How long does pain after surgery last? - Endometriosis UK

Endometriosis UK

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How long does pain after surgery last?

squancy profile image
9 Replies

Hi, I had my lap last Tuesday, so 8 days ago. It was all a bit of a shock as I went to a&e on the Sunday. My ct scan showed a 8cm haemorrhagic cyst on my right ovary. My consultant said while he was doing that he would do the dye test on my tubes, have a good look around and excise endo. Came round in extreme pain from my diaphragm down. I was discharged last Friday. My discharge letter states that the lap showed frozen pelvis on my left side, never had any pain in my left. Left hydrosalpinx noted, the tube is twice the width of the right so the didn't do dye test on that side. Right ovarian haemorrhagic cyst drained, explored and biopsied, I do feel like the all trooped through my abdomen! Endometrioma noted in association with this haemorrhagic cyst. Drain inserted and now good news I or so I thought, right sided dye test showed a patent tube! However my consultant said after he popped up to see me to stop me crying, said that I would very possibly lose my right ovary. So my left side is dead with a fat tube, my right tube perfect with a duff ovary! I'm no expert, but that doesn't spell baby to me. I've been put on zoladex for three months, my second one is Christmas eve! To calm everything down. Then they will consider another lap for excision of endo with full bowel prep, frightened of this, my uterus is apparently stuck to my bowel. Again, never had problems in the poop department. Will be reviewed in clinic prior to this with an outpatient mri.

first thing, I'm 37, 38 in may, so time isn't on my side in the ivf department. The zoladex has basically taken three months away with a further 4 after to get it out of your system, so seven months gone. I'm worried that I might get missed and not get this mri and just left and a further lap not be scheduled till long after the injections have finished, and I'm not sure I want to continue for longer than three on them.

Anyway,! What my post is supposed to be about! I'm 8 days post lap. Still on painkillers 4 times a day, can barely get about indoors let alone get dressed and out for gentle exercise. I'm in pain and exhausted cooking my dinner, which at the mo is just putting some veg and fish in the oven. I'm on iron tablets too. My stomach has not been the same since the op, very distended, upset and sore. I've never heard it make so much noise! I have a lot of pain in my right abdomen still, with shooting pains in my bladder, vagina, and sometimes bum. I have black diahorrea from the iron tablets. Every evening my pain gets worse after dinner. I eat small amounts but I then bloat with gas so badly, every fart that comes is terrible pain, and feels like my ovaries are throbbing, and sharp pains all around my abdomen. My upper back pains start up again too and feels like my kidneys are aching. I'm drinking plenty, but feel like I have to constantly drink lots to stop my kidneys hurting and keep some pain at bay. I really thought I would be a lot more back on my feet by now of feeling better, a lot less pain and not being in loads of pain from farting!! Also thought I would at least be able to walk upright and not have to hold my lowers wound as it feels like it's all going to spill out. I know I'm going to be out of proper action for a while but when I had a large fibroid removed in 08, after a Week I was almost pain free apart from little tugs when getting out of bed. So getting worried things aren't right as I'm just not making any progress. Today, is a bad day as was in quite a bit of pain all night, and usually wake up feeling good but not today. Hope it doesn't ruin Christmas, as it's my favourite time of year and was really looking forward to the build up.

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squancy
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KatieTattie profile image
KatieTattie

Hi! I just wanted to reply and give you my story post op to hopefully make you feel a bit better. First I've got to say that from what I've learnt literally everyone's endo is unique in its positioning so not everyone will feel the same but I'm just gonna generalise to try n get my points across. I had radical exicision of endo on 6th Nov so about 4 weeks ago. My endo fortunately avoided all of my uterus/ tubes/ ovaries, however it was on my ligaments, bowel, pod and apparently all over the peritenium. I had the entire skin removed and excision of the other areas. I can't give you any advice about the fertility aspect of things as I was very lucky regarding this. So on to the post op stuff!! I woke up it lots of pain! Mostly due to gas which felt like it was crushing my diaphragm. My entire abdomen hurt intensely, it ranged from back pain, stomach pain, bowel pain, uterus pain etc etc! It was not nice! Plus ovary/ bladder pain too. I was thinking exactly what you are.. Is this normal? Should I be back on my feet? Should I be doing more? So the easiest way for me to ease your mind would be for me to tell you what I was able to do and when. For about 5 days I didn't get out of pjs! I laid on sofa, made the odd cuppa had a shower and that's about it! I very slowly started doing abit more. The pain has very gradually decreased BUT i do have very bad days. I think this is down to ovulation/ lead up to period/ hormonal fluctuations. So I managed to go to my mums for Sunday dinner about 2 weeks after, managed a bit of washing tidying too. By week three I managed to go out for a few meals and this week I'm taking my son back and forth from nursery. The things I'm only just managing to do now are eat normally, sweep up, drive, short walks. I will tell you though there are still things I'm not ready for for example I walked a bit to far from a car park to a restaurant and sat for 2 hours and I was in agony last week! Plus I went to supermarket yesterday and used a basket and was in a lot of pain when I got back!

