down critically low to 60/30 and whenever I would get out of the tub, my blood pressure would drop and I would also get faint. This also happened after just standing for a little bit. I always had to have my husband help me in and out of the tub and shower. Just be careful. The narcotic meds can also cause a drop in blood pressure, as well as just being weak from not eating very much.

Hi Robin,

I am new to this healthboard. I have been reading all your comments since 4 to 5 hours ago. I am in shock and in tears. Finally I can relate to someone who has experienced what I am experiencing now. I have been so depressed and do not sleep much.

I also had an injury to my rectum almost 11 years ago and now looking back (I had it repaired by the OB and he never told me). It was my first child, I assumed that after having a child it took 6 weeks to heal from the episiotomy. I recall hearing the nurse (oh my gosh, you poor thing, this is the worse cut I have ever seen). She knew the damage I had, but did not say. Now I know that everything you all have encountered after surgery, I experienced those symptoms 11 years ago. I had to take baths and had to used a donut. Had been on a special diet for 10 years and did not know why. The doctors told me I had IBS. Had two daughters after and the healing was amazing. I was fine the next day.

11 years later...I am depressed and have also aged since 9 months ago, when I started to have fecal incontinence. I could not understand why? Had an anal ultrasound in Dec and had the most devastating news...not only had I lost half of the internal sphincter, but 80 degress of the external. I now have flatus incontinence and everything else you all have experienced.

However, I am going through biofeedback and of course, my rectum and perineal area are tearing and I am devastated. Since I did not know I had an injury, I was once really constipated and my anus tore. I now do not really have an anus and cannot close my rectum. I have a feeling that I cannot close my muscle. I am devastated since, I had a bright future in my career and now I am home, not been able to work to raise my 3 little daughters.

Have seen two colon/rectum surgeons and one pelvic surgeon. One recommended a sphincterplasty, and the most current recommended an overlapping sphincterplasty. However, I just found out that I also have uterus prolapse, therefore, I may have to fix the pelvic and then the rectum. The dilemma is that I am almost engaged to a wonderful boyfriend who wanted to have two children, and now the surgeons are telling me to get pregnant immediately and then fix everything.

I am totally embarrassed to be around people. I often smell like poop or don't feel my gas and people smell it.

Robin can you please tell me if you had surgery to your rectum 10 years ago? Is this your 2nd surgery?

I was terrified to have this overlapping sphincterplasty, but after hearing from you, I feel more confident that it will be successful. Do you know the extend of your sphincter damage? how much was damaged before it was fixed? Also, who was your doctor and which state? I am in CA.

Although, I am new, I pray you have a full recovery.

Adri

Adri,
I had my first surgery 10 months ago when my first (and only) baby was 2 months old. I had my son at home with a midwife so I wasn't sewn up right away. Not really knowing much about anything, I went to an OB. She said wait untill things heal more then come in and we'll sew things up. She did an end to end sphincteroplasty and perineal revision. By the time I looked with a mirror I could see that there was still an obvious tear in the external sphcinter. But it was better than before and by working with a different doc I was able to change my diet and take supplements to get my gas under control. I decided to live with it long enought to have a second child. However a couple months ago i tore more from having a bowel mvmnt and after alot of tears and deliberation called to schedule my surgery with a colorectal dr. It sounds like with your situation you would want to look for a urogynecologist. The ones around here actually specialize in that area more so than the colorectal guys. In my case the closest one was 3 hrs away and my insurance wouldn't pay for it. I'm a little down right now because I am not bouncing back after the surgery as quickly as I had hoped but i am optomistic about being able to do things and have a normal life again.
There was just an article published by Dr. Fenner, a specialist at U of Mich saying that long term success was previously stated to be about 75% but now she's saying it's actually only 50%. Not good news for us but 50% chance of improvemnt is better than 0%!!

Hello All!
Day 5 post op and I finally made it to the shower!! yeah!!! I don't think that I'm in that much pain per se, just discomfort, but then I almost pass out every time I stand up from the toilet. I still don't understand why the vicoden makes me feel less light headed but it does and I'm glad for it! That's the only way I could even stand to take a shower and wash my hair. I think maybe I have candida--I'm a little itchy down below and my tounge is sore and splochy yellow. Itsn't thrush white though?
Beautiful day today! I hope you all are enjoying the summer! Why didn't I wait untill January when it's 10 below to spend days laying in bed??:p
Robin

Robin,
Sounds like you are going pretty good. I have been thinking about you and your recovery and sending well wishes for a speedy recovery your way!

I bet it felt good to be in the shower, just be careful you don't fall. Have you had a soft bm yet or just diahearra? How long did the Dr. say you would be off work or how long the recovery would take?

I have a appt. with my colo-rectal surgeon on Monday to schedule my surgery. I am waiting until after the summer when the boys go back to school (ages 8 and 5). I am very anxious, but ready to get this over with. The support on this board is fantastic!

Keep well and get your rest! To everybody who has had the surgery and recovering, hope everyday is better than the last.
Mindy:wave:

Robin,

Glad to hear your doing well. If you are not eating enough, that could also make you light-headed. Glad you got a shower in...It feels so much better when your clean! Lifts the spirits somewhat also. Thrush is usually white splotches..if you can't brush or scrape it away, or if it bleeds, you may have a yeast infection. I also got one, (gyn kind) and took diflucan to get rid of it. Standing up from a sitting or laying down position is called orthostatic hypotension. I have it too--really bad, and the surgery, meds, general weakness make it worse. If you are not experiencing too much pain, after 7 days you can alternate ibuprofin with the narcotics. I did that and felt much more like myself. I still took the percoset at night to hold me over.

Adri,

I have to say that I am sorry to have to welcome you to this board...but it is a wonderful place for help and support. I have had a 100% success from my surgery, so there is definitely hope for a better future for you! My sphincter had a 180 degree tear also (50%) both internally and externally. I also had a non-existant perineal wall, and severe nerve damage on one side. I also was in a state of desperation before I had the surgery. I also have 3 little children. I felt like I couldn't play with my kids because I had almost a constant oozing of stool all the time. If I ran, or exercised, I would leak. You are not alone. I started this thread back in November and you can go back and read the other threads for lots of valuable info. Just type in " anal sphincteroplasty" or childbirth trauma" or click under my user name, and you will find all the older threads. Unfortunately, there are a lot of us out there with this problem. Research your Dr. well. I know that sometimes, Dr.s can coordinate to work a surgery together. For instance, If I had a rectocele that needed to be repaired also, a different Dr. would have done that, and my color-rectal surgeon would have done the sphincteroplasty repair. It is very common to have this done. I would stick with a colorectal surgeon surgeon, or just make sure all of your problems can be addressed at the same time. My color-rectal surgeon also specialized in uterine prolapses. It is common to have that problem after childbirth, and my surgeon actually told me of a story of a 75 year old women who lived with a severely prolapsed uterus for 35 years and was told nothing could be done. He did surgery on her, and she has her life back at 75! Keep your chin up and never give up! There is help out there. Keep in touch!
Kelley

Help! I got up and walked around a little bit this afternoon and realised that I have NO CONTROL! I still have a lot of diarrhea and gas and when I'm standing my stool just comes out. I never had it that bad before the surgery! Is it possible that my nerves/muscles were damaged more during the surgery? Or that other nerves/muscles were damaged that weren't damaged before?
Please tell me that this will get better!! (but only if it's true). Did the rest of you have improved control right away? or not untill later on in the healing process?
Thanks! I'm nervous!
Robin

Hi Kelly,

I am so so excited about this healthboard. Your response has brought more tears, but of hope. I now believe that there's hope for healing. That my rectum will be repaired and have 100% success like you.

