Post op pain!!

[ktorr]

Hi all - just wanted to hear everyone’s experiences with their laparoscopies. I had my first one on Monday (4 days ago). I ended up having to stay in hospital for 3 nights, the endo was stage 4 and had infiltrated my bladder, ovaries, pelvis & bowels, I also had a ovarian cysectomy. The op went for nearly 4 hours. I am in so much pain & discomfort, is it normal to be pretty much bed ridden still? Also how long was everyone on pain meds for? And finally, how long did everyone take off work? I was thinking only a week, but the mere thought of work right now makes me feel anxious!😔

Would really like to hear everyone’s experiences. Xxx

[Elja4]

Hello! I'm so sorry to hear about your lap, it sounds like you had a very rough time! I think the recovery time is very individual and also depends on how much you had done during your op. From what I've heard, some women are fine after a week, but others take several weeks to recover so I don't think what you're going through is uncommon at all and it seems like you had a lot removed too. Are the pain meds working? If you're still in pain, it may be that you need something stronger.

I had my lap on Wednesday and told work I expected to be back after a week too, but I'm not sure if I'll feel well enough either. Give your body the time it needs to recover and I hope you start to feel better very soon! x

[LouLouT]

Sounds like you've had a really rough time of it! It will get better it just takes time.

I had my lap done 7 days ago and had quite a lot of endo removed. My gyne said I would be off work for a minimum of 2 weeks but said depending on how I feel I might need longer. It depends on the individual and how much you've had done but I would expect you to be off work for at least 2 weeks (assuming you do an office based job). Peppermint tea is great for gas pain but you may need something stronger than normal painkillers. I've been taking Naproxen and Co-codamol and they've really helped. Yesterday (day 6) was a much better day and I spent most of it sat on the sofa instead of sleeping. The day before that I had to go back to bed and was in a lot of pain. Hopefully like me you'll suddenly turn a corner and feel much better. I've read some people are able to go food shopping by day 5 😮 I'm still struggling to walk/ stand up straight so it seems everyone's experience is completely different.

Don't be anxious, it's not your fault you've had surgery. I'm sure they'd prefer you to come back when you're better rather than rush back and make yourself ill. I had my wounds checked today at the hospital and the nurse told me not to rush back to work because as soon as you're back they'll assume you're completely healed. You've got to put your health first.

Hope you have a speedy recovery, big hugs xx

[Fabbird]

Hi, I think they suggest a week for a diagnostic lap but if you’ve had work done then it will surely be longer. It sounds like they did quite a lot and it may take a while. Your GP should be able to advise.

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

I had very minor ablation and still needed over a week off work. I’m not surprised you’re still bedridden! Don’t push yourself too hard, give yourself as much time as you feel you need to heal.