Post laparoscopy tips

[Zara2029]

Hi, I had my first laparoscopy on the 20th March and struggling a lot with post op pain and coming to terms with my endo diagnosis. Any tips or tricks for making the first few post surgery weeks easier?

[Hidden]

Hi Zara,- Indulge in outfits with no pressure around the waist

- Ergonomic chair that can tilt back to take pressure off stomach

- Pillow wedge to sleep at night

- Allow time to heal

- Avoid lifting heavy things

- Move around a bit (if going for a walk, and there are sharp twinges, it was probably a bit too far or too fast)

- Ginger supplement tablets - good for cramps & digestive health, also anti-inflammatory

- Rest when it's needed - break up tasks into small sections & rest between

- Indulge in fun distractions that take little energy (I'm guilty of building houses for SIMs on the computer, but it helped me to rest & recover, while taking my mind off my body or the problems in the world)

- Explore the endometriosis UK site to gather info about learning how to manage endometriosis to feel more in control of the situation

- Follow up with healthcare providers about pain management, hormonal treatment, surgery (general topics, I know, but you'll know where you are with these) - when you have the energy

- See about referral to dietician - I was baffled by the types of diet advice there are - anti inflammatory, endo diet, low Fodmap, supplements. I'll check to see about making a plan

Hope some of those ideas might be interesting. 💚

[Zara2029 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much, great tips. Have ordered a pillow wedge !

[Moon_maiden]

Lots of rest, no lifting things. What pain relief did they give you?

I left the hospital with Nefopam as I didn’t want opiates. It worked at the time, had a bit of a fight with GP as they are more expensive 😂 I was spending more of their budget 🤣

[Zara2029 in reply to Moon_maiden]

I’m on co-codamol and ibuprofen

[Moon_maiden in reply to Zara2029]

How are you today? Hope you slept well 🙂If you don’t find those painkillers are doing enough speak to your GP, even if it’s something stronger, it’ll only be short term.

[wanwood]

Be kind to yourself, take it easy and get lots of rest! Don’t push yourself too hard or compare your recovery to other people’s. Get help from people and let the inessential stuff go. No cleaning! Wear comfy clothes and buy some if necessary. It’s a lot to process but you will start to get your head around it. Your diagnosis doesn’t have to define you or your life. You can get through this, one day at a time xx

[Claire_Alexandra]

Hope things are improving slowly for you! I’m two weeks post lap and generally feeling more with it haven’t quite gone back to work and slow glad I didn’t after the first week and took suggested fortnight off. Take time for you it’s been the mental health wobbles more than physical this week and I needed that time and it’s okay to have taken it. If you can do that for yourself too. I’m treating myself to a daily beach walk and coffee for at least an hour every day now and it’s helped a lot!