endo surgery

[Jenny_91-]

Hi there- just found this platform and keen to reach out for some support.

After years of being misdiagnosed with IBS and extremely painful periods, a scan and following MRI suggested 4 endometriomas on r ovary (6.5cm, 4cm, 3cm and 2cm) and left ovary stuck to back of uterus. Also adenomyosis.

My surgery is due on the 22nd feb, and I am looking for any advice going into it. How to stay grounded and the right questions to ask at the right time.

specialist has mentioned a distended right tube, so she said it’s likely that will have to come out, and she will try her best to save r ovary. Whilst she is there they will test patency of other tube to see as we have been TTC. Obvious anxiety about that.

I also have teathering with uterus and rectum from scans.

Thanks for the support in advance, this has felt like such a lonely hard journey up to this point, and very grateful to be finally heard regarding pain.

X

[BlackcurrentSquash]

I am glad you have finally got a diagnosis- even though it’s not a very nice one, it’s still good to have answers as to why you’re in so much pain.

I had my surgery not too long ago.

I would highly recommend peppermint tea, or supplements as they really helped me with the pain in shoulders etc from the gas they use in surgery.

A really important thing is to let yourself recover fully before going back into stuff, it’s very easy to feel guilty about resting but it is essential for your recovery, do not push yourself. Everyone recovers differently, and as your endo is sounding quite severe, you will need as much rest as you possibly can get!

I wish you well with your surgery my love

[Jenny_91- in reply to BlackcurrentSquash]

Thankyou so much for your response, I really appreciate it, and makes me feel less alone!

The peppermint tea is such a good shout, I will be sure to take some tea bags in with me.

The recovery is so hard to predict as it’s my first surgery, so advice to take it slow feels really useful.

x

[PINKSHRIMP456 in reply to BlackcurrentSquash]

I couldn't agree with you more, you really must rest after. I had it done last September.

I thought going into it, it was a small non evasive surgery and it was no fuss and no big deal.

I was wrong, I don't want to scare you but I was quite shocked at how painful it was, it was for me anyway. I also kept throwing up afterwards, I was so dizzy and I couldn't eat, but this might be because of the aesthetic it wore off a few days later.

You need a whole week at least in bed doing absolutely nothing, you must sleep and rest! I was exhausted.

No working, no cleaning etc nothing!.

You may need longer if yours is worse.

They tell you that to avoid blood clots that you need to walk so do follow this advice but nothing strenuous.

They told me what they had found and removed when I had came round from the general anaesthetic but I did not take it in because I was still half asleep, so make sure they write to your GP with the notes because I had to call up after and ask.

Also ask them what the follow up procedure is.

Hope it all goes well ❤️

[16yearsofpainsofar in reply to PINKSHRIMP456]

I'm due to see the gynae next month (had to postpone the last one as I fell pregnant). We will be discussing a laparoscopy, which we previously discussed before I was pregnant. My daughter will be crawling and maybe toddling around by the time I have surgery. Is it really that painful and difficult to recover from? I won't be able to rest as I have to look after an active baby.

[PINKSHRIMP456 in reply to 16yearsofpainsofar]

For me it was awful, I felt horrendous even after the one week of rest, but I am not sure how you will feel. My friend was off work after it for several weeks to recover. I don't have children, do you have anyone who can help with the baby? I know personally I wouldn't have been able to look after or pick a baby up straight after the surgery, but it depends what they find and how much they remove. I had four different incisions and they removed quite a lot, we are all different, I may have a low pain threshold. I really hope that you don't feel too bad after it. I definitely think you will need to discuss after care before having the procedure.

[16yearsofpainsofar in reply to PINKSHRIMP456]

PINKSHRIMP456 Avourneen thank you for the heads up! Gosh I didn't think it took a month or longer to recover. I knew it'd take a while to heal but I thought I'd be able to function somewhat (whilst still being in pain) after a week or so. I might have to discuss my partner taking annual leave.

[Avourneen in reply to 16yearsofpainsofar]

I'd say you would need about 6 weeks to recover, it's not unlike having a cesarian if you have a lot of excision. The scars aren't big on the outside but they can be a lot of healing to take place inside and you aren't allowed to lift anything heavy, like a baby. If I were you I would see if you can get a family member to stay with you for a month or two and help you while you recover.

But if you only have a little bit of endo and they don't have to do much pulling cutting around inside it might be a much shorter recovery time. It depends on how much work they do and I don't think doctors are sure of what they will have to cut oout until they get in there. Please try to get a friend to help or ask your partner to take a couple of weeks off at the very least.Good luck.

[Jenny_91- in reply to PINKSHRIMP456]

Thanks so much for the reply and advice, its really hard to know what to expect. I understand mindset wise, I cant control the outcome, but what I can do is create as much space and support as I can for when I return home!

So helpful thankyou! x

[PINKSHRIMP456 in reply to Jenny_91-]

Hope you have a speedy recovery ❤️ let me know how you get on xx