Recovery from Ovarian cyst removal

[LadyGnome]

I'm having an ovarian cyst removed by laparoscopy the week after next. I was wondering how long it took people to recover from the op?

The cyst isn't particularly large but it's causing quite a bit of pain hence removal rather than wait and see.

[EvilHerbivore]

Hi, I had this about 4 years ago (and am going in to have the other side done in a month!)
For me, it was really painful for 3-4 days and then quite painful for about a week afterwards, especially when standing up/rolling over in bed/going up and down stairs
Felt OK but sensitive after about 3 weeks and completely back to normal after 6-ish weeks, however I was pregnant at the time and so it was all still being stretched/pulled at by baby, under "normal" circumstances it may well be quicker
Good luck

[LadyGnome]

Thanks and good luck. I want to manage expectations in work so they don't expect me back sooner than is realistic.

[tak1ngchances]

I've had two laparoscopies to diagnose & treat endometriosis.

Both times I took a full week off work and then worked from home the following week. It was very sore for maybe 2 - 3 days, then sore for the rest of the week, then tender the week after - but I found that I got tired very quickly and needed plenty of rest hence working from home.

I think it's very wise to give yourself as much time as you can to recover properly and to manage expectations at work upfront.

Best of luck with the surgery and let me know if you have any other questions, more than happy to help!

[lunar1]

I was ok after about 5 days and my cyst was huge. I was on mat leave at the time but the consultant would have written me a sick note for 4 weeks as I'm a nurse and there is lots of manual handling.

[PandaNot]

I had mine done at the same time as my 2nd cs so it's hard to tell but it was painful for quite a while longer than my 1st cs.

[EvilHerbivore]

Depends on how 'physical' your job is as to how long you'll need off tbh, I've booked a month off but Im a youth worker so on your feet all the time and sometimes have to break up fights etc, for desk based job, you might need less leave?

[defineme]

I had keyhole cyst removal, went home same day and honestly felt fine in 48 hours.
However, I was 25, had no kids and was between jobs!
I am 39 now, had a total hysterectomy (not keyhole-scar from belly button all the way down) 6 weeks ago and still don't feel well now! I don't know if the difference is age, 3 kids or nature of op, but couldn't have gone to work until this week.

[LadyGnome]

These replies are really helpful because I didn't really know what to expect. I knew it would be better than my c section years ago but didn't know how much better.

I have a desk job so it's not strenuous. I'm having the op on a Tuesday so I think I will warn them that I am likely to be off for the rest of that week and the week after. I'm mid 40s, with an old c section scar and suspected endometriosis so I'm not sure it's going to be a quick in and out.