Laparoscopy advice.

[Nicreid87]

I was looking for some advice on the recovery after a laparoscopy, I am booked In next Wednesday and I’m feeling bit anxious, they are looking for Endometriosis or scar tissue. Can anyone who has one please tell me of the recovery process.

[Biokimistry]

Hello,

Feeling anxious is very normal and I understand what you're feeling. I was diagnosed 3 months ago and they found endo.

With regards to recovery my main advice would be to take it easy. I took the day off before to prepare food for myself, clean and tidy up so that was one less hassle. I prepped soups as these are easy to digest for me, and easy to store and reheat!

Don't leave the hospital until you feel confident and ready to! Make sure you ask all the questions you need to (and get someone to write down the answers!). Make sure you've got a pillow for your stomach the journey home and nice comfy clothes to wear as you may be bloated and sore. I wore big pyjama trousers! If you feel nauseous, request anti-nausea medicines before you go.

My throat was very sore so cold water and ice cream were great. The main pain I had was gas pain in my shoulder tips. The best thing for this is to gently walk around and drink peppermint tea! Regularly take painkillers if you want to. I found the use of a heat pack the most help as I felt quite crampy! You may have a bit of bleeding but this is normal. I slept semi-sat up for the first few days until I could manage being back on my side, so have plenty of pillows to help you get comfortable. If you're concerned about the way your incisions are healing, do not hesistate to contact a professional. I visited my nurse several times to ease my mind.

I took a week off of my work, which isn't a super strenuous job (lab-based) but I was signed off for 4 weeks. Make sure you take the time you need as you be out of pain but may still be fatigued. Listen to your body. I unfortunately developed a UTI after the op but a course of antibiotics sorted me out.

I hope all goes well and feel free to message me if you have any questions! Xx

[Bellabellaboo]

Hello! Everyone is different but I was such an anxious mess in the lead up to mine - and now feel silly! It’s was super quick and easy and recovery wise much better than I expected. I did not take any meds post operation for pain, no sickness or groggyness. I used a heat pack on my shoulder for gas pain and just walked around plenty to get all that moving...I didn’t have gas pain constantly it would come on if I had been lying or sitting too long...it was annoying but not painful painful! I am 1 week post op today and just feel a bit bruised internally...but nothing painful or unmanageable and nothing compared to my brain that had worked it up to be. I’m still taking it easy but my top tips are - peppermint tea and heat packs, very lose clothing, lots of pillows, take it easy and lots of rest! I had hydrolight iceblocks which were nice on my throat as well.

[Emma-louise]

Hey!

I also have my laparoscopy next week, this will be my second one. Are you all sorted with what your going to take with you?

Its normal to be nervous, im so much more nervous this time round (I have no idea why?!). The recovery process can be quick, or slow, it really depends on your body and whether they treat any endometriosis whilst they are in there.

I would say one of the worst parts is the gas pain. They use gas to 'inflate' you so they can get a better look around, and this can be extremely painful when you wake up. Peppermint Tea (you can get from every supermarket) or Peppermint capsules (chemists do them in the IBS section) are supposed to help, but I didn't do this last time. You'll feel groggy for quite a few days, I think I slept for 3 days in and out most days. You just need to give your body time to heal though!

Make sure you take a pillow/blanket with you to the hospital for the car journey home, the last thing you want is to have the seatbelt digging in to your stomach!!

If you need anything else please just go ahead and ask

Good luck xxx

[Bohogirl]

Hey hun I had my first lap exactly one week ago now. Recovery has been OK the last few days, but I'm sorry to say I was in severe pain the first 2 days from the gas. Like already mentioned the best thing to do for this is move around to break it up, peppermint tea was great but I got sick of it lol, and I also got some activated charcoal tablets which really helped! I also couldn't lay down at all for the first 36 hours so I was sleeping sat up on the sofa or my nursing chair which made me sooo tired not being able to sleep properly. Hot water bottle helped too. I've been coping absolutely fine with the incision pain as long as I keep on top of painkillers. I now have a pain in my chest when I breathe so saw the GP yesterday about that, just be totally honest about how you feel. You'll be fine, good luck! Xxx

[CS80]

Hiya! I'm 6 weeks post lap now & have just started feeling like my true self again. The first few days I was sore & extremely bloated, i also had a water infection (which I believe is common so watch out for that). I wore big kaftans for almost 2 weeks (& baggy clothes when I went out) - my tummy is still a bit swollen so I've had to get a pair of jeans in the next size up.

Pain wise it wasn't as bad as I expected but I was on regular painkillers for about 5 days after. The gas pain is quite bad & I found that standing up & pacing was best. Had peppermint tea & activated charcoal pills to help. I'd also recommend getting some lactulose to help your bowels be regular - I suffered constipation for about a week after which made things worse.

I also got tired really easily in the first 4-5 weeks - sometimes after only being out for an hour.

I also agree with the advice above. The pillow for the car is a must! I also slept on a beanbag on my bed so I didn't sleep flat & it took at least 4 weeks before I could sleep on my side again.

Be kind to yourself & rest for as long as you need to (make regular short periods where you walk around). Having food prepared in advance is a fab idea. Remember you need someone with you for the first 24 hours (48 hours if you can - i found it useful to have someone around when I had my first shower afterwards).

Good luck & try not to worry too much (easier said than done, I know). They will look after you in hospital & you don't remember anything at all about the procedure apart from going to sleep & waking up. Also take a book or some mags in case you're not first on the list x

[Lovepenguins]

Aww hope it goes OK for you I had two laparoscopies but these were 12 and 19 years ago and I have my next for August and am terrified as the Endometriosis and adenomyosis is a lot worse. I do remember the gas being the worst and I think they gave me like a warm peppermint liquid and lots of pain relief. Make sure you stay until you're ready to go home and get advice if you feel worried about anything xx

[BlueVelvet94]

Hi,

I hope that I can help! I had my lap last year for the first time and I am happy to share details as to the process, but it will probably vary for each person recovery wise.

I was advised that I would need 2 weeks off for recovery, however I needed 4 weeks. From the various hospital staff I met during my time in hospital, they noted some recover in 3 weeks, others 6 weeks.

Bleeding after the procedure is expected when you pass urine. I did not pass stool for 3 days after the procedure and was given medication to induce a stool motion. This in itself was a bit painful for the first motion. I used the medication largely throughout my recovery time.

Your nurse should inform you how to move out of bed. I was advised to ‘roll’ to the side and slowly raise myself up out of my bed and avoid placing pressure on my body.

The surgeon also gave me pain medication to deal with aftermath of the operation, for which I used for just over 2 weeks- but everyone’s body is different.

I would suggest eating quite light foods and wearing loose comfortable clothing during your weeks after the procedure. Also, take care when washing/bathing as the cuts made for the lap will need to heal. Have a good rest and try not

to do anything too taxing, your body will hopefully recover quicker.

I unfortunately found it a bit difficult to manage the pain after the procedure. Do not hesitate to get back in contact with your surgeon or use emergency services if need be.

Best of luck!! Fingers crossed for you x