Endometriosis surgery can help medical professionals diagnose and treat symptoms of endometriosis. Advancements in surgical approaches and techniques mean that surgical risks and recovery times are reduced.
With a laparoscopy, the most common surgery for endometriosis, you are likely to feel tired for at least a few hours postoperatively. Most often, recovery for this will not last longer than a few weeks, according to the United Kingdom’s Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. However, some people may need a longer period of recovery to get back to regular life, depending on the extent of the surgery performed.
What is endometriosis surgery?
Both medication and surgery can be used to manage endometriosis. Doctors will usually try medications before recommending surgery.
Pain-relieving medications like ibuprofen (Advil) can help treat some of the symptoms of endometriosis. Hormonal medications, like birth control pills, can also be used to treat endometriosis and help reduce the growth of endometriotic tissue outside the uterus.
There are two main types of surgery for endometriosis. Both require you to undergo a general anesthetic.
It is important to listen carefully to the instructions you are given before surgery. For example, your healthcare team will discuss when to stop eating or drinking and if you need to stop taking any medications.
The two main types are:
- Laparoscopy: Small incisions in the abdomen allow a surgeon to place a small camera and instruments to diagnose endometriosis and treat any visible endometriotic disease. Though there are risks, this procedure is considered minimally invasive and overall safe. One research review from 2019 found no deaths across 57 studies.
- Laparotomy: This is a surgery where a surgeon makes a large incision in the abdomen to diagnose and treat any visible endometriotic tissue. This approach is typically reserved for more severe or complicated cases of endometriosis.
Recovery time
Each surgery is different, with a laparotomy being more invasive than a laparoscopy, so the recovery times differ between them.
Laparoscopy
The recovery from a laparoscopy, which is minimally invasive, is typically faster than a laparotomy.
After a laparoscopy, you will typically spend a few hours in recovery at the hospital and then be discharged home. It’s possible you may need to stay in the hospital overnight, so it may be a good idea to mentally prepare yourself for that.
Once you are home, healthcare professionals estimate that it typically takes a few weeks to recover from the surgery. However, no two people are the same. It is important to listen to your body after surgery.
Laparotomy
During a laparotomy, your surgeon makes a large incision in your abdomen. This is a much more extensive procedure than a laparoscopy. So if you are recovering from this procedure, you will need to rest for longer. You will have an overnight hospital stay to help ensure everything has gone well and that you are starting to recover well.
Your healthcare professional will tell you to try and walk around to help prevent blood clot formation while you are in the recovery area of the facility.
It is natural to feel tired or have trouble sleeping during recovery.
It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions after you go home. These can include:
- avoiding lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds for the first 6 weeks
- keeping your wound clean and dry
- getting medical attention if you have signs of infection
A laparotomy can cause a large scar across your abdomen. It may heal and fade away, or it may be permanent.
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