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Recovery from laproscipic ovary surgery?
Is my story typical?
Three weeks after surgery, just now realizing that having both ovaries removed the laproscopic way ( for what turned out to be a benign cyst, at age 51) is major surgery. It is taking a month out of my life to recover. I did it because I am a breast cancer survivor (9 years) and I hope it was worth it, in the end!??
I had both ovaries and fallopian tubes removed nearly three weeks ago, and I now realize I was not at ALL prepared by my doctor's office for what I would be going through. I live in the U.S.; this was a day surgery, and I was discharged being told I could return to work and walk my dog THE NEXT DAY. I can barely do that now, 3 weeks later. If you are reading this pre-surgery, please take it upon yourself to research the procedure, and prepare yourself for a slow recovery over a month, with plenty of help and support. I didn't!
Here's what I wish someone had told me - prepare yourself and rearrange your life for being in bed, on total bed rest with just a little puttering around the house, for at least two weeks. I thought I'd be back at work on my laptop the next day! (That's what the only handout I received indicated.) I am a solo mother to two school-age children, and I had no backup help arranged for them and for simple chores like grocery shopping - big mistake. Thank god my mother stepped in and filled the gaps! But it would have been far better to go into it expecting this, instead of feeling faint and bursting into tears and having to call her again each day.
You should arrange to take a two weeks off work, and then go back part-time for two weeks, but stay off your feet. Rally your family and friends NOW to create a support network, and help you financially through this period, if you need it. I am now 3 weeks out from the laproscopic removal of both ovaries. My doc did not mention a word about recovery, I downplayed it in my mind as "minor" surgery, and then had to keep canceling commitments, day by day, and getting frustrated. I would try to just do e-mail at the computer for an hour or two, and my body would start shaking from exhaustion. I felt like a wimp, until I read this forum. Why don't doctors prepare us? (And I have an all-women gyn practice!)
I went back for my two-week check-up certain there was something terribly wrong with me, because I was still in pain. They checked and found nothing. I think the pain just lasts longer than they admit! Also, gas causes a lot of the pain, I now will try Gas-X daily. (Unclear why this is, but they inflate you with co2 during the surgery, which is part of the problem - you will feel very bloated, like you're months pregnant, for a good while.) I also wish someone had told me to take a gentle laxative every day post surgery. It took me five days to have a bowel movement, and that was not fun when it finally happened. I now read this is common.
It would have been better, psychologically, to just clear the slate for a month from the start. You can always add things back! Don't expect to accomplish anything at all for at least two weeks - even reading anything serious. Get a lot of escapist fiction, magazines, movies and TV miniseries around you, and just relax and enjoy them ...
Has anyone else had similar frustrations? I'm a journalist, and thinking about writing about this ...
This discussion is related to laparoscopic surgery scheduled, what to expect?.
Three weeks after surgery, just now realizing that having both ovaries removed the laproscopic way ( for what turned out to be a benign cyst, at age 51) is major surgery. It is taking a month out of my life to recover. I did it because I am a breast cancer survivor (9 years) and I hope it was worth it, in the end!??
I had both ovaries and fallopian tubes removed nearly three weeks ago, and I now realize I was not at ALL prepared by my doctor's office for what I would be going through. I live in the U.S.; this was a day surgery, and I was discharged being told I could return to work and walk my dog THE NEXT DAY. I can barely do that now, 3 weeks later. If you are reading this pre-surgery, please take it upon yourself to research the procedure, and prepare yourself for a slow recovery over a month, with plenty of help and support. I didn't!
Here's what I wish someone had told me - prepare yourself and rearrange your life for being in bed, on total bed rest with just a little puttering around the house, for at least two weeks. I thought I'd be back at work on my laptop the next day! (That's what the only handout I received indicated.) I am a solo mother to two school-age children, and I had no backup help arranged for them and for simple chores like grocery shopping - big mistake. Thank god my mother stepped in and filled the gaps! But it would have been far better to go into it expecting this, instead of feeling faint and bursting into tears and having to call her again each day.
