How to Prepare for Rectocele Surgery

Rectocele surgery is performed on women to lift and tighten the tissue around the rectum and bladder, easing up pressure on the vagina. This treatment is usually performed after other methods of relief have been tried such as placing a diaphragm or tampon inside to support the walls of the vagina or Kegel exercises to strengthen the vaginal muscles. Your doctor will give you a list of instructions on how to prepare for rectocele surgery so your bowels may be properly evacuated prior to the operation. The following article should not replace specific instructions from your physician.

Things You'll Need

• Clear broths
• Clear juices
• Sprite or 7-Up
• Black coffee or tea
• Gatorade
• Gelatin
• Flavored ices
• 3 bottles of magnesium citrate
• 1 1/2 bottle of Fleet Phospho-Soda

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Instructions

• 1

  Try to quit smoking from six to eight weeks before surgery. Smokers have more breathing problems during surgery and smoking after surgery will slow down your healing time.

• 2

  Ask your doctor about whether you should have general anesthesia during the operation or a regional anesthesia such as an epidural or spinal anesthesia if you have smoking problems.

• 3

  Begin a liquid diet several days before surgery. You may have clear broths such as chicken broth or beef bouillon, clear fruit juices such as apple, cranberry or grape juice, gelatins and flavored ices. Drink plenty of clear liquids all throughout the day to stay well-hydrated.

• 4

  Drink one bottle of mangesium citrate in the morning two days prior to surgery. This will help clear your bowels.

• 5

  Drink a second bottle of magnesium citrate early in the morning on the day just prior to surgery.

• 6

  Mix three tablespoons of Fleet Phospho-Soda into four ounces of cool water six hours after you take the magnesium citrate and drink. Follow with a glass of water and continue with the liquid diet and plenty of clear drinks for the remainder of the day.

• 7

  Drink a final bottle of magnesium citrate if your bowel movements are not clear by 5 or 6 p.m. Do not drink any more liquids after midnight the night before the surgery—not even water. If you have been prescribed medication by your doctor after this time, he may authorize you to take it with small sips of water.