I have not done many activities with my 3 little girls because I am afraid to not make it to the restroom or smell around people. I am exhausted most of the time. Did you experienced this also? Are you now back to your normal exercise routine?

I also have a rectocelle, vaginal leakage and inverted uterus which is pushing on my rectum. All this happened last September at age 39. Surgeons are saying that they may have to remove my uterus and lift and tuck. My main concern is my rectum.

I have read most of your messages. I am having trouble emptying my bowels and it feels as if there's poop stuck on the bottom. I was out a few times, and people said that something stunk. Of course, it was me and soon after practically ran away from the scene. Did you or any of you ladies experienced this?
I often smell like poop. I am traumatized that I don't even want to go out.

Robin,

Praying that you have a speedy recovery,

Adri

Hi Kelly,

My anus has almost disappeared! Did you also have the same condition with the anus or was your intact? Did Dr. Timmerman repaired it as well?

Can you ask your surgeon if he knows anything about the surgeon I am seeing in San Francisco. She is a young 35 year old Dr. Varma, Assistant Director of Colon/Rectum at UCSF. Like you have said, I did research on a few local surgeons and she's the only one who has more experience with the rectum.

Was your surgery done on your side?

You're a blessing from heaven!!

Adri

Robin,

I did not have stool just coming out when I stood up, but I had to rush to the bathroom when I felt like I needed to have a BM, which was frequent. I did have a couple of accidents and worn mini pads, just in case for the first several weeks. I am 8 1/2 weeks post op and feel I am beginning to gain a little more control. The urgency isn't as bad as it was at first. I cannot wait a LONG time before finding a bathroom, but I am getting more control.

The surgery you had caused a lot of trauma to that area and I imagine you have a lot of swelling, which seems to interfere with control. I still cannot control gas expelling, but am able to hide it most of the time. I'm still hoping that I'll be able to gain control over that.

You might want to call your doc and ask if this is a normal part of healing, or if the doc thinks something might not be as it should be. It seems that everyone of us on this board has had a different set of post-op instructions and recovery experience.

Wishing you the very best,
Suzan

Hi Robin, I hope you are well. Following my surgery, I had non stop diarrhea from the day the packing was removed (about day 4) for another week or so. I also could not control it. I think you need to address the diarrhea and do whatever is reasonable to stop it. For me, that was just a single dose of immodium. It worked like a charm and did not lead to constipation. At the same time, I was chugging down the fluids and eating a normal diet plus fiber supplements. Once the diarrhea was under control, I began to regain control, although there was great urgency for awhile. Plus, remedying the diarrhea made me feel more human again and decreased the frequency that I had to clean after bm's. All of us who have had this can fully sympathize with your emotional response. I wish you the very speediest recovery. Hang in there; it does get better. Take care, and rest a lot. JJ

Hi Robin,

I had stool basically just falling out of me for 2-3 weeks post op. I was devastated at first, but my surgeon assured me it was from the surgery and would get better as I healed. It did! I had to have my husband do bed checks on me for several weeks because I had no control and couldn't tell when I had leaked. Whenever I took a sitz bath, I ended up sitting in it for several weeks. I had many misses on the way to the bathroom. Your experience seems to be mirroring my own. I hope this helps you feel a little better. Mine was not diarrhea, just soft stool that fell out in little pieces. I would stop the stool softeners and laxatives if you are on them and try to regulate yourself with high fiber diet and liquids. Remember, the fiber helps to bulk up the stool when taken with lots of water. It is a juggling act, but it will get better. :wave:
Kelley

Adri,

I will address your questions tomorrow when I have a little more time :wave:
Kelley

hello girls....
Im quite new to this forum, but my doc is planning for sphincteroplasty sometime early next month.did all of u have an anal ultrasound to decide how much of the sphincter was deficient?My doc seems to go by symptoms
and wont do one if I am not symptomatic.I have never had an accident so far, but the gas is a big issue!I was wondering if you could share some
numbers with me, how many degrees were you told that you had torn....??
will appreciate any help.
also my doc told me gas will remain an issue for most ppl even after surgery.Is that true??If it is, how bad is it?can I ever go back to work at the hospital where i work??

Hi Melba... yes I had an anal ultrasound, plus pudendal nerve tests and anorectal manometry. As I understand it, all are necessary to determine the true extent of damage and also the chances for success with repair. Does your doc think your gas issues are due to the tear you had? What are the symptoms your doc goes by to determine whether or not to do a sphincteroplasty? Is he/she a colorectal surgeon? Just wondering how we can help you sort this out...
Mary

Melba,
I had an anal ultrasound and mamometry to determine the extent of my damage. I tore from 10 to 2 (think of a clock) which is almost half, due to the delivery of my first son who is 8. I also have prudental nerve damage and not alot of pushing power. I was under the assumption that they could not determine the extent of the damage without these tests. I also have gas issues, but I also have leaking of stool and accidents, which is no fun. I was also told by my colo-rectal surgeon that the gas issues might not completely go away and that the surgery might not completely solve the problem, however there are some ladies on this board that have had the surgery and found success with the leaking of stool, however I think they still have the gas issues, maybe with some improvement. If I can have some improvement, the surgery is worth it to me. I am having a sphincteroplasty, perrinealoplasty and levatoroplasty in a couple months (after summer).


This is a great board and a great group of ladies for support. You have found the right place to get your answers.
Mindy

Melba,
I am on day 6 post op today. My dr. did an US but only because I wanted one. He said it was not necessary because I had a very obvious tear. It had never crossed my mind to look at my sphincter muscle before this happened but when I looked I could also see that it was torn and kind of retracted back to about 9 to 2-- a little less than 180 degrees. For me gas was definately my primary complaint. As long as I kept my stool bulked up I didn't have that much problem with leaking except just right after my BM in the morning. I am hopeful that the surgery will improve my gas contol because I'm fairly sure that the physical separation of the sphincter was my main issue rather than pudendal nerve damage, pelvic floor muscle weakness, etc. However, they do an awful lot of cutting to a very sensitive area and there is always the chance for things to not work as well afterwards just from the trauma of the surgery. I have way worse control right now than i did before but I can also hardly do a kegal so I'm assuming my muscles are still shut down just because of the trauma.

To all,
I'm struggling with the fact that I'll never be able to have another vaginal birth. I knew this before the surgery but now seeing my pereneum sewn up alot more than it was before and knowing I'll never be able to birth a baby the natural way again makes me feel like less of a woman somehow....????
Robin

Hey girls,
Sorry I have disappeared for so long. My lap top broke. Whoa, I am soo behind. Sorry this post is so long…..

