Recovery 4+ weeks

[EverlongFoos]

I’ve had a hysterectomy, bilateral oopherectomy and excision of endometriosis.

Is it normal 4+ weeks on to feel like you are moving one step forward and two steps back with recovery? Yesterday I only needed 1 tramadol + regular paracetamol + ibuprofen, but today I’ve already had to have a tramadol and looking like I’ll need 3 to get me through!

I will add I have a very active 3 year old who I ended up having to share a bed with last night as he woke up screaming. We are staying at my parents so I can get help with him whilst recovering and so my husband can work, but my parents are in their 70s so realistically I am having to do a fair bit with my son.

I was hoping to go back to work after 6 weeks but not sure now if that’s going to be likely-although I might actually get some rest at work 🤪

[SophieA]

Hi EverlongFoosWe've talked before! Hope the surgery went well. Yes it is totally normal to have food days and bad. It is still early days .

I had totally hysterectomy in October (one ovary removed) and was off work for 3 months and I don't have kids so could take things a lot easier than you probably can!

I think it's worth remembering too that some days you'll feel it if you've done more the day before. Sleep (or lack of!) is also definitely gonna play a role too. I definitely had days where the pain or fatigue was worse after doing more the day before.

Don't rush yourself back into work if you don't have to add it's important to heal well, though totally get what you mean it may be welcome break!!

[EverlongFoos in reply to SophieA]

Thanks for your reply. The surgery went well and my external wounds have healed but internally still sore. I think realistically I am going to have to delay being back at work for a week or two, my plan was to go back after 8 weeks! My little one has been a proper threenager today which hasn’t helped so I have definitely overdone it.

[SophieA in reply to EverlongFoos]

Yeah, I think a lot of stuff out there suggests recovery is quicker than the reality, but it's not "just" a hysterectomy with endo in the mix it's a lot more complex surgery that will take time to heal. Ha ha, yeah I can imagine it's almost impossible to not overdo it with athreenager to contend with! Hope you have some downtime

[PotatoSalad]

I had excision surgery involving my bowel in Jan, had 10 weeks off, went back on a phased return last week and have never regretted anything so much in my life.

Listen to your body! We need a lot longer to recover than we think, this is my second surgery and I wish I’d listened to my gut more instead of my guilt

[brontec]

As above, listen to your body. It knows best and the surgery is a very major one so listen even more carefully.

[1Poppy1234]

I had the same on 23rd sept 24 and it took me till January to go back to work and even then I'm only part time and I struggled it's only since the middle of February that I've started to feel normal again. You have to give yourself time to heal inside and you have a lot to deal with at home with a young one too. Be kind to yourself and rest when you can. 🥰

[EverlongFoos]

thanks for the replies-been in a lot of pain today so clearly been doing too much. Thankfully my parents stepped in when they saw how much pain I was in and I’m under strict orders to stop doing so much. Xx

[Regenallotment]

for comparison purposes I wanted to share that I’ve just had 3 weeks off for diagnostic lap only. Literally only took photos in there. I’m 51 with grown up kids and a very attentive husband who works from home.

Despite this massive contrast to your way more invasive procedure I’ve had up and down days and went back to work half day today, you absolutely must take it easy and rest. I recommend a short daily walk if you can manage it. Last 2-3 days I have really bounced back, recovery is swift when your body is ready.

Those grandparents will be dying to do more for you, encourage it, I think you may need a few more weeks of reminding yourself you are still a patient.

Phased return to work maybe a better option, a few hours a day in week 9-10 maybe gradually increasing or the full 12 weeks of you can get signed off 🤗