Laparoscopy- time off work

[TiredTay]

I work in a Reception class and wondering how much time I am expecting to be off for a good recovery. Hospital recommend 1 week, does that sound about right?

[Sarahlou01]

Hello. I’ve had 4 laparoscopys now but each one also involved incising and draining a huge endometrioma on my ovary so time off for me has varied from 2 - 4 weeks depending on what the surgeon needed to during surgery. I’m a nurse and am on my feet for 12 hour shifts so didn’t rush back! If it’s a straightforward investigative laparoscopy one week should be enough but you can always get a sick note from the GP if you’re not ready to go back after the week. Good luck xxx

[Apollo_blue]

Was it just the Laparoscopy ?did they find anything? I’m a teacher in year one I had a cyst removed and endometriosis removed I will have a total of 3 weeks of ( on Monday) children break up tomorrow, so I’ll have a total of 4 weeks . My friend is a reception teacher she had a Laparoscopy she only had 1 week I think she is crazy . I would say a minimum of 2 weeks with the job you do if they just explored . Listen to your body but please don’t go back after a week . Xx

[jelleytots10]

Hi after my laparoscopy i had 2 weeks off but probably could have done with 3. I work in a nursery so lots of moving/walking around was very difficult at first. I didn’t fully recover for about 6-8 weeks and sometimes still have pain in my belly button and its been 12 weeks. Hope this helps xx

[LexiiH17]

I would say go for 2 atleast. If it’s just exploratory and they don’t do anything else you may be ok. But if they remove anything it may be longer recovery. And you also don’t know how you will feel. Also working with little kids you may be up and down off the floor, small chairs etc. It may be a bit too much

[Char411]

Hi,

I ended up having 3, I guess it depends what your Job is and what they do during your lap. I was under for 3 hours with them removing mine. I found after my wounds healed I kept forgetting about the internal stuff and would over do it then suffer. Just listen to your body and don’t rush back

Good luck xx

[Ajem197]

Hi, I had 3 weeks off after the investigative lap (I work shifts so it was around 14 working days) then 2 months off after the excision as it was quite complicated. I'm waiting for dates for further surgery and my surgeon has advised me to expect the same recovery period this time round also. Except I'm 10 years older and have 2 children to run around after now! 😆

[Reachforthestars]

I had my lap 4 weeks ago today, stage 4 endo and I lost quite a lot of blood so also getting my iron levels back in order. I'm off for another two weeks. It really does depend what they do during the lap, how you recover and if any complications arise. Hope yours goes well.x

[Plow-13]

Hi I’m a nursery nurse in a busy nursery, I had a laparoscopy which was just to investigate. (Found endo on my ovary and tubes)

I had a week and a half off from work but really needed more time to recover to be honest. But everyone recovers at different rates... I have two children so had to soon get into routine again.

It’s the internal damage which u can’t see, which causes the problem I found I couldn’t lift or bend, because of the internal bruising and stitches too took time to heal.

The bloating and is another hinder... I had to buy some baggy loose trousers as no way could I get my usual trousers on. You need to be comfy nothing worse than a waistband digging into my stitches. Wishing you all the best and remember go easy on your self and recover slowly.

I found lots of peppermint tea helps. X

[emmalouj]

The royal college of surgeons have recoverying well factsheets in recoverying well and the royal college of obstetricians and gynaecologist have patient information

[luthien]

For both my laps the guidelines said 1 week, however for the first one (diagnostic and removal of endo all over) I was signed off for two, was in work for three days then self certified for another week as I needed more time. Work didn't like the self certified as they put it as illness. So for my second (removal of surface of bowel endo) I was a bit more clued up and made sure I had appointments lined up; my specialist appt was two weeks after (I was signed off for two weeks post op) which he extended my sick leave for another week and a bit. I then went to work for half a day to see how I felt, had an appointment with my GP and she signed me off for another two, so this one totalled 5 and a bit, but my first few periods were awful (as expected), plus getting round to the bowel is more invasive.

I'd say have your appointment lined up for the last day of your sick leave as from a HR point of view it looks like on instance signed off and make sure any further sick notes are related to the op (mine all said "post op recovery"), even ones where you need time off for periods for the first four months - make sure work doesn't log it as period pains because it's not that (that's how long it can take to settle back down to normal). That takes half the worry about time off away. Focus on getting yourself better and if you're not mentally or physically there just being at home then it's okay to need more time off. I had the final two weeks of my last op signed off with normal excerise advised - this meant I could get out, start back with my sports and just be more human again!

Hope that helps xx

[Doggiedogmom1973]

Hey,

it takes 3 months for your body to properly recover from a lap. After 2 weeks you could go back to work, if you can have 1 month off, please do, else you'll most likely will still be sore when doing some takes. Within a month of your lap you'll most likely still be experiencing some good days but probably some very sore days too. You'll need to look after your body and going back before 2 weeks isn't ideal. Everyone is different, but make sure you feel you've truly 'turned the corner' from your lap before returning to work. (Plus, Clear communication with your boss and Dr with leave certificates and you couldn't go wrong).

all the best Xx.

[Sarah24601]

Hi I'm a teacher as well and I was starting in a Reception class after mine. I was lucky, mine in line with the Easter holidays and I thought I'd have one week resting and one week to get myself sorted, unfortunately not, I needed both weeks to rest and relax. So I'd say at least two weeks but I took it easy for a little while after. Hope that helps, take it easy and take your own time. xx

[Hidden]

The consultant reckoned I'd be fine with a couple of days off, I took a week to be safe and then got signed off for another week by the GP (one who actually understood how much pain is involved). I went back to work on week 3 but ended up coming home as I was so unwell and put on anitbiotics. It's individual and I'd suggest the week to start and go from there. 😊

[JoBTW74]

Hi I originally has 2 weeks off but needed another two after. I am not sure if this was due the complications of contracting sepsis prior to may surgery. I do agree with what others have sai that alough I returned to work i di continue to feel tired weeks later. Although i feel being at work increased my healt as i wasn’t moving off the sofa before that. Good luke for you surgery