I am now 5 weeks post op. I am feeling soo much better now. My open wound is much smaller now. Still red and gooey and slowly closing. I am hoping I can return to work next week after my appt. I am going a little stir crazy lately. I can hold it much easier now. I also have the sensation that I have to go, which I did not have before. I would just have an accident with no feeling or warning. I actually can feel now that I need to have a bowel movement. No leaking for me either. I seem to be able to hold my gas. I am not sure if this is because I am still swollen though. My bowel movements are always in the morning and I am weaning myself off the stool softeners. I started adding fiber back to my diet. So far so good with being regular. But I pray this does not change…keeping my fingers crossed. Is returning to work at 6 weeks realistic?

JJ-
What week post op did you start doing biofeedback? I did it for two years before and do believe it was helpful with me too.

Kelley,
I am very sore with every bowel movement. I am only 5 weeks though. Some days I am sore for hours. Gas seems to be painful to pass. Not unbearable, but a stronger sensation than I am used to. Like JJ, my perineum gets swollen very easily. I was just ironing my husbands shirts for about 45 mins and I realized I was so swollen I had to lay down the rest of the day.

Mary,
I can’t imagine doing yoga yet. I am still open and very sore. How are you doing with Yoga now? Do you have any pain or stretching? How is your continence? Do you still feel tired and fatigued or are you doing well with that? I am very eager to start walking again at least to get out and get healthier. I just don’t want to jeopardize anything or get too sweaty down there.

Robin,
Congrats on your surgery. I never sat in the tub, still can’t at 5 weeks, I just used the shower head and stood in the shower bent over for 20 min several times a day. I also used my peri bottle with every time I sat on the toilet. It also helped me when I was itchy too. I was on so much pain meds and pads. I did not have a bowel movement until 6 days. What kind of diet are you on? I am very happy to hear you are doing so well. A little jeaolous….. smile. How long are you down for? Are you on any bedrest? I was on a low-fiber diet for three weeks. I just started adding fiber at 4 weeks. I was severely constipated at one time and it was a complete depressing nightmare. I also let myself get dehydrated and not up on my pain meds and ended up in the ER my first week. I had never experienced that pain before….well maybe my labor…..so please stay up on your pain meds. The pain can get out of control within an hour. I look at my incisions daily and I see so much more improvement. I am glad I have been looking so I can see the difference now. I was in bed for about two weeks, with little walks to get water and to move around, but mainly laying down either in bed or on the couch. I actually had a sponge bath, awful, in the hospital because the Dr didn’t want me up in the shower yet. When I was released at 6 days, I finally took a very much needed shower. I can see how your Dr wants you to have movement early, but make sure it is not too much. I got constipated and did not realize it. I was miserable for days before realizing I was constipated.

Adri,
I also have uterus issues (tilted, prolapsed and was lacerated when having my son so it is fully closed with scare tissue) and severe endo. I know how devastating it can be. This surgery was the only way to fix my internal and external sphincters on my rectum. Next I will have to see my Gyno again to discuss hysterectomy or of course more medicine that does not work. I am only 29 years old so of course she feels I am too young. But I can not have any more children and I don’t want my uterus to cause pressure on my sphincters.

Melba,
My tears were severe with my internal and smaller with my external. My internal was worse than they thought and had to use some pelvic muscle to repair. My external has a small tear. I had several tests that included the anal ultrasound with found my tears. I can’t imagine having the surgery without knowing the tears, but when they did my surgery, it was worse than the ultrasound found. I would want the ultrasound to make sure this surgery is for sure needed.

I am sorry you are experiencing all this. But hang in there, there is hope!! Read this thread.

I am going to try the open air idea. I am almost closed but seem to be stalling. I am hoping that will help. I see a lot of stitches just hanging now. I am really scared the Dr will pull them out. They hurt a lot more now. When did you all have your dissolvable stitches that were left over pulled out?

I was told my colorectal surgeon that other than decreased sphincter tone, there is no way to tell how bad a tear is or if there is a true tear unless an ultrasound is done. Also, Pudendal nerve studies are very important because if there is severe damage bilaterally, there may not be anything that surgery can correct. My surgeon would not do surgery without these tests beforehand. Anal manometry tells how well the sphincter works. I might think about a second opinion if your surgeon doesn't seem thorough enough for you. It is a tough surgery and doesn't come without it's own risks involved. There is always the chance of severe complications with any surgery. You have to make the decision for yourself, just make sure it is a very informed one and one that you feel comfortable with. In my own opinion, I would say find someone to do the tests on you first. The repair will be much more precise when the dr. knows exactly where the tear is and how much to actually repair. I also had an ultrasound done in the operating room post op to make sure the repair was complete. This is just how my surgeon did things. best wishes
Kelley

Lisa,

Glad to hear you are doing so well. My lingering stitches were clipped out at about 6 or 8 weeks if I remember correctly. I was also cauterized at that time to help the healing. It was a little uncomfortable, like pinching. If you can, I would try the tub, it really does help the healing to be submerged in the water. You will be suprised that you can get comfy even with a sore bottom if you try different positions. My dr. swore that water was the best thing for it. I also stood in the shower with the sprayer. It helped with the itchiness. That is the worst. i would wake up at night scratching in agony :eek: A lot of that is from healing and drainage. The gauze helped me with the drainage itchies! I think you just have to see how you do as far as going back to work. The swelling after being up and around and the sore bottom will probably still be an issue. Maybe you could do 1/2 days??? This lasted for probably 9 weeks or so with me. I could always tell if I did too much that day. Go easy on yourself and you will probably be ok. Take care,
Kelley

Lisa,
I have to agree with Kelly. Although it's a little ackward getting in and out of the tub that is when I feel the best of all--when I'm in there and right after I get out. It's definately worth it!

Kelly,
Wow! I'm impressed by your surgeon! He sounds alot more consciencious than mine! Did you ever ask him how many of these surgeries he does in a year? Mine said he does about five (not very many in my opinion) and the specialist at U of Mich did about 12.
You know how they usually leave a little bit of the skin open for drainage? Where or what part do they leave open? At day 6 I am still having a fair amount of bleeding but it's too swollen and bruised for me to be able to see exactly where it's coming from.
Robin

Robin,

I have the highest regards for my surgeon--He was excellent!! He was the most compassionate Dr. I have ever met which was so important to me under these circumstances. I believe that the area of mine that was slightly open was right at the rectum. There was no huge open whole or anything, In fact, I remember my dr. saying that he can't stitch it real tight because then stool would not be able to pass through the outlet. This also happens to be where my stitches opened up so it is hard to tell. I hope you continue to get better and better.

Lisa,

I also went through the same exact sensations that you talk about (the sensation or urge to go) which was never present before the surgery. This all sounds like great news in your healing. Hang in there!

Kelley

Hi Kelly,

I am so so excited about this healthboard. Your response has brought more tears, but of hope. I now believe that there's hope for healing. That my rectum will be repaired and have 100% success like you.

I have not done many activities with my 3 little girls because I am afraid to not make it to the restroom or smell around people. I am exhausted most of the time. Did you experienced this also? Are you now back to your normal exercise routine?

I also have a rectocelle, vaginal leakage and inverted uterus which is pushing on my rectum. All this happened last September at age 39. Surgeons are saying that they may have to remove my uterus and lift and tuck. My main concern is my rectum.

I have read most of your messages. I am having trouble emptying my bowels and it feels as if there's poop stuck on the bottom. I was out a few times, and people said that something stunk. Of course, it was me and soon after practically ran away from the scene. Did you or any of you ladies experienced this?
I often smell like poop. I am traumatized that I don't even want to go out.

