Depending on your operation and dependent on your needs, you may be sent home with
some painkillers, some preparations to help open your bowels (movicol), and some
oestrogen cream to be put inside the vagina which assists the area recover following
surgery. For Movicol you take one sachet twice a day. You can increase up to 2 sachets
twice a day or reduce down to none depending on how often you open your bowels. If
you have had complete bowel preparation before surgery it may be several days before
you open your bowels.
Generally we use dissolvable stitches. These may take two to three weeks to actually
fall out. If they cause you any aggrevation then they can be removed after a week.
If you have non-dissolving sutures then we will advise that you either visit your
GP or return after 5-7 days to have stitches removed.
Recovery
After most operations for bladder problems and prolapse, we would ask you to avoid
lifting (nothing more than a full kettle) for around six weeks. Please make sure
that you understand the follow up arrangements following surgery and that you have
our contact details before leaving hospital. Please ask any member of the medical
or nursing team if things are not clear.
After surgery, you should allow yourself appropriate recovery time. Ask your team
how long they anticipate your recovery should take. This often serves as a useful
guide. Remember for some days following surgery, even relatively simple physical
activities may make you tired. This may persist for a few weeks if you have had major
surgery.
Things to look out for
After most vaginal operations a small amount of bleeding or vaginal discharge is
common. You may get some discomfort passing urine or a slightly offensive discharge.
If these persist you may need some antibiotics. Potential concerning things to look
out for are high fevers, severe abdominal pain not responding to painkillers and
rest, persistent vomiting and heavy vaginal bleeding. If you are worried after your
discharge from hospital prior to a follow-up appointment, you can contact your consultant’s
secretary (during office hours), your general practitioner, or in an emergency, you
can also contact King Edward VIIth hospital who will contact one of your team of
consultants.
