Laparoscopy

[Deedee666]

Hi,I had a laparoscopy 9 days ago and I still feel absolutely shattered, pain in the incision points above pelvic line, belly button and the side of my belly. Stitches have not dissolved as of yet.

I'm meant to return to work late next week but I don't feel I'm well enough yet.

Has anyone else struggled to feel better (as much as can be) after a laparoscopy. My last one was 20 odd years ago, I was obviously much younger then but I don't remember feeling so rough.

I'm due on so that is probably causing more pain and discomfort.

I just feel so useless and sick of the pain.

[Pinkybow]

Hi DeeDee! Hope your feeling a bit more rested 💕 I would definitely be getting a drs note for work. It took me at least 3 weeks before I started to feel more myself but a full 6 weeks to feel recovered. Take it easy, you can do more damage than good by doing too much too soon. Keep up with pain killers, lots of sleeps with walking about around the house. My glue did however take forever to dissolve, I ended up picking the belly button one out in the end after a long shower because it was still there 8 weeks later 🙈

[Deedee666 in reply to Pinkybow]

Thank you,Pinkybow 😊 I do remember picking my belly button one the first time as it seemed to take forever to go!

I'll def speak to doc and let them know how I'm feeling and get another note. I'll try and rest up before then. I think I put too much pressure on myself when I just need to chill 😎

[Avourneen]

Wow Deedee, it usually takes at least 6 weeks before you can walk around normally. You need to get the doctors to sign you off for much longer. What gave you the idea you would be for for work in a week? I hope your surgeon didn't tell you that. At least 6 weeks, you willl need someone to help uyou when you get home,because even doing tiny things is hard. It actually takes about 9 months to heal completely. I think I was on strong painkillers for 3 months. Go home, take it easy, try to walk abit every day and gradually increase that every day. Don't lift anything heaveir than a kettle for 6 weeks.

I guess it depends what you had done with the lap but for example if you have had a lot of excision it is a really big operation, maybe less so if they just had a look around and closed you up. Plesae take time of work or you won't heal properly and i'm really sad to hear you haven't been given proper advice about recovery from this op.Good luck. xx

[Deedee666 in reply to Avourneen]

Hi Avourneen,I was told by the secretary when she booked my appointment 4-6 weeks recovery. I was having a laparoscopy to remove a large cyst on my ovary and also an oophorectomy. The consultant said if I was younger he'd try and salvage it and if there was anything else not quite right did he have my permission to remove it ...

On the morning of surgery the same consultant, when I asked about time off afterwards and the sick note, he said two weeks, that would be about right, that a hysterectomy would be 4 weeks, so 2 is enough time and if I needed more time to speak to my doctor.

After the op and I was feeling pretty groggy and had been sick, he stood by my bed and told me that they went in to find the cyst but it must have burst previously and they didn't do the oophorectomy as there was significant endometriosis, endrometrimo cyst and fibroid, and that the best thing would be a hysterectomy and that I would be referred to a specialist endo team.

I wasn't quite 'with it' at that point to ask whether there was any excision or about the other cyst or fibroid they found, so I asked nurse later and she said they hadn't done anything. It was explorative.

I'm into my two weeks signed off work. It ends Thursday next week. I just know I don't feel right or ready to go back yet but this consultant words are just echoing in my mind. I'll speak to my doctor next week and hope they understand.

Thanks so much for your reply 😊 xx

[Avourneen]

Gosh that sounds very stressful. It sounds ike you weren't scanned properly before the op and the surgeon just opened you up to look. I'm really sorry as that will mean another op and all that hassle further down the road. TBH when you get better I would see a lawyer about this, it sounds like the surgeon has not done his investigative work pre op properly.No one should be having a laparoscopy without a good scan just to have a look around. Now you might need two operations when you should have had just one.

Only listen to your own voice ,forget what the consultant has said, i guess he is a man and has never been through this. Listen to your body, your pain might drop quite quickly it might not, we all heal differently but you need to be sure you wounds are healed and that you can get about comfortably before you even think of going back to work. If you do too much too early your recovery could be really compromised. When I went for my second lap a girl I was in with took the train back home after her op and carried and heavy bag, she broke her internal stitches and ended up being in recovery for much longet than she should have been.

I'm really sorry the doctor gave you bad advice and that he/she isn't an endo specialist. Try to take it as easy as you can and explain the situation to your employer , they can't force you back if you aren't well enough.Rest a lot and eat well and hopefully you will feel alittle better soon.XX

[Deedee666 in reply to Avourneen]

Hi Avourneen,Many thanks for your reply.

I have two more weeks off work as I still don't feel 'right'

I've got my appointment with the specialist next month. I've heard that he is very patient and understands. A friends daughter has highly recommended him, so I'm hoping that's the case. The consultant I had is a man...

My employer has been good too.

I'm feeling a little more hopeful for my future, hoping tp be pain free.. and in the meantime I'm just going to relax and look after myself.

Hope you're doing OK xx

[Anna_EndoUK Moderator]

I get really angry when consultants say "you'll be fine in 2 weeks", it makes you worried that you're not healing properly when you don't feel ok in 2 weeks! I've had three laparoscopies and taken way longer than 2 weeks to recover each time. After my last lap (which was a big operation to be fair) I ended up needing 3 months off work and I'm still not feeling 100% 9 months on! Please try to listen to your body and if you need more time off work then ask for it. Hope you're feeling better soon xx

[Deedee666 in reply to Anna_EndoUK]

Thank you Anna, yours, Pinkybow and Avourneen's reply gave me the courage to get signed off for longer and the doctor I spoke to was very nice and understood. I am def listening to my body now. Too many times in the past, I returned to work way too early when off sick with the pain, so this time I thought of myself and my recovery too. I've also recieved my appointment with a specialist for next month so I'm pleased about that, and I've heard that he's really patient, understanding and doesn't rush appointments, so that will make a refreshing change ! Hope you feel much better soon xx