Laparoscopy - experiences

[LMW1990]

I am due to have a laparoscopy for endometriosis diagnosis +/- endometriosis treatment. My left ovary has also adhered to my uterus so they are going to sort that too.

I've waited a long time for this, I'm in agony every day. I'm now on a private waiting list (via the NHS) and will have surgery in the next 12 weeks. And, quite frankly I'm bricking it!

Please could I ask for your experiences of same/ similar surgery. I really want to be prepared.

How long did you have to take off work?
How did you feel afterwards? What was the pain like?
How long until you felt back to normal?
How long did you stay in hospital for?

Bonus points if you can give me any experiences of the Kinvara Private Hospital in Rotherham.

Thanks in advance!!

Just giving this a little bump

I had one in 2016 and it was my first general anthestic so was equally nervous.

How long did you have to take off work?
I took 10 days off but I think I could have gone back after 7 days. Surgery was on the Wednesday so I had the rest of the week off, then a full week, then back to work.

How did you feel afterwards? What was the pain like?
They give you pain meds during the operation so you feel ok when you come round. They have me oramorph to take at home but I stuck to regular paracetamol and felt ok. I only took paracetamol for the first 4 days and then I was fine without.

How long until you felt back to normal?
I would say 3/4 days I felt normal but still a bit tired from the anthestic. After a week I felt fine and could do most things.

How long did you stay in hospital for?
I came in at 7am, had the operation at 10am and left about 7pm that night. They'll want you to go for a wee and eat something etc before you'll be allowed home.

I had the op privately at a Spire hospital so I imagine it'll be quite similar. If you have any other questions more than happy to answer hope it all goes well

I had two back in 1991/92.

In hospital over night- bet you're in and out in a day now though.

Can't remember much pain and definitely wasn't discharged with any pain killers so if I took anything it was just paracetamol but I was very young ,only 20 ,so might be different if I had it now.

I remember being very tired and needing to rest /sleep a lot.

Good luck

Thank you both!

That's quite reassuring. As much as I want this operation, I'm dreadful in medical situations! Im anxious already and I don't have a date yet!

I had one in May this year, I had one ovary and tube removed by laparoscopy due to recurring ovarian cysts which caused constant pain and discomfort.

I was signed off work for 2 weeks. I found the first week all I wanted to do was sleep. The first couple of days was incredibly uncomfortable where the gas that they pump in was dispersing, I had really bad pain in my chest and shoulders. The first week was difficult to get in and out of bed as my incisions were healing, once that stopped the second week was uncomfortable where I could feel my insides healing but not unbearable. I felt exhausted during the second week but didn't need any way near as much sleep.

I did experience severe pain in week 3 but I was back at work and had been overdoing it and managed to strain myself and pulled some of the internal stitches. So my advice would be, even if you think are completely fine, do try and take it easy and don't over do it with lifting or exercise.

I'm several weeks post op now and feel absolutely fine, no more pain and I wished I'd been able to have it sooner.

Good luck

Oh and I went in at 7am but didn't go through to surgery until around 10.30. I was home by 2pm. They gave me liquid morphine but I didn't need to use it and was fine with paracetamol and ibuprofen

I had this done, was fine, only three days off work. The worst part for me was the trapped wind pain in my stomach and shoulder afterwards, I had to take a LOT of windeeze for that and my god the relief when I finally let it rip

Well... I have a date and it's on Wednesday!!!

I've been given a cancellation appointment.

I feel pleased and yet nauseated all at once!

Did any of you have to do blood clot injections afterwards?

I was advised to have a couple of days off work post op.

The worst thing I found about this type of surgery was the shoulder pain that started 24 hours post op (the CO2 gas used by the surgeon to get a better view of the organs travels upwards) . Painkillers took the edge off it. I cannot recall receiving any blood clotting injections afterwards. I was out later on that same day after ensuring I could use the toilet without issues re defecating and urinating. Felt back to normal about 4-5 days post op.

You should ideally be given a follow up appointment a week or so post op to discuss the findings. They should not talk to you about the findings in any great detail whilst you are in recovery or the recovery room!.

Good luck Wednesday. Will be happy to give you a list of questions to ask re post op findings if you wish.

Hi @LMW1990

I had a laparoscopy about 8 weeks ago for infertility. They removed a lot of excess tissue and cysts and they also done ovarian drilling so the aftermath of your op may be a little different.

I had about 2 weeks off work, I probably could have went back after 1 week but my boss wanted me off as I do quite a manual job. Ideally if you get cleared for longer than one week I would advise this, although you may feel ok your body needs time to heal.

The pain - so they pumped me full of pain relief before the op which I'm sure helped. But to be honest I was in quite a lot of pain a few hours after the op, the chest and shoulder pain was really painful from the gas they use. Drink peppermint tea! This helped me a lot! The first time you get out of bed after the op, take it easy, I was very very light headed. Most of my gas pain took about 4/5 days to ease, the incisions were a little sore but rest and you will be ok. I would advise you to lie on your back, this was so difficult for me but it had to be done. If you have someone to help you in and out of bed, use them, it will help you heal better and put less strain on the wounds.

I also got a cancellation appointment. My app was for 11am on the Tuesday and was supposed to get out the same day. They were delayed so I didn't get my op until 4pm, they said it took about an hour. I ended up having to stay overnight as I had low blood pressure and my heart was so fast. It settled overnight and I got out about 11am on Wednesday.

I haven't had my follow up appointment yet, it was scheduled for 16 weeks after the op. My incisions have taken quite a long time to heal though, I got the dissolving stitches, they are starting to look much better now. So just be careful and take it easy.

I was asked to bring slippers and a dressing gown to walk to theatre in but I also took a small bag with me incase I had to stay overnight (lucky I did). So bring your phone, charger etc, just in case.

I was prescribed codeine before leaving hospital, I finished the dose they gave me and then if needed I just used paracetamol.

I hope this helps, if you have anymore questions done before afraid to ask, and good luck 😊❤️

Hi ladies couple of questions I’m due to have laparoscopy in may and I’m really worried and over thinking.. how long was you in pain for after? what is the pain like? And was you able to have conceive straight away loads of questions x

I had general anaesthetic and was sent home the same day.
I would not describe it as pain. More like the feeling next day after you’ve been to the gym and done 100 sit ups. Your stomach muscles just go to jelly.

I went to work the next day. No other surgery done apart from the incision cuts. They just confirmed endo on my pelvis.

I had this procedure in July last year, went into hospital at 7am and was out by 3pm. I also had a hyteroscopy at the same time. Minimal pain at incision sites (4 total) but the shoulder pain from the gas was horrible. Was prescribed tramadol for pain relief and used it for around four days, slept a lot and was feeling back to normal after a week. Bleeding was minimal too. Fell pregnant the following month (had sex literally one time during ovulation as we were going to wait a full month before trying!) and am now 36 weeks :) had the procedure for suspected endometriosis and irregular spotting between periods

You are strong hope every thing ok

Thank you so much for telling me congratulations I hope I’m the same as you. X