To be stressed that I'm offered one chance at a laparoscopy during the worst month?

[LorettaYoung]

I've been on the lap waiting list for two years now and finally called up for surgery. For the most part I have managed possible endometriosis with medication but its lost effectiveness off in the last year.

Being called up for this in March is a nightmare for two reasons - as a mature student, it is major assessments month. I'll be flat out. The hospital has said they could offer the very end of the month once these pass which is something.

But the other main issue is I started a new job 1 month ago and its very casual, so I doubt they will take kindly to me taking time off. What worries me is that the hospital says recovery is one week but I've been hearing stories on here of much longer. I need the job right now.

It is a private hospital offering this as they're helping the NHS clear their waiting list. They stated they only offer me slots per contract until end of March and after that I might be removed from the list completely if I don't do this! I'm so stressed as I can't see how I'm going to fulfil everything at once.

I feel it isn't the right time to do the op but fear this is my only chance. Thoughts?

I think it’s true that the budgets can dry up and change which means the waiting list reverts fully to the nhs provision. Best check though

In terms of the tutoring it’s a case of how could you make it work? How many hours a we is it and can it be done remotely? Could you do a load of preparation so that delivering the lessons is relatively easy? Do you know anyone who could cover for you?

It’s physical discomfort and as you wfh I suspect you should be able to power on through after the first few days. I have had two laparoscopies, I was off two weeks each for both of them because I was in a long term job and wfh wasn’t a thing. I felt pretty well after I recovered from the general anaesthetic on about day 4.

@Abracadabra12 oh that's encouraging! thanks.

I've read that if it's just diagnostic, it's simple, but if they find endo and laser it off on the spot, recovery can be longer.

In England they get paid a set amount for agreeing to undertake operations on a certain number of patients in a particular timeframe. You may be right about them being keen to have you included, particularly if you're reasonably fit and healthy and likely to be a "cheaper" patient. Locally patients were declined for being over a certain age, weight, having health conditions etc. It wasn't cost-effective for the private sector to take them.

I'd contact the hospital who added you to the list for clarification before making a decision.

We’ve had the same, (not for the same condition). In the end we took the date rather than get kicked out and need a new referral. Annoyingly and for us costly but pleased that treatment was done.

I think you're massively overthinking this, I've had three laparoscopies, one diagnostic but two with significant work done, the diagnostic I took paracetamol for a day and was then completely fine. The two where I had a lot of endo removed and some other stuff was a bit more tender, but I had one quieter day working at home then was back to a gentle version of normal, with pain relief.

I am a MASSIVE wimp so hopefully this is reassuring?!

I have had lots of this type of surgery and was able to work the next day. If you tutor from home then I cannot see the problem. Also, with college work, you may find the op is probably far less intrusive than a bad bout of endo.

Is it your first op? If so, I would recommend not reading up about it on endo forums as some people won't be as focused as you are on college and work and will feel able to take 3 weeks off.

Did you miss my earlier post where I had a MASSIVE ovary extracted, long surgery, knife-edge recovery and was back at work in three days?

People post more threads about problems than about success stories! If everyone on this thread, just today, started our own threads about the amazing wonders of modern surgical procedures, your MN search would look very different 🙂

If you’ve been waiting two years you have to go for it when offered. And prioritise your health. Uni and work will have to understand. Employees and students are humans

Laparoscopy - recovery time | Mumsnet

it's threads like this that make me realise how variable it is. I haven't had an op since i was about 9 years old so no, not something I'm used to.

I've had this exact surgery and they found endo and removed as much as they could during the surgery.

Best thing I ever did. (I will prob need it again soon bit got years of benefit from it).

I had 2 weeks certified off work.

One would absolutely have done.

I was discharged same day.
Felt delicate for 2 days - stomach felt like it had been punched but not badly.
It's mainly just tenderness, same as any other surgery.
No lifting boxes, no training etc.

