Getting Ready for Prolapse Surgery: Anesthesia Evaluation, Blood Tests and Medicine Review

The letter arrives with a date circled and a list underneath: a clinic appointment with someone called the pre-assessment nurse, a blood draw, a request to bring every pill bottle in the house. For many women, that envelope is the moment prolapse stops being a private nuisance and becomes a scheduled event. The kitchen table fills with leaflets. Someone asks whether the fish oil counts as a medicine.

It does, as it happens, and that small detail says a lot about prolapse surgery preparation. The operation itself is often shorter than the paperwork, and much of what determines a smooth day and a steady recovery is settled in the weeks before: how well your blood pressure is controlled, whether you are anemic, which tablets you take and when you last took them.

This explainer walks through what the anesthesia evaluation looks for, which blood tests are routine and which are not, how medicine reviews are handled, and what the days and weeks afterward tend to look like, with the evidence rather than the folklore.

What does prolapse surgery preparation actually involve?

Pelvic organ prolapse is the descent of the bladder, uterus, bowel or top of the vagina into or beyond the vaginal opening because the supporting muscles and connective tissue have stretched or torn. Surgery aims to restore support, either by stitching the woman’s own tissue, by attaching the vaginal apex to a ligament, or by removing the uterus when that is the organ dragging everything down.

Preparation for that operation is less about the surgery and more about you as a whole person. Surgical and anesthesia teams in most health systems now follow a structured pre-operative pathway. The NHS describes this as a pre-operative assessment, an appointment where a nurse or doctor reviews your medical history, checks your blood pressure, pulse and weight, arranges any tests, and asks what medicines and supplements you take.

Three strands run through that appointment. The first is anesthesia safety: can your heart and lungs comfortably tolerate a general or spinal anesthetic, and is your airway straightforward to manage? The second is baseline testing: a handful of blood tests that pick up anemia, kidney problems or unstable blood sugar before they cause trouble on the table. The third is the medicine review, which is where most of the practical decisions happen, because a blood thinner taken on the wrong morning can matter more than almost anything else.

None of this is designed to catch you out or to find reasons to cancel. It exists because the evidence on surgical outcomes consistently points to the same lesson: the safest operations are the ones where surprises were dealt with weeks earlier. Prolapse repair is usually planned rather than urgent, which gives everyone time to do exactly that.

How prolapse surgery works, in plain language

Most prolapse repairs are done through the vagina, with no external cuts. A cystocele, the medical word for the bladder bulging into the front vaginal wall, is corrected by opening the vaginal skin, folding and stitching the stretched supporting layer underneath, and closing the skin again. Surgeons call this anterior repair or anterior colporrhaphy. A rectocele, where the rectum pushes into the back wall, is handled the same way from behind, as a posterior repair.

When the uterus itself has dropped, the options broaden. Some women have a vaginal hysterectomy, removal of the uterus through the vagina, combined with stitches that anchor the vaginal top to strong ligaments in the pelvis. Others keep the uterus and have it suspended instead. For prolapse of the vaginal vault after an earlier hysterectomy, a common approach is sacrocolpopexy, an abdominal or keyhole operation that supports the vaginal top with a strip of material fixed to the sacrum, the bone at the base of the spine.

Mesh deserves an honest sentence. Synthetic mesh placed through the vagina has been associated with complications such as erosion and pain, and the NHS notes that its use for prolapse is restricted in the UK pending safety review. Mesh placed abdominally for sacrocolpopexy is treated differently in guidance, and your surgeon should explain which, if any, material is planned and why.

Anesthesia is either general, where you are fully asleep, or spinal, where an injection in the lower back numbs you from the waist down while you stay awake or lightly sedated. Operating time is typically an hour or two. Mayo Clinic describes many vaginal repairs as day-case or single-night procedures, though your own stay depends on the operation and your health.

Who is usually offered surgery, and who is asked to wait

Prolapse is common and often quiet. Many women have some degree of descent on examination without symptoms, and guidance from the NHS and Mayo Clinic is clear that a bulge that does not bother you does not need an operation. Surgery is usually discussed when symptoms interfere with daily life: a sensation of something coming down, difficulty emptying the bladder or bowel, discomfort with sex, or a bulge that rubs and bleeds.

Before surgery, most pathways expect that non-surgical options have at least been considered. Supervised pelvic floor muscle training has evidence for improving symptoms in milder prolapse, and a vaginal pessary, a removable silicone support fitted inside the vagina, can control symptoms indefinitely for women who prefer it or who are not fit for an operation. Neither closes the door on surgery later.

