First laparoscopy booked - how much time off?

[Chloe1111]

Finally my doctor has agreed to go ahead with surgery to diagnose possible Endo, and am booking in for August 31st. I was wondering how much time off would be needed?

Doctor said this would only be a few days! But from what I've read I don't really believe this.. I'm a manager in a bar so my job consists of lots of bending, standing for long periods of time and lifting heavy objects, and I personally don't see me being able to go straight back to doing this only a few days out of surgery?!

I'm also due to return to university for the start of my masters degree on September 9th, so worried that the surgery will impact this too, but I have no way of having the procedure any earlier.

Any advice or info on how long it took others to recover would be great!

[luthien]

It depends on how much you're having done for your lap. If it's just diagnostic it's usually about a week but it can be longer if you're under for longer. if it's removal of endo it can be over two weeks.

The main thing is make sure you have a sick note issued when you're discharged as GPs wont give you one, or may give it later which means work won't log it as post op recovery. With work you should be able to log your day of the lap as "medical appointment" usually your sick leave will start from then anyway. Explain when you're needing your sick note before you leave the ward, the type of job you have; you can legally self certify for 7 days but you really need it to be post op so you don't call in work every morning.

Make sure you have a follow up appointment / GP appointment booked for before you sick note runs out - the day before is good, so they can "extend" it should you need it, and make sure that says something similar for it's reason. Don't try to go in and work a few days when you're not ready because then work won't consider it as post op and GPs aren't keen on signing you off when you've been back in work. I know some people say use holiday but legally that's not advised because if you're then ill and need to be signed off you can't claim your holiday as you willingly booked it for post op recovery which goes against the advice - work also can't legally make you take holiday for recovery either.

Essentially just make sure you have the paperwork for the longest time you need and relax, go back when you're ready as any op will take a lot out of you. xx

I had my first diagnostic lap with removal of endo and unsticking of organs, it was all over my bladder and uterus - three incisions, day case, two weeks signed off initially, then GP gave me another week so total 3 weeks off . Second one was just removal of endo on bowel and unsticking of my ovary, four incisions, overnight case, two weeks signed off initially, extended by specialist for two week, then two weeks by GP, total 6 weeks off - it's more invasive back there.

[Chloe1111 in reply to luthien]

Thanks for the advice! I'll keep all this in mind leading up to and post op... I'm booked in for a diagnostic lap but gyno has said that they will remove the endo if its found, and possibly the removal of a small endometrioma that was still present during a scan a few months ago. I understand listening to my body for this, as I really don't want to over do it and then end up having to take time off uni before I've even really started my course!

[Nina8921]

Hello, I had a diagnostic lap and hysteroscopy done 2 and a half weeks ago. I was told no endometriosis was found but I have an appointment with my surgeon in 6 weeks to discuss the surgery. I'm none the wiser as to if anything else was found.

I have a very physical job as I have my own domestic cleaning company, lots of bending down, lifing and physical activity and always on my feet.

I originally booked a week off from work but I ended up having to take two weeks off and even though I'm back to work now after at day at work I'm still getting pain in my lower tummy/groin area, nothing unbearable though.

I think you need to listen to your body and be prepared that it really all boils down to many different factors as to how fast your recover.

For me the 3 weeks leading up to my surgery was a very stressful time and I was very busy so I was quite run down when I went in for my surgery unfortunately and I also was on my period for 7 days and finished the day before my surgery and then I bleed for 7 days after surgery and I think both of them factors didnt help me to make a fast recovery.

Sorry the answer is a bit vague but I would say you will need at least a week but be prepared for the eventually that you may need more then a week. Fingers crossed for you and hope everything goes well x

[CE_88_14 in reply to Nina8921]

For my diagnostic lap I was a week but for the 2 following one for appendicitis and another for endometriosis and endometrioma removal etc I was 2 weeks and then phased return x

[Chloe1111 in reply to Nina8921]

Hope you're feeling better now! how have you been managing with it all since going back to work? I've spoken to work and said that I believe I will initially be needing two weeks off work, and they're being really supportive about it all so far which is good! but will definitely be taking it easy and trying not to rush back into anything if im not feeling better... Thank you for the advice! x

[Chloe1111]

I've been seeing my gyno every few weeks/months since October, but haven't received a pre op assessment... which am I slightly confused about as he didn't say much about the surgery but this was the next date he had available so can't really off much help for you on this unfortunately!

[Plew in reply to Chloe1111]

No worries! You should be getting your assessment anytime now, I know I got mine on a cancellation so it was just chance and good luck. Good luck with everything!