Laparoscopy

[HP07]

Hi,
I had a laparoscopy on Friday last week as my husband and I have been ttc for 16 months and after some investigations found out I had an endometrioma. During the lap they did a dye test of my tubes which are fine/open, removed the cyst and also found some endometriosis which they removed. I am now hopeful that we can go on to conceive naturally. I would love to hear any success stories from ladies who have had the same experience please.
Also I am still recovering from surgery. I have taken 2 weeks off work so still have over a week until I return. My abdomen's quite sore still and I find it difficult to lie on my side as it feels like a pulling/dragging sensation on the opposite side (at the surgical site). I had 4 port holes and my belly bottom is still very uncomfortable. I have non dissolvable sutures which need to be removed (first appointment I could get was Monday, which will be 10 days p/o). Any advice apart from painkillers? And is it normal to still be so tender? I've read people who have said about going back to work after a few days! There is no way I'd want to go back next week, apart from anything I do 11 hr days, all on my feet, so I just wouldn't have the stamina, let alone coping with the discomfort still.

Thanks

My tummy has gone down massively since the surgery and although I still have the occasional bloated feeling I can fit into most of my clothes again thankfully. Only jeans I'm not wearing are the higher waisted ones that will press on my belly button as it's still a bit sore. Period has arrived today and is still same level of pain/discomfort as always but then I have had quite painful periods ever since I hit puberty so I think that is just me and nothing to do with the endo. Armsandtheman did you ever have any intermenstrual bleeding before you fell pregnant? My consultant said that it may be unrelated to the endo/cyst and it shouldn't stop me from getting pregnant, even if it does continue post op, but I can't see how I can maintain a pregnancy if my uterine lining is starting to fall away up to 10 days or more before my period comes. What is the endo diet? I'd not heard of that! Thanks guys.

Hi HP07, it's pretty similar to the paleo diet, just cutting out all the processed/refined sugary things. If you do a quick google or even Pinterest there are some good lists of things, however I don't know if it's been proven to work, will have to ask my consultant. Coffee, red meat, breads and sweets are big no-no's

Yes my bloating gets progressively worse through the day too. By mid day it's like a balloon. The thought of wearing jeans still make me cringe - high waisted ones would press on my belly button scar, and lower ones would press on my bikini line scar.

To be honest, that's main worry about going back to work as I wear jeans there. Since my op, I'm in jogging bottoms at home, and leggings and a baggy tunic type dress to go out. But if I wore that to work, people would instantly think I'm pregnant. I don't think I could handle that

Sorry to hear about your ectopic arms but lovely to hear about your subsequent success! It really does give me hope to hear happy stories.

I did have bleeding in between periods and felt the same as you. I fell pregnant on a normal cycle as it improved after the lap. I also used the clear blue fertility monitor that showed I was ovulating on day 16.

If you are worried about scar tissue returning perhaps you should take serrapeptase. Its an enzyme which eats scar tissue x

First day back today and I'm on hour 9 of 11 hr shift. So far it's going OK. Some pulling at my scars especially when I am being bounced about by boisterous labradorite etc! Also my back ache because I've not been used to standing up for too long.

*labradors!!!

How did you feel after the full day at work HP?

I'm very jealous you get bounced about by labradors at work!! Been trying to work out what you do, sounds fabulous!

I'm feeling better, tummy muscles working a lot better, scars healing - but I'm getting worrying pains inside now, like I did before the surgery, which makes me worry it's all about to kick off again when I get my period in a week.

My bloating is still bad, belly like a beach ball which seems to inflate during the course of the day.

I'm still off work. Today is 2 weeks since my surgery and I could have gone back next Monday but it's a Bank holiday, and Tuesday I have an appointment with the consultant, so I'm hoping to go back next Weds, 3 weeks post surgery. I'm worried that I'm being lazy! But when I do too much, including sitting up at a table for too long, the stabbing pains come back and I have to go lie down.

How are your stitches doing? Mine are supposed to be soluble, but show no signs of dissolving! I showed a nurse yesterday, she said to try having lots of baths. I'm also going to start swimming again next week to try and get fit again.

I'm a Vet Nurse! So pretty active lifting animals and restraining them and the all the standing up doing procedures, anaesthetics and Nurse clinics etc. it was ok. Had a hot water bottle when I got home and husband cooked me a nice dinner. Some pulling on my tummy and today a dog was kicking me in the stomach whilst coming round from anaesthesia so that wasn't pleasant. But not too bad. Don't feel lazy or guilty. Just take it at your pace. Everyone is different. X

Ooh lovely job (My best guess was 'Guide Dog trainer'!!), my dog loves the vet nurses as my practise and usually comes back smelling of perfume after all the hugs they give him

Be careful lifting and restraining, that doesn't sound good. And the thought of the dog kicking you in the stomach made me wince!

I did some gardening yesterday which was good, but I'm frustrated by the things I still can't do (like dig a hole, lift heavy stuff, hoik out stubborn weeds...)

I think my swollen belly is going down a bit, although I still can't contemplate wearing jeans. I'm usually a size 12, but I've been wearing size 14 jogging bottoms. I had a special pair of size 16s for the days immediately following the surgery, I'm so glad I bought them.

3 weeks post op' here and feeling pretty much 100%.

After my previous post, period pain only lasted a few hours and was overwhelmingly less painful than pre-op so that's something to be happy about (now just the infertility left to battle ).

How is everyone else?

Three and a bit weeks post op and feel pretty much fine although I still have some cramping when I need/go to the toilet. I ordered and started using the clearblue fertility monitor to track my cycle so far we are still on 'low' days but should start getting my highs and peaks soon too I hope. Hope everyone else is ok.

I'm 2.5 weeks post op. I feel about 90% back to normal. Fine most of the time, but still reluctant to lift or twist, and still can't wear jeans

I tried to wear jeans for the first time yesterday, and I could get them on, but they were pressing on my bikini line scar which was hurting, so I went back to my classy jogging bottoms.

I pulled my dissolvable stitches out yesterday! I have been really scared of touching them, but I just gave the bow a little tug and it broke away with no resistance. I suppose the other end is still inside, but will dissolve in its own time....?

My scars look good, and one of them looks like a perfect % symbol!

My stomach is still fairly bloated and I'm getting the same niggling pains inside that I got before the op, just twinges and dull aches really. Period is due this week.... I'm dreading it.

I'm planning on going back to work this week, after I've seen my consultant tomorrow.

How is everyone? I'm feeling so much better. My bikini line scar is very thickened. Anyone else's like that? Otherwise feeling completely normal and the good news is I'm on day 19 of my cycle and no spotting so far!! I'm normally spotting by about day 12-14! :) shouldnt tempt fate but it's looking positive.