laparoscopy

[jmgX]

hi!

i'm having a laparoscopy on the 25th. i work with SEN children and the doctors haven't told me anything about being off work. does anyone know if i will be off work or is it fine to work??

You need to ask the doctors or your GP. Keyhole surgery generally takes around 5 days to recover

@LemonPrism thanks for replying i will ask

I've got that being done the following week! I've been told to take a week off work and then the following week light load only. Depends on your job and how much bending etc. I've had the op done many times years ago and it hurts just to cough after so make sure you rest.

@hardyloveit oh god! im bricking it not going to lie i work 1:1 with a behavioural child in the mornings so maybe its best telling work to cover me for that and in the afternoons i am busy but not as physical. i am just scared in case i go through all this and they find nothing..

I went back to work 9 days later but was still sore.. I did have a hysteroscopy too. Make sure you have peppermint tea handy as the gas they use makes you sore!!

I’ve had two in the past for fertility investigations- I needed 2-3 days off work, but I have an office job, I think if your job is physical/bending/lifting you would need a week. Hope it goes well

Depends entirely on what operation they plan to/end up doing. Your surgeon is the best person to advise.

thanks for the responses!

Is the laparoscopy diagnostic only or any treatment will be done as well? If it is only diagnostic then there would be only one cut and you will heal fast. You would still not be able to drive for 48 hours, will have gas pain/ shoulder pain for 3 days but will recover in 5 days. If you are receiving treatment and anything needs to be cut out , then the surgeon will need to do more cuts and so you will need more time to heal. You won't be able to lift weight for 2-4 weeks. It is best to wait for 4 weeks. The stitches will take 4 weeks to dissolve and you will have to wear loose clothing on your abdomen. You will feel well while resting but may quickly get tired once you are up and about. Even if it laparoscopy, it is still a surgery, you might not see a big scar but your internals will heal when they heal. You can go back to work in 2 weeks but you will need to take things easy.

I did a desk job but my surgeon always signed me off for 6 weeks when I had a laparoscopy, working with SEN & disabled children involves a lot of time on your feet, I would think you will need more than 2 weeks off work. I was always feeling ok within 48 hours or less but that doesn't account for what goes on inside your body.

thanks guys! really usefull. i am under the impression its just diagnostic though. spoke with my supervisor yesterday and she said she will risk assess me and swap me for somebody else with the more physical children. will wait and see for a sick note.

sorry another random question. can you have unprotected sex in the days leading up to a laparoscopy or not?

@jmgX you should not if there is a chance you might get pregnant. Your surgeon will do a urine pregnancy test right before surgery and would cancel the surgery if you are pregnant.

I had one in the summer last year. I was told that as I was a teacher in a very active department I'd need to take the rest of the week off if I was at work, so tues-fri. Otherwise would have been a couple of days. It ended up being in the school holidays but I felt like utter crap for 10 days. Just really weak and wanting to stay in bed, not sore or in pain. I'm a teacher and there's no way I could have worked that first week, I'd have probably dragged myself in from the Monday then regretted it! I have a friend who said she was back at work the next day. Try and find out what your doctor recommends, but you'll just have to see.

I had this last week and was advised to have 2 weeks off work. Make sure you have something for the gas pain as that was not pleasant. Hope it goes ok

I had mine done in the school holidays too but I think you will need at least a couple of days to recover and rest from the GA as much as anything. If they find endometriosis they will treat it there and then.

Your consultant may decide to do a hysteroscopy at the same time as the laparoscopy, mine did so I would avoid unprotected sex before your admission. Pack some pads in your hospital bag, some Rennie deflatine for the gas pain as well as arnica tablets for the bruising & peppermint oil capsules to help settle your bowels afterwards, make sure you have simple painkillers like co-codamol & ibuprofen for when you go home, I always took something easy to eat & drink afterwards, nothing heavy, I took
trays of mango & melon plus a bottle of lucozade as I was always very thirsty & had a very dry throat after the anaesthetic, take a folded blanket or small pillow to put over your stomach before you put your seatbelt on coming home & something loose to wear, as i had mine done in the evening, i came home in my pyjamas so I could go straight to bed when I got home.

Depends what they end up doing. Mine ended up being far more intensive than planned and I had one very large wound and three smaller. Also had a drain for a while.

I needed two weeks off work and at least another week of very light duties.

wow thanks for the responses. really helpful! i will avoid intercourse and buy these recommended tablets. maybe the surgeon will sign me off then i will see. thanks guys!