How long will I need off work.

[daffadil]

I am due to go for a laparoscopy in about a months time they say my bladder is stuck and so is my bowel . They say I will only need a few days off work is this true .I work filling stock which can be heavy work.

[hayls]

Hi

Recovery from a laparoscopy is different for everyone and completely depends on how extensive the surgery is. I have always found that the consultants are very very optimistic about recovery times and advice from your GP is going to be much more realistic as they are the ones that see women during the recovery time. Just as a very general guideline women are typically signed off work for 1-2 weeks for a diagnostic lap and longer where the surgery is more extensive and that's completely individual. Have they said they will be operating on your bladder and bowel? If you are having endo/ adhesions treated on your bladder and bowel you will need much longer than a couple of days, it takes a couple of days just for the general anaesthetic to wear off. I had a lap just over 6 weeks ago where I had extensive work done to remove endo which included bladder and I have only started doing work this week and only part time and at home instead of full time, I am having to be a bit over cautious as having another lap in 2 weeks time so need to make sure I recover as well as I can. Next lap is to unstick and treat endo on my bowel and I'm expecting to have 4-6 weeks off after and going back on phased return for a bit.

My advice would be to initially expect a week off and after that see your GP regularly to review whether you need longer as you really won't know how you feel until after the lap. x

[Lilyloulou]

Hi. I had a lap done earlier this year. It does depend on your own body but in my experience I had a week off work, then I had booked holiday so I had another week to fully recover. The pain and discomfort was at it worst 3 days after lap. I continued with the pain relief and it settled. Take it easy and remember the more you rest the better you will feel. Best wishes.

[Sweetcheeksid]

I had my lap on a Wednesday and was back to work in the Monday no pain relief, so as above it depends totally on the individual. I'm back on the 23rd of oct for hyst and removal of endo on bowel and bladder and a bit in my groin muscle . Hope yours all goes well

[Aquitaine]

Hi -

As other people have said, everyone is different. I was able to go back to work within a week of my laproscopy, but I couldn't do anything heavy for quite a bit longer. (On the other hand, I'm not great at heavy work even when I'm on form!). I would agree with the advice above - assume a week, and then see your GP to see how you're getting on.

I do hope it goes well.

[kyla78]

I had three weeks off and went back to work I was still in pain though, it depends what they find and what they do x