Regarding your bowel issues I was exactly the same! Pain on passing gas, having a poo, after eating, couldn't eat much, indigestion etc I was thinking bloody hell I've had all the endo removed but none of my bowel issues have got better! This has however improved a lot! I hope this had helped. Please message me if you need any more reassurance. I have had so much help from ladies on here and honestly don't know what I would have done without them! Xxx

squancy profile image
squancy in reply toKatieTattie

Thanks for that, I've read so many posts of everyone pretty much feeling okay a day or two after. So desperate to return to work too before Christmas but as I commute into London and walk to and fro from stations, I'm not sure I'll be back at all. I'm keeping my fingers crossed I can do some stuff, like putting the tree up and cooking dinner for five of us on boxing day, but think I might need some help!

Pleased for you that your vitals were endo free, but doesn't mean it all doesn't hurt just as bad. Luck of the draw I guess on the fertility side of things. I was told I had endo after a lap in 08, pod obliterated etc and they asked if I had any symptoms. I said no and they told me not to worry about it! I also knew nothing about it and never looked into it as they said not to worry! If I knew then I would be sans baby and it looking bleak on that front, I would have been a bit more active on the dating front!! Love my husband to be to death but want us to expand our family so much. There is nothing worse than doctors asking your age, and then either tutting or sighing and telling you that you should have had your children ten years ago! That is all I get now, or going back to Ireland and feeling like a complete failure when everyone enquires about your lack of children!

I received an appointment today for march at the endo clinic, I'm assuming it's a follow up from op but bit worried it's too late as I was put on zoladex which my last one will be end of Jan to calm it all down, and go from there.

Glad it's not just me lying about feeling like a lazy mare and then trying to get up and heat soup and being wiped out for the afternoon. I was expecting to be walking around the block by now and the pressure I put on myself to get back to work. Only been in the job three weeks! Luckily I've worked for the business for fifteen years!

KatieTattie profile image
KatieTattie in reply tosquancy

I can't imagine what you're going through regarding conceiving, it must be tough to say the least! With the whole work thing if I were you I would stay off as long as you can! Obviously this depends on what you do etc but with it only being three weeks ish till Xmas if you can i would stay off especially if you're commuting. I stay at home with my son (was planning on going back when he started nursery but Endo had other ideas!). A lovely lady on here told me that stress will really hinder healing and she was right. I was trying to get back to full time mum role entertaining a very busy boy everyday and felt incredibly guilty when I just couldn't to it! Eventually I broke down and decided I would tell my mum and mum in law that I needed help! They took him to nursery for a few hours everyday and took him out before or afterall. What I'm trying to say is when I 'let go' of my responsibilities and thought fuck what anyone thinks I started feeling a bit better. My son even responded better and started being less demanding. Maybe he sensed I was now 'no shit mummy'. Hope you're feeling a bit better tonight. Make sure your moving your bowels at least once a day too, I'm still taking lactolose to help with this as if I become in any way constipated the pressure and pain is much worse. Sleep well honey xx

squancy profile image
squancy in reply toKatieTattie

Thanks, I took some yesterday evening and it was hell all evening with the trotskis and gave me horrid stomach pains all night! Don't think I can go every day as not much in the old system after last night! I'm being very good and eating fish and veg for dinner. Soup for lunch and tough, it's toast in the morning if I do eat. The pain is worse in the evenings weirdly and my legs really ache by bed. Today was the first morning I woke in pain, as I'm usually pain free till I completely come round, so I like to lie there in a semi coma till I have to move!

You're amazing coping with this and a small child too, must make it doubly hard.

my partner isn't the best at showing his feelings or talking about them and sometimes in my head I can feel myself running away on the crazy train, but I pull myself back and it's the little things he says or does that keep me going. Like when I came home from hospital, he bought himself a bag of lollipops when I was in, and he had kept all the swizzle ones as I like them! Sounds stupid, but it's the thought behind it! And that's all I sometimes need, just knowing he has thought of me! Other times, I need him to step up and take over the situation. I'm going to really need his support with the fertility stuff. At the moment he is let's just get you better first and we'll tackle each thing as it comes, I'm so impatient, I want it all laid at now and what I might or might not be facing.

I'm not going to rush back to work now, they deleted me off the secret santa today as I won't be at the Christmas do, when the email came through I cried!! So, its feet up for me, Christmas films, I've asked for cleaning and ironing help us till Christmas on our towns community page, so at least I know that will all be done by Christmas. It is very lonely though during the day as my other half leaves for work at one and doesn't get home till nearly eleven. Few friends in area as the ones I do have are based around the country or in Ireland, so no mates to pop round really.

my next aim is a proper bath. I've changed three dressings but the one where my drain was is gunked on and was told to let it come off naturally but I've convinced myself everything will fall out the wound if I take it off!

thanks for your messages, I don't feel as useless and can roughly see what to expect in the coming weeks. X X

squancy profile image
squancy

Thanks, I took some yesterday evening and it was hell all evening with the trotskis and gave me horrid stomach pains all night! Don't think I can go every day as not much in the old system after last night! I'm being very good and eating fish and veg for dinner. Soup for lunch and tough, it's toast in the morning if I do eat. The pain is worse in the evenings weirdly and my legs really ache by bed. Today was the first morning I woke in pain, as I'm usually pain free till I completely come round, so I like to lie there in a semi coma till I have to move!

