First laparoscopy!

[Peachii]

Hi all!

I finally have my first lap date for the 9th of May! Wooo!

I was just wondering if I could get any advice off all you wonderful people.

I know my doctors have said I'll need about 2 weeks off work. But I'm wondering how realistic it will be.

A little about me:

I work 30hrs a week over 4 days in lush, so I'm constantly on my feet 9hrs a day, lifting up heavy stock and rushing around doing this and that and serving customers. Also I volunteer once a week for a day at a neurodisability hospital, rushing up and down flights of stairs, pushing around patients with very heavy wheelchairs etc. I'm just wondering how realistic will it be going back to it all after two weeks? I'm also moving two days before my op so will I be able to do any unpacking/sorting during my time off?

I know my right ovary has attached to my womb and I've never had surgery before or had an sti (reason why they're sure it's endo), along with super bad constant pain 2/3 weeks out of the month, bad fatuige constantly, and back/hip pain. Pain during sex in certain positions. And pain when releasing urin/stools during my period or when ovulating. I also have pcos.

If anyone can give me tips for both pre/post op or what to expect as I've never been under general anistetic or any surgery before.

Thank you!

Hope you're all having a lovely day!

[LeahEndoUK Moderator]

Hi Peachii,

It's great to hear you finally have your laparoscopy appointment!

Recovery can vary person to person and is also dependant on the extent of the surgery. We have an information sheet here that details what to expect: endometriosis-uk.org/sites/...

If you would like to speak to someone with Endometriosis who is likely to have had a laparoscopy, we have a helpline you can call. The opening hours and phone number can be found on our website: endometriosis-uk.org/helpline

I hope this will give you some of the information you need

Best wishes,

Leah

Endometriosis UK

[Peachii in reply to LeahEndoUK]

Thank you! Gave the document a read through its really helpful!

[Ayseesme]

Hello my love!

I hope all goes well with the lap! I work in retail too and originally only booked off 1 week, but it took me a good 2-3 weeks to start feeling myself again, you’ll feel really tired and sore for a week / 2 after the op and retail can be a gruelling experience! 🤣 I would ask the doctor for a sick note for 2 weeks, you can self certify for another week if you need it!

Hope this helps! And good luck 🤗

[Peachii in reply to Ayseesme]

Retail can be so difficult at times, just glad it's not the Christmas period haha. I've already used a week of self certification when a family member passed away, and I'm unsure if I can have another. Plus satatory sick pay is awful and I'm worried about my rent if I'm off for too long! Shame more company's don't do sick pay/government sick pay is so low.

[Faybee87]

Congratulations on getting your date! I had my first lap just over 4 weeks ago myself and used to work in retail. I'd say 2 weeks is probably a bit optimistic tbh, given the type of work you do. To put it into perspective, I was told not to drive for 2 weeks, on the day that I could drive again I did and just the action of twisting to change gear or to look behind to reverse was painful! I had 3 weeks completely off and then went on a phased return for 2 weeks (although my doctor did suggest more time off) and I'm currently wondering whether to get that extended, and have an office job now.

As for preparing for your surgery, I wish somebody had told me to stock up on waterproof dressings, stool softeners, peppermint capsules and activated charcoal (for wind) before my surgery. I did batch book some meals and freeze them so they could just be reheated in the oven, that really helped in the first week following surgery.

[Peachii in reply to Faybee87]

Thank you that's really useful, I'll see what can be done at work, and ask if I can do light jobs/shorter shifts/sit down tasks on the third week. I guess I'll just have to see how everything goes.

And thank you! I heard peppermint was good! Didn't know activated charcoal also helped. Luckily I'm moving in with my partner two days before my op so I won't be the chef for once haha (worried he'll give me food poisoning more than the op if I'm honest haha)

[Faybee87 in reply to Peachii]

Haha, yeah I didn't want to leave it to my husband for the same reason 😂

[Peachii in reply to Faybee87]

Might need to move the sofa into the kitchen so I can supervise him haha

[introuble]

Yayyy finally first lap!

Please keep us updated, I’m waiting for my first lap too

[Peachii in reply to introuble]

Yayyy! Will do! Hope you get yours soon x

[introuble]

How it go? Hope you’re recovering well