When does tummy go down after lap?

[Amywoodx]

Hi everyone. I had a laproscopy exactly one week ago (21st september) to look for endometriosis. My surgeon was one of the best skilled ones from the nancy nook list as I felt more comfortable this way and it was more reliable. Before surgery I used to get bad bowel pain every morning before going to the toilet & bad periods but just before my surgery, the bad periods settled.

So the surgeon told me he didn’t find any endometriosis but found an adhesion on my omental bowel or something like that?? I know they removed it and straightened my bowel. Not too sure I was pretty out of it from the anaesthetic when they properly explained.

Today is exactly a week since having the surgery. Although my gas pains have improved but they are still present in my shoulders chest etc, My abdominal area is still distended, sticking out, I’m struggling to have a bowel movement, had to go to a&e because I didn’t have a BM for a week so they did an xray and they did an enema which didn’t release as much as I wanted but it did help me to feel a bit better. I also had a tiny bowel movement yesterday morning but had to strain. When I wee it hurts in the pelvic area but I did a urine sample in a&e the other day and they didn’t mention anything.

This morning I woke up with bad bad cramps in my left bowel area and pelvic area feels hard and inflamed and also hurts. I took 2 senna tablets and not sure if it’s due to this. Aftercare has been absolutely awful

Is this pain and discomfort part of the healing process anyone? Are these cramps normal? how long til the gas pains goes away? How long will it take for my stomach to return to normal? I’m just absolutely terrified that the surgery hasn’t helped and possibly made things worse?

[Moon_maiden]

Great you've had the lap and not too bad. Have you tried taking laxatives? I had to after op, I'd called the ward as really bad pain and they said it was constipation. I get them on prescription.

[Amywoodx in reply to Moon_maiden]

I took senna! I think they worked pretty well actually just after I posted this 😂 But the pain beforehand was bad! Do you know how long it took for things to get back to normal?

[Moon_maiden in reply to Amywoodx]

Constipation is evil with this and after op. Great the senna has helped though 😀

Unfortunately I’m not the best person to ask as it hasn’t settled. Found out that it’s deep after follow up, but gynae didn’t think all related. Still trying to find out, due hysterectomy, maybe it is related, who knows 🙄🤣

[Endo_enemy]

If the surgeons worked on ur bowel it can take up to 2 weeks to have regular bowel movements. I would avoid hardcore laxatives but focus on the ones that use your body water to bulk up your stool naturally. Those instant laxatives could make ur body work harder than it can at the moment.

[Amelie8]

It can take a while for everything to settle down, My last op I have adhesions all over my bowel and bladder. And I was sweating and passing out trying to go to the toilet, one of the worst pains ever. I got something prescribed, lactulose, which helped. Once you get past the first time going to the loo it gets abit easier.

Sorry if thats not much help.

[Amywoodx in reply to Amelie8]

Ohh ok thank you, I even feel slight pressure when I try to wee which is weird as they didn’t actually do anything to my bladder as far as I’m aware.

[Amelie8 in reply to Amywoodx]

Everything will be in abit of trauma. Our insides arent meant to be exposed to the air and messed around with. It may be worth you checking if you have a urine infection, it can be common after surgery. I really hope the pain and discomfort eases for you soon. Big hugs.

[SJrose]

Senna, lots of fluids and try to crouch on the toilet (knees above hips - pop your feet on a basin then just sit and daydream. Don't take your phone in it is just distracting x

[Anastasia17]

Hi. It takes a while for your body to settle. It’s a major surgery. If you were on an exclusion diet pre-surgery, carry on with it. The crouching position in the toilet could help. It’s going to take a few weeks before your body settles down. You will feel tired for a while, that’s your body using energy to heal. Take your pain killers every 4 hours even if you think you are not yet in pain. Drink water. Walk a bit in the house, don’t force yourself. Listen to your body. Your tummy will come down, give it 4 to 6 weeks, the same with tummy pains. Watch movies, it’s a great way to get distracted from over thinking and the pain. They say it can take up to 6 months to notice real improvements. Take care. x

[Aims4]

I also had my lap on the 20th! I was prescribed both movicol and lactulose to have every day for 2 weeks to prevent straining from constipation. I was told all the nerves from going into my tummy will take up to 6 weeks to go back to normal. Also the bladder will be abit lazy for 2 weeks to drink plenty of fluids to flush through. I am 1 week into my recovery and in terms of swelling, last night I had a lymphatic drainage massage which I HIGHLY recommend. I wish I had this after my other two previous laps as my swelling today has gone near enough completely and I feel great. I cannot believe the difference. I was hesitant at first as they massage your abdomen really gently and I wasn’t sure if I could bare the pain. However it wasn’t painful at all and my swelling has gone. I really 100% recommend this!

[Amywoodx in reply to Aims4]

Ohh I was given lactulose too but unfortunately it wasn’t working at all! The painkillers they gave me were costipating so I had to stop those too. I had no idea it took 6 weeks thanks for letting me know! And I’ll have a look at the massage thank you x

[Amywoodx in reply to Aims4]

Also in terms of the bladder- I’ve noticed it hurts in the pelvic region when I go to the toilet, does this happen for you too? Not sure whether it’s normal or not!?

[Aims4 in reply to Amywoodx]

Yeah it’s normal. I had a camera into my bladder and then it was washed out. They said the nerves become lazy and it can be quite painful to pass for the next two weeks. Even if they haven’t gone in for you, they’ve still been looking around with instruments so would’ve touched all the nerves inside your pelvis! I was told to practice pelvic floor exercises and should eventually get better after 2 weeks. Yeah I’ve had to use movicol sachets & lactulose together I’m drinking peppermint tea 24/7 too and loads of water and still on a light diet - nothing to heavy! Hope this helps xx

[Amywoodx in reply to Aims4]

Thank you so much!! That’s helped reassure me a lot!! Hope recovery goes quick for us both xx

[Ldn6]

Hey 👋🏻 I’m in a similar position with cramps & distended abdomen nearly 3 weeks post-lap. Wondered how you’re doing now and how long it took it recover? Thank you!