Some women are asked to wait, and the reasons are protective rather than dismissive. A woman planning further pregnancies is generally advised to postpone repair, because childbirth can undo the work. Poorly controlled diabetes, untreated anemia, an active urinary or vaginal infection, a recent heart attack or stroke, or a chest infection in the days before will usually push the date back until things are stable. Smoking is not an absolute barrier, but teams may ask for a period of abstinence first because of its effect on wound healing and chest complications.

Very frail women, or those with conditions that make anesthesia risky, may be steered toward a pessary or toward a shorter operation that narrows the vaginal canal, which is an option only for women who are not sexually active. These are conversations, not verdicts, and the final decision sits with you and your treating team.

What happens at the pre op assessment for prolapse surgery?

The anesthesia evaluation is the part patients worry about least and probably should think about most. It typically happens 1–4 weeks before the operation, sometimes on the phone, sometimes face to face, and it is where the anesthesia team decides which technique is safest for you.

Expect detailed questions. Have you ever had an anesthetic, and did anything go wrong? Does anyone in your family react badly to anesthesia? Do you get breathless climbing a flight of stairs? Do you snore heavily or stop breathing in your sleep? That last question screens for obstructive sleep apnea, which changes how anesthetists manage your airway and pain relief afterward. Reflux, loose teeth, crowns and a stiff neck all matter for the same reason: they affect how easily a breathing tube can be placed.

You will be asked about alcohol, smoking and recreational drug use, without judgment, because all three alter how anesthetic drugs behave. A physical examination usually covers your heart and lung sounds, mouth opening and neck movement. Blood pressure that is persistently high may prompt a referral back to your family doctor before a date is confirmed.

Additional tests are ordered on the basis of what this history uncovers rather than routinely. An electrocardiogram, a tracing of the heart’s electrical activity, is common for older women or anyone with heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes. A chest X-ray is reserved for specific lung or heart concerns. Some units use a simple exercise or breathing test when a woman’s fitness is uncertain.

Bring your medicine list, your glasses, and any letters from specialists. The NHS pre-operative guidance suggests writing down questions in advance, and this is the right room to ask them.

Which blood tests are done before prolapse surgery, and why?

Pre-operative blood tests are chosen by your age, your health and the size of the operation, not by habit. For a healthy younger woman having a straightforward vaginal repair, some guidelines support doing very few tests at all. For most others, a short standard panel is drawn at the pre-assessment visit.

A full blood count measures hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells, along with white cells and platelets. Its main job here is to detect anemia. Anemic women tolerate blood loss less well and are more likely to need a transfusion, so finding low iron weeks ahead allows it to be treated first. Heavy periods, fibroids and diets low in iron are common culprits.

A kidney function panel checks creatinine and electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. Kidneys clear many anesthetic and pain-relief drugs, and low potassium can trigger heart rhythm problems under anesthesia. Women on diuretics or blood pressure tablets are particularly likely to have this checked.

Blood glucose or HbA1c, a three-month average of blood sugar, is requested for women with diabetes or those at risk. High sugar impairs healing and raises infection risk, and if control is poor the operation may be deferred while it is improved.

Clotting tests, which measure how quickly blood forms a clot, are not routine but are usual for women taking warfarin, women with liver disease, or anyone with a personal or family history of bleeding problems. A group-and-save, where your blood type is recorded in case a transfusion is ever needed, is often done for hysterectomy but may be skipped for a small repair.

Urine is commonly tested too, because an unrecognized urinary infection is a frequent reason for a same-week cancellation.

The medicine review: what typically changes and what does not

The medicine review is where the anesthesia and surgical teams look at every prescription, over-the-counter product and supplement you take and decide, drug by drug, whether it continues, pauses, or is swapped around the day of surgery. The principle is simple even when the details are not: keep the medicines that protect you during the stress of an operation, and pause the ones that raise the risk of bleeding, low blood sugar or a dangerous drug interaction.

Anticoagulants, the blood-thinning medicines used for atrial fibrillation, artificial heart valves or previous clots, and antiplatelet drugs such as those taken after a stent, are the headline group. They reduce clotting, which is exactly what you do not want during surgery, but stopping them also carries risk. How long before the operation each is paused, and whether a short-acting injection is used to bridge the gap, depends on the drug, your kidney function and why you take it. That plan comes from your prescribing clinician and the anesthesia team, and it is written down for you.

