Post lap op

[Brownbear17]

I had my first laparoscopy on weds. I'm still in lots of pain and can't do much. I wasn't really told what to expect or to do after my operation. Feeling low and constantly sick. Any advice welcome.. Thank you x

[Ka_chazzy]

Hey, I was the same as you after surgery. I felt so unwell and as though I was really debilatated. It took me 5 weeks to go back to work but I expected to be more well sooner than I was. Rest lots and eat well, each day will be more of a relief but it take time for your body to heal x

[Ka_chazzy]

I had endo removed and an ovary stitched, it wasn't just a diagnosis. That's probably why it took so long x

[Hope23]

You just need to give yourself time to heal. Whilst laps are generally in and out surgery and pretty quick it still takes a while to feel strong again! It's only been a few days and you will experience pain and discomfort for a week to 2 weeks. I was back at work after a week for my diagnostic lap but took 6 weeks off after my 5.5 hours lap as they did a lot and I had four incision holes as they removed endom from everywhere!

You will feel sick while the anaesthetic comes out of yr body too. Just drink lots of water as it will help with constipation, which is common after laps. You may also feel a bit low and emotional for a while too. Most of us do after laps. You'll feel better next week though. Just don't race back into everything too soon. It's important you heal properly

Take care and hope you feel better soon xx

[Brownbear17 in reply to Hope23]

I'm worried about having time off work and eager to get back so it doesn't look bad. I'm already on a sickness review for being off lots and don't want to lose my job over this. They assume that once I've had this op that'll all be okay. This is just the first part im guessing as next is the treatment part of it all. Feeling very blurgh blurgh blurgh xxx

[Tina32 in reply to Brownbear17]

I'm in a similar situation to you as I'm also on sickness review for time off from work. I would advise that although this is an added stress don't rush back before you are fully ready. If you do you may end up having to take more time off and this will be counted as a separate sickness period and not part of your time off for the operation. Keep your manager and HR advisor updated.

As others have said rest up, you will have periods in the next week or so when you feel better but this is not an immediate indication that you can rush back to normal activities. You do really need to take it easy.

If you are taking pain killers with codeine this increases the chance of constipation so watch out for this. You may also have some pain as the gas from the anaesthetic is trying to leave your body, I've read that peppermint tea helps with this, I personally didn't find anything that helped great with this but there are other posts on here with more suggestions.

My first lap took six weeks recovery and my second 4 cos I got a couple of infections.

Rest up and I hope your recovery is trouble free

[Kerri215]

Its tough when your not given all the info but remain strong and each day does get better xx

[Brownbear17 in reply to Kerri215]

Thank you xxx

[cmatty87]

Hiya I was the same when I had mine done 4 years ago. Was in a lot of pain and docs not explain to me much on what to expect all they told me was to test eat and drink plenty, and take painkillers. It took me over 3 weeks until I started to feel a bit better. It also ended up with me breaking up with my fella cus I was feeling so low and people saying things bout me in my work place all if that on top of feeling low and unwell I couldn't handle it. It was a total night mare for me. Best thing I can tell u to do is try n walk about around house for exercise and get your muscles stronge and plenty of rest. nice hot baths and a hot water bottle where the pain is works.

[Sophia1999]

Laparoscopy is a painful op as they fill you with gas, tip you into different positions and then you are left with pain in the most unexpected places! Who has wind over shoulders? Try and excercise and it will move and you will feel much better. I strongly feel that patients should have more counselling prior to procedure then you will know what to expect.

[Rockflower]

Hi. My lap before Chrsitmas had me in hospital for three nights. First 24 hrs I didn't really move out of bed. Next day I could shuffle along the corridor, then third day was a bit quicker. I noticed improvements everyday. First week was quite tough and didn't do much then second week I felt much better I'm now three weeks post op and doing really well. Back to housework, back to work etc.

Give it time but hopefully like me you will notice small improvements and be feeling a lot better in the next week or so. Hang in there xx