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Conception

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Original poster

Is this madness? Need laparoscopy recovery advice!

8 replies

CatnipMouse · 09/04/2014 13:26

I am going to be having a laparoscopy to check up on my blocked fallopian tube (thankfully only one seems to be blocked). The problem is that I am in the middle of a Master's degree and they have given me a date for laparoscopy that is a week before my exams.

I am very keen to get the op out of the way so that I know a bit more about what is going on there and can move things forward again. Hopefully the laparoscopy could unblock the blocked tube, or if not it might need to be removed to improve conception chances from the other ovary or possibly from IVF.

I am 38, have been TTC for two years and getting very twitchy about my age (and also eligibility for IVF if that is necessary.) I have been waiting for this lap for a while and I really do not want to delay any more than necessary. However my exams are also important to me and my future!

I would like to take this date for surgery rather than wait another couple of weeks until after exams, but I am worried about recovery. Can anyone out there who has had a laparoscopy tell me about their recovery? I can't sit exams if I am mentally dulled with painkillers and with shoulder pain (I have to handwrite answers), but I don't know how long it takes for these symptoms to disappear. What was your experience? Gory details welcome.

Thanks x

OP posts:

Bunnygirlie · 09/04/2014 19:31

Hi Cat. I had a lap in October, and I took painkillers for a few days and went back to work after a week. The first few days were a struggle getting off sofa and out of bed but it got better after a few days. I had only one day of shoulder pain but I know some do suffer. I'd read up before and stocked up with heat pads and peppermint tea for the shoulder and didn't use either.

I guess everyone is different though and I was quite lucky.

Good luck whatever you do

TattyCatty · 09/04/2014 19:40

If it's a full 7 days between the operation and your exam, I would say that you should be fine. I've had 2 laparoscopies and both times took just a week off work. By around day 5, I could have gone back, but my ops were both on a Monday so I had the weekend as extra recovery time.

I was lucky and didn't have any shoulder pain, but your stomach will be very bloated for a few days, so be prepared for that. It's more discomfort than anything else - a kind of "don't make me laugh" pain rather than constant pain. I certainly don't remember taking painkillers past the 3rd or 4th day. Good luck with both the operation and the exam!

AttilaTheMeerkat · 09/04/2014 19:40

I was advised to have two days off work post laparoscopy. The shoulder pain from the op (that gas used in the op travels upwards) felt at its very worst the first day post op; painkillers took the edge off it.

After those two days post surgery I felt much better but everyone is different.

You should ideally have a follow up appointment a week or so post op to discuss the findings. Ensure this is done in advance of your op; I would ask them about follow up asap.

What you do not want is for them to tell you what was found when you are in the recovery room. Its poor practice apart from anything else.

KEGirlOnFire · 09/04/2014 20:04

I had a lap and dye in November and was signed off for 2 weeks. But luckily I didn't get any shoulder pain or bloating and the painkillers were only needed for about 3 days. So you will hopefully be fine in time for your exams. But you do need to bear in mind that if you're having a general anaesthetic, you may be drowsy for a couple of days, so it depends whether you will have lots of revision to do.

InternetFOREVER · 09/04/2014 20:10

Have you ever had a general anesthetic before? I was still pretty fuzzy headed and in pain 5 days after my laparoscopy, but would have been ok to sit and do an exam 7 days after (wouldn't plan on too much last minute revision though!). Drs told me it can take up to 7 days to recover from GA.

Bezza2508 · 09/04/2014 21:27

I had my laparoscopy last Thursday and I'm going back to work tomorrow. I've been working from home since Monday though and that's been fine. I did feel quite out of it for a couple of days after the procedure but I think you should be fine as long as you don't need to do lots of revision for your exam. Good luck.

Original poster

CatnipMouse · 09/04/2014 22:13

Thank you all! It's good to know you weren't all wiped out for days on end. I do need to find out exactly when the 2 exams will be as the last I heard were that the dates weren't finalised. The op would be on a Wednesday so if the exams are Monday and Tuesday the week after that would probably be too much, but Wed Thurs or Fri would probably be OK. I have had GA before and didn't have awful after effects.

Attila, can I ask why is it bad practice to tell you what they found while you are in recovery? I would want to know straight away rather than have it nagging at me for a week or so. I hate not having all the information!

OP posts:

AllTheNamesIWantHaveGone · 10/04/2014 10:35

Had a lap on a Thursday. Horrendous night's sleep with shoulder pain from the gas and had the Friday off work. Did force myself to go to the theatre on the Saturday (they were pre-booked tickets. Bad timing !) and return to work on the Monday - but in all honesty still felt groggy from the GA for a good week (or even a bit longer) after.

All the best to you x

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