Diabetes medicines are adjusted around fasting. Some tablets are held on the morning of surgery to avoid low blood sugar, and insulin regimens are usually modified rather than stopped. Newer glucose-lowering injectables that slow stomach emptying may be paused for longer because food can linger in the stomach and raise the risk of inhaling it under anesthesia.

Blood pressure tablets, thyroid hormone, inhalers and most heart medicines generally continue, often with a sip of water on the morning itself. Hormone replacement therapy and combined hormonal contraception raise clot risk, and teams differ on whether to pause them; ask directly.

Supplements matter more than people expect. Fish oil, high-dose vitamin E, garlic and ginkgo can all affect bleeding, and St John’s wort interacts with anesthetic drugs. Declare everything.

Prolapse surgery preparation timeline: a summary table

Timelines vary between health systems, but the sequence is remarkably consistent. The table below draws the typical steps together so you can see what tends to happen when, based on NHS and Mayo Clinic pre-operative guidance. Treat it as a map, not a schedule: your own team’s instructions override anything here.

When	What usually happens	Why it matters
4–8 weeks before	Decision to operate; discussion of alternatives such as a pessary; smoking cessation and activity advice	Gives time to improve fitness, iron levels and glucose control
1–4 weeks before	Pre-operative assessment with anesthesia review, blood tests, urine test, ECG if indicated	Identifies anemia, infection or heart issues while there is still time to treat them
1–2 weeks before	Written medicine plan; blood thinners and some diabetes drugs given stop dates; supplements paused	Reduces bleeding and drug-interaction risk without leaving you unprotected
Day before	Confirmation call; shower; bowel preparation only if your surgeon requests it; pack loose clothing and pads	Lowers skin bacteria; ensures comfort afterward
Morning of surgery	Fasting as instructed; approved medicines with a sip of water; no jewelry or nail polish; arrive with an escort planned	Empty stomach protects the airway; escort required after anesthesia
Day 0–1	Operation; catheter and vaginal pack often used briefly; first walk within hours	Early mobility reduces clot risk

Two items in that table deserve emphasis. Fasting instructions are exact for a reason: NHS guidance describes stopping food around six hours before and clear fluids around two hours before a general or spinal anesthetic, and eating late is one of the commonest causes of a cancelled slot. And the escort is not optional. Anesthesia impairs judgment and coordination for roughly a day, so hospitals require a responsible adult to take you home and, ideally, stay the first night.

Fasting, smoking, alcohol and fitness: what the evidence supports

Some pre-operative advice is tradition; some is well supported. It helps to know which is which.

Fasting is firmly evidence-based. An empty stomach reduces the chance that stomach contents are inhaled into the lungs while your protective reflexes are switched off. Modern guidance, reflected in NHS advice, has shortened the fluid fast because clear liquids leave the stomach quickly and arriving dehydrated makes cannulation harder and nausea more likely. You will usually be encouraged to drink water until a set time, not to stop everything at midnight out of habit.

Smoking affects almost every stage of surgery. Carbon monoxide reduces oxygen delivery to healing tissue, nicotine narrows small blood vessels, and smokers have higher rates of chest infection after anesthesia. The benefit of stopping grows with time, and the NHS advises stopping as early as possible before an operation; even a few weeks helps airway reactivity and wound healing. Nicotine replacement products are generally considered acceptable during this period, but check with your team.

Alcohol raises bleeding risk, interacts with anesthetic drugs and, in heavier drinkers, can provoke withdrawal on the ward. Be honest about intake so it can be planned for.

Fitness is the quieter lever. Women who can walk briskly and climb stairs recover faster and have fewer complications, a pattern seen across many surgical specialties. Pre-operative exercise programs, sometimes called prehabilitation, are increasingly built into surgical pathways. For prolapse surgery, low-impact activity such as walking, cycling and swimming is usually encouraged; heavy lifting and high-impact exercise are best avoided since they load the very tissue about to be repaired.

Weight is discussed neutrally. Higher body weight is associated with more anesthetic challenges and higher recurrence of prolapse, but rapid crash dieting before surgery is not advised because it can worsen nutrition and healing.

Pelvic floor exercises, bowel habits and bladder care before the operation

The weeks before surgery are a useful window for habits that will protect the repair afterward. None of them is glamorous, and all of them make a measurable difference to comfort in the first month.

