Hello,
I'm having a diagnostic laparoscopy for endo next month, and I would like to ask how long is the recovery time after the operation.
I'm reading in some posts here, that some people get 5 or 6 weeks off work post-operation.
Is this for the diagnostic procedure as well?
Many thanks
I had 2 weeks off work and I went on holiday to Cyprus for a week after that so 3 weeks off in total. Recovery wasn't that bad all for me.
Thanks, Stormtrooper4 ! Was this a diagnostic one or was it a follow-up to remove it?
Also, have they told you how long to take off only after the operation (after they know what happened) or is it a standard protocol so you can know in advance?
Going to Cyprus doesn't sound bad at all 😎🔆
It was diagnostic and removal all in one go. I wasn't told how much time off I would need just to see how I felt. I had my surgery on a Saturday as a day case and only saw my surgeon briefly afterwards when I was still in recovery. I had to ring my GP on the Monday to get a sick note and they offered me two weeks so that's what I took.
I know everyone heals differently so just see how you go and if you need longer you need longer. You know your own body and your own capabilities and it also depends on what type of job you do too. I was ok as I work in an office so nothing strenuous. Also, I was back driving two weeks after my lap.
Cyprus was a lovely place to recuperate. My other half carried the luggage and we just relaxed in the sun for a week.
I had a diagnostic lap beginning of december and took 2 weeks off. Honestly, I felt great after 1 week but not quite strong enough to return back to work as my job is quite physical so did 2 just to be completely safe.
You’re not meant to lift anything for 6 weeks afterwards so still avoided that when I returned to work.
But yes, everyone heals differently so play it by ear and don’t force yourself.
Hi! I’m just over a week after my laparoscopy and feel quite rough still in terms of not being able to stand for long, getting out of breath and not being able to stand up straight… I know a lot of people improve quicker though. I had a cyst removed from my right ovary and bowel adhesions.
Saying that, I am getting better each day and see why two weeks is ok if just office work or home based where you can have breaks/sit down often. My job can be quite physical which I think is why the gyno on the day signed me off for four weeks (pre-assessment said it would be 2 weeks initially and the GP would have to approve any more time before this though). Take care of yourself 🙂
Hi Elpis, as the other ladies have mentioned we all recover at different rates. For me, I already had my diagnosis from a previous ultrasound. I then had exploratory surgery where they removed stage 4 endo and 2 large endometriomas.
Recovery went as well as could be for me. I felt fine within a week, was back exercising within 3 and thankfully was able to WFH for 2 of those weeks as my job isn't majorly physical. Just on my feet a lot of the time.
My only piece of advice would be don't compare yourself to others. Take as long as you need to feel right. No point in pushing yourself and ending up worse off down the line.
Best of luck with your upcoming surgery, and here's to a restful recovery 🙏🏻
sorry mine was a few years ago, so it's hard to remember..but i think i had 2 weeks off work, then WFH. I can remember at the time feeling it was taking ages to heal but think after the 2 weeks it was ok, just the scars are still healing so your cautious of tummy. hope everything goes ok x
I’ve just had my second lap first was diagnostics and removal this one was removal. Both times i have been signed off for 2 weeks, i would take both but have done a couple hours of work each day since day 10 after surgery but from home x
hey ! Mine took a while, I had my surgery in September, quite a lot of removal and a cyst removal. It took me about a month to fully feel like I could walk again and then another 3 weeks roughly to feel like I could begin to build strength back. It’s sooo different for everyone, but I would give yourself at least a month to feel back like u could go back to normality. Surgeons don’t 100% know how long recovery will take so they give a 2 week grace period like any surgery, but this surgery is acc considered major so they should give longer. Be patient with it and don’t rush x
My understanding is that if you just have a diagnostic lap you will probably be ok within a few days to a week. If you have any laser work done, you'll need at least 3 weeks, possibly more. I think ablation might well need longer recovery time. I've had laser surgery and definitely needed a few weeks. I can remember struggling to manage carrying a shopping bag and would advise you to take it easy.
hi! Just wanted to say it might be worth checking with your endo specialist that this is definately just diagnostic. I’m currently on a waitlist for surgery and when I asked my doc if they could just use the surgery for diagnostic and not remove anything they find yet he said they don’t do that, if they find something they remove it at the same time (unless there is medical reason not to) so worth checking as recovery could be longer depending on what happens during the surgery. Good luck with yours and I hope you have a speedy recovery xx
I had mine done on the 28th Jan, no endo found but I have all the symptoms … I was given a sick note for 3 weeks but I’ll probs go back to work before then
Hi Elpis, my hospital gave me a two week sick note straight away as standard for them as recovery time after any surgical treatment. I was going in for diagnostic but ended up having a large endo cyst removed from might ovary as well. I took the two weeks which was just about enough but l could have asked my gp for a further week if needed. Xx
hello Elpis_ all the best wishes and hope you get quick recovery.