Robin,

Praying that you have a speedy recovery,

Adri

Day 7--a week ago at this time I was in the hospital being prepped for surgery. Still so sore. The brusing is improving and the pain is not as difuse (my whole bottom) as it was at first. Now it's much sharper and more specific to right around my rectum. I still can't be up (stand or walk) for more than a minute or two because of how sore and raw everything feels. I only have one more week of help planned to take care of my son and I'm nervous about handeling it all on my own after that. But it's thanks to all of you that I even arranged for 2 weeks instead of one! My doctor did not give me much of a heads up as to how out of commission this would put me!
I did a ducolax stool softner last night instead of the milk of mag. Although I had to bear down some I was so happy to have a 'normal' bm this morning instead of enduring the rummbly belly all night and the nasty explosive diarrhea this morning.
How soon after surgery did different ones of you go in for a post op visit? I'd kinda like him to take a look at it just to be sure that everything is okay but he told me to come in in 3 weeks. This sounds like a long time to me. ??
Robin

Hi Adri,

I also have an inverted or tipped uterus, but that was never addressed as a problem with my surgery. I did not have a rectocele either, but JOU JOU did and maybe can help you with that. I do know that a rectocele can cause stool to pocket inside the rectal vault or seep into the vagina, so that may be what you are experiencing. I never noticed anything out of the ordinary when looking at my anus pre-surgery. In fact, I don't think I ever looked at it ! LOL My symptoms and my tests were what made me seek help. I also had a colonoscopy, and during the procedure, I had no tone what so ever to keep the scope up in my colon which was noted as abnormal on my report. I actually do not see my colo-rectal surgeon anymore, so I am not sure about the Dr. you are seeing. I G*****my Dr.s name and paid money to get a thorough report on him before going to see him. It was worth it for me to have a little piece of mind with my decision. This surgeon was recommended to me by several other dr.s and nurses, as well as a friend who he treated with chrohns, and her mother who had a successful sphincteroplasty repair through him. Hope this info helps.

Kelley

Kelley, I just want to thank you for hanging in there with us since you started this thread way back when... so maybe it will be up to the newbies to continue it on? We have all learned so much, and I personally am so grateful for the support, and also for learning how everyone has coped with the issues surrounding this surgery. BTW, this board will get that ominous message from the moderator one day soon that there are too many posts so the thread is closed. So then one of us will start Sphincteroplasty Part 4... and I think it will go on forever. We could write a book!

Well..... I'm almost 7 weeks post-op for my rectocele repair, levatorplasty, and sphincteroplasty (both internal and external). My incision was not left open for any kind of drainage, and I had no tubes, and I did not open up, and I didn't bleed much with a BM - just spotting sometimes afterward. I'm doing well except for still trying to regulate consistency of my stool via diet, fiber supplements, and Rx Lomotil/Lonox. All the action is in the morning, so fortunately I can plan my activities for after 9 or so. I have almost no leaking of stool and/or gas and can get by without a pantyliner at times. And at night I can even sleep without undies to give my bottom freedom! I have gone through a a UTI at wk 1, a soft impaction at wk 2, a yeast infection 3-5, and an abscess at wk 5-6. The abscess was next to the incision, probably at a hair follicle. It felt like a big lump under the skin and I just figured it was part of the repair until it started to drain pus and then a little blood! Afterwards, I could sit comfortably on BOTH cheeks.... Hooray! I do get occasional itching around the anus and that's a sign I need to wash off again or sit in the tub for 5-10 mins. and then gently finish drying with a hair dryer. Works every time. (P.S. It's a good time to do Kegels - in the tub - since the warm water helps relax.)

Robin,
I'm so glad you are getting on with your healing. We told you so!!!! It took me two or three weeks before I could be on my feet for very long. So I spent a lot of time on my side, on the sofa, watching old movies or reading. You are good at listening to your body; keep it up. If your bottom is raw from the diarrhea, Desitin ointment helps relieve it. It now comes in a clear form also, but my dr liked the original white. Probably avoid the incision itself when applying. I think you should visit your dr since you have some concerns. My first visit was 1 week after getting out of the hospital. Just go if you have concerns. Your instincts are good, so trust them.

I wasn't instructed to do Kegels until week 2. And then it hurt a little. So go slow. Now I do them until I begin to feel some strain, then I stop no matter how many I've done.

Your perineum probably looks terrible right now, but who knows for sure if you'll be able to have another vaginal birth or not? Your feelings are natural of course and I'm sorry you're sad about the possibilities, but I urge you to wait and see. Chances are you're feeling generally unhappy right now anyway; things will look brighter down the road. For me, I could not have carried another child, for other reasons beyond the tear, so our second child was adopted and we couldn't be more proud.

Lisa,
Sounds like your healing is similar to mine except that you opened a bit. For me, 6 weeks was good for going back to work... but for others it took much longer. I'm finding I still am re-learning what the physical sensations mean so I stay near a restroom in the morning (is it gas? a lot? noisy? am I about to lose the whole load of cr__?) .

I am back to yoga because I can now "sit", and I avoid anything that would stretch the incision, even tho it's pretty well healed now by wk 6. You can still do the breathing exercises and shavasana. You should not even think of doing more poses until your incision has been closed completely for several weeks. Walking is good when you feel like it.

Why is it that you still can't be in the tub? Even on one side or the other, or lying back?

As for the dissolvable stitches... I saw a few hanging at about 4 weeks and then they just disappeared. I too was worried the dr would have to pull them out. Of course we don't see the internal ones, thank goodness! When do you visit your dr next?

Melba,
my gas issues before the surgery were due to the rectocele and the accumulation of stool there. Be sure you research not only your surgeon, but also the reasons for the surgery, the expected outcome, and just what will be involved. There is a lot of good information on the internet from reliable sources. Good luck!

Suzan,
How are you doing? Thinking about you and hoping all is still improving.

Hugs to all,
Mary

hey all,
thanks for you suggestions.will have to do a lot of thinking now i guess.
glad to know that kelly, mary , robin and a few others are doing well post op.
I dont even worry about no further vaginal births, adoption will be my next option too!!
will keep writing about my experience too.glad this forum exists!

Mary,

My healing is very good. 9 weeks post op. I've been doing some painting in the house, ceilings & walls, up and down on the ladder and no problems. My issue is still with the fact that I cannot retain gas. This is very, very difficult for me to accept due to the social aspects involved. I feel like I don't want to go anywhere or do anything for fear I'll have gas and won't be able to control it. It really gets me down sometimes.

Most of my BMs and gas are in the morning. I'm still trying to get myself regulated. I stopped the Benefiber and Citrucel. Tried stopping the stool softeners and immediatly got constipated, so I went back on them. Only had 2 BMs today, which is unusual. I usually have 3 - 4. So, maybe things are settling down in that regard.

This gas thing is so disturbing. It takes away your spontaneity and sense of adventure. I do kegals faithfully 3 times a day. But it doesn't seem to be making any difference.