Constipation is the first target. Straining on the toilet pushes directly on the vaginal walls, which is unhelpful at any time and risky after a fresh repair. Cleveland Clinic and NHS guidance both list managing constipation as a core part of prolapse care. Practical measures include a gradual increase in fiber from vegetables, fruit, oats and pulses, enough fluid to keep urine pale, and a footstool that raises the knees above the hips when sitting on the toilet, which straightens the rectum and reduces effort. If these are not enough, your team may suggest a stool softener class of laxative to start before and continue after surgery; which one and for how long is their call.

Pelvic floor muscle training is the second. A pelvic floor physiotherapist can teach you to find and contract the right muscles, and evidence supports supervised training for symptom control in milder prolapse. Starting before surgery means you already know the technique when you are sore and distracted afterward. The knack of tightening the pelvic floor before a cough or sneeze, sometimes called the knack, is worth practicing until it is automatic.

Bladder habits are the third. Emptying fully, not rushing, and avoiding excessive caffeine reduce urgency and infection risk. Some women with prolapse have learned to press on the bulge to empty the bladder or bowel; mention this, because it tells the surgeon which support has failed.

Finally, if you have vaginal dryness or thinning after menopause, your gynecologist may discuss local vaginal estrogen in the run-up, since healthier tissue holds stitches better. That is a prescribing decision for them.

How long does it take to recover from pelvic organ prolapse surgery?

Recovery after prolapse surgery is best described in phases rather than as a single number, and the honest answer is that internal healing takes longer than feeling well does.

The first phase is the hospital stay. Many vaginal repairs are done as day cases or with one overnight stay; a hysterectomy or abdominal sacrocolpopexy commonly means 1–3 nights, according to NHS guidance. A urinary catheter is often placed during surgery and removed the same day or the next morning, after which the ward checks that you can empty your bladder properly before you go home. A gauze pack in the vagina, used to reduce oozing, comes out in the same window.

The first two weeks bring the most obvious symptoms: a dull ache in the pelvis and lower back, bruised or swollen tissue, and a light blood-stained or brownish discharge that can continue for several weeks as stitches dissolve. Short walks around the house from day one are encouraged, both for the bowels and for clot prevention.

By 2–6 weeks, most women are moving comfortably, driving once they can brake sharply without pain and are off strong painkillers, and returning to desk-based work. The NHS suggests planning around 6 weeks off for many women, longer for physically demanding jobs.

The final phase is the one people underestimate. The repaired tissue continues to gain strength for around three months, and NHS advice is to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for roughly 6–12 weeks, while sex is generally postponed for at least 4–6 weeks and until any discharge has settled. Mayo Clinic gives similar ranges. Your surgeon’s instructions may be shorter or longer depending on what was repaired.

Recurrence is possible over the years, which is why the habits above outlast the wound.

Rectocele repair recovery: what 3 weeks after surgery usually looks like

Three weeks is a curious point in recovery. The worst soreness has passed, the discharge is lighter, and energy is returning. It is also when many women overreach, so it is worth describing plainly what is usual, what is not, and what most surgical teams allow.

At three weeks after a posterior repair, mild aching after being on your feet all day is common, and the area around the perineum, the skin between vagina and anus, may still feel tight or tender when sitting. Dissolvable stitches are often still present and can cause a stringy discharge or occasional spotting as they let go; this is expected. Bowel movements may feel different for several weeks because the rectal wall has been repositioned, and keeping stools soft remains essential. Straining is the single habit most likely to undo the work.

Housework is the question everyone asks, usually phrased as whether it is allowed. Light tasks such as cooking, wiping surfaces and folding laundry are generally fine by this stage. Vacuuming, mopping, carrying a full laundry basket, lifting a toddler or moving furniture are not, because each generates a sudden rise in abdominal pressure that pushes down on the repair. A practical rule many pelvic physiotherapists teach is that nothing heavier than a kettle for the first six weeks, with a gradual return afterward.

Walking distance can be built up daily. Swimming waits until bleeding has completely stopped and the wound has closed, typically at the six-week check. Tampons, douching and penetrative sex are still off the table at three weeks.

What is not typical at this point is heavy bleeding, offensive discharge, fever, worsening pain, or a new bulge. Those belong in the section on when to call your doctor, and they should not wait for the routine follow-up.

