Recovery time advice?

[Violentfemme]

Hi all, just wanted to reach out and see if anyone has had a similar experience to me.This time last year I was diagnosed with a 10cm cyst on my ovary and was put on the 'urgent' wait list. After a year of increasing daily pain I've been back and forwards to the doctor and to a&e. In the summer I was told my ovaries were attached behind my uterus, effecting my bowel as well and when I finally get called in for surgery I would lose my ovary.

Well 49 weeks later I have finally been given my surgery date for early April! Very anxious but also glad to finally get the thing out and hopefully get a formal diagnosis.

Has anyone had a similar procedure and what was your experience of healing?

I work as a retail manager so have a relatively active job (on my feet all day). I

spoke to my manager today and she was very understanding considering the short turnaround but I was just hoping to get some more clarity about the healing time after a surgery like this.

[Fizzypoptastic]

Hi,

I had a laparoscopy on 07.03.23 during which they found deep infiltrating stage 4 endo. They removed a 10cm cyst. My right tube had to be removed as that was blocked. My ovaries were pulled back & stuck to the back wall. They removed extensive endo from around the ovaries & uterus. I also have a significant plaque near my rectum which isn’t currently causing any problems so that was left.

They also found my left ureter was a bit dusky so I need to go for a scan relating to that next month.

It’s been 10 days since surgery & I’m taking it easy. I still have pain on my left side where I have two incisions (I have 4 in total). I move a bit slower than normal too at the moment so I’m not rushing.

I have a six week sick note. The doctor suggested 4/5 weeks so I asked for the maximum.

[Violentfemme in reply to Fizzypoptastic]

Thank you so much for your response, sounds like we have a very similar situation! When I had my initial appointment the consultant suggested 6-8 weeks but said cos I was "young and healthy" (I'm 33) it would probably be sooner. I know I'm not very good at listening to my body so I think I will perhaps need to take my time as well.I hope you aren't feeling too unwell, Wishing you a speedy recovery ☺️

[Fizzypoptastic in reply to Violentfemme]

Aww thank you. I turned 43 last week so am hardly a spring chicken. 😁

This was my first op too.

Good luck with your operation & your job definitively sounds more active than mine so I would go for maximum time off to recover fully. 😌

[AMJ88]

Hi Violetfemme,

I had a 20cm cyst removed in 2019, (30 at the time) they removed the ovary and left tube. I initially had a 2 week note from Drs however did get an infection so had almost 4 weeks off on total. However when I went back to work I still wasn't okay and probably should have had another week or so off.

Listen to your body, make sure you take the time to heal. Inside and out ❤️.

Good luck xx

[Violentfemme in reply to AMJ88]

Wow that feels like no time at all! I have quite a long commute to work into London so that's another factor I'm a bit worried about. I think I'm feeling extra anxious because this is my first time having surgery so I have no idea what to expect. I might make a list of questions to take to my pre-op appointment. Hope you are feeling well now! I sort of can't wait to get the thing out haha x

[AMJ88]

The commute is the worst to be fair, I travelled an hour each way by bus and every bump was felt. It was my first surgery too and it was the aftercare I found let it all down. Dr literally said weve removed things and you have Endo and left. Get your list ready xx

[Leanne102]

Hey!

I had exactly this probelm and am 2 weeks post op. Initially went in thinking I'd have 3 relatively easy areas to fix, but I ended up having extensive endometriosis on both ovaries, a 4cm cyst on one and they were box stuck to the back of my uterus which had to be detached, among a few other things.

I spent 2 days in the hospital and ended up having to have a catheter for a week because my bladder was a little lazy and slow to respond. Pain wise, it hasn't been too bad. I've been keeping a routine of codeine and paracetamol and that keeps on top of it for the most part. I did have a coil fitted while I was under, so I'm not entirely sure if my cramps are my ovaries healing or the coil kicking in, but I'd say cramps are feeling mild to mid on the scale of things for me. Today has been the worst day and I'm on day 15.

Moving around, I can manage to potter but I'm getting tired very quickly so trying not to push myself too much and mostly resting in bed for the majority of the day.

If you have any questions I'll be happy to answer! 🙂