Feeling blue after laparoscopy?

[Twosugars]

Hi all, first post here. Early 30s, I had my second lap a week ago, they found and removed adhesions from my bowel, ligaments and appendix. I was kept in overnight but I've been doing ok physically. My wounds are healing although I'm still pretty sore on the inside, as if my insides are bruised or like I have a bad stitch if that makes sense??

Anyway I've just been feeling quite sad and teary the last 3 days. I'm a bit overwhelmed with it all (my lap a few years ago had minimal endo so I'm adjusting to how much its spread) and I'm due back in work tomorrow. My job is quite a taxing role in healthcare with a good bit of responsibility so I don't feel ready to go back. I'm relieved to see most posts here say 2 weeks minimum off work after a lap so think I'll ring my doc in the morning to ask for another week so I can rest a bit more.

I'm rambling now but has anyone else felt quite sad and tearful a week after?? I cried a lot after the procedure but I'm just feeling overwhelmed and low now, quite tearful and anxious. We've been having fertility issues too which doesn't help although my husband has been great.

So nice to read through other posts here and know I'm not alone in this journey.

[Sunflower16]

Sorry to hear your feeling low. Having surgery and Endo it’s self isn’t just a physical but emotional rollercoaster. It can be very overwhelming and difficult to process when your told how much it has spread and worried about your fertility. I also find the come down from the pain relief horrific I mean once I actually felt suicidal (thinking back it was definitely the withdrawal of the strong pain medication although I was in for 7 days and pumped with it) definitely take more time off work and don’t go back until you feel ready and be kind to yourself x

[Twosugars in reply to Sunflower16]

Thank you, God you poor thing that sounds so rough what you went through. Yes it's the emotional piece too isn't it, I think I just felt so overwhelmed at how much its spread and that's a good point about the strong pain meds, I hadn't thought of that. I'm off for another week which is a big relief too x

[MagicTea]

Hi, yes when I had my lap last year that’s exactly how I felt really sad and low. It did pass though. About a week I felt like it. I had 3 weeks off work so I’d definitely recommend asking for at least 2 weeks for the sick note. I think that may take some pressure off you worrying about work. If you go back too soon could make yourself feel worse. Hope you feel better soon. The sadness will pass 💕

[Twosugars in reply to MagicTea]

Thank you, yes it's just that sadness, I'm so glad to know it's not just me and that it'll pass. I'll be due my period in the coming days so that's prob not helping either! I have another week off work now so will see how I feel towards the end of this week x

[ZiggyandBC]

Hey, I haven’t had my lap yet as I’m still waiting but I think it’s completely normal to be emotional! I get emotional just thinking about it and I know I’m going to be very tearful afterwards! I hope you have a fast recovery but don’t rush yourself to get back into work until you’re ready. ❤️

[Twosugars in reply to ZiggyandBC]

Thanks for replying, I hope your lap goes well. I was so tearful and emotional for the 24 hours after it so no harm that you're prepared for a few tears on the day! I have another week off work so will take it easy for the next few days and just try to allow myself to feel what I feel. I'm not normally this emotional so that's why I'm surprised but I suppose I have to remember what my body has been through! Best of luck with your lap, I hope it goes well, it'll be great to have it done x

[st07]

Hi! I’m in there with you, slightly over a week after my first lap and riding out this emotional rollercoaster: one moment I feel fine, another one I’m totally overwhelmed with the fact I now have been diagnosed with this condition I will have to deal with for the rest of my life. I think it’s totally normal to feel like that. I have been signed off for 4 weeks and have decided to take most if not all and and after this decision I have felt emotionally significantly better since I don’t feel like I need to do all the research and pack all the processing in a week and then move on with my life, it’s almost like I’m allowed this time to come to terms with it and not having to pretend nothing happened. I’m sure if you ask your gynae or gp they will give you more time off, don’t be afraid to ask for it, it will definitely do you good.

[Twosugars in reply to st07]

Yes that's exactly how I feel, one minute I'm ok because the pain is lessening and I feel back to myself but then it hits me about the reality of the diagnosis and what it means for me given that I'm still relatively young. I think I was so fixated on the surgery itself that I wasn't prepared for the diagnosis and what it means for me long term.I have this week off too now which is big relief so I'm just going to give myself time to manage how I feel both emotionally and physically and I'll see how I am at the end of this week! Thank you for replying, hope you are doing ok X

[st07 in reply to Twosugars]

Glad you have this week off, just relax and give yourself time to heal and process as much as you can. I think I was the same as you: I didn't even care about the outcome of the surgery, I was too worried about the procedure itself so a lot of what came after I was not prepared for. Also, don't put too much pressure on yourself to feel physically well, I found that I have a few days when I am very well and starting to wonder why I'm off work and then I have days like today when I am weak and exhausted to a point that leaving bed is not worth it - both of these kinds are okay