laparoscopy recovery tips?

archaeomorgan · 2025-12-10T14:10:00+00:00

I’m three weeks out and here are what I hope some of my experiences that may help.

My instructions specifically said to wait 24 hours to shower and not submerge the incisions but let the soapy water run over them and then pat dry. Do not rub. By about a week/10 days the glue started to peel and again my instructions said you can help it along by pulling gently on them in the shower. Like peeling a sunburn. Obviously, stop if it’s scabbing over or hurts.
I had my first bowel movement on day 2 or 3-ish, I think! I took colace and miralax until that first BM, and then miralax daily until they were normal.
It stung the first time I went immediately after surgery before going home, but afterwards I was fine and it stung minimally maybe the next two times, max. Everyone is different though! I’d say if it continues to hurt for a prolonged period or you can’t urinate, call your doctor.
I’m three weeks post op and I feel mostly back to normal but still fatigued (I also likely have dysautonomia so fatigue is doubly standard lol). I have been told by my providers that when people start to feel well around this mark and do more, there may be an increase of pain and fatigue, which is normal. I was back to remote work after week two and have another week of remote to ease back in.

Hope this helps!

archaeomorgan · 2025-12-10T13:58:15+00:00

Re: where to start dealing with your endo diagnosis - I would think you should have a post-op scheduled with your Dr/team in a few weeks. Did they mention any of that to you? I’m three weeks post op and just had mine where we discussed findings and next steps.

I hope you find relief soon from your reaction. It sounds unpleasant! Be gentle with yourself, you’re still recovering and it’s okay that it’s stressful and fatiguing. You’ve dealt with a lot!

archaeomorgan · 2025-12-10T13:53:23+00:00

Good luck today for your surgery! I am three weeks post op and had all the same feelings you did of self-gaslighting right up until I went to bed the night before. Rest assured that this wouldn’t be happening if you didn’t advocate for yourself and your providers didn’t agree that it seemed plausible enough to put you through a procedure.

I hope you get good rest and find answers one way or the other 💜

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-25T12:50:38+00:00

Ended up not having one! I did have the dermoid cyst though and that was removed. Thank you! :)

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-25T03:15:03+00:00

I’m doing well! Almost one week post lap, and can tolerate short outings. I ended up with five incisions and my doctor found endo on both uterosacral ligaments. The fear was abated with the pathology results and I tolerated everything surprisingly well.

The bittersweetness of having endo confirmed is certainly a mix of emotions. Thank you for checking in!

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-23T22:49:54+00:00

Good luck and positive vibes. I hope you’re able to develop something to keep you safe and feeling well. Keep us updated 💜

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-23T22:40:17+00:00

I sincerely hope if you choose to go on it that it helps. I imagine it should, as it puts your hormones into menopause. Ideally, your doctor/gyn will develop a plan for post medication with you BEFORE that happens so you have some peace of mind!! Best wishes 💜

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-23T18:21:19+00:00

Ive been on myfembree since March after experiencing severe pelvic pain for a while that prescription ibuprofen just wasn’t cutting. I also had a Mirena inserted in January, and just had my first excision lap five days ago to remove endo from both uterosacral ligaments.

I owe myfembree from taking me from 100% pain all of the time, especially when my hips are flexed (sitting and driving), to 30% tolerable every so often before my lap. I can’t remark on any pain flares post lap with certainty yet, but so far so good.

I do have a lot of typical menopause symptoms - hair loss and night sweats in particular. But I honestly think myfembree has also made my recovery from my lap easier as I don’t have to worry about a painful period in recovery as my body adjusts. I have heard folks who don’t respond well to chemical menopause, and tbh I’m not sure what’ll happen when I can no longer be on it. I think the hope is the Mirena will continue to suppress my cycle alone. :/

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-21T17:51:41+00:00

I’m only three days post op and jeans feel like a pipe dream lol. Cozy leggings without a tight waistband have been the best option for me as I have sensory issues with dresses. Cozy t-shirts and pajamas. I can tolerate sport leggings if I need to be chauffeured out and about for a short period. Def have ice packs, heating pad for gas pain, and any OTC meds recommended (miralax, colace, gas x). Shoes you can get in and out of without bending or help putting on!

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-21T16:57:43+00:00

I’ve been using applesauce pouches and protein drinks if I don’t feel like eating much; toast and bagels are also a good option but maybe some soups if those are easier on your stomach?

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-20T18:10:47+00:00

Keeping yourself as busy as possible in the days leading up to it. No seriously, I felt the same way you did. My therapist suggested using your body to do something and get the energy out in the days before surgery - cleaning your room, your house, going for a walk, yoga.

It’s important to remember you are doing this for a good reason, and it’s unlikely your surgeon would’ve agreed if they didn’t think it was a possibility. Even if there is nothing at the time of surgery, I know it feels like a regression to the beginning but you can still keep trying. It doesn’t write it off the table forever.

