How was your recovery after a laparoscopic hyst?

Hello! I am scheduled for excision of endometriosis and a partial hysterectomy for adenomyosis on August 18th, both to be done by laparoscopy. Barring problems with my ovaries, they will be retained (I hope!!). I am still not sure whether or not I would keep my cervix yet, so I don't know if I'll have a LSH or a LVH.

In any event, I am curious about everyone's experience with laparoscopic hysterectomy.

• How did you feel afterward compared other laps you have previously had?
• What restrictions on activities did you have during recovery?
• What activities could you do that helped recovery? (Small walks around the house every so often, light exercise, like moving your arms or legs, etc.)
• Did you need to wear a stomach binder?
• Any advance suggestions about things I can do now to help ensure a smoother recovery? Like ride my bike, lift weights, eat more healthy foods, etc.
• If you have a job outside the home, how long before you returned to work? Did you need to be part time for a while?

I'm curious because I only have 12 work days to be off work (with pay that is). That needs to include travel down to the endo specialist in Georgia. I can take longer, of course, but it would be without pay and I don't think I could afford that! Plus, I have a project at work that's going on at that time. They have told me not to worry about it, but I want to do what I can. It would be computer/desk work, so I'm wondering if, after 2 weeks if I am not up to full time work, I could sit for small periods of time at my computer at home or else lie down and use a laptop. All my work is on the computer, so there is nothing physical involved. That's why I'm curious how anyone who had a laparoscopic hysterectomy felt after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks and how quickly you could resume work.

Thank you so much!

Jennifer

Hi Jennifer..
I had the LVH

after I felt better then I thought I would, but...bending, sudden moves no way...getting up and down or out of bed...och. That got lots better in about 7 days to 10

restrictions--no driving for at least a week, and they where right, If you had to use the brake or if you had a clutch no way!! bring a pillow for between the seat belt and tummy. no lifting 5 pound limit...no pushing a shopping cart and stay away from shopping at large stores, limit time out to 1 hour or so...or your in bed for days.

Activities---reading changing the remote and rest, really your body has a lot of healing and tells you that with tons of fatigue. I did dishes at 10 days, sweep the floor at 14 and that was a huge mistake, you use your abs for everything and they talk back!

Listen I dont want to freak you out, but 2 weeks is not enough, no way, I understand the money and I am suffering greatly for not having any, but, I have a desk job and sit for almost 10 hours, yes I was a slow healer and still am healing but...I could not work for 9 weeks, now lots of women go back sooner. A lot will depend on if you rest at first, if you keep ovaries (insomina is a killer at week 3 and on)

Good news--by 2 weeks I felt lots better, week 3 felt like I was going backwards due to fatigue and pain (pain for me fatigue is huge and normal for 95%)
week 4 was great!! Then I had trouble and you won't..but you must rest and learn to find other means of money, listen you only get one chance to heal and just because it is a Lap does not mean they do not move all of the organs or less stiches on the inside, don't try and be superwomen there is no such thing, she is fiction, be the women who loves herself and takes it easy.

Oh reason to have the LVH, no periods no cancer in the cervix later.

You will be fine, but listen your body she has a voice and listen to it, 2 weeks is not okay to return to work. Normal is still 6-8 weeks and I tell you by week 6 your energy is just starting to perk up, so maybe 4 weeks part time? Drink your water read the board here and be kind to you!! I hope I did not upset you, I am glad flo is gone glad I had the surgery, I too just had unreal expectations.
Hugs to you
M

LIW please read these
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/hsl...hp?forumid=170

I understand, as I am dealing with some of the same issues. I am having (hopefully) a vaginal hysterectomy, with both ovaries removed as well. ((We decided we just needed to go ahead and clean house while we were in there)) LOL..... I have exactly 4 weeks between semesters for me ... I am actually taking my last exam at 9pm on Thurs, and I have surg at 6 am on Fri.... I am hoping to be able to return to school after 4 weeks, as I am starting my clinical rotation in nursing. I will go to school mon 8-4 with a 2 hour break, tues 1-4, wed 630-330, and thurs 1-4 , off F/S/S. I, too, hope that I am not pushing it, but dropping a class will set me back an entire semester, if not a year, due to the way they work the clinical rotations. I guess all I can do is try and hope as well, But I want to let you know that I empathize with your situation, and I will be right there with you! If at all possible, take the time off, I spent years and years being the "noble" one, and looking back noone would ever have known the difference. Just say to heck with it and take the time you need. I contracted meningitis in 96, and missed a couple of months of work recouperating, and funny thing, somehow things just work out and you manage to get by, sometimes lots better than if you push things too far too soon......
Good luck, and lots of hugggggs

Jennifer I had the LSH procedure. It was the first and only lap procedure I've ever had but in response to your question I felt great after my surgery starting in recovery.

All the restrictions that apply to any procedure will apply to an LSH (or LVH) as well. Although, the impact is much less it is still major surgery so be prepared to rest a lot and take it very easy for a while.

I tried to walk around the house a bit every day. I have a two story house and was able to take the stairs with no problem.

I didn't have a stomach binder but I did get some light support panties which I used if I was going to be on my feet for very long. I began using the panties about a week after my surgery.

I would suggest that before your surgery you stretch a lot. Your movements will be naturally restricted after so stretching before might help eliminate some of the back pains and hip joint pains you may get after. (I wish I had stretched more before) Keep your diet clean and healthy before because you may experience some gastric discomfort after your surgery. Lots and lots of water.

I was able to return to work three weeks after my surgery. I do landscaping and was able to ease back into it pretty quickly. I had an unusually easy time of it, according to this forum, but listen to your own body. A sit down job might be just fine but some ladies have complained about pain from sitting too long.

