Surgery for endometriosis - recovery time

tdmd09 · November 2013

My OB suspects I have endometriosis and has scheduled me for laparoscopic surgery next month. I'm trying to figure out how much time off my husband needs to take. My biggest concern is lifting our son who weighs 24lbs.

If you've had this surgery or a similar laparoscopic surgery, when did you start feeling back to normal, as far as being able to do day to day tasks and heavier impact things? Does 4 days sound reasonable or should I have him stay home an extra day?

Thanks in advance for any information or advice.

mrsvedo · November 2013

I had laproscopic surgery to remove an ovarian cyst and I wasn't up for much for at least a week or so (4-5 days after coming home from hospital). Mine, while laproscopic, may have been more invasive than what yours will be as the cyst was very large (size of football) and attached to both ovaries. If yours won't be very invasive, 4-5 days and you should be able to do some small daily things but you probably won't be able to lift much more than 5-10 lbs. I think I had to stay under 10 lbs for 2-3 weeks. This was 8 years ago, though, so my memory is fuzzy.

Good luck!

rccola1981 · November 2013

I was at ten pounds for a week. DH went back to work on day 5. We scheduled it on a Wednesday so he only had to take 3 days off work.

RockABye · November 2013

I had lap surgery in Dec 2010 to remove polyps blocking my tubes and take care of endometriosis. I had the surgery on Friday and took the next week off work. That said, by Monday or Tuesday I felt pretty dang good. I actually never took a single pain pill. I tended to get worn out really quick for a good week afterwards though so you want to be able to take it easy. I'd avoid lifting your son a whole lot for a week or so too, unless necessary. While I didn't have pain as an ongoing thing, if I twisted, stretched weird, or lifted anything, I would get brief pain. I'd take it as easy as possible for a week, even though you'll feel ok most likely. The surgery itself was honestly a piece of cake for me and recovery wasn't bad at all.

Just be sure you take lots of anti constipation meds starting several days before. You'll be sore and "pushing" can be uncomfortable. Plus, theres something about anesthesia that makes you constipated! You want to avoid that at all costs! I started on milk of magnesia several days before and through the week after surgery.

ETA: The worst part about the whole thing for me was the gas afterwards! They will basically inflate your belly during the surgery and while they get most of the gas out, some will inevitably be left. It tends to lodge in your shoulder/back area so you'll likely have some uncomfortable pain there. All I will say is get up and walk/burp/fart it out.

Don't make any sharp movements or you'll feel it in that shoulder/back area! It wasn't like the worst thing ever, but it was painful for a day or so! Again, no biggie, but just take it easy and get the gas out!

tdmd09 · November 2013

Thank you guys so much. I asked if I had any specific restrictions and they said no but implied I probably wouldn't be comfortable "for a little while." It sounds like a week is a good guideline.

Thanks for the heads up on the constipation, too. I will definitely take preventative measures!

wiggyslilsis · November 2013

I had lap surgery for endo in February of this year. Ava Nichol was 11 mo old and around 20lbs. I managed to schedule it so my mom could be with me and my husband could be with me for 6 days. My OB made it very clear there would be no lifting my daughter for two weeks and then to ease into it. I made it a week with help and then made it so that I wouldn't have to lift her during the day. I got her napping on the floor and we used her portable high chair that sat on the floor for eating and I changed her diaper on the floor.

My advice is to listen to your body. You will know if you don't feel well enough to lift him. I tried too early and it was very obvious.

My other advice...you might need help the day before surgery. I had to drink this stuff that cleared me out. I was in the bathroom a lot and it made me nauseous and throw up. I was very weak by night time because I hadn't eaten and was all cleared out. I was glad it was my mom's day off and she helped out with LO.

If you have any other questions about going through this with a kiddo just ask

and good luck!

ladybuginl0ve · November 2013

When I had mine last year I took off of work for a week 1/2. I teach kindergarten though so I took off until I felt comfortable moving around the classroom. If I had an office job I might have returned earlier. :::::hugs::::: to you and I hope your surgery goes well!

spin25 · November 2013

I had a lap on a Wednesday and went back to work on Monday. I was still uncomfortable then, but it was doable. I don't know about the lifting though. Also, ditto RAB re: gas pains and anesthesia-induced constipation!

Surgery for endometriosis - recovery time

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