I've learned so much from this message board that I wish I would have known before the surgery. My doc did not do any of the ultra-sound and other tests discussed here. He went by visuals and exam. Now I wonder if my internal sphincter muscle needed repair that wasn't done. I saw him 2 weeks post-op and again at 6 weeks. He said everything looked fine and I don't have to go back unless I'm having a problem. Both visits I told him about the gas issue and he said I may have to learn to live with it. From some of the things I read on the internet, the problem with retaining gas is very common when you've had sphincter problems. But it's just so difficult for me to accept. He said it would take 3 mos. for all the stitches to dissolve and full healing to take place. Also, the kegels take 3 - 6 mos. to show a difference. I've been doing them 7 weeks. So I'm hoping and praying that they will help. I have my son's wedding to go to in Hawaii in July. We leave July 16th and the wedding is the 21st. I'm in a bit of a panic about that. All the activities that week around so many people. So for a long answer to your question, physically I'm healing beautifully. Psychologically, not so good.

Thanks for asking,
Suzan

Suzan,
Sorry to hear about your gas issue. I understand how it must be so hard to live with. I do have gas too and sometimes can't control it, but for some reason it doesn't make noise now. To me it seems easier to control BMs than gas because there is bulk to them. Before surgery I could control neither. There must be some help for you, with diet or maybe meds to lessen your gas. There are many medical conditions that cause excess gas and when you can't control it, that's really disabling. Could you see a gastroenterologist for an evaluation?

If it's the odor that bothers you the most, there is a product that was mentioned on this thread long ago called Flat-D. I also saw a news article about it. It's a pad you wear, with special charcoal woven into the fibers. It's reusable, washable, and reasonable in cost. The website is http://flat-d.com/ (I hope this is allowed on the message board). Worth checking out if odor is a problem. The article says it's not a gimmick.

I'll be hoping along with you that the problem lessens in time for the wedding. What a joyous time, and in Hawaii no less! Congratulations to you all.

Mary

Hi Kelly,

Thank you so much for responding. I will definitely contact Jou Jou re: rectocele. Since I lost my 1/2 of my internal/external sphincter, I feel like my rectum is always open and I smell like poop. Did you experience this?

Have a beautiful day! You have been my inspiration. I pray that when I have the surgery is as successful as yours.

Adri

Hi Mary,

I was informed that I also have a rectocele. I feel like I do not fully evacuate when I have a bowel. I feel pressure of poop on my bottom on the sides of the anus. Did you feel the same? How did they fix your rectocele?

I need your help to understand what's happening to my body.

thank you,

Adri

Hi Suzan,

Now I know I am not alone. I thought I was the only one. I am extremelly depressed. I was very sociable and worked in public relations. With my smelly gas that I don't feel when it is expelled has pushed me to stay home. I am embarrased to go anywhere. I want to fly, but I am afraid to expel gas on the airplane.

I've tried not eating foods that make me gassy. But no matter what I eat, I am gassy.

What do you do so it doesn't smell?

Help!

Adri

Hi Kelly,

I apparently had my sphincter repaired 11 years ago by the gynecologist who never told me anything. I thought it was just a terrible episiotomy. First baby I had no clue.

I now cannot control my gas at all. Did you have yours fixed when the doctor damaged your sphincter as well and then had surgery recently?

My surgeon said she would fix the external sphincter by doing an overlapping sphincteroplasty.

How did your doctor fix the internal sphincter?

Thank you again, I am want to become more educated with my rectum problem.

Adri

Adri, Yes, the rectocele usually prevents full evacuation, as stool stays in the pocket that has formed in the rectum (above the anus). This bulge pushes against the back wall of the vagina because the muscle wall between the rectum and vagina is weakened. This wall is what is "tightened up" in rectocele repair/levatorplasty. Sometimes other parts of the pelvic floor muscles are tightened too, with overlapping stitching. Women with rectocele can help full evacuation by inserting a finger or two into the vagina, but for me, I would gently press on the outside NEXT to the anus since I felt the same kind of presure of stool that you do. Have you been able to research rectocele very much? If you definitely have a rectocele, I'd encourage you to have it fixed. I am so much better now.

Mary

Mary, It is the noise that is the problem. Fortunately, there is no odor.

Adri, I have the same fear about the plane trip. When you are sitting there is so much noise in the plane, no one would hear it. MY fear is having to stand in line for the bathroom, with the close proximity of everyone's head to your butt, and not being able to hold the gas, that is what scares me most. I don't think the people sitting in the back would be too happy to have someone passing gas in their face.

I also had a rectocele repaired. Had it repaired 2 times. First by my gyn 3 yrs. ago, then this time with the colo-rectal surgeon. He removed the rectocele and sewed the muscles back together. The gyn just did a vaginal wall repair. I had the same experience as Mary with passing stool. It would get caught in the rectocele and I would have to push on my perinium to expel it. I'm still having some urgency problems. If I don't make it to the bathroom quickly when the urge hits, I loose a small amount of stool, which is discouraging since the gas and stool loss were the reasons for the surgery in the first place.

4 years ago I had a cystocele repaired, along with an enterocele, (intestines protrude into vagina - I had a hysterectomy in 1989. It took a year for the cystocele to fully heal and I have no leakage or incontinence issues with that at all. That was a complete success.

I try to remind myself that there are a lot of people worse off than I am. I read the messages on the "Depends" message boards. Some people have NO control at all over urine or stool. And they have had this for years. They wear disposable underwear and get on with their lives. I'm working very hard right now to regulate myself. As it stands, I won't be able to go to the beach in the mornings due to my BM schedule, unless there are port-a-potties on the beach. I won't be able to do any hiking because I still need to be close to a bathroom. I don't want to just sit in the room while I'm in Hawaii, but I'm not sure what my options are going to be. Have to check it out when I get there. There are still 3 weeks, and a lot of healing can take place during that time. I'm still staying hopeful.

This is a tough decision, but the input from this board should help you develop a set of questions to ask as well as how everyone is healing and feeling about their surgery, or upcoming surgery.

Best Wishes,
Suzan

Hello everybody. I am writing to plead for your help/suggestions. My BM was more formed this morning and it's like it won't all come out. I have to push so hard and I've gone about 6 times today--little bits each time. But in between stool keeps leaking out and makes me so sore and burns so bad. I've been in the shower every half hour just about. Can I use an enema or a glycerin supposatory to get the rest of what's sitting down in my rectum to come out?
Robin

Robin, It sounds exactly like the impaction I had, going so often with hard-to-pass little soft bits each time and knowing more is still in there. You could try a Fleet enema or glycerin suppository but probably the enema won't even squeeze in much if you are impacted. If that happens, then call your Dr. Someone is surely on call this weekend. You don't want to wait till it gets so bad it becomes an emergency.
Mary

Mary,
Thanks for your help. What makes an impaction become an emergency situation? Can an impaction cause a rectocele? I did a suppository and passed more bm but it's like my sphincter is just an open hole and won't close. I'm so scared I made the wrong decision to have the surgery. It wasn't anything this bad before. The only stool I couldn't contol was diarrhea (and gas!!). I can tell he made the opening smaller because of the size of my stools and how much I have to bear down but isn't it supposed to close? Could the muscle be paralized? Or...???I don't know what.
Robin

Oh Robin, I'm so sorry you are going through this. The blocking you're experiencing is probably a result of the intestine being sluggish from the surgery but it is not the way you will be forever! It takes many weeks to even begin to be "normal". The sphincter probably won't close because there is too much stool there. Can you extract any of it? Or squeeze it out gently from the sides of the anus? I think you should at least call your Dr. soon. An impaction can be an emergency if you can't pass stool at all ... but in your case it's very important not to put too much strain on the new sphincter or the incision, although the sphincter muscles are very strong. do call your doctor or nurse even though it's Sunday. I don't think one impaction can cause a permanent rectocele (they develop over time unless there is trauma to the supporting structures, as in childbirth). Your rectum can hold quite a bit of stool. I just hope you can get most of it out by day's end! Let me know.