My surgery was done 24-01-2025 I feeling not too bad but yes get tired very quickly started house chores already and little walks but nothing more than that keep it minimum 2 weeks please and 8 weeks for complete recovery.
my surgery was for deep endometriosis 👍🙌
I think it depends how much they actually do and whether they remove any endo at the same time or just go in there to have a look. My first lap was meant to be to remove a simple cyst before I got my endo diagnosis but they got in there and realised it was actually severe endo so didn’t actually remove anything as my surgeon wasn’t a specialist so I guess that was effectively a diagnostic lap and I think I had about 2 weeks off after that. It might have even been more like 12 days because I was starting a new job and didn’t want to delay it but I was fine after that time, just avoided anything too strenuous.
After my lap to remove the endo I was much worse. I think I had 2 weeks fully off then 2 weeks working from home then I went back on lighter duties so avoided anything too strenuous, but to be honest I could have done with longer off to fully recover but due to a lack of sick pay I pushed myself to go back sooner than I should have. So I would say listen to your body and see how you feel because everyone is different and depending whether they remove any endo at the same time could affect how you feel as well.
Unfortunately I’ve found it’s hard to predict these things and you just have to go with the flow a bit and take it day by day, week by week.
Best of luck and I hope it all goes smoothly for you ☺️
During my laparoscopy I was found to have stage 4 endo so widespread and cysts needed to be removed. Before the surgery I was told I would need 2 weeks off. It was over the Christmas/New year period so I decided to have an extra week off and planned to do some things for fun. Unfortunately my recovery was slower than I expected. I needed to rest for those 3 weeks and then I ended up having to work from home for another 2 weeks. I still had a lot of discomfort and my stomach was really sensitive so I struggled to wear clothes except really loose dresses. I also struggled to sit properly or stand up straight. Everyone is so different and I think it depends on what they end up doing once they’re in there. Sorry, I know that’s not very helpful but if you can you need to take it easy and recovery at your own pace. Good luck with it.
I just had my diagnostic laparoscopy a week ago and technically could get back to work today (I work from home), but as I was given 2 weeks off, I’m taking a full advantage of it (I’m fully aware of what a privilege that is) as I just don’t feel mentally well enough.
I didn’t get the news I wanted (no endo found, oh but there’s lesions unrelated, but you still might have it?!) and it’s been a tough time on me in general, so I’m letting my mind rest and will use this week to recover mentally.
If it’s diagnostic only, you should be well enough after week first, depending on what kind of job you do. But if you can, I would recommend two weeks.
If anything gets treated on the day, your recovery most likely will take longer.
Good luck with everything!
Diagnostic - you could be ok within the week. Mine was excision and I had 2 months off work, but didn't start feeling 100% until 4 months later. Everyone is different though. Do listen to your body. I slept A LOT! and watched a lot of TV/rested. I found it hard to walk more than 10 mins and had a lot of pain/tenderness in my abdomen, meaning I needed help getting dressed, towel-dried, and generally doing stuff at home - but this was due to bowel endo excision.
The op itself wasn't as bad as I thought to be honest but just don't force yourself to get back to normal too quickly, it's not worth it. Just take it easy and do as much or as little as you feel you can
Thank you all so much for taking the time to share your experiences. I truly appreciate your insights. They’ve not only made me feel more prepared but also reminded me that I’m not alone in this. Your support means a lot!
I'm still feeling stressed about the operation which is in 5 days - but I hear from many people that the op was not as bad as they imagined, which is very reassuring.
Wishing a smooth and speedy recovery to everyone who recently had their operation, and best of luck to all of us in finding the answers, diagnoses, and right treatments we’re seeking. Here’s to better health and life quality for us all!
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