laparoscopy - anybody that had one, how long did it take you to recover?

[woahthere]

its now nearly 2 weeks since i had my laparoscopy. i thought i was ok a few days after having it done but now im finding it still hurts, its really tugging in my belly button when i walk, wearing tight jeans is a nightmare. last night i was kept awake with a pain in my side and i have been feeling /being nauseous, also - yuk, my belly button is smelly even though i keep trying to clean it, but its a bit scary as its still stitched and sore. Also, how long before the stitches dissolve. How long before I can exercise eg zumba and running again.

[Rikalaily]

Hiya, I've had three, the last one was a laparotomy after they discovered I needed more doing after the laparoscopy was started.

All three have taken different lengths on time to recover, I think it depends on what they have done in there. I could do normal every day stuff (housework etc) without too much discomfort about a week afterwards, the tugging pains etc can go on for a fair while afterwards as scar tissue forms inside.

The stitches can take ages to dissolve, I've had to remove the last of mine on two occasions over 6 weeks after the op using tweezers.

I wouldn't attempt any exercise until the wound has completely healed, you have some damage on the inside of the incision too which might take a little longer to heal.

You should get the GP to check the wound with it being smelly 2 weeks later, is there any redness etc?

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

I would get this looked at by a medical person as there could be some underlying infection.

You should have received a follow up appt post lap to discuss the findings of the op - was this done for you?.

I have had this type of surgery and was advised to take two days off post procedure. I felt a lot better two days post op but it also depends on what they did and what they find.

[orangeflutie]

Hi I've had two laparoscopies and it probably took a good 2 - 3 weeks to feel more normal. I had much more wind pain to start with the second and everything seemed a lot more bruised.

With regards to your wound smelling however, I would definitely get it looked at by your doctor or the hospital as this doesn't sound usual.

Hope things get better soon.

[tunaday]

I think laparoscopies are really downplayed. I thought something had gone wrong because I didnt realise Id still be in pain 3 weeks after. When I went back to see my GP about the pain/period-type bleeding he said it was an invasive procedure and that this was normal. Wish theyd told me that before Id had it done and not after! It was a good ten years ago since I had mine but do remember that after 3 weeks I was still finding it painful to turn over in bed and that it was around 6 weeks till I was OK. The smell could be a bit of an infection in the wound and Id want someone to take a look incase antibiotics are needed. Also if there is some infection that could easily be making the discomfort worse. Hope you soon feel better.

[woahthere]

Thank you, I will get it checked...just a bit embarrassed about the smell [embarrassed] . After my op, I didnt see anybody apart from the ward nurses, and they said they couldnt tell me anything. I was not given discharge notes or an appointment to discuss findings or anything, i rang my gynae secretary and she said it would be 3 months before I saw anybody, i have booked in to see my gp next week because it felt too weird that I had been given no information! The only info I was given by the secretary was that they had removed something and it had been sent for testing, but that she didnt know exactly what it was! pretty pee'd off by the lack of feedback tbh.

[lisaann0409]

Hiya ladies, I had one of these 6 days ago, and im finding im bloated sore and my tummy button is a bit smelly! I also wasnt told what they did or if they found anything, I just have a follow up in 6 weeks. im quite annoyed at the lack of info given!! do you think I should see my GP or is 6 days too early????

[Onthegomum123]

Hi! Just read your post lisaann 0409 - I too had a laraoscopy on the 5th July & the level of information from the consultant/hospital is non existent & downright disgusting. If I had know the extent or pain & recovery time I would have delayed till after the summer holidays. Do feel a bit misguided. I did see my own GP on Tuesday so that's 11 days post op & he was brilliant. Told me most of the things i should have known before & immediately after surgery. So go see your own GP I advise.

[Lauren83]

I know this is an old thread but for anyone reading I had 3 days off work for my first lap, 9 for my second but that was a really big op was down for 6 hours and had excision of endo from bladder/bowel, tubes out and 18cm cyst removed

Was sore for a couple of days but more from the gas