Pelvic Prolapse: What to Expect at Home

You had pelvic prolapse surgery. This surgery put your organ back in place. It also adds support to your muscles.

You can expect to feel better and stronger each day. But you may get tired quickly and need pain medicine for a week or two. After a laparoscopy, you may have shoulder pain. This is caused by the air your doctor put in your belly to help see your organs better. The pain may last for a day or two. You may need about 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover from open surgery and 1 to 2 weeks to recover from laparoscopic surgery or vaginal surgery.

It is important to avoid heavy lifting while you are recovering, so that your incision can heal.

• Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.
• Try to walk each day. Start out by walking a little more than you did the day before. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent blood clots, pneumonia, and constipation.
• Avoid lifting anything that will make you strain—which includes lifting a child, a vacuum, or grocery bags—for about 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
• Avoid strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weightlifting, and aerobic exercise, for about 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
• You may shower. Pat the incision dry when you are done. Do not take a bath for the first week after surgery or until your doctor tells you it is okay.
• You may have some light vaginal bleeding. Wear pads if needed. Do not douche or use tampons.
• Ask your doctor when you can drive again.
• You will probably need to take 2 to 4 weeks off work for open surgery and 1 week off for laparoscopic surgery or vaginal surgery. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel.
• Ask your doctor when it is okay to have sex. And do not place anything in your vagina for 6 weeks or until your doctor tells you it's okay.

• You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
• Drink plenty of fluids (unless your doctor tells you not to).
• You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. This is common. Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fiber supplement every day. If you have not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, ask your doctor about taking a mild laxative.

• Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. You will also get instructions about taking any new medicines.
• If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • Store your prescription pain medicines where no one else can get to them. When you are done using them, dispose of them quickly and safely. Your local pharmacy or hospital may have a drop-off site.
• If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach:
  • Take your medicine after meals (unless your doctor tells you not to).
  • Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

• Wash your hands before and after touching your incision.
• If you have strips of tape on the cut (incision) the doctor made, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off.
• Wash the area daily with warm, soapy water and pat it dry.
• Keep the area clean and dry. You may cover it with a gauze bandage if it weeps or rubs against clothing. Change the bandage every day.

• If you go home with a urinary catheter, follow your doctor's instructions on catheter care.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing and avoid anything that puts pressure on your belly, such as a girdle, for a few weeks.
• Your doctor may recommend pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises, which tighten and strengthen pelvic muscles, after you have completely healed. (If doing these exercises causes pain, stop doing them and talk with your doctor.) To do Kegel exercises:
  • Squeeze your muscles as if you were trying not to pass gas. Or squeeze your muscles as if you were stopping the flow of urine. Your belly, legs, and buttocks shouldn't move.
  • Hold the squeeze for 3 seconds, then relax for 5 to 10 seconds.
  • Start with 3 seconds, then add 1 second each week until you are able to squeeze for 10 seconds.
  • Repeat the exercise 10 times a session. Do 3 to 8 sessions a day.