Going back to work after Laparoscopy and ... - Endometriosis UK

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Going back to work after Laparoscopy and diathermy treatment for endometriosis.

Vik9 profile image
Vik9
13 Replies

Hi all :)

I had a Laparoscopy and diathermy to treat endometriosis in several different places, 2 weeks ago. I work in care my sick note Runs out tomorrow, so I'm debating or not wether to go back to work or return to my doctor for another week off. I feel ok sat about but when I get up and start cleaning and going up and down the stairs gives me pain, I'm expecting my first period too so I think I'm extra sore 😓 my incisions are more or less healed from the outside now I'm guessing it's just where they've Lasered the endometriosis away. My follow up with gynecologist is in august so I guess I'll find out whats what then.

Vicky xxx

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Vik9 profile image
Vik9
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13 Replies
Vik9 profile image
Vik9

I just wondered if anybody else had any advice on going back to work 😌 xx

Catmum profile image
Catmum

I think getting another week off sounds sensible. You don't want to be bending and lifting if you are still in pain. It may make things worse, then you are back where you started, all for the sake of 1 week.

Hope you feel better soon 👍

sandy112 profile image
sandy112

Hi Hun I am also 2 weeks post op and I totally agree I personally think you should take another week off and see how you feel. No point going back to work when your still in pain.

I think you should see how you feel - you'll know when you feel ready to return. I signed myself off for the first week abd GP signed me off for further two weeks (3weeks post surgery)and thought that was reasonable amount of time off as I'd had endometriosis implants removed from my pouch of Douglas- she thought if it was just a diagnosis laparoscopy a week off work should've been sufficient. I do have a physical job -im a training to be a teaching assistant and I also do a cleaning round for a school. I ended up returning sooner- I felt much better after two weeks ( and I don't get Sick pay) I did half a week for the first week to ease into it( I only did my cleaning job) I didn't return back teacher training untill I was 5 weeks post surgery as one of my wounds wasn't healed and I had stitches still at 4 weeks post surgery. Recovery is individual thing- maybe ask your GP to sign you off longer or put a request to change your duties. Hope you feel better soon xoxo

Vik9 profile image
Vik9

Hiya ladies :)

Thankyou all for the advice, I've been to the doctors this morning and he's signed me off for another week. I'm glad I've got another week to get my self sorted to be fair. There wouldn't be much chance of me going back on light duties, I tried. Hope your all not into much pain today ! Vick X X X

MissyS profile image
MissyS

I returned after 1 month after cyst drainage..i had a 2nd op with cyst removal and endo around ny pelvis and returned after 8 weeks..work part time for awhile went of sick again as i was having pain on my period and back and pelvis pain...may have returned too soon. Doc says its individual on healing and totally depends on how long you are on the operating table. I healed outside very quick both times..but i still have my gd and bad days and get sore and tired

Vik9 profile image
Vik9 in reply to MissyS

Oh no u poor thing ! That must of been horrible ! It's not nice is it, I'm currently waiting for my period now and I'm a mess, it's draining me, I've heard it can be very painful the first period after the op. Did u find this?? I'm slowly getting there just trying to ride the pain out, and other silly things. Hope your well and are not suffering to much Xx

Nikki84 profile image
Nikki84 in reply to Vik9

Hi, my first period after my op was totally pain free for the first time ever which was amazing but sadly that was all I had just the one, now back to painful periods and pain all the time, I would not wish this disease on my worst enemy x

MissyS profile image
MissyS in reply to Vik9

Unfortunately yes..im finding my periods have been quite intense xx

Vik9 profile image
Vik9

Oh no sounds like it will just be a case of waiting to see how it is when it comes, i'm stocked up on pain relief and hot water bottles.

I know what u mean is a horrible disease, I'e just been diagnosed i'm dreading my follow up with the gynecologist to see whats next, I have also been diagnosed with emotionaly unstable personality disorder, so I really don't want extra hormones ( but I've heard endo symptoms can be subsided with hormone treatment. I never realized the tons of different symptoms can be all connected to the endometriosis. There's so much it can cause 😭

It is a shitty disease to have but I think there is more awareness about it then than was. My endo as well as causing infertility, several abnormalities in my cycles , chronic pain in my lower left abdominal side caused me to have bowel issues too making diagnosis for the medics even harder. I also have become lactose intolerant since the chronic pain and my Fertility consultant says there is a link between lactose intolerance and endometriosis. He has also recommended that I go lactose and gluten free as that should help my endometriosis symptoms ( even tho I had implants removed) Sometimes diet can help with endo xoxo

Vik9 profile image
Vik9

Hiya Jess,

Yes I've been reading about the diet, I'm going to try it and see how I get on. Period still hasn't come but I feel so aggregated, like I have PMT allllllll the time, it's doing my head in 😓 the endo is near My bladder and bowel so I have issues with both of them and everything else.

I have seen it's taken years for some people to get diagnosed, it was quite easy for me. My doctor referred me straight away. Suppose it's down to the doctor. I was lucky in that way. X

Tinkerbell16 profile image
Tinkerbell16

Have another week resting and gradually build yourself up, if you return to work too quickly you may set your recovery back. Good luck x

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