laparoscopy and bladder endometriosis surgery

[Didine70]

Hello all, I'm new here and see that posts about this exist but are older. I'm 50, had a laparoscopy for a cyst on ovary, removal of the fallopian tubes and when I was in surgery the surgeon saw that the cyst could not be removed without tearing at the bladder (endometriosis had penetrated the bladder, so he had to reopen part of my cesarean section scar to be able to work better at my bladder.) There was no urologist present at the time and there was a risk for my urethra so he preferred to open up rather than continue by laparoscopy.

It's been a week and every one is asking me when I'll be normal again. I don't work luckily but I'm very tired, sleep during the day (not taking any more medications) which I never do, and my belly is still sore and "stretchy", I tried to walk but was very slow. Also I still have nausea and gases. Is that normal after 8 days? Doc told me to take it easy for at least 4 weeks and I will but I guess I just wanted to hear about those who had the same experience....hear about how long it took you to heal and be normal (for me that means being able to hike and cooking). I know everyone is different but I'd like to hear about you.

[TheLittleMermaid30]

Hi Didine70,

I’m still in hospital and had very similar surgery to you. I had my urethra reimplanted because endo was growing on it and causing it to constrict. I also had umbilical endo remover and some cysts from my ovaries. My surgery was open.

I’m 2 days post op and having a really hard time. I have a catheter which I need to keep in for 2 weeks for the bladder to heal, but it is causing extreme discomfort. I can barely walk and any movement makes me quite dizzy and tired. I have been quite gassy and felt sicky for the first 48 hours. I’m now finally eating proper meals but I am quite bloated and holding onto a lot of water.

I’ve been told to expect to stay here for 5-7 days and I’m already itching to be freed. The night staff are nowhere near attentive as the day staff and my severe pain usually appears at night so there have been a lot of tears and screaming.

It’s been tough. I despise the catheter. It’s constant pressure on that area and a lot of unfamiliar pain. I can’t really compare it.

I feel quite sorry for myself at the moment and I am so looking forward to a time when I will be back to normal ( exercising 6x a week and hikes).

Your recovery seems to be moving in the right direction though and I assume you are home so can really take it easy xxx

[Didine70 in reply to TheLittleMermaid30]

Oh my, I did not have my urethra reimplanted; my gyn did not want to do it under endoscopy because there was no urologist present so he had to open more to get access to the bladder and he only worked on that (had to remove endo from bladder wall inside too) so my bladder is stitched too I guess. I'm 17 days in now and doing much better, still some stretching inside and have not had a period yet which I'm dreading because I heard the first one after is tough. The catheter was the hardest part for me. I had a C section once and was expecting the pain from the scar. I never had a catheter before and one week was enough. it had started to leak anywayand I did not mind it when sleeping but sitting was strange and awkward. Removing it was easy and I peed easily after. I was afraid to lose the "reflex" but no. I did not eat properly for 4-5 days and lost 2 kg, have regained it since my appetite came back. I've been doing 45 mn hikes every other day and it helps although I feel "stretch" inside afterwards. I hope you're feeling better after 10 days.