Laparoscopy Booked - Recovery Time?

[Cats1311]

I’ve finally got a date for surgery which is in a few weeks time. I’m worried with work (hoping to start a new job!) with the time off afterwards. Surgeon has said minimum 2 weeks and could be 4 weeks. He said if he finds stage 4 which he believes I will have due to bowel endo he can’t do that then and I will be booked in for a further date to remove part of my colon. But just for the diagnosis and hopefully remove stage 1/2 endo I’m wondering how long you all have had for recovery? I’m also having a few 5-6cm polyps removed from my womb and tested for cancer too although not sure if that will affect recovery too? Thanks!

[ForABabyPanda]

6 weeks for an exploratory lap, 9 for excision, both with phased return to work. Hope this helps. Plan for more than tbey say, better to go back to work earlier than expected than to say 2 weeks and be off 4-6+

[Starry1977]

Depending on your job I wasn't too bad after 2 weeks, apart from tired. So I'd say 3 weeks. But everyone is different. I had an endometrioma removed and my ovaries unstuck and endo taken off bladder wall. Other endo like you was too severe to sort at that time. I was home that night and only took paracetamol and ibuprofen. Good luck

[Rock-Cat]

I had 6-7 weeks off work for excision surgery then phased return for 4 weeks after that. I had stage 2/3 endo . I had bad reaction to anesthetic and couldn't shift the fatigue from it for 6 weeks. Give yourself time to recover and don't rush back to work, a half decent employer will understand. Recovery is usually longer than doctors say in my experience.

[Completer40]

Hi, I had 3 laps and was always okay ish after 10 days. Really tired the first week but felt back to normal after 2 weeks. The last two were intense in that they removed extensive endo. I know everyone is different but I hope that helps

[M1673402]

currently on day 6 post second surgery for stage 4 deep infiltrating endo with bowel involvement, surgeon did a lot and honestly I don’t feel too bad at all! Able to manage with painkillers and rest but I imagine if I really wanted I could go back to work within a week or two, everyone is different though! Agree it’s better to ask for more time and go back early

[Fizzypoptastic]

Hi there,

I had surgery just over 3 weeks ago for stage 4 endometriosis where they removed DIE from uterus, ovaries etc & removed my right tube and an endometrioma (10cm). I am off for a further three weeks. I feel 65% better. I do need to rest often.

I echo the sentiments of others not to rush back to work and to allow yourself to heal properly first.

Good luck!

[RWilliamson]

Thanking for posting this as was wondering the same! I have just started a new job too, make sure to ask for an occupational health assessment so you can be up front with needing time off. Hope it all goes well x