Has anyone had a Laparotomy?

[Finch82]

Hi

I posted on here a few weeks ago as I'd just gotten scan results showing a 10cm dermoid/endometrioma.

Saw gynaecologist today who says it's too big and hard to be removed using key hole and I'd have to have a laparotomy. This was not the news I wanted. The operation will be happening sometime in July and I'm a teacher coming to the end of the most stressful year I've had in the profession. I was so looking forward to my summer holiday but now it will be spent recovering from this op.

Would really like to know exactly what to expect (really, really, give me the good and the bad-I'm hoping that if it happens at the beginning of July I might get the last week or two to book a nice holiday and the more horrible it's going to be, the more I'm willing to spend on my credit card for the holiday).

Any information would be really appreciated.

Thank you

[southchinasea]

Hi I had a laparotomy for a 30+cm cyst and I'd say don't underestimate the surgery and be kind to yourself! It was manageable but I was very tired afterwards and needed some help and moral support at home, especially for the first 2-3 weeks. It got much better after 5-6 weeks and I could go for walks etc quite early on but in retrospect should have rested more and pushed myself less! Also a teacher and I wasn't really ready to go back to full time work after 6 weeks recovery. I'd say more realistic to have aimed for phased return from 2 months and full time from 3. Big pants were useful so as not to rub the scar, and yoga bottoms with a high waist rather than jeans for the first couple of weeks. Good luck and do feel free to ask if you think of other things, I'm trying to remember more to help!

[Finch82]

30+cm???? Mine is only 10cm. You poor thing. Thank you so much for responding. The yoga pants is great advice.

[southchinasea]

It was too big to measure accurately on the mri- ridiculous! But fluid filled, so a bit different to yours. Another thing that was useful was stocking up the freezer with meals so I didn't have to cook- lifting heavy pans etc- and rearranging the kitchen a bit so I didn't have to bend down or stretch up or twist. Sounds silly but loading and unloading the dishwasher was surprisingly tricky at first! Having a chair by the bed was good to hold onto, rolling in and out- I don't recommend trying to sit up from lying down at first... you do feel as if you've been punched hard in the stomach and takes a while to get some core muscles back. I was quite bruised and achey but off strong painkillers quickly- more a slow and steady recovery. The scar healed easily and is fairly subtle and stitches were out after less than a week I think. Had a couple of nights in hospital. A relaxing holiday at the end of it all sounds a really good idea, great to have something to look forward to.