Laparoscopy - recovery time

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I’ve been told I need an operation to remove one or both of my tubes (scan is inconclusive) via laparoscopy. I’m told it’s a day surgery but online I’ve read recovery is 2-4 weeks. I’m unsure how long I’ll need off work - does anyone have any experience of this procedure? Thanks

It really depends on the individual and the type of work you do. Four weeks is a bit overkill. I have had about nine laps for various things and the longest I have taken off is two weeks and that was because I couldn't eat anything and had no energy and was working as a paramedic. I would give yourself a week off because the pain from the carbon dioxide disapating is worse then the actua lapin from the incisions.

I think everyone is different. I’ve had four laps: each one needed a different recovery time.
What kind of work do you do? If it’s quite sedentary and you can ‘take it easy’ at first then two weeks will be fine.

I've had a right hydrosalapinx removed and I took a week off and this was fine the only trouble I had when I went back to work was my work trousers pressed a bit on my belly button wound so I used an additionally padded dressing. However if my job had been a physical one I'd have taken longer off.

One week for desk job, two if more physical.

My work is mainly office based although I do have a fairly long commute. I think I’ll assume a week and play by ear. Thanks all

Two weeks is probably what the doctor will sign you off for if you have a job that doesn't involve lifting or physical work. If you need more time you can cross that bridge when you come to it.

It does depend on what they do and how it affects you personally. For example, cutting endometriosis tissue out usually requires a longer recovery time than burning it off or draining a cyst, but they are all laparoscopic procedures.

For my last lap, I started working from home after the 2 week mark, and was quite tired in the 3rd and 4th week but definitely able to work.

It's difficult to say, a friend had a lap and was in bed for 8 days, i had a lap to remove cysts from my overies and was back at work in 2 days and I work 12 hour shifts as a hca. I was advised against but I feel I know my limits and was fine. The rem oval of tubes may be a lot more disruption and pain though so if book 2 weeks off personally!

I had a cyst removed and some other bits 2 weeks ago via lap and was thinking this weekend is the first time I have felt fully myself again and back to normal. After a week I felt a lot better but was still quite tired and aware of the stitches. Good luck with yours.

I would have been physically OK to work after about 2 weeks (office job) but the emotional recovery meant I was very grateful to the wonderful nurse who insisted the doctor sign me off for 6 weeks as the news wasnt great and I'd had an ectopic).

Thanks all for your responses. I guess it’s just a matter of wait and see. However I’ll avoid committing to anything immovable within the first fortnight. I’m hoping I’ll be well enough to at least work from home a week afterwards, but I’m now thinking a physical return to the office might need a few more days

A question re medical sign off / sick note - was this issued by your hospital or did you need to go to your GP?

Mine was done by the hospital.

The hospital offers the sick note I think-they did with me on the day of the op.

Had this procedure to remove right tube after ectopic - before rupture so it was keyhole. Took 2 weeks off work. Probably good have gone back sooner but didn't want to push it and I'm glad I didn't. I had to get sick note from GP as forgot to ask at hospital. Pain wise I didn't find it too bad, more uncomfortable because of the bloating from the gas but it's ok. Best of luck xx