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Thrombosis or Embolism Additional Comments On rare occasions some patients develop a blood clot. The following signs may indicate that you have developed a blood clot in your leg (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) or that it may have travelled to your lungs (pulmonary embolus or PE). If you suffer from any of these symptoms you must also seek urgent medical attention (e.g. by going to A&E or calling for an ambulance): Anterior / Posterior Vaginal Repair Post discharge advice • Increased pain, swelling, redness or heat in your leg • Shortness of breath, coughing up blood or chest pain For more information on DVT/PE, please ask to see our separate leaflet. If you are unsure about any of the above or anything else then please contact the hospital who will advise you of the best course of action. Patient Information References and further information: 1. Genitourinary Prolapse www.patient.co.uk Accessed December 2011 2. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Information for you after a pelvic floor repair operation. Available from: www.rcog.org.uk Accessed December 2011 VAGINAL REPAIR - v2.0 CL-3004-000-R Issue date: Dec 2011 Review date: Dec 2014 Anterior / Posterior Vaginal Repair to take a short walk daily, increasing the distance each time. This leaflet has been developed to give you some general information about your recovery following your anterior and/or posterior vaginal repair operation. Pain relief / medication Please do not hesitate to ask your Doctor or Nurse if you have any further questions. It is important to take your painkillers as you have been advised. If you are experiencing discomfort, it is advisable to take pain relief regularly – especially for the first few days as this will help your mobility and enable you to complete your exercises. If pain persists and is not controlled with the medication you have been advised to take, then please contact the hospital for further advice. Have I got any stitches? Your surgeon will have used some internal stitching following your surgery, which can take some time to heal. They will gradually dissolve over time, but can take up to 3 months to dissolve completely. Bleeding You should expect some slight discharge and/or bleeding from your vagina, which will lessen every day. If you experience heavy bleeding or clots please contact the hospital. Please use sanitary towels – do not use tampons. Mobility Your surgery will cause some pain and discomfort. This feeling is often described as a ‘dragging’ pain and is quite normal. It is normally around two to four weeks before patients think about returning to work. If you have to do heavy lifting or very physical work it may take longer to recover fully enough to return. Your Surgeon will advise you on the amount of time you will need to be away from work, and you can obtain a medical certificate before you leave the hospital. Driving When can I drive again? Do not drive until you are confident about controlling your vehicle in an emergency and always check with your insurance company first. If you were taking any tablets before you came into hospital, it is important that you continue to take them when you go home, unless we advise you against this. Sexual activity Can I have a bath or shower? When should I contact the hospital or seek urgent medical attention? Generally it is fine to have a bath or shower after 48 hours. But please follow the instructions given to you by your Surgeon / Nurse. For the first week or two after your operation, you should rest and relax. Refer to the exercises that your Physiotherapist has given you and continue with these as you have been advised. Eating and drinking It is important to understand that your body needs time to heal in order for you to return to a normal life. To help your body recover, you need to take time to rest when you feel tired, gently increasing your activities. Try Returning to work A diet of fresh fruit, vegetables and other high fibre foods is recommended, as this will help prevent constipation and aid healing. When can I return to work? When you can return to work depends upon the type of work you do. Avoid sexual intercourse for six weeks or until you have had your follow up appointment with your Surgeon. Infection. If you are concerned about anything or if you develop a high temperature the following signs may mean you have a infection and you are advised to contact the hospital or your GP for advice; • You feel an increasing amount of pain • You have heavy or smelly vaginal bleeding or you start to bleed again • You feel burning or stinging when you pass urine or you are passing urine more frequently than usual