My recovery was really fast and I had very little pain. You might do a search under LSH* and you will find many stories, including mine, about the LSH procedure and its recovery.

Good luck to you.

Hi, I had LSH/BSO three months ago. My doctor felt I should keep my cervix since it was healthy and I'm glad I did. It was my first lap procedure. My recovery process was very rapid and uncomplicated. I was able to come home the same day of surgery. Did not require any pain medication after 1st day. 1st week was rather uncomfortable with gas pains and having some problems getting out of bed or off of couch on my own. Little incisions bothered me a little but I think I was more afraid of pulling something internally more than anything else.

My restrictions were basically no bending, pulling or lifting. I had a post-op check 7 days after surgery and my doctor said I was OK to return to all normal activities including sexual intercourse. I had no problem with sexual issues as the result of the surgery. I had no pain and it's really quite wonderful.

I didn't need a stomach binder - I still have swelly belly after 3 months but its improving.

I did have bladder issues for quite sometime after surgery but it got better by week 3 which I think is because that's when my belly swelling started to go down. By weeks 6-9 things were going extremely well and now at 3 months I can honestly say all bladder issues have resolved themselves.

I started daily walks which are about 3-4 miles at end of 1st week post op and by 3rd week got on my bike. The bike was a mistake, I went to far and it wiped me out! It was the first time I had extreme exhaustion post-op. So I waited almost another 2 weeks and tried it again and it was better. Then I started doing bike rides AND walks daily and began having pains in the incision sites. Cut back for a week and then just kept to walking. So far no further problems.

I have always maintained a good weight and eat a healthy diet, I don't drink or smoke. My doctor feels I did exceptionally well and healed extremely fast.

Before surgery I was taking iron Slow-Fe supplements because of all my blood loss, but I have also always been taking a variety of vitamins for most of my life (I'm 51). So I went into surgery fairly healthy.

As far as going back to work in 2 weeks - even though I sprang back quick there is NO WAY I could have gone back to a job in that little time.

Even though LSH is less invasive you still have all that internal healing and it really requires 6-8 weeks of extreme care. Your body will be going thru a great shock and it needs time to recover. If you can get 6-8 weeks of medical leave than by all means PLEASE take it!

As far as after surgery exercise I think walking is the best, drink lots of water. I found switching to just plain water instead of fruit juices really helped relieve the gas.

I hope this helps! Good luck.

I had my LAVH/BSO on june 24, 2004. The pain level wasn't much more than than the two previous lap I had done prior to this. I too have endo, but my doctor opted to remove everything. I'm a little curious as to why your doctor is OK with you leaivng your ovaries since the ovaries produce the estrogen which feeds the endo. My doctor was pretty clear that the only way to pretty much guarantee the endo wouldn't return is to take the ovaries.

As far as recovery time I started back to work this week at three weeks post op. I probably could have gone back at 2 weeks but was lucky enough to have the extra week off with pay. However I am extremely tired at the end of the day and sometimes get a little swelly belly.

As far as swelly belly after surgery there really wasn't any. In fact I have been wearing all of my regular clothes since the day I left the hospital.

The only restriction I had was not to drive for one week. No lifting over 5 lbs, no pushing grocery carts, no swimming or tub baths for 3 weeks. And absolutely no sex for 6 weeks. I also had to wait two full weeks before she started me on HRT. So far the results of the climara patch are pretty good.

Don't let the HRt factor deter you from deciding to let her remove your ovaries. It's not as bad as you think.

Jennifer,

I had a LSH and I am 13 weeks post op. I have no more fibroid pain/pressure, no more Aunt Flow's and no more b.c. I got my health back!!!

I have a similar story to the other LSH Hyster Sisters. I had my surgery at an outpatient facility and I was home the same night. I was able to walk up and down stairs by day 2, I went to the video store on day 4, and the market on day 5.

I had some swelly belly and that went away in a few days. I think many of us also have the "old crone walk". For me, that lasted about 10 days. I just moved slower.

I was back to work slowly at 2 weeks and I got a greenlight to go back to the gym at 4 weeks, and I decided to wait until 6. I got an okay for sex at 6 weeks.

I experienced some "healing pain"...very minor on my cervix area for about 4-6 weeks. It was a little dull ache and it just went away after about 6 weeks. During my surgery, my Dr. removed a very large fibroid from the top of my cervix. And... a plus...I got to keep my cervix.

If you opt for a LSH, I might suggest you ask your Dr. if he cauterizes the cervix. I had that done. It prevents the mini-period, you might have read about.

I have two small hip incisions and I look down and still can't believe I had major surgery. It is unbelievable!! I cannot say enough about a LSH. Not to mention my bladder and colon are working so good. I do not have to run to the restroom every hour for an "flow urge" feeling only. What a relief!!

Good Luck. Both the LAVH and LSH are wonderful surgeries!!

Hi Angie,

Thanks for your reply. The reason to leave the ovaries is that the doctor I'm seeing is one of the top endo specialists in the U.S. All of the specialists who meticulously excise endometriosis have very good success rates and under most circumstances, do not need to remove the uterus or ovaries. They usually say "remove the disease from the organs, not the organs from the woman."

The endo specialists will go in and very meticulously excise (remove, cut out) all areas of endo - whether they are on the peritoneum, bowel, bladder, ureters, wherever. The place I am going (Center for Endometriosis Care in Atlanta) focuses on excison of endo. They don't do laser vaporization (which is highly unsuccessful and is what I had last year), or medical management like Lupron. They track their patients' long term progress. They have an 80-90% success rate of no recurring endometriosis and 80% pain relief. That is without hysterectomy or oophorectomy. The reason for my hyst in my case is that adenomyosis is strongly suspected. So, they would do excision for the endo, lysis of adhesions, and a LSH for adenomyosis.

Jennifer