Aa
Post op recovery
This is the first time I've posted on this site although I have been a quiet reader over the last 3 months.
I'm wondering if any of the wonderful ladies here have any idea how long it takes for your body to settle down after laparotomy surgery for Endometriosis?
Many thanks in advance for help.
I'm wondering if any of the wonderful ladies here have any idea how long it takes for your body to settle down after laparotomy surgery for Endometriosis?
Many thanks in advance for help.
You ladies are all wonderful and thank you for your advice. I realised that I have to stop rushing my recovery it will take as long as it takes. I also realised that I haven't done myself any favours as soon as I came out of hospital I was cooking and cleaning (a must as my other half has Crohn's and was having an attack), so it's not surprising I got an abcess and the recovery is slow. But I'll take each day as it comes an you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Love to you all.
Welcome back!!! Sounds like things are progressing as they should. As I am sure you know by now, your body will tell you when you have done too much. You are going to love Corsica. The country side, the horses, THE WINE!! I only remember the horses as I was too young for the wine. As for the flu, seems like a lot of us got that after surgery, I did! Please take it easy and send us some virtual postcards of your trip.
~Tascha
~Tascha
I had a laproscopy 2/27 to remove a 4cm cyst. When the doctor went in he found endo all over everything with adhesions. He removed it along with ths cyst. I saw pictures, it was really groos! He was able to save both my ovaries.
I had the surgery on Monday and went home Wednesday. I slept after the surgery for about 30 hours, only waking up to take meds. Once I was home I felt pretty good, although still tired. By Saturday I was okay, we had house guests and a few friends over. That night I got up to go to the bathroom and fell down the stairs which probably wasn't so good for recovery. I was really weak, and fainted a couple times.
Monday I went out with our friend to show them the sights.. and I lasted about 2-3 hours, I did the same for two days but I was exhausted at night. Like too tired to cook dinner.
On Thursday (10 days after the surgery) I woke up and felt grreat. My stomach swelling was gone and I could wear my jeans. I stopped taking my pain killers and I was full of energy.
I had some pain for another week.. and even know I still get slight pain but nothing unbearable.
I had horrible bruising, my entire stomach, pelvic region and upper thighs were black and blue. That lasted for about 3 weeks and I have 4 red scars but nothing too awful, now I have an excuse for a one piece bathing suit. I would like to think I still have swelling but it probably from not exercising for 4 weeks.
The worst part for me has been stomach issues.. My stomach hurts when I eat and I have had some "bathroom" issues. I think it might be because of the adhesions removed from my bowel.. but I have always had stomach pains which now I think might have been the endo. I am not sure but it didn't stop with the surgery, actually it got worse.
Oh, and my doctor gave me a shot after surgery to keep my from ovulating. I still got my period and I was really sick at the same time, but I might have had stomach flu (my husband was sick too). I had my second shot last night. Side effects are supposed to be similar to menopause but so far I have been fine. I shouldn't get my period for two months now and after that my doctor told me the best thing to do is get pregnant to keep the endo from returning. He also gave me pain killers for when I do get my period, which kind of scares me.. I am not sure when my period will come and it might be painful? I am planning a 3 week hiking trip in the mountains of Corsica.. so hopefully it comes before or after the trip..
Sorry for such a long post!
I had the surgery on Monday and went home Wednesday. I slept after the surgery for about 30 hours, only waking up to take meds. Once I was home I felt pretty good, although still tired. By Saturday I was okay, we had house guests and a few friends over. That night I got up to go to the bathroom and fell down the stairs which probably wasn't so good for recovery. I was really weak, and fainted a couple times.
Monday I went out with our friend to show them the sights.. and I lasted about 2-3 hours, I did the same for two days but I was exhausted at night. Like too tired to cook dinner.
On Thursday (10 days after the surgery) I woke up and felt grreat. My stomach swelling was gone and I could wear my jeans. I stopped taking my pain killers and I was full of energy.
I had some pain for another week.. and even know I still get slight pain but nothing unbearable.
I had horrible bruising, my entire stomach, pelvic region and upper thighs were black and blue. That lasted for about 3 weeks and I have 4 red scars but nothing too awful, now I have an excuse for a one piece bathing suit. I would like to think I still have swelling but it probably from not exercising for 4 weeks.
The worst part for me has been stomach issues.. My stomach hurts when I eat and I have had some "bathroom" issues. I think it might be because of the adhesions removed from my bowel.. but I have always had stomach pains which now I think might have been the endo. I am not sure but it didn't stop with the surgery, actually it got worse.
Oh, and my doctor gave me a shot after surgery to keep my from ovulating. I still got my period and I was really sick at the same time, but I might have had stomach flu (my husband was sick too). I had my second shot last night. Side effects are supposed to be similar to menopause but so far I have been fine. I shouldn't get my period for two months now and after that my doctor told me the best thing to do is get pregnant to keep the endo from returning. He also gave me pain killers for when I do get my period, which kind of scares me.. I am not sure when my period will come and it might be painful? I am planning a 3 week hiking trip in the mountains of Corsica.. so hopefully it comes before or after the trip..
Sorry for such a long post!
