Bi lateral salpingo oophrectomy

That’s great news!

So pleased they managed to do it by keyhole. Didn’t want to say too much before yesterday (obviously!) but open surgery is a whole different ball game.

I had to wear surgical stockings for 6 weeks (I did have three pairs! ) but was lucky that I had my husband at home to help me in and out of them! 

Good news that everything looked normal too. I’d like to think that if she has even the teensiest doubt she wouldn’t have said that. My lab results took a few weeks since they were checking my ovaries, uterus, cervix and tubes, as well as analysing a peritoneal wash, but my friend came up with a great phrase: park the pathology and focus on your recovery. 

I’m not at all surprised to hear you’re tired. Listen to your body: walk, rest, sleep and eat when it tells you to and you’ll be back to normal in no time.

Again, great news! So pleased for you ️xx

Wow!! I wasn't expecting you to be out quite so soon!! That's wonderful news! Now you can get on with your life...and I'm so glad they could do it via keyhole. The problems standing up from sitting, are normal. You are working your core muscles a great deal by doing that. Rolling onto your side from lying, to get up, is less stress on your surgical site. Go with what feels most comfortable. And yes, two weeks off work seems a bit short...you need probably a total of 6 weeks even with keyhole; see what your GP suggests. I was signed off for just three weeks after my total hysterectomy and I asked my GP for another 3 weeks to make it 6, and they gave me a note for four weeks! 

If you feel like sleeping, sleep. I did a lot of bed resting which was when I was doing my puzzle books and reading. Just take it slowly and go with however you feel. There's no rush! 

Well done! you have come through wonderfully! 

Hi both - I’m still here but no internet at home so sending this from a friends phone while they’re visiting - will be back online when it’s all fixed - hopefully later today lx

Oh dear...sorry to hear that! but thank you for getting in touch; you sound like you are doing pretty well, which is great news! 

Hi both - I’m doing ok but it’s a slow process isn’t it? Had my first (quick) shower on Monday and now in a routine most days - shower dress watch daytime tv and have a nap. Haven’t managed to look at the incisions other than a quick glance which shocked me as they literally look like stab wounds which I realised they are. Managing to get around easier now and have bent a few times from my knees rather than my waist. Appetite isn’t brilliant but I’m finding if I eat little and often it’s better than big meals although my colitis is pretty bad and I’m waiting for my consultants advice (although he’s historically been pretty bad aswell but I’m determined not to end up in hospital like my last flare). As I had no internet I couldn’t do a food order so ended up going to the supermarket yesterday (my dad drove me very very slowly) and I hobbled around the shop. I have to remind myself it’s only been a week and I’m so much better than I was - just aiming to continue in that way. Due back to work next Thursday but will see how I feel and go to GP if I have to get sick note extended. I wish they’d been able to give me level incisions on each side as they’re at different heights and it’s a real pain not to get knickers rubbing! Will be in touch in another week and report how I’m doing - hipe your both doing well and thanks again for everything lx

You're doing great!!!

I would think that next week is a bit soon to go back to work though?? But did you say you work from home? I don't recall.  My work is very physical so 6 weeks was the minimum. 

My incisions weren't quite symmetrical either. I am a symmetrical person (I mean, I like to have everything symmetrical) so it bugged me a bit but it is what it is...and I was fortunate that my surgeon did what I would term almost "invisible darning"!! - once the steristrips came off you could hardly see anything!! (My kidney surgery was not quite as "invisible" which disappointed me by comparison.)

I always struggle with this "bend at the knee" thing as my knees won't cope with it. I can kind of get down but then cannot stand up again. So I've always just had to bend very carefully but not at the knees. 

Take your time on the recovery. There's no rush. If any doubt, please do ask your GP for another sick note. It's not worth rushing things...I told myself I had all the time in the world to get fit again. 

Hi - I went to the GP Monday and she said incisions are all healing well but has given me 2 more weeks off work. She said that internally will take much longer to heal and after a couple of car journeys (I’m not driving yet) I was very sore on Monday evening. 
I am “desk” based and at the moment don’t think I could sit down for 8 hours on a kitchen chair even with cushions and breaks.

finding things a bit frustrating as days are spent sleeping, reading, watching tv or doing puzzles and I can see my house getting more and more untidy but physically can’t do things and for someone who’s organised and planned it’s really difficult.

just doing what I’m told - no heavy lifting, bend from the knees which I know is how your meant to bend but it’s difficult. 

My op was 2 weeks ago today and I’m definitely moving around easier and now starting to reduce the painkillers so hoping to just continue feeling better. Lx

You sound like you are doing great! 

I had to just ignore my floor (and I have two dogs too!) and stick to instructions. I have a heavy hoover. I ended up scraping the hair up with the sole of my slipper regularly. Not very satisfactory but better than nothing. 

I got a bit frustrated by six weeks off work, doing much the same as you (puzzles, reading, etc etc) but I did enjoy it the first few weeks and treated it as a welcome much needed little holiday. Internally, can be up to 12 weeks to completely heal but they say around 6 weeks onwards, if no complications. No, you shouldn't sit down for 8 hours a day even with breaks! I'm glad you have got the extra 2 weeks off work as your body definitely needs this, but can you maybe go back part-time after that? for example, just do 4 hours, but with breaks anyway in those 4 hours. Worth asking. I can't recall if you are self-employed or an employee? but if the latter, your employer has a duty to adapt your return to work according to your health at the time of return. In other words, in my case I could have requested that I sit down every half hour for 5 minutes for example, as my work is very physical - on my feet the whole shift. But I knew that wouldn't be possible as we work alone, the shop gets very busy, and short of shutting the shop every time with customers literally banging on the locked door to get in, it wouldn't have been possible for "adjustments" to be made that would be suitable. That's why I took the full 6 weeks off, each time.

Be patient and try and enjoy your extra little holiday - and, take care of yourself physically whilst doing so - and turn a blind eye to the housework just for now! Slow and steady at this stage, will mean you end up with full, complete fitness soon. Don't rush things.