You should arrange to take a two weeks off work, and then go back part-time for two weeks, but stay off your feet. Rally your family and friends NOW to create a support network, and help you financially through this period, if you need it. I am now 3 weeks out from the laproscopic removal of both ovaries. My doc did not mention a word about recovery, I downplayed it in my mind as "minor" surgery, and then had to keep canceling commitments, day by day, and getting frustrated. I would try to just do e-mail at the computer for an hour or two, and my body would start shaking from exhaustion. I felt like a wimp, until I read this forum. Why don't doctors prepare us? (And I have an all-women gyn practice!)
I went back for my two-week check-up certain there was something terribly wrong with me, because I was still in pain. They checked and found nothing. I think the pain just lasts longer than they admit! Also, gas causes a lot of the pain, I now will try Gas-X daily. (Unclear why this is, but they inflate you with co2 during the surgery, which is part of the problem - you will feel very bloated, like you're months pregnant, for a good while.) I also wish someone had told me to take a gentle laxative every day post surgery. It took me five days to have a bowel movement, and that was not fun when it finally happened. I now read this is common.
It would have been better, psychologically, to just clear the slate for a month from the start. You can always add things back! Don't expect to accomplish anything at all for at least two weeks - even reading anything serious. Get a lot of escapist fiction, magazines, movies and TV miniseries around you, and just relax and enjoy them ...
Has anyone else had similar frustrations? I'm a journalist, and thinking about writing about this ...
This discussion is related to laparoscopic surgery scheduled, what to expect?.
I'm so sorry to learn that you had a difficult recovery.
The recovery from my laparoscopy procedure last year was also long and painful.
I found that the gas inside your body hurt more than the incision site at your belly button and every single move you make (even if someone bumps your bed) feels like sharp axes that are pushed into your body and the gas takes forever and a day to finally get out.
I was booked off for a week, but was operated on the Friday and was back @ work ont he Monday - big mistake.
The recovery from my laparoscopy procedure last year was also long and painful.
I found that the gas inside your body hurt more than the incision site at your belly button and every single move you make (even if someone bumps your bed) feels like sharp axes that are pushed into your body and the gas takes forever and a day to finally get out.
I was booked off for a week, but was operated on the Friday and was back @ work ont he Monday - big mistake.
Sandy good for you your recovery was minimum. Not with me! I've had alot of the same issues Kgregor described.
I have pretty much suffered since the night before I went to the Dr. for lower abdominal pain was immediately sent to the hospital, were 5 to 6 hours after been admitted with pain of a 10 rating and on morphine I was given a CT Scan. I did not find out the results until the next morning 8am and was told I had a cyst on my ovary the size of a tennis ball. But, surgery could not be done until the next day which was Thursday by now. 2 days later. I had a partial hyst... 4 or 5 years earlier so, I choose this time to have both ovaries & fall... tubes removed. I have 3 lap... cuts and one huge nasty scar on my navel (ouch!). So emergency surgery, no time too prepare, Thank God my oldest son was home from college for spring break and was able to do stuff at the house.
After the surgery on Thurs. they tried to kick me out the hospital in ALL the PAIN but it was too much so I was released on Saturday. I was just married in Dec. 2011, my husband was so caught off-guard, he had just started back to work after been laid=off for a few weeks, so he really didn't have any days to take off, but his job allowed him to take off and go in on his off day. The following week, thank God, my youngest son was home from college on spring break, so between son and hubby things got done. During my 2nd day at home Monday, I became shakey, lightheaded, dizzy, sick to my stomach and felling lousey. Trip to the Dr.s office on Tuesd. reveals meds tooo high of dose and reaction to it. My stomach is definetly swollen, I look 6 or 7 months preg.
2nd week home scab hanging from navel after shower, removed with a Q-tip and navel bleeds prefusely (what the hell is going on!). Another trip to the Dr. office to have a stitch put in. Now, I'm 3rd week at home, sore, swollen, making sure I take Moltrin/Naperson faithly every 4 to 6 hours and moving around like a preg. woman
I have my regular Dr. appt, next week, not sure I can go back to work as of yet. I drove down the street to the store and every muscle I never new I used hurt AND I was exhausted I needed a nap- which have been after every trip from the house.
When will this be OVER.
