Support and reassurance needed

[kait109]

Hello all.

In 8 days I will undergo my endometriosis surgery for possible diagnosis and removal. I have awful cramps and my gyno says I have textbook symptoms. I have had a laparoscopic surgery before. I've had my gallbladder removed. But I start school exactly a month after surgery.

How were your recovery times? I'm very nervous and I know that there is a low risk for complications but I can't help but worry. I do want kids one day, and I have a constant pain over my right ovary. I just have a feeling something is wrong.

Any advice?

Thank you all

Kait

[MJD1712]

Hi Kait.

I had terrible symptoms before my laparoscopy and diagnosis last year. It was growing around my bowels so caused all kinds of horrible side effects which I will not gross you out with!

I took two weeks off work. I think that's the minimum recovery time. And I was fine. Mostly just tired. Took longer to build my strength up again. Once I started work I made adjustments to start and leave earlier to avoid peak commuter times and make sure I got a seat! I got as active as I could as recommended and would go for 10 mins walks and then build this up every day. Plenty of fruit and veg. Sounds like a cliche but your body needs the nutrients to rebuild and heal.

Since then almost a year tomorrow my periods have vastly improved. Some months worse than others but no where near as bad as they were.

They do this routinely and I know it's easy for me to say but having come out the other side when I was also v scared the benefits are worth it.

I am not sure kids will happen for us but I suspect that is down to other complications.

I hope that helps and if there is anything else I can help with do give me a shout. Best of luck x

[KEndo16]

You are going to be OK. I have had three laps and the recovery time was 2-3 weeks, but go by what your consultant advises. Strangely, the last lap I had meant I had to stay in hospital (kidney injury- avoid being dehydrated prior to surgery and ease up on the buprofen tabs beforehand too) and this meant I got better a lot quicker from the surgery. Purely because I had to lie down for a week afterwards. Try taking recovery really slowly and you might spring back more easily. Literally, don't walk around unless you need to. It really helped me.

[MMB89]

You are going to be hun!

I have had 3 laps and reacted differently to all 3 so it can sometimes take 2 weeks followed by light duties or you might be bed bound for 2 weeks. All I will say is rest rest rest afterwards! Do not try to do too much.

Write down all your questions and concerns so you can ask this while you are in the hospital and write down the answers so you can look back at them when you are out of hospital.

Also have lots of supplies at home before surgery so stock up on pain killers, heat packs, hot water bottle, I found cool water spray really helps if you are feeling warm, I batched cooked soups and meals with plenty of tumeric in!! and raspberry leaf tea is a god sent when it comes to anti inflammatory. Stool softener capsules are also really handy too.

Take care hun xxxx