You're amazing coping with this and a small child too, must make it doubly hard.

my partner isn't the best at showing his feelings or talking about them and sometimes in my head I can feel myself running away on the crazy train, but I pull myself back and it's the little things he says or does that keep me going. Like when I came home from hospital, he bought himself a bag of lollipops when I was in, and he had kept all the swizzle ones as I like them! Sounds stupid, but it's the thought behind it! And that's all I sometimes need, just knowing he has thought of me! Other times, I need him to step up and take over the situation. I'm going to really need his support with the fertility stuff. At the moment he is let's just get you better first and we'll tackle each thing as it comes, I'm so impatient, I want it all laid at now and what I might or might not be facing.

I'm not going to rush back to work now, they deleted me off the secret santa today as I won't be at the Christmas do, when the email came through I cried!! So, its feet up for me, Christmas films, I've asked for cleaning and ironing help us till Christmas on our towns community page, so at least I know that will all be done by Christmas. It is very lonely though during the day as my other half leaves for work at one and doesn't get home till nearly eleven. Few friends in area as the ones I do have are based around the country or in Ireland, so no mates to pop round really.

my next aim is a proper bath. I've changed three dressings but the one where my drain was is gunked on and was told to let it come off naturally but I've convinced myself everything will fall out the wound if I take it off!

thanks for your messages, I don't feel as useless and can roughly see what to expect in the coming weeks. X X

squancy profile image
squancy

Thanks, I took some yesterday evening and it was hell all evening with the trotskis and gave me horrid stomach pains all night! Don't think I can go every day as not much in the old system after last night! I'm being very good and eating fish and veg for dinner. Soup for lunch and tough, it's toast in the morning if I do eat. The pain is worse in the evenings weirdly and my legs really ache by bed. Today was the first morning I woke in pain, as I'm usually pain free till I completely come round, so I like to lie there in a semi coma till I have to move!

You're amazing coping with this and a small child too, must make it doubly hard.

my partner isn't the best at showing his feelings or talking about them and sometimes in my head I can feel myself running away on the crazy train, but I pull myself back and it's the little things he says or does that keep me going. Like when I came home from hospital, he bought himself a bag of lollipops when I was in, and he had kept all the swizzle ones as I like them! Sounds stupid, but it's the thought behind it! And that's all I sometimes need, just knowing he has thought of me! Other times, I need him to step up and take over the situation. I'm going to really need his support with the fertility stuff. At the moment he is let's just get you better first and we'll tackle each thing as it comes, I'm so impatient, I want it all laid at now and what I might or might not be facing.

I'm not going to rush back to work now, they deleted me off the secret santa today as I won't be at the Christmas do, when the email came through I cried!! So, its feet up for me, Christmas films, I've asked for cleaning and ironing help us till Christmas on our towns community page, so at least I know that will all be done by Christmas. It is very lonely though during the day as my other half leaves for work at one and doesn't get home till nearly eleven. Few friends in area as the ones I do have are based around the country or in Ireland, so no mates to pop round really.

my next aim is a proper bath. I've changed three dressings but the one where my drain was is gunked on and was told to let it come off naturally but I've convinced myself everything will fall out the wound if I take it off!

thanks for your messages, I don't feel as useless and can roughly see what to expect in the coming weeks. X X

squancy profile image
squancy

God!! My phone and this website! It either posts ten times or never!

smithster profile image
smithster

Squancy the best thing you can do is give yourself a break! I had a lap in Oct with some endometriosis lasered off. I was back commuting to London far too quickly, working til 9pm , running to ccatch trains. It set me back and I ended up needing more time off to recover. As said above everyone's recovery is so different but you're doing the right thing by putting yourself first and taking it easy. I know how you feel on the fertitlty front as well. My main reason for my lap was to improve my chances of conceiving, with the possibility of less pain afterwards being a nice bonus! My husband doesn't agree - he just wants me to feel better.

out of interest where did you get excision surgery done and was it nhs? I was only offered diathermy and it hasn't had a great effect!

squancy profile image
squancy in reply tosmithster

Hi, yes it was nhs. I think I'm very lucky that one of the specialists on the glory list of specialists also works at my local hospital in Tunbridge Wells.

men never agree! Mines the same! Just wants me to feel better!

I'd sell my granny right now to be back at work, but I just can't do it physically. Mentally, I'm going crazy!

In a way, I'm glad I didn't have the operation any later than when I did as it would have written my favourite time of year off and that would have depressed me totally!

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