Robin,

The reason your rectum looks open is probably because of the impaction. It sounds like an impaction too me. I had the same thing. I took about 3 doses of 1 tablespoon of milk of mag (in the morning, evening and again the following am) This helped me to expel the impaction along with a lot of water, and lots of straining. I think I also took a few stool softeners. I did not have a rectocele, but had a levatorplasty repair and had some of the same issues with not getting all of the stool out. Even now at 5 months, I sometimes have to help the stool out by putting pressure above my rectum with my hand and pushing at the same time. Experiment with this and see if it helps. Your muscles are weak right now and not fully healed, so your pushing power is lessened to some degree just from the surgery. Mine didn't feel really strong until about 4 mos post op. I also have helped by pushing on my cheeks at the side of the rectum. You can usually feel stool in there from the outside. Liquids are so important--Keep drinking. Your rectum will close down--I promise--Mine did. An impaction can cause your intestines to actually rupture. You need to get it out. The longer it stays there, the more water gets absorbed, and the harder the stool gets. Take one of your narcotic pain pills, drink lots of water, and get the pain under control so you can push it out more comfortably. One pain pill will not cause a problem with all of the milk of mag. Good luck. Your system will get more regulated soon--it is a slow process.

Everyone else:

Lets all not forget that every single person in the whole world passes gas. It is a completely normal biological process. Yes it can be embarrassing at times, but it is normal. I think you all need to look at how far you have come and try to just go easy on yourself about the gas. Forget about it, and go on with your life, and you will see that the less you pay attention to it, the better it will be. If something slips, and you think someone heard or smelled YOU--say excuse me and move on. I don't mean to sound gruff, but no-one knows what you have been through, and I always said that if someone wants to confront me, I will tell them that I had surgery and politely say that I am sorry, but I have no control over it. I am a nurse, and I work in very close proximity to a lot of people, and yes I have slipped, and yes I have said "excuse me" You all have the right to live without all of this anxiety about a completely normal biological process that everyone experiences. I hope this gives you a little different perspective. Try forcing some gas out when your alone also. I do this in hopes that I can remain gas free out in public. I also think that everyone should remain on a fiber supplement for the rest of your life after this surgery. I became impacted again after going off of it, and my surgeon said it will be my friend for life :) Without it, I end up with stools that are too soft and I can't evacuate then fully(which contributes to more gas). I hope this helps a little. You all have been through MAJOR surgery--take it easy and give yourselves a little break. My gas has gotten easier and easier to control as the time goes by, but like I said, everyone passes gas, and it always comes when it wants to, not on a schedule that anyone can control.

Hugs,

Kelley

Adri,

When you have a child, a repair is done to whatever is torn (typically) this means that if the tear went visibly into the rectum, that your dr. would stitch up the rectum. This is not the same as an overlapping sphincteroplasty repair, That is much more involved surgery. Yes, I had my fourth degree tear sutured up at the time of delivery, but that kind of repair can easily come un-done, and isn't really sufficient to hold long term. With all of your issues, I would seek an opinion from a colorectal dr, as well as a urogynelogical surgeon. make sure that all of your issues can be addressed at the same time, and that the dr. you choose is competent to fix everything all at once. I would also definitely have the ultrasound and manometry as well as nerve studies done if you have not already. You have to be your own informed advocate in health care these days, and ask tons of questions. Tell the surgeon to draw you a diagram so you can see what he or she will be doing. My surgeon brought out a huge text book that depicted the whole surgical procedure step by step. best wishes.
Kelley

Thanks Kelly for the advice. I needed to hear that. I think I'm the only one in the world with this gas issue and afraid of the shame I will feel when it inevitably happens to me. So far, just staying home in the mornings, I've been able to avoid it happening in public. But, I can't stay home every morning for the rest of my life, nor avoid having gas in the afternoon or evening.

I had a discouraging day yesterday and was really feeling down. I barely made it to the bathroom one time and had seepage 2 times in the afternoon. This happening after many days of no seepage and seemingly being able to hold my BMs for longer periods of time. Don't know what happened. Today I was able to hold it for the longest period of time since the surgery. I'm working hard at finding a balance with the fiber and stool softners which I don't seem to be able to get along without. I don't think I would be quite in such a panic if it weren't for the wedding coming up in 3 weeks. If I had to go back to a job right now, I don't think I would be able to function very well. The stress is overwhelming. I made the leap yesterday and bought some Depends. That was difficult. I hide them in my cart with some capris draped over the top and went through the self-check out line. I think I'm going to wear them on the plane trip to Hawaii. I'll be on the plane for a lot of hours, which will include the morning hrs. I'm afraid I'll have to wait in line and not make it into the bathroom in time. At least the Depends would hold things away from my clothing until I got into the bathroom. And got cleaned up. I HATE thinking about those prospects, but they are my reality right now. I'm the kind of person that needs a safety net. And I guess you have to do whatever you can do to achieve that when you don't have good control over your bodily functions.

In the past, my seepage was very small amounts, so I was able to clean up without having to wear pads. This urgency I have with BMs is new. In the past I was constipated all the time, except for the occasional diarrhea happening due to the IBS. The rectocele supplied extra space for the stool to collect in before I had to go. Now I don't have that and don't have good retention. I'm hoping the internal surgery is causing this due to the amount of repair that had to be done, and that will change as the incision(s) heal. I'm 9 weeks post op and really thought I would be 100% at this point. But reading your posts tell me that I have a way to go. Thanks for staying with the message board and giving hope to all the rest of us who are behind (no pun intended) you.

Suzan

Suzan,

I know you are feeling overwhelmed right now. I had many days of desperation, and just wanting to feel normal also. It does take a while. I can honestly say that now, and this is just recently, I feel normal. My bowels seem to be well regulated at this point. I did have a very small fissure from the surgery or the constipation after. It was like a paper cut in my rectum that was causing pain. My dr. gave me some nitro cream and it healed up incredibly fast. I now feel "normal" Believe me, the urgency is really a good thing. I also experienced that. It is a new sensation because for most of us, the urgency or the feeling of having to have a BM was not there prior to surgery. You are going through all of the same stages that I went through. Just know that it is normal and will get better. The urgency does go away. I was not regulated at 9 weeks post op. It is hard to let your body heal at its own pace. It will get better. That must have been so hard for you to buy the depends. I can feel your pain about that. I think it is a good idea for the plane trip to Hawaii. I have been there and it is a long ride. Be prepared that flying and being inactive may constipate you. Just a little word of advice. I would try not to change your routine a whole lot before the wedding. Your body takes about 2-3 weeks to get used to a diet change or change with meds. I would stick with what you are doing for now, and try to let your bowels get acclimated. Exactly what medications are you taking?? Fiber?? Stool softeners?? At your stage, I was on 1 tsp of benefiber twice daily, no stool softeners, and ibuprofin for slight pain with BM's. If I felt constipated, I would throw in a dose of milk of magnesium. For me, A big bowl of raisin bran always did the trick with helping me go to the bathroom. I felt pretty good after the morning BM, and was very much like you--a certain bowel movement between 9-11 am every morning. After that I knew I would be good for the rest of the day. If for some reason I couldn't take the time for that BM in the morning (getting my kids off to school or whatever) panic would set in. All of your feelings are normal. I can only offer support in that I went through the same things and it all did get better. I wouldn't say that the gas issue is a huge deal for me anymore either. I hope you can try to have a great time at the weddding, relax, and enjoy yourself. Don't you also have fibromyalgia?? I am in the same boat with an autoimmune disorder and tons of meds. You know how stress flares us, so try to relax. I have been in a horrible flair since my surgery in January and am on steroids among many other meds still. I have had to really try to find ways of dealing with my stress, because if I don't, Other parts of me fall apart. I wish you well, you are on the way to better days!

