Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List
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Recovery of Laparoscopy
After a laparoscopy, it’s normal to feel some pain and discomfort around the cuts in your abdomen – this will get better after a couple of days. You may feel some pain in you shoulders. This is because the nerves that supply the shoulders also supply the diaphragm, the breathing muscle in your chest. Sometimes the diaphragm can get irritated or stretched during surgery, which is why you feel pain in your shoulders. The hospital staff treating you will advise you about what painkillers to take if you need them.
Your abdomen may also feel uncomfortable for a day or two afterwards, which happens if there is any carbon dioxide gas remaining. The gas is gradually absorbed by the abdomen lining. You may also feel the need to urinate more often because the gas puts increased pressure on the bladder.
Before you go home the hospital staff will advise you how to keep the wounds clean and when to come back for a follow-up appointment or to have stitches removed.
If you go home the same day, it’s a good idea to have somebody with you for the first 24 hours after the operation, just in case you experience any problems, such as fever, chills, vomiting or severe pain. It’s important to contact your doctor straightaway if this happens.
It takes a few days to recover from a diagnostic laparoscopy, and up to 12 weeks if surgery has also been carried out. Follow your surgeon’s advice about physical activity, rest and returning to work.
