Time off work after Lap

[Lizzie21]

Hey, hoping some of you have some advice for me!

I had a diagnostic lap on Tues (10th April) and went back to work yesterday- but I'm starting to think that was far too early, I'm feeling really exhausted and emotional (anyone else find this after their op? it's not like me at all but I'm crying at everything?!)

I'm feeling a bit lost in general as when my surgeon spoke to me I was still slightly out of it and I don't have a follow up app? But he told me he found small patches of endo which he has lasered (?) off. New to all of this, I'm 21 and none of my friends really have any experience of it either.

Think I'm just looking for some reassurance! It's busy season at work for us, but I'm worrying that it'll take me longer to recover overall if I don't take a couple of days of now- my doctor said I should only need a 'handful' of days, is it normal to need a little longer?

Sorry, I think this reads as quite a big jumble! Just needed somewhere to ramble.

Thanks,

Lizzie

[Rachel_1666]

Hi Lizzie,

When I had my laparoscopy at the beginning of March my gynaecologist doctor signed me off for two weeks.

I only really felt ready to go out after a week and three days, but even a small walk from the car pooped me out!

Maybe book an appointment with your GP? Or are you able to contact your gynaecologist’s secretary? In reference to why you are feeling like this / should you have more leave. And also about a follow up appointment.

Xx

[Lizzie21 in reply to Rachel_1666]

Thanks Rachel, I think I'm going to go and see my gp in the morning and have a chat with her about it all! xx

[Hollie2018 in reply to Rachel_1666]

Hello,

I had 4 weeks off! I work in a hospital and my job is very physically demanding! Get your GP to sign you off for longer you need time to recover.

Hope you feel better soon x

[Catness]

Hey, post-op blues is a real thing and I usually feel very down for around three weeks. I think it’s because of the trauma of the surgery and the anaesthetic/ pain killing medication they put you on.

Every time I have had a lap I have had at least three weeks off work and even then it’s taken around 6 to feel properly back to normal as the fatigue lingers for a while!

If you had the endo burned/lasered off that’s called abalation. If the endo is cut out that’s called excision. Unfortunately burning the endo isn’t always a good option and may mean you need another surgery but trying to book in a post-op follow up to discuss how to manage treatment from now may be useful. You may want to consider hormones to manage it but again your consultant should have some answers for you. Xxx

[Lizzie21 in reply to Catness]

Thank you so much Catness for your kind reply and for explaining the terms to me- really useful! Going to investigate getting a post op booked tomorrow. Thanks again xx

[Boodie]

Hi there, I've had 2 laps and for me I needed more than a few days off. I was off for a number of moths as I was diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease so was in a lot of pain after each lap. But even so a few days isn't longer enough I would say 2 weeks minimum at best x

[Lyn84]

Ive had two ops now and i was exhausted for a month after so altho pain wise i coped going back to work after a week off i had no energy what so ever and i really struggled its only now 6weeks after my op is my energy fully back