Worried about upcoming endo lap op, getti... - Endometriosis UK

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Worried about upcoming endo lap op, getting married 18 days after, what's recovery like?

anitase profile image
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AlexR profile image
AlexR

Its different recovery for everyone, i had my lap op and alot removed on the 1st July and im still recovering from it. But some people have been fine after a few days.

x

anitase profile image
anitase in reply to AlexR

Lets hope I'm the few days

hayls profile image
hayls

Hi

As Alex has said, the recovery will be different for everyone, mainly as no two laps or two women's endo will be exactly the same. I had a diagnostic lap 10 days before being a bridesmaid and I really struggled, I had recovered quite a bit by the wedding but was still swollen and sore and it preoccupied me all day and I really struggled to enjoy the day which I feel very guilty about even though I couldn't have done anything differently. I was most definitely not ready to return to work (a desk job) so trying to wear a bodiced dress and have a smile on my face all day was really difficult and however much I tried unfortunately its quite obvious in the photos.

I'm not trying to panic you and you would have an extra 8 days to recover, but if you are worried now I would suggest phoning your gynaes secretary and discuss what options you have to rearrange the lap, in my experience if you are honest with them and tell them you think its too close to your wedding they will rearrange (mine was 5 days before my sis' wedding and they pulled it forward by an extra 5 days to help me). You only get one wedding and its too special an occasion to be worrying about recovery from a lap etc (unless you need it really really urgently of course) I really would try to get it moved to after the wedding, its got to be worth asking for the sake of your piece of mind and for the sake of a couple of weeks??? x

anitase profile image
anitase in reply to hayls

I've had it moved up so I guess I'm just going to have to keep everything crossed lol

hayls profile image
hayls in reply to hayls

Hi me again!

Another thing I forgot to ask (and sorry really not trying to worry or panic you) what is your lap for? Is it diagnostic lap or lap to treat endo? If its a diagnostic lap and they do some but not extensive work at the same time then recovery is likely to be quicker than if its for extensive treatment of endo. Yesterday I was booked in for another lap where they will be doing a lot of work and was told I will need at least 6 weeks off work. Maybe something to think about, but I'm sure they would have warned you if it was likely to be that long.

Fingers crossed you'll have a quick recovery and amazing wedding xxx

anitase profile image
anitase in reply to hayls

It's confirmation that its this that I have and he said he will remove everything he sees.

I was on zoladex implant for 9 months, at first it worked but as soon as they were stopped it came back worse, now the pain etc is there all the time, I feel like a fraud at the moment even though they think it is because I've not been told they have seen anything yet, I think it's all in my mind :(

Belle profile image
Belle

Hey.. I also had this procedure on 1st July.. And I too am still recovering.. But after about 2 weeks I started feeling up to doing things.. Just rest well up until your big day.. Don't over do it..

I hope it all goes well for you and you have an amazing day :).xx

anitase profile image
anitase in reply to Belle

Hmmmmmm, I thinki won't mention this to the oh, may send him into a panic lol

Thanks lots ladies

Xxxx

worth71 profile image
worth71

as the other ladies have said it varies for each person, and i imagine each lap. I had mine back in march, i had a funeral to go to one week later and i did struggle, i had to travel in one of the family funeral cars and i needed help getting in and out of the car (which i prob would've needed anyway due to left hip/pelvic problem as that is where all my pain stems from), i did think i would be ok though but it wasn't until i got home that i realised how much it took it out of me and how exhausted i was. I really felt under pressure as i kept hearing how women were back to work within a day or two, and i was in bed for three days! lol. So yes everyone is different, i will say that i did not feel back to normal physically until around 5 weeks after, as i was in much more pain than pre lap, i also picked up a UTI that lasted for six weeks which didnt help recovery, and due to needing the loo 10 times a night i, of course, was not sleeping. emotionally it was much longer though, and a bit of depression did start, but i think it was first of all being told i had stage 4 endo and would need a full hysterectomy, and then i had family and friends kind of just saying get the hysterectomy done and you will be fine, cured! once i had time to let the news sink in and do some research, i have since decided to hold fire and see how things go and am trying to manage it, its not easy and i do know its only a matter of time before i go for the hysterectomy, and i have no real issue with womb removal as I've had children, its the ovaries going that worries me, instant menopause etc.

but anyway, the moral of the story.....listen to your body and rest, don't feel pressured to do more than you should, i did and i think thats why i took longer to recover. good luck with the lap and the wedding, let us know how it all goes xx

lillyflower profile image
lillyflower

Hi, I was back at work one week after my lap as I make wedding dresses I didn't have a choice to delay things so I can understand how you feel. I did have help as struggled to lift heavy dresses but after 2 weeks I felt better. I did suffer with depression due to the diagnosis and am on anti depressants which have really helped me get though the summer season so far so don't be scared to ask your doctor for help after if you need it.

Keep on top of your painrelief after and I'm sure you'll be fine. 3 weeks after I was suffering with being so tired from over doing it I think so my best advice is let bridesmaids or family do any running around before the wedding and rest as much as possible. Also maybe having a dress which is looser around your tummy for the evening just incase you need it although I'm sure you'll be so excited and enjoying your day that it's amazing how when I'm busy it takes my mind off it all and it's more the day after that I'm exhauste! So the day after your wedding you may need lots of rest. So good luck and don't worry, stress makesmy pains worse so relax book some pampering like a facial and manicure the day before and get lots of rest so you can enjoy your special day x

sam_naylor profile image
sam_naylor

Its my sons 5th birthday 8 days after my 1st lap! I'm really gutted about the timing and was hoping I'd have well had it and recovered by then :/. My friends & family have said I'll still be feeling very sore & poorly by then but I'm hoping otherwise! Hope your feeling okay in time! 18 days rest is what u need! X

Catness profile image
Catness

Hi there,

I had a lap and endo removal on July 10th and I am still absolutely knackered and a bit swollen and am still finding anything tightly fitted uncomfortable. I had 10 days rest and off work but really if I had the choice I would have had another week as I think going back to work too early has had a negative affect but perhaps I am just an odd one out. I do hope so in your case.

The other thing (and I'm sorry I don't mean to sound crude) is as far as I am aware you are advised not to have sexual intercourse from anything up to 6 weeks afterwards so you might want to think about this so it doesn't affect your wedding night.

This may have just been me as I had a lot of other things done during the procedure but if in doubt then ask your Consultant or Doctor.

Hope that helps xx

Mine took three to four weeks to recover t but they untwisted and unfused my ovary and I was unlucky and got a bad infection.

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