Ps--

Sometimes it takes falling a few steps back in order to get ahead. I also had a few days of leaking after I felt like I was improving. It was devastating at the time, but it was not anything permanent. I am sure you made the right decision to have the surgery. Take care--OK
Kelley

Kelly,

Thanks once again for all the support. You are a very caring person. Yes, I do have fibromyalgia, and yes, stress causes it to flare. It is so good to know that at 9 weeks you were still struggling and this is not an anomaly. I do have a funny story as a result of the gas issue. I told my youngest son, the one getting married, that I was having this problem with gas. He said, "Mom, you need to understand the group of people you are going to be with. Rachel and I had another couple over on Sat. night and we were playing a game and trying to see who could pass gas the loudest. So I don't think you have anything to worry about." (We're talking about couples that are in their late 20's and early 30's.) It made me laugh and was so helpful that the family seems very understanding about it.

Today has been a very good day. I only had 2 BMs in the morning and no gas the rest of the day. So I don't feel quite so depressed this evening.

Thanks again Kelly for your support and sharing your experiences.

Suzan

Suzan,

Your welcome! I also had that same gas conversation with my whole family, and so it is more of a family joke now. It definitely has lightened the load so to speak. My husband will remark about who fired the bee bee gun :) The point is that my family understands so at least it is not an issue at home. I am glad you had a better day today. Try to keep your chin up and enjoy Hawaii and your son's wedding It is such an exciting and special time.--I am jelous! Take care,
Kelley

Kelley,

Thank you for all your insight. You're wonderful!

I am meeting with the urigynocologist on 7/13/07 and the colorectal surgeon in August.

Thank you again,

Adri

Hi Everyone,
Kelley, you are so right about trying not to let the gas issue get us down, as everyone passes it, some more than others, and usually at inopportune times it seems! Last night at the end of yoga class, during a very quiet and almost spiritual closing, I released three very loud and long farts. I didn't even feel them coming, and usually now I do, at 7 wks post-op. Of course everyone in the room heard it and knew it was me -- so I said "excuse me" and went on with the final moment of class... I was devastated at first but then as soon as I claimed ownership out loud it I felt better, and even thought it was funny -- the timing and all (but I didn't laugh till I was in the car). I know this is not the last time it will happen but I know I can just acknowledge it and move on.

JJ, haven't heard from you in a while - how are you doing?

And Robin, did your impaction clear OK? I've been thinking a lot about you and sending you all kinds of good wishes.

Adri, good for you for setting up those appontments. Sounds like you are doing your "homework" and will be well-prepared for whatever comes next. My busy surgeon didn't tell me a whole lot without me asking very specific questions; I just did a lot of research myself and then found this board two days before my surgery, so I was able to go into it with a bushel of knowledge and confidence. It's been a bumpy road healing, but it does get better over the long term.

Mary

Kelly, thanks for the pep talk about the gas issue. We need to hear it. It seems like before I was always right on the verge of wanting to quit my job, isolate myself from my friends and become a recluse because of it. But I suppose it's better to live life embarrassed once in a while than at home and depressed all of the time.

Mary,yes I am doing somewhat better. My dr was no help at all to me. He said thru his nurse that he 'wasn't worried' and that everybodies healing process was different. !!!!:blob_fire Every evening is just a guessing game as to if I should take 1 dose of miralax, 1/2 dose of miralax? 2 stool softners? 1/2 dose of milk of mag.?

If I am not able to control my gas after all this healing process is done, i will be very disapointed considering that's the whole reason i decided to have the surgery in the first place. And before at least it was easy to have bowel mvmts. But I never got to the point where I accepted that that was just part of me--I always had a constant elevated level of anxiety that i would fart at the most inoportune time. So I always would have wondered if the surgery could have given me my normal life back. I guess I never really considered the fact that it could be worse afterwards...I just had the hope that it could be better. One dr. I saw told me long term results are not very good--only around 50% realisticly. But being optomistic, I'd think 'maybe i'd be the 50% that it helps".
I have so much admiration for those of you who have gotten to the point where you are able to carry on with your life, the yoga, working, things that make our existance here enjoyable, that you can rise above what other people might think for a split second ("omigosh, I can't believe she just farted!") and live life fully once again.
Carry on, be strong! You encourage me and I thank you for it.
Robin

Mary,

Thank you so much for sharing your yoga story. I think you handled it perfectly. Sounds kinda funny, but it is very inspiring knowing that one CAN survive such a moment.

Robin,

I know how you are feeling about the surgery not helping the gas issue. I wish I could be more positive, but my gas issue is worse than before the surgery. That also, for me, was one of the main reasons I had the surgery. Hang in there and wait and see how things go before you get too depressed about it. You may very well be one of the ones in the 50% that it gets better. I was not forwarned that the gas issue might not be correctable. I was shown a lot of success statistics. I'm still hoping that the gas issue will improve with time. But, if it doesn't, I'm going to HAVE to learn to live with it.

Suzan

Susan,
Do you think you have more gas than before surgery or just less ability to control it? So far it's hard to tell if I just have gas or have to pass stool. I just feel pressure. I didn't have that problem before surgery either. What has your experience been with this? I've been told that the nerve bundle right around the internal sphincter is what gives a person the ability to tell the difference. Who know what the trauma of surgery does to all those nerves!!
Robin

Can anyone out there say it was worth it? (the surgery). Would any one not do it if they had the decision to make over again?

Robin, I would say so far the surgery has made my problem better. It's probably too soon for us to say for sure whether it was worth it or not; give it several months - although that seems a long time right now - then you'll know if it was worth it. I could not control gas or most stool before, and I had great urgency with stool. Now the urgency is pretty much gone. And I am not passing little bits of stool all day long as when I had the rectocele and 180dg sphincter. As for the gas, right now I can't tell the difference between the presence of stool and gas yet, but like you, at least I can tell something's there! I believe it will get better as the nerves and muscles heal and I learn to pay attention to the new signals from my body, because the sensations are different from before. And every day/week so far I can see slow but steady improvement. I think one has to have a positive attitude, especially because the surgery is DONE and we're not going to undo it. We went into it with high hopes, perhaps too high, but NOT trying was not an option for me. I refuse to second-guess the decision, although I know at times the disappointment can be overwhelming. But please just hang in there with the rest of us and anticipate the best over the long term, or as Suzan says, we'll just have to learn to live with whatever issues remain.

