post laparoscopy recovery- bleeding and pain

[Emerlee]

hello!

I had my first laparoscopy 3 weeks ago where I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectovaginal endometriosis. They excosised the superficial leisions during surgery.

Surgeon said the operation went well and was fairly straightforward. I have a follow up appointment with him in a month.

Since the surgery I have had continued bleeding and pain (my usual flare up pain- lower back, abdominal pain, deep vaginal pain, bowel and bladder symptoms as well as a lot of fatigue and recovery from the surgery in my stomach too).

I wanted to know if others have experienced this too after surgery and how long was the pain/bleeding/recovery for you?

I’m still signed off work…

[Nina-Blue]

Hello Emerlee,

It seems we may be surgery buddies… I too had my first laparoscopy 3 weeks ago and I am still signed off work. Feeling guilty as it is taking much longer than I thought and a little overwhelmed by the world I have just joined having found quite a bit of endometriosis (lesions in many places overies/bowels/outside and parts fused together - I am sure there are some proper words I have read for this but…) and been diagnosed.

I cannot offer much help only to say I am still feeling symptoms and a little concerned and interested too if this is most likely normal. I have felt a little overwhelmed by all I have found whilst looking a little more into all of it, but I guess this is normal! I am in pain still too, although my symptoms are less than yours. Constant dragging/pulling pain, sharp pain when moving and sometimes even sitting. Cannot really stand straight yet or for long, I’m fact than pain radiates into the tops of my legs sometimes too. But the pain is constantly there and sometimes sharp. And yes fatigue is a little intense. Also some nausea/dizziness but it is getting less now. I did go back to the hospital for them to look over and they said I had a bit done and it was probably going to be at least 6weeks, a little bit of a shock but by the sounds of things perhaps normal! Although I hope to at least start working from home soon. I think my follow up is the end of the month but my sign off ends soon so I will see how I am doing and if I can start back from home soon…

I’m sorry I cannot offer much help only that you are not alone and we are not alone… perhaps someone a little more advanced in their journey can offer some experience!

I have so many more questions but I actually have felt a little too emotional and overwhelmed by things to start to process it all really. I guess it is a journey but it is really a comfort to know we are not alone.

Again sorry I could not be much help!

All the best.

[Emerlee in reply to Nina-Blue]

thank you so much for responding Nina-blue! It means a lot to hear from someone else who is also struggling at this stage. I have also felt quite emotionally overwhelmed by it too at times (well at many times over the last year particularly but also during the last 3 weeks). It’s difficult to have come out of surgery with the hope that I will feel better and to be in so much pain. I am really hopeful that it’s just early stages after the op and things will get better but there is also the occasional panic of ‘what if it doesn’t get better?!’

I’m due to go back To start working from home on Monday on a phased return, although my work have been great and I can ask for another week off from the doctor if I need it.

Very tricky as each day is a bit of an unknown. Some days I wake up in extreme pain and can’t do anything and others I’m functioning a lot more. I it’s a bit pot luck at the moment!

Thanks again for your message, if it helps to keep in touch to have someone to talk to then I’m happy to 🙂

[Nina-Blue in reply to Emerlee]

Ah no problem at all, I am sorry for the slow reply, I think my recovery is just as you have described incredibly up and down. Thank you for your reply also, you really have described everything perfectly and I feel just the same! It really does feel that way totally, so many future what if's! I am very glad not to feel alone! It is amazing how it can make you feel this way as so few understand what we go through.

Ah yes I am due to start working from home too for the next two weeks to phase me back in. I hope they will be understanding when I return it is always such a worry and I am riddled with guilt to be honest. They seem to be understanding so far but I have this feeling they don't understand 'fully' if you know what I mean. Fingers crossed it will be okay. :/

And thank you so much also and you too if you ever want to message to talk more It is such a lovely thing we have found in this community with others that truly understand what we go through.