how long will I be off work for a lap op, or for an incession op or for a hystorectomy. My consultant is not sure which I will need

[susanu]

[worth71]

I had my lap two weeks ago, no endo was removed, I was sterilised and had an ablation, I think I'm over the op procedures but I'm in far more pain than previously but I'm putting that down to being messed about with and no actual treatment for endo, but I'm not well enough for work yet, but I reckon I will be next week, but it is different for everybody I would imagine, and as you say if you have a bigger incision then the recovery will be longer, I have three tiny incisions, it will also depend on what work you have done during the lap. As for a hysterectomy whichever way it is done you will need a lot longer off, they say around 8-12 weeks depending on your job, and even heavy lifting or certain heavy tasks (mowing lawn etc) is restricted for 12 months.

[Impatient]

It very much depends on what work you do, and how quickly you recover.

I had a large hole op (laparotomy) and it was 8 weeks before I could drive a car safely though still in pain, probably 3 months before i could lift a chair or lightweight toddler with care, 5 months before lifting 3yr olds.

With a lap op or surgery through the vagina then it will probably be a quicker recovery as you haven't had all your tummy muscles cut.

Even though the wound heals quite quickly on the surface, it can take a long time before the tummy muscles are able to support you when doing activities, such as reaching up, or bending down and restocking shelves, or putting up posters.

But if you are desk bound and tethered to a computer for your work you could probably return to work much sooner than say a teacher or nurse or someone who does light labouring type work.

If you are a bank cashier and expected to lift heavy bags of coin, then 8 weeks is far too soon.

Even with a lap op, where 8 weeks should be enough, that doesn't make allowances for any infections or setbacks if you have overdone the activity one day.

I'd say 8 week if you have to inform an employer, but that you might need a couple more months depending on the type of work you do and the complexity of the op.

If you are booking a holiday - then I'd advise at least 6 months after an op to be sure you can manage with dragging a suitcase off a baggage carousel.

It's hard to judge but don't expect to be running a marathon for several weeks after you have almost been sliced in half. It ain't gonna happen.