Rectocele surgery recovery time

Pain and bladder emptying

Aching around the vagina and groin is expected after a posterior repair and eases over several weeks. Some women feel burning or shooting pain in the rectum, which the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) says usually eases within a few days. Take pain medicine at regular times and do not wait until the pain is severe.

About 15% of women have trouble emptying the bladder fully after prolapse surgery, according to IUGA. This usually settles within a few days to 2 weeks. Tell your nurse if your stream is slow or the bladder never feels empty.

Bowel care

Soft stools for six weeks are the single most important part of recovery. Avoid constipation, avoid straining, and support the perineum with a clean pad if it helps.

Eat plenty of fruit and fiber, and drink enough fluid to keep stools soft. IUGA suggests about 2 liters of water a day. Your doctor may prescribe a stool softener or a laxative, and you should take it as directed. Bowel habits can change after surgery, and constipation is common during recovery.

Weeks 2–8

Discharge lessens, sitting becomes comfortable, walking increases. No lifting over 10 kg (about 22 pounds) for 8 weeks, no intercourse until about 8 weeks and a check confirms healing, and no high-impact exercise until cleared.

Walk every day. IUGA suggests three or four short walks a day, which help prevent blood clots. Pelvic floor exercises are usually safe to start about 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, but confirm the timing with your surgeon.

Back to normal

At Podo, you can usually drive after about 1 week and return to work after about 1 month. Swimming and running wait about 2 months. Final healing of the tissue takes about three months.

The repair at Podo

At Podo, rectocele is treated with pelvic ligament suspension. The technique restores pelvic support by re-anchoring the patient's own lax pelvic ligaments. Pelvic ligament suspension uses the patient's own ligaments and sutures, without synthetic mesh. It is used for stress urinary incontinence, cystocele, rectocele and uterine prolapse.

Sex and intimacy

Sexual intercourse can resume about 8 weeks after pelvic ligament suspension, once a check confirms healing. When you restart, take it slowly. A vaginal lubricant helps, and some discomfort at first is possible. IUGA advises seeing a doctor if intercourse is still uncomfortable after 3 to 4 months.

Signs to watch

Fever, increasing pain, heavy bleeding, foul discharge or difficulty passing urine deserve a same-day call.

Heavy bleeding means fresh red blood or clots that need frequent pad changes. IUGA also lists vomiting, burning when you pass urine, a painful swollen leg, shortness of breath and chest pain as reasons to seek prompt medical advice.

If you traveled for surgery

Confirm before you leave how follow-up works and carry your operative summary in English.

Plan for 5 to 10 days in Seoul after incontinence or prolapse surgery. A final check is done 5 to 10 days after surgery, before you fly home. A video follow-up is scheduled after you return home. Patients have a 24-hour nurse contact line after surgery.

Sources

1. IUGA Your Pelvic Floor: Recovery guide after pelvic floor surgery

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Rectocele surgery in Korea