What people often get wrong about prolapse surgery preparation

Some myths cost people their surgery date; others cost them their repair. Here are the ones that surface most often in clinic.

“Supplements are not medicines, so I do not need to mention them.” Fish oil, turmeric, ginkgo, garlic capsules and high-dose vitamin E can all affect bleeding, and St John’s wort alters how the liver processes anesthetic and pain drugs. Anesthesia teams ask about them precisely because they are so often left off the list.

“I should stop all my tablets to be safe.” Stopping heart, blood pressure or asthma medicines without instruction is more dangerous than continuing them. The medicine review exists so that each drug gets a specific plan; follow that plan rather than a general rule.

“Nothing to eat or drink after midnight.” That instruction is outdated in most units. Clear fluids are usually allowed until a couple of hours before, and arriving dehydrated makes the day harder. Follow the exact times you are given.

“Bed rest is the safest recovery.” Lying still raises the risk of blood clots and chest infection and slows the bowels. Gentle walking from the first day is standard advice; what you avoid is lifting and straining, not movement.

“Once it is fixed, it stays fixed.” Surgery restores support; it does not change the tissue you were born with or the years of load it has carried. Prolapse can recur, which is why constipation control, pelvic floor training and sensible lifting habits continue for life.

“A small operation needs no preparation.” Even a short vaginal repair involves anesthesia, and most same-week cancellations come from preventable causes: an untreated urine infection, uncontrolled blood pressure, a blood thinner taken that morning, or no one available to take you home.

“Doing a lot of pelvic floor exercises will fix it without surgery.” They help symptoms, particularly in milder prolapse, and they support any repair. They do not reliably lift a significant prolapse back into place.

Questions to ask your care team before prolapse surgery

A good pre-assessment appointment is a two-way conversation. Writing questions down beforehand, as NHS guidance suggests, means you leave with answers rather than a vague sense of having been told things. These are the ones that tend to matter most.

• Exactly which repair is planned, which organ or wall it addresses, and will the uterus be removed or kept?
• Is any mesh or graft material planned, and if so, where will it be placed and why is it preferred to my own tissue?
• What are the realistic alternatives for me, including a pessary and supervised pelvic floor training, and what happens if I choose to wait?
• Will I have a general or spinal anesthetic, and what did my assessment show that influenced that choice?
• Which of my medicines should I continue on the morning of surgery, which should I pause, and from what date? Can I have that in writing?
• Do my blood tests show anything that needs treating first, such as low iron or raised blood sugar?
• How long is the expected stay, and will I have a catheter or vaginal pack afterward?
• What bleeding, discharge and pain are normal in the first two weeks, and what should prompt a call?
• When can I drive, return to my particular job, lift my grandchildren, swim and have sex?
• Will I be referred to pelvic floor physiotherapy before or after surgery?
• What is my personal risk of the prolapse coming back, and what reduces it?
• Who do I contact out of hours if something worries me, and when is my follow-up appointment?

Ask, too, about anything specific to you: a previous difficult anesthetic, a history of clots, a bleeding disorder in the family, or worries about pain control if you have chronic pain or take opioids. The team would much rather hear it now than discover it on the day.

When to call your doctor

Before the operation, contact the pre-assessment team promptly if anything changes: a cold, cough or chest infection; burning or frequency when passing urine; a new rash, wound or skin infection; a change to your medicines by another doctor; or if you realize you took a blood thinner or diabetes drug you had been asked to stop. A brief call can save a cancelled slot or, more importantly, a complication.

After surgery, most days will be uneventful, but a short list of signs should not wait for the routine follow-up. Contact your surgical team or seek urgent care the same day if you notice:

• Heavy vaginal bleeding, soaking a pad in an hour or passing large clots.
• Fever, chills, or a discharge that becomes thick, green or foul-smelling.
• Pain that is getting worse rather than better, or pain not controlled by the medicines you were given.
• Inability to pass urine, or passing only small amounts with a full, painful bladder.
• Persistent vomiting, a swollen tender abdomen, or no bowel movement with pain and bloating.
• A new bulge at the vaginal opening or a feeling that something has given way.
• Redness, swelling or oozing from any abdominal wound.

Call emergency services immediately, without waiting to speak to the surgical team, if you develop sudden chest pain, sudden breathlessness, coughing up blood, or a hot, swollen, painful calf. These can indicate a blood clot in the leg or lung, a recognized risk after pelvic surgery, and they are treated as emergencies.

