Recovery Essentials for Endometriosis Excision Surgery

If you’re preparing for an excision laparoscopy, you may be wondering about what you need for recovery from endometriosis surgery.

For both of my most recent laparoscopies- one exploratory and one for excision of endometriosis and adhesions- the recovery was way easier and less painful than my periods. 

The more recent one did take me a few days longer to recover. They did bring in a general surgeon to make a repair on an internal muscle, so I was kept in the hospital for 2 nights. 

And it took longer for me to be able to take full deep breaths. I play euphonium, a brass instrument, and it was a couple of months before I could work up to the necessary breaths required to play again.

Please note: I am not a medical professional. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to treat or diagnose any conditions. Always consult your doctor or medical professionals. Full disclaimer available here.

For this post, I’m going to assume that you already have any prescribed medications and directions from your doctor’s office for post-op care, including directions for removing pain pump catheters, if they use one.

To this day, having Josh pull the pain pump catheters out of my abdomen a few days after surgery was one of the strangest things we’ve done together. Please don’t let that worry you. It was weird, in part because there were about 12 inches to remove, but it didn’t hurt. 

They were a few inches below my center incision, just loose in my abdomen, for direct pain relief, but they weren’t attached to anything inside.

Excision for Endometriosis Surgery: Recovery Essentials

-Loose Clothes

You’ll want to keep things loose around your incision sites. I had 5 in an M-shaped pattern across my stomach with the center incision at the belly button.

If it’s warm a loose nightgown or oversized shirt will do. For shorts, you may want ones where you can have the waistband sit below your incisions.

It was pretty cold (January in Ohio) so I opted for loose-fitting tees and sweatshirts. 

I also have some nice sweatpants from Talbots with a wide waistband that doesn’t dig into the stomach. It sits higher on my waist, so it was well above the incision sites. They don’t have the exact pants anymore, but this one seems similar.

When I got home I stuck to big, oversized t-shirts and nightgowns.

-Warm Socks

Especially for any recovery time in the hospital, you will want to have some warm socks available. My hospital room was so cold, even with an extra blanket I couldn’t wait to leave just to warm up!

There were also times at home when I wore just a super oversized t-shirt and warm socks. That way I didn’t have to worry about a waistband digging in uncomfortably.

-Silk or Satin Hair ties

It’s become well-known that silk and satin are better than regular hair ties for preventing breakage and frizz.

I found having a couple of braids was best for keeping my hair wrangled and out of the way during surgery recovery.

I used this detangling spray before braiding and really didn’t have too many tangles to deal with later.

RELATED: What is Endometriosis: Overview, Symptoms, Treatments

-Big Cup with Flexible Straw

Since the incision sites are on the abdomen, sitting up becomes temporarily tricky. Having a flexible straw in a cup with a lid is SO helpful. It makes it easier to drink and you’re less likely to spill.

Staying hydrated can help your body so much for a smooth recovery, so have some electrolyte options available. I prefer Body Armour Lyte since it doesn’t have a ton of added sugar. You could also grab some Pedialyte (drink or popsicles). 

-Scar Away

At my follow-up appointment a week after surgery my doctor recommended using a silicone-based scar ointment or vaseline and rubbing the incision spots to help the internal stitches dissolve. 

Basically, keep them hydrated and don’t expose them to the sun as a burn could darken the scars.

Right after surgery, the incisions were covered with liquid bandages. Some of those had come off before my follow-up, and she removed the remaining ones to examine each site.

-Medication Organizer

I didn’t have one of these, but boy do I wish I had! 

I use one now for my vitamins and it just makes things so much easier. It eliminates any confusion if you’re taking the right thing at the right times.

You can set alarms on your phone for when to take each compartment. 

Add a sticky note to the lid with which med you’re taking and when.

For me, Josh had written out a daily medication schedule on a piece of paper. Then he set my phone alarms. I’d check that paper and then take the indicated medications. (The challenge would be when my cat knocked the bottles off my bedside table.)

We checked with our nurse before leaving the hospital to make sure that the timing was appropriate for all the post-op medications.

-Nausea Care

These are my favorite lozenges, the ones that have been most effective for me in relieving nausea. They’re good to have just in case your tummy gets a bit upset.

Sea bands can also help since they activate pressure points in your wrists for relieving nausea.

If you’re really concerned, these sick bags are great to have on hand for the car ride. Or while chillin’ on the couch. Or next to the bed. Anywhere you might get queasy.

RELATED: Endometriosis Excision Surgery: Hospital Bag Essentials

-Entertainment

Recovery time is great for catching up on or revisiting your favorite shows.

I suggest ones that are funny, but not ones that you’ll laugh out loud. Because, oww- incisions!

-Cozy Blanket

While recovering at home I didn’t bother with pants since the waistband of most would be right on my incisions, so I paired oversized tees and nightgowns with a cozy, super-fluffy blanket. 

This might make it seem like I was just lounging around, which did happen plenty, but I also walked around inside the house as often as I could. 

-Body Pillow

My mom gave me this U-shaped body pillow, and I was able to turn my side of the bed into a little nest. It was good for creating a comfortable lounging position for watching tv or napping.

I was able to pull one side under my knees as a bolster, which made for a more comfortable position.

-Heatables

When you have a laparoscopy they have to fill your abdomen with air. Afterward, some of the residual air may cause some discomfort in your shoulders. 

Applying a heating pad of some sort can help to alleviate shoulder pain.

RELATED: Excision for Endometriosis Surgery: How to Prepare

-Easy Snacks

You’ll find it helpful to have some easy snacks on hand. I’ve included a bunch of ideas in this post, all about how to prepare for endo excision surgery.

Some of my favorites were mixed berries (raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries), and these Kodiak Cakes flapjack cups.

Which essential for recovery from endometriosis surgery was most helpful for you?

I hope this post has given you some ideas about what to expect and what may be useful for your recovery time.

If you’d like more info about endometriosis excision surgery from a patient’s perspective, check out this post for how to prepare for the procedure, and this post for what to pack in your hospital bag.

I had been hesitant about the surgery, but my periods since have been dramatically easier and less painful. I still have cramps, but they are far more tolerable. Some days I’ve only needed a little Tylenol, rather than prescription-strength ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen sodium (Aleve).

I’ve also compiled a bunch of useful resources in this post, which includes links to sites for finding medical professionals in your area.

Sending you loads of good luck and healthy vibes!