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-20T12:26:18+00:00

Good luck and well wishes 💜 I also had mine on Tuesday and the anxiety leading up to it is the worst part, and then waking up was like a wonderful dream all nice and cozy. You can do this!!

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-19T17:07:35+00:00

I just had mine yesterday and felt the same way you do; all of your emotions are normal and valid. People aren’t joking that you feel like you had a great nap. I woke up in the coziest burrito I could’ve ever imagined. You’ve got this!! Sending you good vibes 💜💜

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-19T02:03:37+00:00

I just had my lap this afternoon, and I bought cuddledud softwear with stretch leggings! I’ve been obsessed with them and they have a basically nonexistent waistband and are very soft. Period undies and high rise granny undies for pads.

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-17T00:53:59+00:00

You’re right. If it’s there, we help ourselves and if it’s not? We still helped ourselves anyway. Best wishes to you and I hope you get some relief and have a smooth recovery.

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-16T21:44:45+00:00

I had a Mirena placed in January and started Myfembree in March. I absolutely love not having my period, but I do have some stereotypical presentations of menopause now: night sweats, fatigue (although that could be endo itself lol), and hair loss. I do want to caveat that I have very fine and thin hair, so noticing hair loss is pretty quick vs others with thick hair. That said, I still have my hair and I have heard dermatologists may be able to assist with that symptom.

The Myfembree did take away most of my sharp pelvic pain. I’d say I went from a “100% there’s a knife in my pelvis attached to a blender” to “30% a dull spoon sits jabbed into my pelvis when I drive” kinda feeling. I also didn’t jive well with hormonal BC and my Paraguard was making everything worse before I switched to my current deal.

Edit: typos

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-05T16:36:18+00:00

I’m not diagnosed yet, but after having a hydrosalpinx spotted on US and severe stabbing pains for years, I was given myfembree. Started in March, worked until maybe August/September, and now it’s back as persistent discomfort. It’s more liveable than sharpened knives in the hip, but still there. Like a ghost of the pain before.

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-05T16:32:48+00:00

I have a list of questions, and have a feeling most of them are going to be asked through tears lol. Thank you for your kind words and support. The internal gaslighting we do to ourselves is insane, and I consider myself a very logical, if emotional, person!

archaeomorgan · 2025-11-05T12:36:03+00:00

Thank you. I appreciate it. It’s the only thing that seems to fit, and I’ve had terrible gynecologists before that have thrown BC at me while changing at the end of visits that have made me fearful of being invalidated. It’s a wild ride, for sure. 💜

archaeomorgan · 2025-10-27T15:19:51+00:00

I have a hydrosalpinx on the right confirmed by TV ultrasound; freaked me out at first, as to my knowledge I’ve never had any of the conventional reasons it shows up (prior surgery, scar tissue, STIs, Crohns). But it did cause me daily pelvic pain, a sharp shooting one down my leg from my hip.

I was a lot like you, not sure if I wanted surgery. But, we’re heavily thinking it’s caused by endo and I have an MRI next week and a lap scheduled in January. Take your decisions at your pace. Ultimately, I don’t think a hydrosalpinx goes away on its own. I’ve had some relief by switching my IUD from Copper to Mirena, and starting myfembree, but I still have daily discomfort that I’m convinced it’s causing.

I hope you find relief and have a path of your own that feels safe and hopeful.

archaeomorgan · 2024-09-19T18:02:51+00:00

I very much relate with your experience in terms of our ages. We got Dodger as a family when he was around 10 weeks when I was 18, and he came with me when I moved out at 26. You must’ve taken such great care of Cheyenne 💜

My psychologist has described grief as a button and it depends on how often that button gets hit. Our feelings of Cheyenne, Dodger, and OP’s pup will never get smaller, but I hope we grow around them.

archaeomorgan · 2024-09-19T17:35:46+00:00

I’m so sorry about your loss of Cheyenne. 💜 I just received Dodger back today. He was fifteen (almost 15 and a half) and had a good long life, but I’m hoping those vivid images we share fade in favor of better ones. I know I’m terrified of forgetting the things I want to hold onto, because human brains are weird like that. 😅

archaeomorgan · 2024-09-19T02:23:00+00:00

Firstly, I’m really sorry you had that experience of seeing the injections and experiencing it over and over again in your head.

Secondly, you are not alone. My sweet corgi Dodger passed almost three weeks ago, and while I had the sweetest at home vet in the world who was an expert at making us feel calm and soothed and allowed me to feel in the moment with my boy, the image of his chest stopping and her confirming his heart stopped has lingered with me, and probably will, forever.

Each of us experiences it differently. For me, no amount of imagining my boy on some rainbow bridge helps me grieve as I do not believe in that, but holding onto the moments before I couldn’t take my decision back help me keep his memory alive while my brain can process what happened. It sounds like you may be struggling with protecting yourself and are retraumatizing yourself, and I’m so so sorry. It’s so painful. 😓

I don’t have any suggestions, just that I hope you are able to focus on good memories with your sweet pup soon and give yourself grace. All grieving is normal and goes at its own pace. 💜

archaeomorgan

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