First time laparoscopy

[DM14]

Hello

Looking for abit of advice and other poeples experiences.

I had my first ever lap on the 3rd April so three weeks ago.

My 2 side incisions have healed quickly and well. My belly button got infected and leaked so was on antibiotics for a week.

I am still super super swollen. Very fatigued and energy less.

I am a nursery nurse and wondered how long I can expect to be off recovering? My shifts are 11.5 hours long and involve manual handling?

I seem to barely improve day by day at the moment

[Linz4686]

Hello

When I had my keyhole surgery back in feb, I had the same infection of the belly button, even to this day, I’m so fatigued and lack of energy -

My doctor says it’s the symptoms of endo

[DM14 in reply to Linz4686]

Do you feel more fatigued than before the surgery???

[Linz4686 in reply to DM14]

Yes I do to be honest

[Fighterxxx]

Hey!

So sorry to hear you’re still suffering.

I had my lap back in October, and I am also a nursery nurse.

I was under the impression that I would be back to work pretty soon, but then reality hit.

I was off for a total of 6 weeks, and even when I returned I still wasn’t 100% ready for the demands of our job.

My advice would be to take as long as you need, and when you return, make it clear to your employer that you need to do light duties until you are healed.

Good luck

Xx

[DM14 in reply to Fighterxxx]

Its nice to speak to someone in the same job!il ive read around and some people have said theyve gina back after a few weeks and Im sat wondering what is wrong with me. Also yes nursery nursing is highly demanding on a 'good' day.

I dont think my manager believes how Im feeling and was expecting me back already. So i dont think im in her good books xx

[Fighterxxx in reply to DM14]

I was the same. My employer expected me back after the long weekend.. which would have been 4 days after my op!

Your health comes first, so take it easy, and don’t go back until you are 100%!

Xx

[Izzy84]

I remember feeling similar after my laparoscopy. Even though it was the last thing I felt like, I found walking really helped get me back on my feet (literally!). Somehow it soothed the pain and helped me get my energy back. I tried short walks at first, building up to longer walks after a few weeks. I found staying at home immediately after the lap sucked my energy and made me lethargic. I was able to return to work 12 days after the op. Maybe some gentle exercise could help? Good luck with your recovery!

[DM14 in reply to Izzy84]

Yes im getting out and walking around as much as possible. After 15/20 minutes on my feet im exhausted all over again

[PandoraPenguin]

I'm a teacher.

For my last lap I had endo and adhesions removed, ovary and tube removed and a dodgy vein. I was off work for 5 weeks plus the 2 week Xmas break. I started walking and doing yoga gently at about the 3 week mark.

When I went back to work I was exhausted very quickly and, looking back, should have had a phased return. It took until about the 4/5 month mark before I was back at full strength.

However, I had been seriously in pain and taking Tramadol, Co-codamol, Iburpofen and Naproxen daily for the best part of a year and struggling through. My GP felt that as I had really pushed to keep working I had damaged myself more than I thought. They also made me realise that although the incisions were small that a lot of work had been done so I should take time to rest and recover. Mind you, my surgeon queried the wisdom of my employer allowing me to work when I was so ill before the surgery!