First laparoscopy - advice needed please!

[Em_wilkinson96]

Hello,

On Tuesday evening I was rushed in to have an emergency laparoscopy due to a ruptured cyst on my left ovary. They confirmed they found a lot of endometriosis all over, including both of my ovaries which were stuck together! However, they did not remove the endometriosis due to the procedure I was having was due to the ruptured cyst and not the endometriosis itself. I have never had a laparoscopy before and wondered when I will be able to open my bowels and just independently be able to get out of bed. I am also due on my period next week and due to them not removing the endometriosis, they have said it’s likely I will be a lot of pain. Any help/advice regarding the recovery process in general would be greatly appreciated! Thank you x

[Kate_ls]

Hi Em, Sorry to hear about your emergency surgery. It's a scary thing for sure. Generally Endometriosis needs specialist excision so that will be why they didn't go ahead at the time.

I was helped out of bed the day after by a nurse who walked me to the ward door and back, personally that was too early as I could barely stand. Another day would have been better. First 5 days were quite uncomfortable. Stretchy trousers were a must.

Being able to go to the toilet after a lap was difficult, and is for most women. It took 4 days. I would recommend you consider taking something to ease this. I chose charcoal supplements. Helped with the gassy uncomfortable bloating which made going to the loo easier. Plenty of water will help too.

Your period may well be uncomfortable so soon after your op, but everyone is different. Make sure your comfortable, have time to relax to get your body on the mend. But also a little light walking in your home is also beneficial.

Unsure on recovery time, as my situation was different, but take it easy. Especially until your stitches are removed.

Good luck with your recovery

[Em_wilkinson96 in reply to Kate_ls]

Hi Kate, thank you so much for your message!

It was definitely a scary process, especially with the new restrictions so I couldn’t have any family members with me but I really appreciate your advice for me so I kind of have an understanding of what I can be prepared for.

Walking and getting out if bed is still really difficult, my boobs are tender and swollen but that’s likely due to being on any time now.

I will make sure I am drinking plenty of fluids, getting plenty of rest and I have someone looking after me!

Thank you so much x

[Spireite]

Sorry to hear you had to go in as an emergency. I had my first lap a week ago today, but I had time to prepare mentally for having nobody there, and had chance to research what to pack in my bag. Still had to pull on my proverbial 'big girl pants' that hard I could have used them as a mask.

I think we all recover at different rates. I've been pleasantly surprised with the speed of my recovery but my lap ended up purely diagnostic. I've been chucking Colpermin (peppermint oil capsules) down my neck regularly, and every other cuppa has been peppermint tea. Weirdly, drinking something fizzy has helped with those burps you can feel but don't seem to want to come up.

It was 3 days before I opened my bowels, and that was without me taking any codeine, which renders me painfully constipated after only one dose. I swear it was adding Dulcolax to the shopping delivery that got things moving (went before it arrived), but more likely the almost constant liquid intake, pottering between sofa and kettle (and toilet), and the Colpermin. Holding a pillow or a folded up towel across your stomach when you go, or try to go, can help.

Do try and potter about the house, and don't be holding any burps or farts in out of embarassment. That gas has got to work its way out, you'll do yourself no favours if you don't let it out as soon as it wants to escape, and moving about helps prevent it collecting to the point of it causing pain.

Hope you start feeling better soon x

[Em_wilkinson96 in reply to Spireite]

Hello,

I hope your lap went well, even if you could prepare for it, I bet it wasn’t any better and you was still scared for it, I know I was! Big girl pants on or not I was shitting it!

Oh i thought fizzy drinks wouldn’t help buy I may try those as well as some peppermint tea. I haven’t opened my bowels yet so I’m hoping I do that soon but maybe peppermint tea might help that?

Thank you for all of your help and tips for me. Have you suffered with any boob swelling/pain? My right book is swollen and unsure if it is to do with my hormones which are all over the place due to being on next week!

Thank you and hope you recover well too!xx

[Spireite in reply to Em_wilkinson96]

Thanks, recovery from the lap, great, what he found...not so great (stage 4)

Keeping your fluids up in general will be the biggest help in preventing constipation, the peppermint tea is great for soothing your digestive system and helping get rid of the gas pains. I'd not drink too much fizzy, but I can recommend a few swigs if you get that stuck burp feeling. Lactulose is a gentle laxative you can get without prescription, if you think you need something more. Failing that, get in touch with your GP, constipation will just add to your discomfort. I felt a whole lot better once I'd got my digestion restarted.

Can't help you with the sore boob. I used to get them before periods, but as I've hit perimenopause that hasn't happened often. Not had that after the lap, but I'm not showing any of my usual signs of me being about to start.

Hope you start feeling better soon x

[chloehbeaum]

Hello

I was in the same boat as you, and my recovery process was a lot slower than normal.

But I have to say peppermint tea and peppermint capsules really are a life saver!

I hope you are okay and recovering 💓. Dont rush yourself x

[Em_wilkinson96 in reply to chloehbeaum]

Hi Chloe,

So sorry to hear you went through the same thing!

Yeah I’m feeling as though my recovery won’t be getting any better any time soon but it’s best to just take it easy. I am getting peppermint tea today so fingers crossed that will help.

Thank you for messaging 💗