How long should my recovery be for a laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis?

[Victoriamarieee]

I'm 17 and I'm getting my surgery soon. My doctor only gave me 3 days off from school, work and all that. Is that enough time? This is my first surgery ever and I don't know a lot about a laparoscopic surgery or endometriosis. I'm already nervous and 3 days doesn't seem like a lot of time.

[Lou7707]

Hi Victoriamariee

Sorry to hear that you are nervous. Here is some information about endometriosis and what to expect regarding the laparoscopic surgery.

endometriosis-uk.org/sites/...

endometriosis-uk.org/sites/...

Also, if you have any other questions or just need to talk it through with someone, we have a team of volunteers who operate our helpline. I'm sure someone will be more than happy to help!

endometriosis-uk.org/helpline

Good luck with your surgery and wishing you a speedy recovery

Louise

Endometriosis UK

[Nunu88]

Hey there,

I just had laparoscopy for removal of a dermis cyst and endo & my doctor gave me 2 weeks off work. I would probably say I definitely needed the 1 week & this 2nd week has just been a luxury but I guess everyone is different. I know with me I was kept overnight for 1 night and my gas pains in my chest and shoulders took at least 3 days to disappear. I'd maybe try and speak to your doctor about what to expect and if you will need more time.

Hope this helps?

Nunu88

[NJG_98]

I'm 18 and had my lap Nov 2016. I was told 4-6 weeks recovery, I went to an interview 4 days after surgery and I was exhausted, 3 days is not enough. 1-2 weeks is the normal time in which people return to work, I'd say try a week and see how you get on, if still no better go to GP for sick note, you're in your right to. x

[Cmosh2010]

I had my 1st lap on saturday and had endo removed. Doc signed me off for two weeks, I'm on day four post op and still can't walk around much (or stand up straight!) everyone is different I usually recover really well from surgery (from previous experience) but this one knocked me for six. Friends of mine have been fine within two days for purely diagnostic lap so everyone is different!

Definitely stock up on peppermint tea and wind eze for the gas pains - by far that was the worse pain I had! Paramol is great for pain too but don't take it longer than three days (you can get it over the counter at a pharmacy).

I'd look to be signed off for at least a week. Good luck with your op x

[Endo101]

I went back to work after a week but yeah 3 days definitely isn't enough

[miss_ghw]

Hi Hun, I was told 3 days too but I needed a week off work and then another week working from home so I could relax and ease myself back in to it. I personally don't think 3 days would be enough at all but everyone does heel at different rates x

[poppy75]

From my experience I'd say definitely request two weeks. Everyone is different and it will depend on whether they are doing a laparoscopy to diagnose or whether they intend to treat what they find. Unfortunately with Endo it's impossible to know how widespread it is until they look inside. You're also dealing with this for the first time so it's impossible to know how your body will react. I don't mean that in a scary way but for instance having anaesthetic for the first time made me sick for 24hrs and I was zonked for a few days - and that's just the anaesthetic. My second surgery was extensive as they removed a lot of Endo. That time I needed six weeks off. Do request a fortnight and then if you haven't recovered by then you can see your GP for another sick note.

Good luck. I hope it goes well. Xx

[DaisyDuckUK]

Everyone has different recovery times. Mine told me anything between three days and three weeks. I got signed off by my GP, initially for a week, and then we extended it to two and a half weeks. We almost did it on a day by day basis.