Support after laparoscopy

Heyyyy

I had my second lap 19th, still recovering now. Any questions do message

Your still very early days don’t worry! Im 11 days post and I’m not right yet others will agree I’m sure that each person takes different times to recover and it depends if you had a removal of endo or if you had a diagnostic

With mine they removed a lot so my recovery might be slow.

Watch plenty of Netflix, lots of TLC and snacks...

I’m still bloated now but it’s gone down a lot. Each day it will get easyier and you’ll get better but don’t rush it take your time some take a week some day 6 weeks I think the average is 2 -3 weeks

I remember it hurting around my belly button for the longest, i think it must have been the deepest. Plus it's right at the centre of you so is used in all movements so you will really feel it. It does get better, though. I had surgery in Nov and by my holiday in July you couldn't even see the incision wounds. After a couple of weeks I was able to gently walk round the block and wear jeans rather than leggings because of the bloating. It does get better but I can't promise you it's linear, overall it was an upward trend but I had some up and down days. Supermarket shopping with my husband was great as I could push the trolley and rest on it if I needed, plus I had the cafe in case I needed to give up; I never did but it was nice to have that back-up.

Easier said than done but try to relax; how often do you get time to just chill out? Get onto Netflix and watch daft movies or weird documentaries. My daughter and her friends recommended RuPaul's Drag Race as cheer up fun TV. I watched some when I was in a lot of pain tucked up in bed and loved it in the way I like Portrait/Landscape Artist of the Year and GBBO. What about reading that book you've always meant to? Hop onto Amazon and get a head start on Xmas shopping.

Hi, I had my second laparoscopy last February to remove extensive endometriosis. This time I was advised by the nurses to go for short frequent walks with resting times in between. Apparently movement helps the body getting rid of pockets of trapped gas/anestetic. I started in hospital and built it gradually. It worked for me. Yoga breathing also helped and drinking water, green tea and infusions. Sunlight and fresh air helped with low mood.

Even though my second laparoscopy was a lot longer and extensive than my first one, my recovery was faster thanks to better advice I was given this time.

I hope this helps you too.

Mint will help get any air our of your abdomen, so mint sweets, mint tea or peppermint cordial.

Vitamin E moisturiser helps heal any skin cuts or grazes and is fine to put on surgery cuts after a couple of days.

Don't be to paranoid about knocking the incisions, at this stage it would take a fair bit to do any damage.

It would be good to get some gentle exercise, just walking. So go out for walks in your local area, maybe do a few short ones each day at first and then go a little further afield. You can spend your time in doors learning more about endometriosis and looking up self-help such as diets that can help.

I had my op 6 weeks ago and I would say it's only the past 2 weeks I have felt like myself.

Plenty rest and peppermint tea! You will feel back to yourself in no time Xx

You poor thing, it really is hard! You really gear yourself up for the surgery but it's so much harder for the recovery because you just don't know what to expect!

I'm also a teacher and I had my op on the 10th, 3 weeks today! I totally understand you wanting to go back to work. I've just renewed my sick note for another week and HOPEFULLY I can go back next week part time or something. I just know I'm not 100% and get tired so easily that working with kids will exhaust me and set me back. Only go back when you're ready and trust that they're being looked after. They may have exams soon but you've done a good job of prepping them for it. They will surprise you!

My bloating went down after a week and a half but if I eat too much I do feel bloated again. It is normal to be bloated, just think that they did so much work inside and even though you only have a few insicion sites that need healing it will be all your insides that need to heal.

I had my friend change my dressing after 3 days as I too didn't want to look! She said they were fine, have them a little clean and redressed them. I then took my dressings off on day 6 for another clean and actually they didn't look too bad so I have left them to air. I wear a lot of stretchy trousers so the waist band doesn't irritate my stitches but I'm ready for them to dissolve now! They're annoying!

The first few days after surgery I had got Netflix ready and thought I'd just watch films all day long but I honestly couldn't face watching tv! Luckily I had very supportive friends who brought me puzzles, jigsaws, colouring, crafts and books so I didn't have to veg in front of the tv. I found that having alternatives helped and now I've found a good Netflix series that I'm addicted to! When you feel up to it, start off with little walks out of the house as it makes such a difference to your mental health. I went and sat outside when it was sunny and my mood lightened so much. I'm hoping this week I can get into town!

We're all here for you and 100% understand what you're going through. Take it easy and make sure you rest xx

Morning UK time! Sorry to hear you're feeling so down. This is all pretty normal to feel low after a general anaesthetic and the shoulder pain is the gas working it's way out of your system post lap. Get walking if you haven't already - every half hour do a little. Will help her rid of all above. Any signs of infection go to a nurse. Hope you feel better soon x

Hi Amy, I had excision surgery 6 weeks ago and this is the first week I have felt ‘good’. Try not to worry about your incisions, I was extremely squeamish with my first operation in November (diagnostic) I wouldn’t look at the incisions and the thought of the cut in my belly button actually turned my stomach! So dramatic! Just keep them clean and you’ll be fine, it is amazing how tiny the scars become. The anaesthetic will leave you feeling low, try not to overthink or stress about your recovery. Having a positive attitude will really help aid your recovery. Second time around I relaxed a lot more, (I noticed I was tensing my muscles because I was anxious, which meant I felt achy all the time!). I tried to move often, stretch and little, eat well and drink lots of water. I have no doubt that in a few weeks you will feel great, these feelings won’t last forever! X

Its still early days, you will no doubt be feeling back to your normal self after a week and will notice the difference your op has made. I had two weeks off work under doctors order but was ready to go back after one, chin up your nearly there! x

Hello Amy,

Please don't apologise, i'm sure most of us have felt how you are feeling now. I certainly have after my first op i had excruciating shoulder pain (the surgeon says that it was very common after surgery) and the best thing i found was to slightly move my shoulders around. Apparently it's the gas from the operation and does clear.

