Hi ladies Had lap op thrusday now bleeding loads

[ntrex1991]

hi I've just woken up in loads of blood sorry for details is this normal 2 days after op? I don't no if it's from op or period last period day was about this time in Jan but never bleed like this before help I'm panicking lol

[karrijon]

Bleeding can be due to an infection which could have been introduced during the lap. Be aware of a temperature or sickness and in that case go to the GP x

[Scooteeder]

Hi "ntrex",

I am also a suffered of Endo, having been diagnosed a few years ago. I've had three laps so far, and am due to have another on 03/03/2014. They aren't always pleasant, I admit, but if they can help ease the problems caused by Endo, then so be it...

Still, I can understand your concern with regard to heavy bleeding. I can empathize, too, as I experienced similar after my first lap. I can imagine that all you want to do is relax, and recover, with as little fuss as possible. So, to experience heavy bleeding must be pretty scary, and upsetting.

My first piece of advice is this... as they used to say in Dad's Army... "Don't panic!". You are already using your common sense. You have stated that you last had a period @ this time in January, so you may well be due one. Your blood loss could be this period.

Now, I am asking if you received any information from the Hospital where you had your lap. When they sent you home after your op, did they give you any advice, or leaflets? Usually, they offer advice/leaflets to explain what happens during a lap, as well as having an anaesthetic, and about recovery. If you have any of these advice leaflets, it may be helpful for you to read them over again, to reassure yourself that you know what the lap involved, and you know about recovery.

Every woman is different, so we all experience different things during our recoveries from laps. Besides, women have different types, and stages of Endo, and these things too can affect recovery. Put simply, the longer and more complicated the lap, the longer and sometimes more complicated the recovery.

There are some things, however, that can happen to ALL women following a lap, These are things you need to be aware of during recovery:

1. You may well have pain after a lap. This is partly due to inflammation following the surgery, which will ease with time. It is also because your abdomen was pumped full of air during the lap. This can leave women with some abdominal, upper leg, and shoulder pain after the surgery. Pain should be manageable with over- the- counter Painkillers, or with any Pain medication that you were sent home from Hospital with. Hot water bottles may help, but put them nowhere near any stitches you may have, and do try to wrap them in a towel or blanket to stop them burning you. Peppermint or Ginger tea can help with any bloating you feel after the lap, and this can also help reduce abdominal pain. Try not to move about too energetically, and NO HEAVY LIFTING until the stitches are gone. Again, just trying to rest and relax will allow time for the pain to ease, so that you can gradually return to your usual mobility levels.

2. Your periods may be heavier following the lap, and you may also have a little vaginal bleeding as well, for up to a week after the op. This is common, and your periods tend to settle down again after about 1-2 months. To ease heavy periods, and cope with bleeding, do NOT use tampons. Use heavy-duty SANITARY TOWELS/PADS. Also, avoid heavy lifting, housework and strenuous exercise, as well as really hot baths or showers, for about 2 weeks after the lap. This is because exertion, as well as heat, can make blood loss/period flow heavier. It works like this... you have just had surgery, so your tissues are healing. Any exertion puts strain on your tissues, and may cause heavier blood loss. You need to rest your body to promote healing - "take it easy"! Hot baths, or showers, could cause heavier blood loss because they cause blood capillaries to dilate, pumping blood at an increased rate and volume, to your healing tissues. It is probably sensible to take warm, but not hot, baths and showers - and do not scrub yourself vigorously to get clean, just a gentle wash. Your aim is to promote healing, not to over-exert your body.

3. Infections are hopefully rare. However, they can be a risk. If you note that you are feeling particularly unwell, lethargic, and feverish, it might be a good idea to contact your Doctor, as you could have an infection. Furthermore, if you experience discharge; particularly from your incision areas; especially discharge that is smelly (musty smelling, a bit like an old Gym locker room!), get yourself checked out as it could be a sign of infection. Infections can generally be safely treated with Antibiotics.

4. Sometimes, if your Endo was on, or close to your bowel, you may experience constipation or diarrhoea after a lap. Keep an eye on things like this, and try to eat a sensible diet, and meals regularly. Drink plenty of fluids, and if constipated, introduce lots of fibre into your diet. If your symptoms do not ease after a day or so, contact your Doctor.

I am sorry that my reply is a long one; but I do hope that I may have given you some helpful advice. Please do not feel obliged to agree with, or to act on, anything I say. YOU know your body best, and if you are really concerned it may be that you need to speak to a medical professional. Sometimes, you are given a telephone number for the Ward that you were on following your lap. I have found that the Nurses are sometimes happy for you to telephone to ask for advice following your lap (Not for months afterwards, mind! Maybe just the first couple of weeks). So, you could try that option.

I hope that you do begin to feel better, and that things settle down for you. I wish you a speedy and safe recovery. If you ever want to share experiences or advice, please feel free to e-mail ([e-mail]). Good luck.

Take care of yourself,

Elaine Ellis.

(P.S. Apologies if I seemed at all bossy, or overly medical, I trained as a Social Worker, and now am back studying Psychology. I guess being "hyper organized" is just in my blood!).

[Hidden]

I had a lot of bleeding after second lap and was told it can happen - there were no issues when my GP checked me post op. If it were a post op infection - your tummy would be hard and you'd be feeling very ill and likely have a temperature BUT NONE of us here are Doctors so if in doubt, check with your GP, or A&E if feeling worse - as you should be steadily improving although you will be very sore - that is to be expected.

None of us are Doctors here and if in doubt get checked ASAP by a doctor, and don't take reassurance from us and certainly don't listen to suggestions about sliced ovaries - you need to recover and don't need to read completely made up stuff from people who clearly have not read much about endo. What upsets me is the confidence of her post, who it is so wrong and against any hospital post op advice I have ever been given.

[Bokkie]

When I had my lap I had post op bleeding. I was told beforehand it might happen because my uterus would have to be manipulated from down below and would also be moved about during the investigative part of the lap which might cause some bleeding. There was enough blood for me to wear a sanitary towel for a couple of days but it was only light. Everyone is different though and if it concerns you, or makes you feel unwell I would get it checked out just to put your mind at ease if anything. XXX