Laparoscopy recovery time - how long?

[laparoscopyrecovery]

Hi,

I posted in women's health but got no replies, so just posting for traffic.

I had a laparoscopy a week ago for suspected endometriosis. Nothing was found unfortunately, so no treatment was done, it was just a diagnostic/investigative procedure. I've had two incisions, one in my belly button and one below on my knicker line (roughly where a C section cut is made). I was expecting to be fully recovered by now given this is minor keyhole surgery? However I'm still finding a lot of pain and discomfort when I'm up and about for too long . I'm finding it particularly difficult to stand up straight or go too quickly from sitting to standing, I'm feeling very tight uncomfortable pains across my lower stomach. There is minimal bruising on my incision sites, but I can feel the pain quite often on mobilising.

Can anyone advise if this sounds within the realms of normal? Or should I be totally pain free after a week?

Thank you.

Probably a question for your surgical team. Do they still do post-surgical reviews nowadays? If not, speak to your GP but I would start by calling the admin in the department where you had your surgery.
Nobody can really advise you here as we don't know the details of your procedure.

Thanks @Catza, sadly the surgeon has discharged me now. Might have to call the GP tomorrow but I just wondered what other women had experienced.

I had one years ago and tbh I can't really remember detailed timings, but what I do remember is that they use gas to distend your abdomen enough to get a good look, and that the pain you are feeling isn't the surgery itself but bloating caused by the gas. I think it irritates your diaphragm until it dissipates, which can cause referred pain.

I don't recall a long recovery and my feeling is that what you're experiencing is normal and nothing to worry about unduly. I would prescribe rest and TLC but IANAD and ofc you should call for follow-up advice if things don't settle.

I had one and was off work for 3 weeks but was on really strong antibiotics as well which made me feel rough.

Think it takes longer than expected to recover even though it's key hole. Hope you feel better soon.

Thank you both. Sounds like this might just be normal recovery then and I'll have to ride it out. I'm used to being very active so it's frustrating. But not much I can do!

I’ve had a section and 3x laparoscopies. I found one of the laps a lot worse than the section. The other two were ok. With the bad one I was in bed a week and was in so much pain I thought they’d damaged me inside. I think mintec tablets helped with the next two.