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My laparoscopic overy/tube removal experience and return to work questions
I have a couple of questions at the end, but will first share my own experience. I had laparoscopic abdominal surgery on Dec. 30/09 (a week ago today) to remove my left fallopian tube and ovary, which had a 3” x 3” solid mass on it
It was a day surgery, and it was 6 hours from start of surgery to discharge. The ride home across town, even in a comfortable higher SUV, was extremely uncomfortable and I would suggest that riding home in a low riding car might be even worse. I was not given a prescription for pain medication or antibiotics – just told to take Extra Strength Tylenol and Advil for inflammation and pain, which actually did the trick, and I took these for about 2-1/2 days.
I have 4 incisions that are healing very well. I spent the first 4 days and nights living in my reclining rocker with pillows all around – it was easier to get into a sitting up position in the recliner, plus rolling side to side hurt a lot when everything shifted. I then spent a night on the couch on my side with pillows in front, and I have finally moved into my bed, which is still somewhat painful when I lay to heavily on an incision, but it’s coming.
The most invaluable things I had at home were a raised toilet seat and a walker – left over’s from my mom’s prior convalescence. You can live without both - so don’t run out and buy them – but if you can borrow these from someone for a few days it makes things so much easier. The normal toilet seat is really low to get up from and makes you use your stomach muscles a lot more, and the walker allows you do to more walking than you might and provides something to lean on if you get pooped out, which I did more than once.
Now for the questions – my return to work. My surgery was on a Wednesday, so I have booked off the 3 days that week, plus the following 2 weeks (10 days) – counting weekends that is 19 days. I feel good, but I have NO stamina. Taking a shower still feels like I ran a marathon. Doing even moderate chores – washing dishes, doing a bit of light clutter pick-up etc. seems to put a lot of strain on my belly (I’m a bit overweight so I have an extra droopy belly to start with) and my back muscles. This MAY be the gas I've read people have trouble with?? It feels like the muscle strain you get after lifting 50 lb bags and wrenching yourself, but it goes away in about 10 minutes after I sit down and relax. I played Scrabble with a friend last night who came over, and even sitting leaning forward in my rocker for 2 hours played me out and made my belly hurt, even though I leaned back frequently to take the pressure off.
I have lots of sick leave in the bank. Can anyone give me their experiences with how long it was before their stamina came back? I don’t want to go back and sit at my desk until I can do so without terrible discomfort, or be ready for a nap after 4 hours. As I have the luxury of being able take so much sick time, am I being really whimpy if I actually do so?
Cheers, and good luck to everyone else about to or that has just gone through surgery.
It was a day surgery, and it was 6 hours from start of surgery to discharge. The ride home across town, even in a comfortable higher SUV, was extremely uncomfortable and I would suggest that riding home in a low riding car might be even worse. I was not given a prescription for pain medication or antibiotics – just told to take Extra Strength Tylenol and Advil for inflammation and pain, which actually did the trick, and I took these for about 2-1/2 days.
I have 4 incisions that are healing very well. I spent the first 4 days and nights living in my reclining rocker with pillows all around – it was easier to get into a sitting up position in the recliner, plus rolling side to side hurt a lot when everything shifted. I then spent a night on the couch on my side with pillows in front, and I have finally moved into my bed, which is still somewhat painful when I lay to heavily on an incision, but it’s coming.
The most invaluable things I had at home were a raised toilet seat and a walker – left over’s from my mom’s prior convalescence. You can live without both - so don’t run out and buy them – but if you can borrow these from someone for a few days it makes things so much easier. The normal toilet seat is really low to get up from and makes you use your stomach muscles a lot more, and the walker allows you do to more walking than you might and provides something to lean on if you get pooped out, which I did more than once.
Now for the questions – my return to work. My surgery was on a Wednesday, so I have booked off the 3 days that week, plus the following 2 weeks (10 days) – counting weekends that is 19 days. I feel good, but I have NO stamina. Taking a shower still feels like I ran a marathon. Doing even moderate chores – washing dishes, doing a bit of light clutter pick-up etc. seems to put a lot of strain on my belly (I’m a bit overweight so I have an extra droopy belly to start with) and my back muscles. This MAY be the gas I've read people have trouble with?? It feels like the muscle strain you get after lifting 50 lb bags and wrenching yourself, but it goes away in about 10 minutes after I sit down and relax. I played Scrabble with a friend last night who came over, and even sitting leaning forward in my rocker for 2 hours played me out and made my belly hurt, even though I leaned back frequently to take the pressure off.
I have lots of sick leave in the bank. Can anyone give me their experiences with how long it was before their stamina came back? I don’t want to go back and sit at my desk until I can do so without terrible discomfort, or be ready for a nap after 4 hours. As I have the luxury of being able take so much sick time, am I being really whimpy if I actually do so?
Cheers, and good luck to everyone else about to or that has just gone through surgery.
Earlier this week i found out that i have an ovarian mass (10x8 in size) if it is cancerous or not i am not sure at this stage. the doctor has told me that my left ovary and fallopian tube has to be removed as well cos there might be extensive damage to it because of the size of the mass. i am really scared as i am only 29 years old and never had children. i am just praying that it isnt more serious than this.
Thank you for sharing your experience in such great detail. I can relate, but I had a laparotomy. Next week will mark the one year anniversary since my own surgery.
As I said, what you described closely resembles me after a laparotomy. Sometimes laparoscopic surgery is intense enough that the post-op experience is quite similar to laparotomy/open surgery.
For me, I went back to work after 6 weeks but was still whipped and lacked the energy for a full day of work. Could still not walk at a normal pace. Still walked slow or it hurt my stomach. Did not feel better until 8 weeks.
Everyone is different. I cannot say when your energy will return, but your exhaustion is very normal. It has only been a week. You may feel much better after two weeks. Maybe longer. The general rule for laparoscopic surgery is 2 weeks, but I'm inclined to think 4 weeks if you can get them.
My own employer LIED to me about my job security prior to surgery. I was entitled to as much as 9 weeks off with pay but only used 6 of them. Within a month after I returned, I was laid off. Do I blame my surgery on this occurring? Most definitely. So you need to consider both how you feel and how "safe" it is to take as much time off as you think you need and still have your job. I am a much more cynical person these days. Employers cannot be trusted.
As I said, what you described closely resembles me after a laparotomy. Sometimes laparoscopic surgery is intense enough that the post-op experience is quite similar to laparotomy/open surgery.
For me, I went back to work after 6 weeks but was still whipped and lacked the energy for a full day of work. Could still not walk at a normal pace. Still walked slow or it hurt my stomach. Did not feel better until 8 weeks.
Everyone is different. I cannot say when your energy will return, but your exhaustion is very normal. It has only been a week. You may feel much better after two weeks. Maybe longer. The general rule for laparoscopic surgery is 2 weeks, but I'm inclined to think 4 weeks if you can get them.
My own employer LIED to me about my job security prior to surgery. I was entitled to as much as 9 weeks off with pay but only used 6 of them. Within a month after I returned, I was laid off. Do I blame my surgery on this occurring? Most definitely. So you need to consider both how you feel and how "safe" it is to take as much time off as you think you need and still have your job. I am a much more cynical person these days. Employers cannot be trusted.
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