If you are unsure whether something counts, treat that uncertainty as a reason to call. Surgical teams expect these calls, and the decision about what happens next belongs with them.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to recover from pelvic organ prolapse surgery?

Most women feel largely back to normal within about six weeks, but internal healing continues for roughly three months. NHS guidance describes a hospital stay of a day or up to three nights depending on the operation, around six weeks before returning to many jobs, and 6–12 weeks of avoiding heavy lifting and vigorous exercise. Your surgeon’s advice for your specific repair takes priority over these general ranges.

Can I do housework after prolapse surgery?

Light housework such as cooking, wiping surfaces and folding laundry is usually fine within the first couple of weeks. Vacuuming, mopping, carrying laundry baskets, lifting children and moving furniture raise pressure inside the abdomen and are generally avoided for around six weeks, then reintroduced gradually. A common practical guide is nothing heavier than a full kettle early on, but confirm timings with your own team.

What not to do after prolapse surgery?

Avoid heavy lifting, straining on the toilet, high-impact exercise, tampons, douching and penetrative sex until your surgeon clears you, typically at the six-week review. Do not stay in bed all day either; gentle walking from day one lowers clot risk and helps the bowels. Keep stools soft, do not ignore a full bladder, and do not restart any medicine that was paused without being told to.

What should I expect 3 weeks after rectocele repair surgery?

At three weeks, mild aching after long periods standing, some tightness around the perineum and a light stringy or brownish discharge as stitches dissolve are all typical. Bowel movements may feel different and stools must stay soft. Light activity and longer walks are usually fine; lifting, swimming and sex still wait. Worsening pain, heavy bleeding, fever or a new bulge are not expected and should prompt a call.

What is checked at the pre op assessment for prolapse surgery?

The pre-operative assessment reviews your medical and anesthetic history, checks blood pressure, pulse, weight and airway, and arranges tests based on your age and health. Common tests are a blood count, kidney function, a urine test, and glucose or clotting studies where relevant, plus an ECG for older women or those with heart risk. It is also where your medicines and supplements are reviewed and a written plan is agreed.

Do I have to stop blood thinners before prolapse surgery?

Usually some adjustment is needed, but the exact plan depends on which medicine you take, why you take it and your kidney function. Some anticoagulants are paused for a set number of days; some women receive a short-acting injectable bridge; antiplatelet drugs after a recent stent may be continued. These decisions are made jointly by the anesthesia team and your prescribing doctor and given to you in writing. Never stop them on your own.

Why do I need blood tests before prolapse surgery?

Blood tests find problems that are easier to fix beforehand than during or after the operation. A full blood count detects anemia, which increases transfusion risk; kidney and electrolyte tests guide safe anesthetic and pain-relief dosing decisions; glucose or HbA1c identifies poorly controlled diabetes, which slows healing. Clotting tests are added for women on anticoagulants or with bleeding histories. Healthy younger women having small repairs may need very few.

What is the difference between general and spinal anesthesia for prolapse repair?

With general anesthesia you are fully unconscious and your breathing is supported, often through a tube. With spinal anesthesia an injection in the lower back numbs you from the waist down while you stay awake or lightly sedated. Both are used for vaginal prolapse repair. The anesthesiologist recommends one based on your heart and lung health, airway, previous anesthetic experiences and the planned operation, and you can discuss your preference.

Can I take my usual medicines on the morning of prolapse surgery?

Many can be taken with a small sip of water, including most blood pressure tablets, thyroid hormone, inhalers and heart medicines. Others, such as certain diabetes tablets, diuretics and blood thinners, are commonly held that morning or earlier. Your pre-assessment team gives you a specific list of what to take and what to skip; follow that list exactly, and call them if you are unsure about any item.

Is recovery after prolapse surgery different if the uterus is removed?

Somewhat. A vaginal hysterectomy combined with repair usually means a longer stay, often one to three nights, and more fatigue in the first weeks than a simple anterior or posterior repair. The lifting, exercise and sex restrictions are similar, generally around six weeks or longer. Recovery after abdominal or keyhole sacrocolpopexy adds small abdominal wounds to care for. Your surgeon will tailor the timeline to what was done.

References

• NHS: Pelvic organ prolapse
• NHS: Pelvic organ prolapse, treatment
• NHS: Having an operation (surgery), preparation
• Cleveland Clinic: Pelvic organ prolapse

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor about your individual situation.