In STL
I have pretty much suffered since the night before I went to the Dr. for lower abdominal pain was immediately sent to the hospital, were 5 to 6 hours after been admitted with pain of a 10 rating and on morphine I was given a CT Scan. I did not find out the results until the next morning 8am and was told I had a cyst on my ovary the size of a tennis ball. But, surgery could not be done until the next day which was Thursday by now. 2 days later. I had a partial hyst... 4 or 5 years earlier so, I choose this time to have both ovaries & fall... tubes removed. I have 3 lap... cuts and one huge nasty scar on my navel (ouch!). So emergency surgery, no time too prepare, Thank God my oldest son was home from college for spring break and was able to do stuff at the house.
After the surgery on Thurs. they tried to kick me out the hospital in ALL the PAIN but it was too much so I was released on Saturday. I was just married in Dec. 2011, my husband was so caught off-guard, he had just started back to work after been laid=off for a few weeks, so he really didn't have any days to take off, but his job allowed him to take off and go in on his off day. The following week, thank God, my youngest son was home from college on spring break, so between son and hubby things got done. During my 2nd day at home Monday, I became shakey, lightheaded, dizzy, sick to my stomach and felling lousey. Trip to the Dr.s office on Tuesd. reveals meds tooo high of dose and reaction to it. My stomach is definetly swollen, I look 6 or 7 months preg.
2nd week home scab hanging from navel after shower, removed with a Q-tip and navel bleeds prefusely (what the hell is going on!). Another trip to the Dr. office to have a stitch put in. Now, I'm 3rd week at home, sore, swollen, making sure I take Moltrin/Naperson faithly every 4 to 6 hours and moving around like a preg. woman
I have my regular Dr. appt, next week, not sure I can go back to work as of yet. I drove down the street to the store and every muscle I never new I used hurt AND I was exhausted I needed a nap- which have been after every trip from the house.
When will this be OVER.
In STL
ooops... sorry.. I thought this original post was on the Ovarian Cancer forum.. I don't know how I linked to the Hysterectomy Forum.. In any event; for kgregor: Still come see us on the Ovarian cyst forum..Lots of info very relevant to your situation.
Hi,
I'm so sorry you're having a hard time with your recovery. Truthfully, everyone is very different in the time it takes to feel 100% better. I was told not to plan on lifting anything, doing heavy housework or driving for two weeks. I was one of the lucky ones and felt fine after 1 week, although working that soon may be unrealistic for most. I don't think I would have wanted to do that so soon.
I was also very fortunate in that I didn't have any of the pain caused by the "gas" they pump in. I was told later that some doctors are better than others at "pushing" it out, but I don't know how true that is. I was given pain meds but they gave me such a raging headache that I only took one dose. After that I relied on x strength tylenol, but truly was more sore than in actual pain.
Again, each of us is different and we all must listen to our own bodies. Try not to push too much (were you perhaps doing a bit too much, too soon?)
I had my post op after 1 week and did go grocery shopping that same day, but again.. that's a far cry from working all day.
The best thing you can do is to take it easy .. it WILL get better.. Also, you may like to visit the Ovarian Cyst Forum. I think you'll get more replies since this is the Ovarian Cancer Forum..
Hope you feel much better soon,
Sandy
I'm so sorry you're having a hard time with your recovery. Truthfully, everyone is very different in the time it takes to feel 100% better. I was told not to plan on lifting anything, doing heavy housework or driving for two weeks. I was one of the lucky ones and felt fine after 1 week, although working that soon may be unrealistic for most. I don't think I would have wanted to do that so soon.
I was also very fortunate in that I didn't have any of the pain caused by the "gas" they pump in. I was told later that some doctors are better than others at "pushing" it out, but I don't know how true that is. I was given pain meds but they gave me such a raging headache that I only took one dose. After that I relied on x strength tylenol, but truly was more sore than in actual pain.
Again, each of us is different and we all must listen to our own bodies. Try not to push too much (were you perhaps doing a bit too much, too soon?)
I had my post op after 1 week and did go grocery shopping that same day, but again.. that's a far cry from working all day.
The best thing you can do is to take it easy .. it WILL get better.. Also, you may like to visit the Ovarian Cyst Forum. I think you'll get more replies since this is the Ovarian Cancer Forum..
Hope you feel much better soon,
Sandy
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