Don't be too hard on yourself, you'll soon get better. Very pleased to hear you've had a diagnosis, that does seem an obstacle.

You'll be fine

xxxx

Posting on here was clearly the best thing I could have done! You guys have made me feel so much better and it’s great to hear from people who understand! 🤗

I’ve been going for little walks as instructed since day 1 post surgery but do wonder if I’ve been doing too much too soon! I prefer it when someone is with me though. A friend recommended the mints too and they’ve been helping.

I’m just a tiny bit concerned that my surgeon and all the nurses seemed to think I’d be fine to go back to work after the weekend (two days). Most people are saying it’s taking at least a week to fully recover. Had I realised then I wouldn’t have opted to have it at such an important time at work, and am worried that I won’t be able to do the 10k run I’ve been training for at the start of June 😕 sigh!

Thanks soooooo much for all of your support!! Xxx

Hi Amycafc

I hope you start to feel some pain relief soon and that your swelling goes down.

I had laparoscopy surgery on Friday as well.

I was very sick and vomited 4 time after drinking peppermint tea and eating 3 ginger biscuits after the operation. I believe it was a combination of the peppermint tea and ginger reacting with the morphin and the gas. I haven't has to much trouble with gas shoulder pain just some burping and a few bottom burps haha. The nurses wanted to keep me in hospital over night as I kept vomiting , was very white and could not urinate. I had operation at 8:30am. I left the hospital at 7pm in the end.I went home to bed and slept. I felt much better the next morning.

I've applied arnica cream to the areas on my stomach and pelvic area that are not covered due to surgery. ( Do not put on stitches) 4 times aday since I had the operation.

It is now Day 5 since surgery and My swelling has been reducing daily. The arnica cream works with your body . With our white blood cells and helps to bring out bruising quicker and to reduce swelling naturally. I am able to move about easier today. But it's still very sore from the 3 different cysts and a fibroid that was removed.also from were they placed the instruments used for surgery.

I was given a copy of a letter sent to my doctor and some leaflets with after surgery advice which I have read and followed.

I have been taking bromelain (pineapple) , papain (papaya) , ginger and turmeric tablets. These all help your body heal inside out, they reduce scar tissue and are anti inflammatory. They help with nausea, swelling and pain relief. They help IBS, digestion and more.

I am taking ibroprofen when the pain is bad as well. This just numbs the pain and helps with inflammation. They don't really work that well with my body.

I have a electric heat pad. (Better than a hot water bottle as no chance of burning your self with to hot a bottle) I use for 20 minutes at a time through out the day. (Best to start using 24 hours after surgery)

I alternate with a ice gel pack wrapped in a towel. (This one is best to use for first 24 hours after surgery to reduce swelling)

Both the hot and cold pads reduce swelling and help numb the area so it is less painful.

I'm drinking nettle tea or camomile and honey tea.

Freshly squeezed lemon in water. For vitamin C to boost my immune system and to help my electrolyte. To stop dehydration and headaches.

I make sure I drink something every two hours. I also walk about for 10 minutes every two hours to help loosen my body as instructed by hospital.

I'm not lifting anything heavier than a bag of sugar. Hubby won't left me anyway.

I've also been eating half a Papaya and two slices of fresh pineapple a day to help my digestion, stomach and bowels.they are natural pain relievers.

The nettle tea is good for helping to keep urine infections away after surgery. It's a natural pain reliever.

I am also taking cramp bark tincture daily to help with to stomach muscle spasms and cramps while healing . It helps my IBS and to prevent urine infections. It's a natural pain relief.

I have been listening to hypnosis audio's to relax , for pain control , sleep and anxiety. I use Glenn Harrods ones. But YouTube have a large variety of them. I put a timer for an hour or half an hour as I have my hypnosis audio's with audible and then if I fall asleep it doesn't wake me. They help with body and mind.

I have either lemon, orange or frankincense oils in a oil burner to help lift my moods.

I even put it in the washable filter in my hoover. So when my husband Hoover's at present it lifts my spirits what ever room I go in. We use the lemon and orange essential oils to clean with. These all help lift our moods.

I've followed the advice from my surgeon. I also asked my surgeon and anesthesist if I was ok with taking these natural treatments and they said I was not on any blood thinners so they were ok.

Natural pain relievers do not work the same way paracetamol or ibroprofen do. These drugs numb pain and help with inflammation. Natural pain relievers work with your body to heal you. They take longer to work sometimes but that's because they heal you inside out.

Hey Amy!

I’m sorry to hear you’ve been having a tough time. Post-op blues is something that many of us go through because of the trauma of the op, feeling low during recovery and also being pumped full of general anaesthetic and pain killers. I had an op 11 days ago and definitely had a few sad days and it’s rubbish and completely frustrating... and then you almost get more frustrated at yourself because of this! But you just have to try and stay positive that it will pass and you will feel better but do need to give yourself time to heal without putting pressure on yourself by saying you ‘have to be recovered by this date’. Doing too much too soon will ultimately mean you have more trouble in the long run and possibly more time off and although I know teachers always put their students first, I think you need to take this time for yourself and do what’s best by your body.

Shoulder pain though! It’s the worst and I found it excruciatingly painful possibly worse than the actual surgery recovery of the wounds. But it sounds like you’ve got your bases covered on that!

I hope you start to feel a bit brighter and stronger soon and in the meantime there are a lot of websites that can offer holistic ways to manage endo if you are interested - my favourite is ‘endo resolved’ so perhaps when you have a bit of time where you are up to it google that and go on the website as it has lots of great tips on.

Gentle hugs xxxx