Fellowship-Trained Urogynecologist
Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
Green Bay, Wisconsin
✓ Medically reviewed May 15, 2026
How long is recovery from prolapse surgery?
Recovery from prolapse surgery depends on the procedure, but most women feel back to normal activities in about 4 to 6 weeks. Many patients go home the same day. Knowing what to expect at each stage can help you plan and feel more in control.
The first week
The first few days are usually the most uncomfortable. You may notice:
- Mild to moderate pelvic soreness and pressure
- Some vaginal spotting or discharge
- Tiredness, because your body is working to heal
- Constipation from anesthesia and pain medications
We use a multimodal pain approach, which means we combine several non-opioid medicines (like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and ice packs) so most patients need little or no narcotic pain medicine after surgery. About 30-40% of patients use zero opioids after going home. If you do need a few pills, most use them only in the first 2-3 days.
Constipation is common after any pelvic surgery. A stool softener and gentle laxative can help, and we will usually send you home with these. Staying hydrated and walking also keep your bowels moving.
The first week is about rest. Walking short distances is encouraged right away. Everything else can wait.
Weeks 2 to 4
Most women feel noticeably better during this stretch:
- Pain decreases day by day
- Energy comes back gradually
- Light daily tasks become comfortable
- Driving usually resumes at 1-2 weeks (once you are off narcotics and can wear a seatbelt)
The main rule during this time is pelvic rest, which means nothing in the vagina. Beyond that, I encourage you to go slow and pay attention to how your body feels. Start with light things before heavy ones, and follow a simple rule: if it hurts, don’t do it.
Some women have trouble emptying their bladder in the first days after surgery. This is called urinary retention, and it happens in about 15-45% of pelvic surgery patients. It is temporary. If it happens to you, we will teach you how to manage it at home, and it almost always gets better within a week.
Weeks 4 to 6
This is when most women feel ready to get back to their routine:
- Return to work (desk jobs sooner, physical jobs later)
- Light exercise can start with your surgeon’s approval
- Most lifting limits are relaxed
After 3 months
Full tissue healing takes about 3 months. After that:
- Heavy lifting and high-impact exercise can resume
- Sexual activity is usually comfortable
- Your final surgical results become clear
I tell my patients that 6 weeks is a turning point, but the full benefit of surgery really shows at 3 months. In the PFDR-R registry, 93-94% of women who had prolapse surgery reported feeling “much better” or “very much better” at 2-3 years.
References
- Reagan KML, Boyles SH, Brueseke TJ, et al. Postoperative opioid prescribing after female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2021. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000001113
- Latthe P, Marquini GV, Achtari C, et al. AUGS-IUGA joint clinical consensus statement on enhanced recovery after urogynecologic surgery. Int Urogynecol J. 2022. doi:10.1007/s00192-022-05223-4
- McDermott CD, Tunitsky-Bitton E, Duenas-Garcia OF, et al. Postoperative urinary retention. Urogynecology. 2023. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000001344
- Andy UU, Meyn L, Brown HW, et al. Outcomes at 12, 24, and 36 months in women treated for pelvic organ prolapse with pessary or surgery: results from the multicenter Pelvic Floor Disorders Registry. Urogynecology. 2025. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000001530
- Reagan K, Hardart A. White paper: guidance for improving surgical care and recovery in urogynecologic surgery. Urogynecology. 2025. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000001755
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