Laparoscopy

[Emz1980]

I'm having my first laparoscopy next week and I'm a little worried how long was recovery for you

[Keepy123]

I had mine 2 weeks ago yesterday and still in a bit of pain, everyone is different, but u need to make sure u get plenty of rest especially 4 the first few days after x

[Impatient]

Minimum 2 weeks for a basic lap op and no work is done inside, just looking to diagnose.

Then longer and longer depending on what they do manage to do inside you.

Laser work should be pain and itch free after 7-10 weeks,

Surgical removal pains can take longer.

That doesn't mean you will be bed bound all that time, infact the quicker you get up and potter about the house the better. but do not over do it.

Rest nutrition and hydration with gentle regular walks around the house are the best way to ensure a quicker recovery.

If you do over do things or return to work too soon you just have setbacks and delay the healing process.

Certainly two weeks off is the minimum recommended, but do take longer if you need to.

If you go to the gym or do any sports , then do not restart that for 10weeks after surgery at the minimum.

We do all recover differenty depending on our own health and what we have had done in the op. so it is not an exact science, but one thing is for sure, if you go back to work too soon, you will be right back on this board in pain and wondering what to do about it..

I would say a couple of months would be ideal if you have had work done inside you, then go back to work when you are safe to drive a car again, but only if you do a sedentary job. You might need longer if standing on your feet all day or you are looking after kids in a school etc.

[Emz1980]

Thank you both great advice xxx

[Hidden]

I had a lap in Aug 2010. I had a lot of work done internally but also sustained some damage to a main vein in tummy wall. First op that day, 2 hours. Needed life saving surgery 2 hours later with 12 pints of blood. I needed an 8 month recovery before well enough to feel like me and a 3rd op for an antibiotic resistent infection, after 8 courses. I also had a dvt from first op. Third lap to clear up infection. Walk in the park, home in 6 hours and walking 3 miles after 3 days!!! Best of luck. I i am one of a minority so do not be worried reading my story!

[Emz1980 in reply to Hidden]

Oh my word that's awful!do you feel better now did it help with long term pain?

[Hidden in reply to Emz1980]

Yes was pretty horrendous at the time. Finally this year I have felt better each month, upon month. Have a few twinges now and then but not the agony I was in pre ops!!!!

[Kymmy in reply to Hidden]

I also have mine next week.... I'm scared now :/

[Hidden in reply to Kymmy]

No please don't be scared! Honestly everyone else I've known have been fine, I was just the unlucky statistic. I would do it all again to get where I am now.it was a valuable lesson to me and I learnt what my priorities in life should be. You will be fine!

[Emz1980]

Kymmy when is urs next week ? You will have to let me know how you get on x

[Kymmy in reply to Emz1980]

It's on Wednesday :/ ofcourse. I will update here Wednesday eve

[Nat18]

Hi,

Try not to worry about your surgery. I was a bag of nerves and it's not that bad!! I had endo and subserosal fibroid removed.

I was a bit sore after surgery but the pain from the trapped wind was much worse!! Make sure you give yourself a good couple of weeks to recover, get plenty of rest and do not,whatever you do try and lift your Hoover down the stairs like I did two days after surgery (lol) I got a telling off from the hospital !! Good luck I hope all goes well xx

[Emz1980]

Thank you all for your comments it's great to hear other peoples stories xxx

[Kymmy]

Yeah tha no you guys, nice to have feed back

[Emz1980]

Hi kymmy

Mines is also wed I'll update too x

[Jojoni]

Hi I am having mine on 14 October after waiting ages for a date my only problem though is I am due my period that weekend so I am hoping and praying I am not late cos they can't do the op if its the first two days

[Emz1980]

I have been kept on the pill since may with no break to stop me having periods!

[CurlyWurlyAmy]

When i had my lap i spent the first week in bed resting, i had Netflix set up in my room and i just chilled for five days and got up out of bed every two hours and gently walked around upstairs. The second week i moved to chilling out downstairs on the sofa. The third week i started introducing light house work. Forth week i started building up my driving and Fifth week i started a phased return at work and then never looked back and made a full recovery. If you do too much in the first weeks then you risk setting back your recovery time x

[astrogirl7]

Hi mine is on the 14th too Jonjoni. I am a bit worried, just like you girls..Emz1980 and Kymmy.... I already know that they are going to remove bilateral cysts during my Lap and that they are doing a Cystoscopy too (camera into the bladder through the vagina). I am dreading a) what they will find AND b) whether I will be out of pain after recovery or worse still....THEY FIND NOTHING AT ALL!

Because I need an answer for all this pain, seen so many 'ologists this year, am feeling a bit like a guinea pig, lol x

Hope all goes well, for all you girls

Best wishes xx

[Emz1980]

I'm a bit like you astrogirl as they are bit quite sure what they are going to find! I'm worried incase they can't find anything too as I'll be back to square one!!!!! Good luck x

[Hidden]

2 weeks but my endo wasn't treated. I needed time to recover emotionally as well as the physical effects xx

[Jenwilson1978]

I had a diagnostic lap 6 days ago and still in a great deal of pain. I am a teacher and went back to work today but it was too painful and I ended up coming home. I was beginning to feel a real wimp regarding the time off I have had, been having read other people’s replys to your post I feel much more reassured that this is normal! My consultant had said I would be ok after a few days! Most of my pain is at the wound sites but I find I can’t stand up for long or walk very quickly. Fingers crossed it improves soon.