Hi - just f.y.i. - everyone is different with recovery time - remember this is major surgery - I had the same thing about 14 years ago and I was a good 10 weeks because of complications - I think I overdid it too soon and got myself into a mess. I only found out about two months ago when my complex mass was discovered that I actually had endometriosis - doctors didn't tell me a thing back then - of course I never thought to ask either - I was only 30 and it seems to be radical to have a hysterectomy - best thing I ever did though. I just had a laparoscopy to remove the mass - and I feel fantastic. Spice
Hi Katie, Yes they managed to save my ovaries thank goodness, but the right one had to be dissected to remove the larger cyst. I'm 35 with no children, which is why I guess my GYN has done what he did as opposed to doing a TAH, he also said if I want children then it needs to happen in the next couple of months!!
Holy Dinah! You poor thing. I would think that would take ages to recover from. But they managed to save your ovaries, am I correct? Well that's good! How old are you (we all get grilled here ha ha)
You take it easy....Love, Katie
You take it easy....Love, Katie
That's great that they managed to save the ovaries. Nothing like a bit of pressure to have kids!
Good luck with that (whatever you decide)...
Katie
Good luck with that (whatever you decide)...
Katie
I was very worried to have surgery as I was not in the best of health anyway. I don't have all the particulars of my surgery. It was 2 weeks ago tommorrow. The doc talked to my hubby but had to go deliver a baby and I didn't get to see him. I will see him tommorrow and get to ask my questions and see the pictures.
They thought I had a complex cyst on my right ovary. I had a lap with 4 inscisions. It (right ovary) was okay and they left it, don't know if the cyst resolved or what, one of my many questions. They did however find that my left ovary was covered in endo and stuck to my uterus so they took it and the tube. I also had a D&C and hysteroscopy and balloon ablation under general at the same time.
I took it VERY EASY for the first week. Mostly in bed for 5 days with some time in the recliner. Hubby did everything and made me lots of good food. Then up a bit more and more. By one week I was doing very well and now at 2 weeks am pretty dang good for an old broad! Only 47 but been feeling 67 for last 4 years. Went on a few small outings at 1 week and today did some shopping with D-I-L and gr-daughters. I have some twinges and am more tired tonight. But I think that week in bed at the first helped alot. The worst is twisting or bending and my tummy scrunching against my legs.
Now I am not superwoman or anything. I don't know how much "fishing around" he had to do so it may have just been an easy procedure so easier recovery.
If only we could all have the great luxery of taking all the time we need and having all the help we need but, hey, we are women so we just do it the best we can.
They thought I had a complex cyst on my right ovary. I had a lap with 4 inscisions. It (right ovary) was okay and they left it, don't know if the cyst resolved or what, one of my many questions. They did however find that my left ovary was covered in endo and stuck to my uterus so they took it and the tube. I also had a D&C and hysteroscopy and balloon ablation under general at the same time.
I took it VERY EASY for the first week. Mostly in bed for 5 days with some time in the recliner. Hubby did everything and made me lots of good food. Then up a bit more and more. By one week I was doing very well and now at 2 weeks am pretty dang good for an old broad! Only 47 but been feeling 67 for last 4 years. Went on a few small outings at 1 week and today did some shopping with D-I-L and gr-daughters. I have some twinges and am more tired tonight. But I think that week in bed at the first helped alot. The worst is twisting or bending and my tummy scrunching against my legs.
Now I am not superwoman or anything. I don't know how much "fishing around" he had to do so it may have just been an easy procedure so easier recovery.
If only we could all have the great luxery of taking all the time we need and having all the help we need but, hey, we are women so we just do it the best we can.
After reading your post, I am not surprised that you still have some pain. You could take 6 months to 1 year to be completely healed!! Take it easy and don't rush this. It took 4 years for the endo buildup, so it will take some time for recovery. You are not abnormal, so relax and just get better. ;-)
~Tascha
~Tascha
I'm 5 weeks on the R/S for laparotomy to remove a 6cm cyst in my right ovary, revealed during US in Jan, unfortunately when the GYN opened me up he found I had Stage IIII Endometriosis which he explained was severe, The whole of my pelvic area was covered, it had spread to my bladder, bowel, ovaries, pouch of douglas and the ligaments holding up the uterus, both ovaries were stuck to the bladder and my uterus had managed to turn in on itself and was stuck together?? everywhere was covered in scar tissue/lesions, I also had a 3.5cm Endometrioma in my left ovary which burst on removal, my GYN also found the cyst in the right ovary had ruptured. My GYN performed ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION and Diathermy to the affected areas and I understand it's all been packed to prevent further scarring and although initially my recovery was excellent, about a week after the op I got a stitch abscess which was undiagnosed for another week as I didn
Welcome. It depends on the length of you surgery and how much tissue trauma there is. By 6 weeks you should be feeling pretty good, however your body will let you know if you have done too much. Pain and fatigue will set in, so take it easy and build back up slowly. Glad to hear you are recovering!
~Tascha
~Tascha
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Ovarian Cancer Community
Learn how to spot the warning signs of this “silent killer.”
Diet and digestion have more to do with cancer prevention than you may realize
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