You have to mind yourself and allow yourself recovery similar to most surgery.

The two weeks recovery is so you don't do any stupid stuff as opposed to you being ill and bedbound.

You will be able to do assigmnents and tutor online. Maybe not first 48 hours but certainly thereafter.

Have you had your appendix out? It's no worst than that.

It's far easier deal with the recovery than most endo flare ups which do impact ability to work.

I’ve had two laparoscopic surgeries in the last few years and I’m a teacher. I needed two weeks recovery from each- which is the longer end of recovery, because of an infection in the first and complications in the second. However, I think I would have been able to tutor after one week if I was resting apart from that. If you have everything prepared pre surgery, I imagine you’d be able to just miss one week of tutoring. And possibly you could offer to do two slots on week before or after to compensate for missing one?

Ps - my laparoscopies were for endo/ovarian cysts too.

The private hospital will not be able to book beyond the end of March because the arrangement they have will be for the current financial year with no certainty about what's beyond that. You could try scheduling for the end of March and then asking to push it back into April as the date gets closer. Personally I would go for it though. I've been on the waiting list for 14 months (with 18 months before that of fighting to get answers, and a lifetime of unusally painful periods) and I'm desperate to be seen!

I'm very surprised you are even contemplating postponing.

Are you not in agony and severe pain?

Sorry if I seem harsh but I think you are bonkers. Most people have been years begging for surgery and having a lot wait.

If it’s an exploratory/diagnostic lap then you will be fine to return to work after 48hrs. I had 3 laps for endo and was able to work within a couple of days after all of them, even the one that took hours, to remove the lesions.

You can get shoulder pain post op but that usually disappear s within 24hrs. It’s just the gas used for expanding the abdominal cavity. It gets trapped under the diaphragm and the pain is referred to the shoulder.

The best painkillers I used for endo were anti inflammatory suppositories. Used widely in the EU but are not popular in the UK. They are available and you can ask for prescription. I would discuss them with your GP prior to surgery so you can try them.

I vaguely remember my consultant used to be keen on using local anaesthetics during surgery to help post op.

If you have endo then post op pain is usually not a big deal. We have superhuman pain thresholds. It’s a horrible disease but does come with some advantages. I had a c section when DS was born and the midwives could believe how quickly I recovered and was able to move around. I also needed very little pain relief.

A significant issue with the NHS is that GDP contribution os only measured by funds in, no value is put on the impact on patienys and the costs or losses they incur as a result of restrictions, cancellations or delays which are fewer in other systems across Europe.

If they are being flexible about dates, see if they'll do you on a Friday.

I'd say there's an excellent chance you'll be able to work from home by the Monday. You can't guarantee it, but any of us could walk under a bus tomorrow.

But - don't overdo things. You have work, study, household, ?caring. Get other people on board for the other things, take the full extensions on offer for your studies, and make it reduced hours at work if you need to.

You are investing in yourself with the job, the studies, and the operation. Deferring the operation would be an own goal. But slow everything you can right down while you recover.

When I had mine I was woozy and a bit sore for a few days then back at work. Xx

I was back at work two days after keyhole brain surgery so I think you can do it OP

I had a laparoscopy with removal in October. Stage 3 endometriosis. I was fine a week later - as in completely back to myself physically - I would say it was probably only three days after that I was sore from the surgery, each day being significantly better than the last. It’s key hole and tiny even with removal. As I understand it the bowel surgery is what can really knock you around but I don’t think they do that on the spot in a laparoscopy

Do not let them laser it, excision only
i spent 8.5hrs in theatre with 2 surgeons trying to fix the mess of my organs, had my appendix out, and endo excised from everywhere
was back at work after 3 weeks

I had endometriosis surgery twice in my twenties, had a week off each time but could have returned sooner if work from home existed then as felt fine. I could have worked a few hours each day from home after day 3 I reckon.
However my surgery last July was a different story but that was a cyst removal and i am 20+ years older than last time!