Mary

Hi Ladies,
I've been a bit out of pocket and will have only limited access to the computer for a while longer. Am now caught up on all of your progress. Thank you, Mary, for asking about me. My surgery was mid March, and can you believe it?, I am still sore intermittently. Sometimes from standing too long, sometimes from sitting too long, or sitting on a hard surface. Mostly, I am back to all previous activities and routines, but sometimes have to cope with a painful perineum. There is never any pain in my rectum, but plenty to spare in the perineum. Unfortunately, I still contend with post bm leakage after almost every bm and gas incontinence. Sometimes, it feels like I have had a complete bm, and I am so happy about it, only to see that, on my next trip to the bathroom, I have leaked stool without realizing it. It seems that my "pushing power" has improved over time and I can usually do a better job of cutting off the bm. All in all, my situtation is really about the same as before the surgery. Very disappointing, but I continue with the kegels and the hope that I will see some improvement with time.

Lisa, I began the biofeedback somewhere around 10-12 weeks after surgery (I think, I'm losing track a little). I've bee once (post-surgery) and will go again in a few weeks. At my last 2 visits, the dr removed some "dissolvable" stitches. It really hurt, but only for a few seconds, and afterward, I was really glad to be rid of them.

Robin, at about week 8, my dr. suggested water irrigation/enema/ suppository to help finish up a bm if I felt that I had not fully expelled everything. He assured me that I would not be harming myself or my recovery. FYI, I was discharged on a Wed, saw the dr on a Fri (at his instruction), again the following Mon due to the wound opening and once weekly for the first month, then once monthly. I am still on his schedule for every 4-6 weeks, but am expecting that my next visit may be my last.

Suzan, I hope that your trip to Hawaii will be wonderful. I will suggest taking some ibuprofen when you get on the plane, as a long trip like that may make you quite sore. Good luck!

Adri, I had a rectocele along with impaired sphincter function from a severe tear during the birth of my first child. In March, I had a sphincteroplasty, perinealplasty, and levatorplasty. The rectocele was repaired as a consequence of all that. However, I sometimes still have the feeling that I can't quite get it all out. Good luck with your research and appointments.

Regarding the gas, surely there must be some product out there which can minimize gas? Of course, no one can completely eliminate it, but what have you all tried? anything? Did it help? Did anyone else, besides Suzan, (Or, Mary, was it you?) ever try the Tanalbit? What were the results? I tried Gas X the other day, but it didn't really seem to make much difference. I think the best thing is really to have a daily bm. This seems to reduce my gassiness somewhat.

Take care everyone. Sorry for the long post. Kelly, I'm so glad to hear that you feel "normal". What an awesome thing!

JJ

Hi Everyone,
JJ, good to hear from you. And sorry you are not having better success yet after your surgery. I will make this quick - have to leave in the early morning to fly to visit my daughter, who is, BTW, even older than most of the women on this thread! Re the Tanalbit: The purpose was to help cure my yeast infection. I tried it for two days (two capsules with lunch) but I got big time diarrhea because I was also taking Rx Lonox/Lomotil to slow down the colon & bulk up the stool. It's not OK to use Tanalbit while taking those meds, per the manufacturer's website. When I'm no longer taking Lonox I might try it again.

Early this mornng when I was really gassy, I didn't have a feeling I needed to have a bm but I sat down on the pot anyway and lo and behold in about 3 minutes one was produced. So again, I'm still learning. Also, I think I will always have to expect some leaking after a bm so I wear a pantyliner. It's really discouraging when the leaking is more solid, though. I just take my clean-up kit with me when I go out.

Mary

Robin,

I believe I have less gas than before the surgery. Before the surgery, I had gas all day long and was chronically constipated. I was taking Citrucel, 6 stool softners per day and was still constipated. I would lose small amounts of stool and have to have a BM, which was a very smal amount and hard, everytime I urinated. I had to push the stool out by pressing on my perinium with a wade of tissue in my hand, to expel the stool.

Since the surgery, I'm just taking a stool softner 2 x a day and am not constipated (unless I go off them). I'm still having 2-3 BMs a day, but that is down from 4. I usually only have gas when I have to have a BM. I am not always able to discern whether the pressure is gas, or a BM. After my morning routine of going to the bathroom, I have very little gas the rest of the day, nothing I couldn't hide, usually, if I was in a public setting.

Do I have regrets about having the surgery? Right now, somewhat. And it's ONLY because I have the gas incontinence. Everything else is better. However, I totally agree with what Mary said about having had the surgery and it can't be undone, so you have to keep a positive frame of mind and work with what you have. I had terrible anxiety attacks the first several weeks after the surgery because of the gas issue. That has slowed down now that I'm beginning to accept that you CAN be caught in a social situation and still survive the embarrassment, so you don't have to give up your life outside the house. I've come to terms with that because of this message board and all the help I've received by learning from everyone else's experiences.

I was pretty emotional the 3-4 weeks following the surgery, so you may be going through some of that also. I think that the surgery is major enough that it affects lots of different body functions, including your brain chemistry. It did mine. Take one day at a time, and soon you'll be feeling much, much better. I have very little pain, even sitting on a hard surface. My perinium has healed up very nicely. I don't believe I had actual tearing of my sphincter, but it was opened up in about a 1 1/2" diameter, according to the surgeon. He "gathered" it up to be much smaller. And that is why I don't understand why my ability to hold gas is worse than before. Logic would tell me that it should be much better. Anyway, try to focus on positive things in your life and know that the healing it going to take a while. Be patient with yourself.

Suzan

Thank you, Susan and Mary, for your replies, for your encouragement. It is definately a 'down' time for me right now. I know it will not always be like this and I thank you for helping to remind me of that. Tomorrow is 2 weeks post op and I'm just so ready to have my life back. My husband says he's ready too!! My bms are getting less painful and I went all day with out a vicoden today. Been doing one dose of Miralax at night but I might cut that down. I'm happier with not having to bear down so insanely hard but what a pain to clean up after 3-4 different bms a day. I wipe and wipe and never feel like I can get clean because little bits just keep coming off. I don't know what I'd do if they hadn't invented cottenell wipes!! I still have alot of pinkish discharge that makes me feel itchy. How long does this last?
And the orthostatic hypotention--feeling like I'm going to pass out for a couple seconds when I stand up--is that just from being in bed so much of the time? When might that go away?
Gosh, thank you all for your help, advice and encouragement! You are all worth so much more than the $150 I'd pay to go see a counselor!!
Keepin' my chin up,
Robin

Robin,

Wish I could do more to help. I so TOTALLY understand the way you are feeling right now. For me, the orthostatic hypotention got better as I was up and around more. I would feel dizzy just standing up from sitting on the toilet. However, I do have some of that all the time, always have, but it was worse after the surgery. Try to move slowly when you stand up and that usually helps. When you get out of bed, or up from lying on the couch, etc., try to sit on the side of the bed or couch for just a bit before standing. It definitely will get better, especially if this is just now happening after the surgery. The pain meds contribute to it also.

So glad to hear you are able to go longer periods without the pain meds. It was 2 weeks for me also when I was able to cut back. Your body lets you know, so if you have a tough day, don't be afraid to take a pain med to help out. You just w