Anyone know the recovery time for what the hell they're doing to me?

[Geodejaniero]

I'm 23yo, and as far as I'm aware, my whole life I have been generally 'healthy'.

Up to 2015, I had never had cystitis, no STI's, nothing, apart from heavy periods from the age of 11. When with my new partner, I developed cystitis so bad, and I apologise for any woman that I gave half-ass help to when they had it. My word, the onky way to describe it was to say that the sensation was like a razor blade doing a blender movement all over my womanly parts. It was mistreated by the doctors, which lead me to being in A&E with a kidney infection or something.

Afterwards, it took a while to recover. If I got anxious, I would feel the sensations again. When I had sex, I bled, and was in agony in my kidneys, I felt a stabbing pain in my left side which crippled me, and I swelled up like a balloon.

After scans/ultrasounds/examinations, nothing was found, and I was diagnosed and treated for PID. A few months later, the same things happened, the same symptoms.

They told me that I infact hadn't been properly diagnosed with PID, and so did further tests and scans as it could be possible that I never had it in the first place.

Months later, and I push for more help (the pain almost daily and completely soul destroying). They originally told me that the scan came back clear. But another doctor said that technically, "It has come back clear - for polycystic ovaries."

Turns out, it showed inflammation on my ovaries, and I was finally referred to a gynaecologist.

The gynaecologist asked why I was there. The answers were

A) To not be suffering daily anymore, or at least have something to aid it, and

B) To see if I am infertile, because lord knows If I were able to have kids, I would have gotten pregnant by now.

She put me through for my operation that's a week today, whereby I'll have my cervix quarterised (there's a wound and cells on it), laporoscopy to hopefully identify and treat endoscopy, and I'm having dye run through my tubes to check for scarring.

No idea how I will feel after the operation. Apart from liberated, I feel I'm going to be completely broken. Food is worrying for me and so is medication (it's difficult to find vegan capsules & stuff).

I'm hapoy to finally being treated, but am so worried about my health on the other side.

Any tips on what helps? Any idea if I'll recover within 10 days? Mentally/biologically, I need advice on both!!!

[Sara-JaneF]

Hi. I am due to have my laparoscopy on the 2nd August and I have been told by my gyno that recovery time is roughly 2 weeks but does depend massively on I individual and the extent of the endo they cut away. From people I have spoken to that have had one they say it is rather painful for the first 24 hours and your shoulders will really hurt from the gas they pump through you. Just get plenty of rest in this time. And there shouldn't be a problem with food! Good luck! Hope it all goes well and you get the result you are hoping for x

[Hidden]

Hi, I had my lap last year, they gave me some tablets to take away, to be honest I didn't feel sore or anything apart from if I really strained by lifting something too heavy or bending too quickly, the worst that happened was an infection in the incisions after I had an allergic reaction as they had given me the wrong dressings. But what I would say, is take the time to relax and heal even if you don't feel sore. I pushed myself every day because I didn't feel any pain and within a few days I was completely worn down, dizzy etc and was fine again after some rest. It depends on the individual, my friend felt sore for a week and really couldn't move then it started easing of. I had some pains at the softer bit next to the shoulder area however I get those every month anyway as they are linked to the nerve endings that endo can affect and aren't unbearable. If you are worried about medication, you should have a sort of pre surgery appointment and you can discuss your options there. If there isn't anything suitable then maybe consider alternative therapies or even a mint tea which can help with the stomach area - or at least any leftover gas!! Also food, why not have a night to prepare a few things and have them in the fridge/freezer in case you don't feel up to it. I didn't have to modify my diet, I didn't feel hungry at first but I think that was the medication but you need to be eating the right things to heal well.

Mentally - I was fine, I found it weird as it was my first anaesthetic so it's hard going to sleep then waking up like nothing has happened but they also put a coil in at the same time so I felt a bit sore so that was a bit of a weird feeling. People can react differently to the anaesthetic or surgeries even if they are smaller keyhole operations - people can get emotional or they can just get on with it. Just have a supply of things like dvds (Netflix or whatever) and magazines or books if you're into that and just relax as much as you can which will help both the mental and physical side of recovery. It'll all be fine, just try not to worry beforehand and enjoy being lazy in bed before they take you along for it!!

[Geodejaniero in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much! This is really good advice.

I thought I'd be fine with the anaesthetic, but I don't remember feeling it seeping in for around a minute 🤢

All went really well - I had such expert care! Because of the pain they gave me quite a bit of morphine, which later on didn't help because I was so high I kept retching and feeling way too hot. They gave me an anti-sickness injection but I guess the first one didn't work. I was awake from surgery by 12, but I didn't leave the hospital until gone 5 and I was still pretty out of it.

The next day I did actually have shoulder pain, thought I had my trapped nerve back because of the heavy sleep, but yeah you're right, didn't realise that would happen ^^.

Since the op, my partner has been a saint. I felt horrendous for quite a few days but then I was able to walk unhunched! Unfortunately I then tripped down the stairs so had to re-plaster one of the incisions.

I've not taken the pain relief, just using paracetamol. I feel so much better

Honestly so glad that I went private because the care is unreal, especially considering that fear of hospitals I have. No way could I afford private, but this gynae is a saint!

This advice was super helpful for me. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

[Hidden]

I've had two laps and on second one had my tubes flushed as was struggling to conceive my second child I had day surgery for my second lap and recovered very quickly was a bit uncomfortable for a few days then I was fine unless I stretched a bit to far or bent funny it would catch or rub my stitches a little (only had 4) but I found putting breathable plasters over helped and helped when I had clothes on and not my pjs. My first lap took longer to recover and I was in hospital for a week as I had to have a drain fitted best thing I can say is think positive and just try and be as active as you can after it does speed recovery but don't over do it and try doing your normal everyday things straight away.