Help please anyone! !

Hi girls, please can someone help me?? Im awaiting a lap how long will I get off work? Also how long to wait to exercise after it? Also what happens after it? I have been waiting ages now n its s unfair, I feel so bloody cursed! ! , any info its really appreciated, ps sorry to rant, im just so depressed over the whole thing xxx

[Neverending]

Hello Laura-jayne1991x sorry to hear your having a rough time endo is horrible and is never easy physically or mentally. I've had 4 laps now and to be honest they all felt different. I had between 5-7 weeks off work and the same with exercise to be honest your body will tell you when it's ready. It really depends on what they are planning to do in the lap. Don't rush back to work or exercise as you feel ok when at home but then when u try to do normal things then u feel it. I hope this helps. Good luck x x

[Hidden in reply to Neverending]

Thank you hun, will I get a drs paper or will I need to take holidays? Xx

[Neverending in reply to Hidden]

The hospital will give you a paper for a week or two if your lucky then your doctor will give you a paper for the rest. Please take time to recover properly before returning to work There is no rush your health is far more important than any job. X X

[JuCeb]

Hi Laura-Jayne. You will need at least 2 weeks off to recover from a lap. This is what I took off after my last lap beginning of December.

Straight after the op you will pretty much be out of it for several hours from the after effects of the anesthetic (I also felt very nauseous too both times but they can give you injections to help with this). You will then probably get your appetite back and feel ravenous from the fasting required beforehand (I did) so eat well but don't go mad.

For the first few days you may feel very sore, have sharp pains from the leftover air they pump into you to allow them to see what they're doing, and very swollen maybe even lumpy in that area. Would recommend buying something like Windeze tablets to help with any trapped air taken after eating. For the first few nights I had to sleep separate from my husband as was paranoid he would rollover and inadvertently bash me or something so conscious I was of being so tender. So I slept on the sofa for a while finding the best position being on my back with my legs up and resting on the side if that makes sense (this removed any pressure from my middle). You will also get very tired very quickly from doing the simplest of things like showering and dressing, so be careful to take things easy. Would definitely recommend no exercising, apart from short walks, during the time you're off work and ideally not until you have a follow up appointment with your doctor and they give you the go ahead. As any op is a big thing for the body to endure and so will take time to recover.

Hope this helps a little and doesn't sound too preachy :0 All the best x

[Bee_22]

Hi Laura-Jayne1991,

Firstly, good luck! I know these things are nerve-wracking. I had my second lap at the beginning of last month. I don't really remember my first lap's recovery time, but then I wasn't diagnosed with anything but an overactive imagination. My second lap I had 2 weeks off work, I tried going in after a week, and very nearly collapsed with the amount I'd done. 2 hours of endo removal, and I didn't let my body rest. Your body will let you know when you can do those simple things again. Also, I was surprised at how little I could do for the first three days. My ma and boyfriend had to help me to the loo, in the shower, up from the sofa, into bed - they were truly incredible. It's been said on this site before, but please make sure someone's with you the first time you shower, I very nearly collapsed for my first two... I was absolutely knackered!

Keep going though! It's scary, but so worth it! Especially pain management wise!

Bee x

[shafiqkhan]

hi Laura, good luck for u, don't be so afraid, i also had an endo surgery 6 months ago, after month 3-4 weeks i was able to do work, exercise etc.

[JoJangles]

Hi there! I've had 2 laps - the first was an investigation & the second was removal of endo & lasted 4 hours! The 1st I was off for 2 weeks - was v tired & reacted badly to codeine. The 2nd I was completely unprepared for - spent 3 days in hospital & ended up with 6 weeks off work (should've had more time off tbh). I was told to ask my consultant before I went to theatre for a sick note. They gave me 2 weeks initially & went to my GP after that. He wanted to sign me off for another month but I preferred to take it week by week. I was an exercise freak before my op but, other than walking, did nothing until week 10. Well done for accessing this site beforehand. I didn't find it until after the event so was completely unprepared for what happened to me - the hospital leaflet said a day procedure & a week off work!!! Good luck. Listen to your body & be kind to yourself x

[Hidden]

Hi thAnks for getting back to me so quick and so detailed its much appreciated, I have been in hospital before I had my tonsils out in 2013 , the pain was horrific, when I went to my pre assessment she said the lap was a much smaller operation than tonsils however reading a these comments it looks the same! ! Im going to be so bored having to weeks off, I only work part time,, im a student aswell will I be able to go to ccollege? Or will it be thesame as work? As to sickness after anasetic, last time I was sick around 4 times shamed lol I got such a weak stomach, sti dreading it n very anxious but this site its a big help, ps is it true you cant wash after the op? Xxx

[CharlieSays]

Hi, I had 2 weeks off for my lap - the hospital said 1 week is usual, but my work involves lifting and standing all day, so they said longer. They gave me a sick note at the hospital. I wish I'd had longer, as I was wiped out when I went back. College is going to be similar to work - I guess it depends on your studies - if you're sat down it should be easier. I think the washing thing is jsut keeping your stitches dry for a few days, I can't remember how long it was now. I started to exercise gradually - just walking round the street with my mum to start with and building up as I felt stronger. I often felt dizzy or just plain knackered, so rested when I did. Like others have said, the best thing is to listen to your body! If you get bored easily, stock up on books, mags, DVDs etc, or you could ask your college if there is any reading you could have for your course.

[Bee_22]

Hi again!

I would take the time off college too. It's just as much stress on your body; you need to properly rest. You'll definitely need it x