First lap - time off work?

[Faith27]

Hi everyone, roughly how long did you take off work for your first laparoscopy? I know everyone is completely different and depending on what they do will have an impact but did you have the prior convo with your workplace to let them know you would imagine to be off for a week or two? Or did you just say that you would see how you felt and update them after surgery? I guess I don't want to put too much pressure on myself to go straight back to work so figured giving them an estimate may help to manage expectations - if I'm better sooner then happy days!

[lisaevans2912]

Hi Faith,

when i went off i told work 2 weeks but would update them in that time to how i was feeling and they were fine with that. think i went back on week 3 then returned on a risk assessment. All depends on how good your work are i suppose. Hope it all goes well

Lisa

xx

[Faith27 in reply to lisaevans2912]

Hi Lisa!

Thanks for commenting, to be honest I've done exactly the same! I spoke to my manager when I had a pencilled in op date last week and suggested that it may be a good idea to plan in 2 weeks worth of sickness just because we're a small team and I know I'll feel pressure to go back quickly if I haven't got the leeway. It appears as though this was a sensible move by the sounds. I hope your surgery has been worthwhile and your feeling a bit better xx

[lisaevans2912 in reply to Faith27]

Mine was for an ablation, year and a half later and im booked in for hysterectomy in 3 weeks!! Hope you have a smoother time than i have xx

[Faith27 in reply to lisaevans2912]

Oh my gosh you have been waiting such a long time. Thanks for your well wishes. I hope your next op goes a bit more smoothly for you and has the results you want. Not too much longer to wait now xx take care of yourself xx

[lisaevans2912 in reply to Faith27]

Thankyou, best of luck with yours xx

[Fati8451]

I think first laps tend to be routine, so they won't necessarily do much. My first lap was abandoned by surgeon because it was just too complex for her and she referred me to specialist endometriosis centre. She didn't do anything except poke around but I still needed 3 weeks off. They gave me two week sick leave but I work in a school and luckily half term was around the same time so I managed to rest for 3 weeks. I really needed that despite them not doing anything. My next lap was alot of work and I got about 5 weeks off. Hope that helps X

[Faith27 in reply to Fati8451]

It really helps!! Thank you so much. Xx

[Hidden]

Hi.

I work in a school so they needed a rough idea how long I’d be off for.

I’ve had 3 laps within 13 months (!) & all treated endometriosis. I had 2 weeks off work for each lap & found that was long enough. I did go on lighter duties after each surgery for a few weeks whilst I healed internally.

How much time off you need will depend on what they they find & treat.

I was told by a GP if it was only a diagnostic lap ( ie they make 2 incisions & find nothing to treat) a week off work should be adequate. If it was an operative lap ( ie several incisions were made & they found something to treat) a minimum of 2 weeks off work depending on how well you recover.

Recovery is such a individual thing .

My best advice is take it easy for first few days; just sofa days. I made meals in advance & froze them so I didn’t have to cook. Little things like that helped. Remember just because incisions are small doesn’t mean the work they do inside you is!

See how you feel & don’t return to work until you feel 💯 ready.

If you have any questions on laps please feel free to ask me.

Wishing you the best with your surgery ❤️xoxo

[Faith27 in reply to Hidden]

Oh my gosh 3 laps within such a short period of time must have been exhausting! Your probably a pro now at the procedure. Thanks for commenting. It's really helpful info and advice you have shared as always your right about the work they do inside not reflecting the small incisions! I can feel my boss wondering if 2 weeks is a bit over the top but from people's experiences - I feel better to perhaps overestimate and see how I feel after the op to provide an update if you know what I mean xx

[Keke123]

I am going in today for mine and I told my work 2 weeks minimum and I would let them know depending on what they do.

In the past my dr has always asked how much time off my work has given me and then signed that on the sick note.

