Laparoscopy. the day after

Hello.

I am due to have this procedure in september. I have spoken to some people that have had it done and have told me how they felt after. ( the doctor has adviced me it could take 10 days to recover ) Most said it didnt take 10 days however one person said they were in alot of pain were as another said she wants but did cry for no reason for about a week after!

Have any of you had this procedure and how were you after?

Just want to prepare myself.

Thank you

I had my gall bladder removed laproscopically. I don't know if that's what you're referring to. But I had it done on a Thursday and was back in school that Monday. I stayed in the hospital overnight because there were many complications regarding my gall bladder before the surgery. However most people are in and out in one day. It was completely painless and I only have about four little eraser-size marks to show for it!

I also had my gallbladder out via laparoscopic surgery.  It was an emergency procedure as I had a serious attack. During surgery, they discovered I had a massively enlarged gallbladder , so they had to make the  exit hole a little larger to accomodate so I still have a scar (this was done in Feb). I was in the ICU overnight because the operation was at 10pm at night and it took them a couple of hours due to the enlarged gland. I left the hospital the next day so was in the hospital for 24 hours all together. They gave me painkillers to take and I can honestly say the only time I ever felt pain was in the morning when I would first wake up (because it had been overnight since the last painkiller) and that wasn't awful, tear-worthy pain, just like it was pulling a bit.  I went back to work the next week, substituting plain old tylenol for the perscription stuff during work hours and just taking the painkiller at nights. That worked well and after 3 weeks, I wasn't taking any painkillers and felt great.

I had my appendix out laproscopically.  Ouch!  I was in bed for the next week.  I was able to resume most of my normal activities (nothing involving strain on the abdominal muscles, however) after about two weeks.  Good luck!  

Many surgeries are done laparoscopically--it refers to a technique rather than a particular procedure (see http://www.laparoscopy.com/www/contents01/con t_index.php)

So a lot depends on what is being done.

I had my gall bladder removed using this technique and was out of the hospital the next day.  I also had "explorative" surgery done this way and was out of the hospital hours later.  Hope that helps.

Had my gallbladder out this way and it was an outpatient procedure. They gave me pretty good pain meds right after surgery and again right before I left the hospital because I had an almost hour drive before I reached home. They told me to take the pain meds when needed (without overdosing, of course) because the best thing for me to do after surgery was walk around. I found that the most discomfort came from excess air trapped in my belly. Sitting in a semi-reclined position with a heating pad on low right across my chest and shoulders helped a bit. I think it took about 5 days to feel somewhat normal again and almost a week before I could ride in a car without any discomfort. I did have quite a bit of bloating for almost 2 weeks after surgery. We took a large family portrait a 6 days after surgery and I couldn't zip up or button my jeans for the picture. Good think I had a nice long shirt on, lol.

I had my tubes tied, gallbladder and appendix all done laporscopically.  The only discomfort for me too was the extra air/gas that was trapped inside me as well.  It was mostly fely in my shoulders and neck.  So canonelle is right when she said to sit semi-reclined.  Other than that just listen to your body and take it easy if you have to.  Everybody recovers differently and at different rates.  Good luck with your surgery.

Have you ever heard of anyone (or even yourself) being recovered enough to return to work in about 60 hours from gallbladder removal (assuming no serious complications, just minor, persistent pain?)

If you don't work an active job (e.g. deliveryman, steelworker, healthcare professional) where you're on your feet all day long, you might be OK. My first day home I was a little groggy, but by the second, I had my laptop up and was browsing the internet from my couch. Potential problems might be 1. if you're company has a no prescription painkiller policy (mine does--unless for very good reason, it's why I swapped in tylenol for work hours); or 2. if your chair (assuming a desk job) is uncomfortable given your posture may be affected temporarily.

I had mine done in 1994 and was moving the next week. Drove across the U.S. from AZ. to GA. 8 days after surgery felt find. Good luck and feel better soon.

Ahh, well, my work requires a LOT of moving around, so it wouldn't be practical to go back. I'll find out tomorrow whether or not I definitely need surgery or if medication/other therapies are an option. I might just have to claim a week of unpaid leave under FMLA, and then go stay at my dad's house for the first day or two and then come back home. Revenge - my brother will have to babysit ME for a day, to help make up for all the days I babysat him when he was a kid. Although I'd rather be told that I don't need to go under the mini-knife after all.

IIRC my father was walking a bit after his gallbladder removal in three days and was back to normal in a week. But that was about 15 years ago, and I'm sure that the process is even less invasive and safer now than it was then.

I had it done for endometrosis. I was in bed for two days and after that, besides some sholder pain (weird, I know). I was fine. I just couldnt move very fast.