That's good to hear! I hope my recovery will go as well. I am having my ovaries and cysts removed tomorrow....and hopefully he can clean up some of the adhesions while in there. I know they are causing at least part of my pain. I look forward to getting rid of my pelvic pain! Thanks for sharing your experiences and best of luck to you....
:)
Everyone recovers from surgery at their own pace. I've had 2 laparoscope sugeries, and 2 c-sections.
Of Course the c-sections took longer to recoup. The 1st lap, not knowing what to expect I took a week off. For the second one since I knew what was going on I didn't take any days off except the day of surgery. Had the surgery on a Friday, was back to work on Monday. The 2nd was for adhesions. My uterus was connected to my abdominal wall and pulled to the left. My job is a desk job, and of course my boss is wonderful so they took it easy on me. I wore baggy clothes for awhile, not pretty, but they understood. And now I do body message to break the adhesion up because I would preferr no more surgery. My stomach already looks like a road map due to stretch marks.
In December 2004, I had a large mass (grapefruit sized)- as well as the ovary, and fallopian tube to which the mass was attached - removed. The surgery was done laparoscopically, with four small incisions.
For the first week after surgery, my doctor forbid me from
1) using stairs (fall hazard due to pain meds - sleepiness and possible dizziness, )
2) lifting any weight (nothing heavier than a full coffee mug)
3) driving (same concern as pain meds) and
4) sexual intercourse (as if I would have even considered that !!!)
After one week, the restrictions were essentially lifted. However, I could not drive very well as turning in the seat was painful, and wearing the seat belt was not comfortable, so I gave that another week.
After that I was fine, and aside from refraining from lifting anything, I was back to normal. I found the website for the hyster sisters to be helpful in preping for my surgery as there is a check list for getting ready and for recovery.
I haven't had my hysterectomy yet, scheduled for next month, but I did have major abdomonal surgery about 12 years ago, they thought I had appendicitis so they went in for exploratory. Turned out I had a cyst on my right ovary causing the pain for weeks (for some reason they left the ovary which now has to be removed) and I had a meckels diverticulum removed as well as my appendix (they took it out just because they were in there) Anyway, my recover time, 7 days in hospital, 7 days at home and back at work after the two weeks. Then a month later was in a local corporate run. I have to say, I was in really great shape back then, worked out everyday...I'm much older and lazier now but am hoping for a 7 day recovery this time. Good luck to you all, keep us posted. Hillary
I should have mentioned that I also have the flexibility (of my boss) to work as I can and can even work from home if necessary. Unfortunately I have no sick leave and very limited vacation time left, so I plan to return as quickly as possible.
PDXSharon-You are not a weenie! As you said each person's recovery is different and with the extensive adhesion removal that you had I'm sure it was intense pain. I am praying my adhesions aren't as bad.....time will tell I guess. I hope your pain continues to decrease each day.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
I had robotic assisted laporascopic surgery on December 6th to remove both ovaries and tubes. I had cysts on each. I read where robotic assisted was even easier on the body than the routine laporascopic surgery. I have 4 incisions - one in the belly button, one on each side and one under the left ribcage. It has been 2 1/2 weeks and I know there is no way I could be comfortable at my desk job for 8 hours. I finally feel ready to drive for the first time and will on Wednesday. I stopped taking pain meds during the day a week ago, but by the end of the day I am very sore and more swollen than in the morning, so I take one pain pill at bedtime. I will probably stop this one by the end of the week, but for now as I increase my activity it helps cut the soreness I have at the end of the day. There is no way I could have gone back to work in a week, two or even three. I am just now able to button my pants fully, but normal day to day activites does create pain and soreness by the end of the day. My original return date was at 4 weeks, but since I had extensive adhesion removal and I was still so sore and bloated at my 2 week follow up, he extended the time an extra 2 weeks. I know I feel better each day, but for me I believe it's because I have the flexibility to rest when I need to, eat when I need to, walk when I need to, etc. I'm on my own healing clock and not the clock of my employer - I know I would not be feeling as well if I were at work and not able to do the things needed to make myself comfortable when my body needs it. Sitting upright, walking and standing puts all the pressure down in the pelvis area where all the trauma was - that is quite uncomfortable in the beginning weeks. This has been my experience, but I hope each of you has a time more like you have described and expect :-) Keep me posted...I'm curious to see what your recoveries are like. Maybe I'm a weenie!! I am so happy to hear all is thought to be benign with every one! Best to each of you. Sharon
My experience was complete hysterectomy, removal of ovaries and appendix. I was back at work in 3 weeks.
I asked the same question and only got one response. In her case she had complications of surgery (due to lots of adhesions). I think she plans to be out for a few weeks.
I am scheduled this Friday to have laproscopic removal of ovaries and cysts. I already had a hysterectomy 14 years ago and recuperated well from that. I plan to go back to work next Wednesday as my job doesn't involve any strenuous work....I have a desk job. My doctor seems to agree that provided there are no complications, this is feasible based on previous recovery. I guess time will tell as I do have adhesions.....hopefully they won't be too much of a problem.
Good luck with your surgery and I hope the cyst is benign!