Good luck with the op

[Faith27 in reply to Keke123]

Thanks so much. I hope your op goes well! Is it your first? Hope your recovery goes smoothly lovely xx

[Thecraftyadder]

I work for a small team in a hospital. My first diagnostic lap years ago I was off 2 wks. My lap and excision last November (that actually gave me a diagnosis so was sure what was done till I came round) I had about 6 wks and then 2 more as I had annual leave already booked. That one was tough. Because I do some lifting in my job they were cautious to have me back. I was also exhausted. I told my boss assume 2 weeks but it could be 2-6 wks as that was the best I could get out of the doctor as a guide.

[Faith27 in reply to Thecraftyadder]

Thanks for sharing! You're right that everyone's so different but a ball park can be very helpful to manage expectations when you work in such a small team so priorities are around everyone being in work! I feel 2 weeks is reasonable given what others have shared .. obv it may be a lot different but without setting an estimate, I don't want to feel pressured if you know what I mean xx

[Sfarre]

I booked two weeks off work, but it became four weeks in the end. They found a lot of endo and spent hours removing it, so I was very sore. I also developed a surgical infection afterwards so needed antibiotics. Hopefully yours will be much more smooth sailing, but I'm telling you this so you are not surprised if you find it harder than expected (as I did!).

[Faith27 in reply to Sfarre]

Aww that sounds sore! I hope your doing ok now? Id rather the info and advice in advance so I can know what to expect as much as possible so I appreciate you responding. Was yours done by a general gynae or an endo specialist can I ask please? Xx

[Sfarre in reply to Faith27]

No problem. It was privately with an endo specialist. He was comprehensive! It probably took a few months to feel 100% again to be very honest. Don't know what your circumstances are, but in case it also helps, my fertility was affected by the endo, and now I am now 21 weeks pregnant. So for me, it worked out. All the best to you.

[Faith27 in reply to Sfarre]

Aww thank you. We're currently trying and have been for over 2 years so your positive story really helps! Thank you for sharing that with me. Hope your doing OK congratulations! Xx

[mrswesley1302]

I had my first lap nearly 4 weeks ago. It was with an endometriosis specialist and we had planned for excision and exploration, including bladder checks and bowel checks. I was in hospital for 6 days because of the bladder irritation and because I do a active job ( hospitality) I was given sick leave for 6 weeks. I feel okay at the moment but I still am getting the odd pains if I move too fast or I twist funny. It all depends on what is planned. I didn't know I was going to be in hospital that long until my pre op.

[Faith27 in reply to mrswesley1302]

Wow that sounds complex! I hope your getting better as each day passes. It sounds like you have been through a lot. Sorry to read the pain you had. I've got my first lap but not with an endo specialist as having a few other things looked at during the same time - fertility related. The gynae will refer me onto a specialist if endo is found so can look forward to that if it happens to be the issue lol great! Xx

[Kdon91]

I’m currently on week 3 off work and I’m going back next week but part time for the first week and using some holiday days up. I had quite a lot of work done and recovering from an infection that I had. I personally would say 2 week minimum is what you need but everyone is different and it all comes down to what is done during your op and the job that you do!

[Faith27 in reply to Kdon91]

Thank you! My job is by no means active and can be done sat down all day however when I'm in pain, it's impossible to concentrate and as I provide direct support to people, it can be mentally exhausting! I just want some patience from my employer so feel 2 weeks is a reasonable length of time to suggest as a minimum and if I'm better before ..happy days!! Xx

[Kdon91 in reply to Faith27]

I’ve been really lucky my employers have been brilliant and they really support well being too. You do what you need to do it’s your health and you go back when you are ready. Good luck with everything xx

[emmab178]

I was told 4 to 6 weeks depending on the extent. Ended up being 6 weeks.

[Faith27 in reply to emmab178]

Thank you! I guess it's something I can ask about but because it's my first one, I guess they aren't sure what work I'll need doing if it is that endo is found.. it's very airy fairy!

[emmab178 in reply to Faith27]

Welcome to the world of endo. The main thing is to make sure I'd its grade 3 and above that the surgeon tells you that they won't touch it and refer you to a BGSE specialist instead. General gynaes touching advanced endo is against their guidelines but unfortunately some do go ahead.