Perineal Refashioning - definitely TMI

[cravingcake]

I had a 4th degree tear 13 months ago giving birth to my DS. I'm still uncomfortable so saw my GP about a month ago who immediately referred me to gynae consultant saying I had a defect and overgrowth of scar tissue, and also a skin tag.

I saw the gynae consultant last week (who called in head consultant) who both did a thorough internal exam and said that everything is ok, in the sense of no problems with a defect (despite what gp said just 3 weeks previously), but where i was stitched is painful so they've offered a re-fashion of my perinium, which has a 50/50 chance of being effective in reducing the discomfort and pain I have.

I've decided to go ahead with the surgery (wont be until end of Jan/early Feb at earliest so plenty of time to change my mind research a bit more) but want to know if anyone else has had this done and if it is worth it.

Recovery-wise I've been advised it will be 3 days of agony, a week or so uncomfortable and then by 3 weeks post surgery all back to normal.

[cravingcake]

No, its done as a day patient so home same day but with decent pain killers. It cant be any worse than the original tear, i couldnt sit in a chair for more than about 10 mins and had the challenge of trying to breastfeed.

I can handle a couple of weeks painful recovery and will have help in place should i need it to look after my DS. Its more what the longer term benefits (or not as the case maybe) are.

[WhispersOfWickedness]

I had a second degree tear and developed a fibrous band of scar tissue which made sex impossible. I was referred to a gynae when dc was 6 months old and surgery to repair was done when he was 10 months later. Recovery was nothing like after the birth, as I didn't have lochia, bresstfeeding, sleep deprivation, being a new mum to deal with as well as the tear. In fact, it went so well that DD was conceived two weeks after surgery
I hope you have a speedy recovery too, if you decide to go ahead, I was very happy with the decision I made

[cravingcake]

Thank you Whispers i'm booked for surgery on 8th Feb (just had phone call today).

Were you warned about any long term side effects or if it could make the scar tissue worse? I've done a little bit of mn reading & all seems very positive, i'm just wondering what possible risks there are of it not working (if any).

[WhispersOfWickedness]

I really don't remember any risks being explained beyond the 'standard' surgery ones. Are you having it done under a GA or local? I had a local as I was still breastfeeding and it was ok. Just don't look into the light if you do as you will be able to see the surgery

[cravingcake]

I will probably have it under GA as i'm not breastfeeding but am slightly nervous about it due to a previous GA makig me very very woosy - was an inch away from being kept in ovenight as i wasnt recovering as quick as i should. But i will discuss that at the pre-assessment.

Thanks for the tip tho if i do opt for local. Think it will b eyes closed & trying to tune out listening to music (if its allowed).

[JingleBellaTheGymnast]

I had a perinearraphy (think that's the same thing as what you mean) done as a day patient. I still had some voltarol left over from my original tear, and I took those to keep the pain under control, paracetamol wasn't doing enough.
Definitely a quicker perineal recovery than childbirth, without the awful swelling.

[JingleBellaTheGymnast]

Just checked and the spelling is perineorrhaphy, if you want to look it up.
Fourth degree tear, hats of to you, you must have suffered.

[cravingcake]

Thanks jinglebella i figure surgery cant be any worse than the original tear. The pain then was horrendus but at least i can would be able to take proper pain killers rather than just paracetamol & ibuprofen.

[JingleBellaTheGymnast]

Why didn't you get proper pain killers last time? I had voltarol by the handful for my 3rd degree,, even though I was BF. Can't imagine coping on paracetamol. You poor thing.

[cravingcake]

I was offered codiene (i think) & other stronger painkillers but i said i'd be happy trying the simplest thing first & would ask for something stronger if required. I was fine on paracetamol & ibuprofen (taken religiously by te clock) so didnt feel the need for anything stronger. Was on both daily for about 4-5 weeks before reducing down & was about 7-8 weeks when i onky took As required.

I think it may have been new mum hormones but with this surgery i wont have that so will be going for any pain killers i can have.

[WhispersOfWickedness]

I really don't remember much pain at all with my repair, compared to initial recovery from the tear. As Jingle says, there is not the swelling there from the labour, so it does feel totally different. Like I said, I was perfectly capable of sex less than two weeks later, whereas it was more like 4-5 months post birth (if I had actually been able!).