Going home after laparoscopic surgery

Read our guide below to help you understand what to expect from laparoscopic (key hole) surgery.

You can also download a PDF version of this patient information by following the link on the right.

We hope that your stay in hospital has been as comfortable as possible and that you’ll soon feel better than you did before your operation.

Laparoscopic (key hole) surgery has some benefits over conventional surgery, for example, surgery through an abdominal incision (cut). You may not have as much pain and discomfort, be able to move a little more easily and your discharge from hospital may be quicker.

This guide explains what to expect when you return home. Your recovery will depend upon:

• how fit you were before the operation
• the reason for your operation.
• the exact type of laparoscopic surgery that you had
• how smoothly everything went and whether there were any complications.

This guide also explains some of the most common side effects but it’s not a comprehensive list.  If you get other side-effects and want to ask anything else related to your treatment, speak to staff on your ward.

Effects of general anaesthesia

You’ll have had a general anaesthetic for your surgery. Generally you shouldn’t have any side effects for more than a day afterwards.

During the first 24 hours after a general anaesthetic you’ll feel more sleepy than usual.  You should have an adult with you at this time and try to avoid drinking alcohol. You mustn’t drive or operate machinery during this period.

Cuts and stitches

You’ll have between 1 and 5 small cuts (incisions) on your tummy.  These cuts will have been closed by stitches, glue or staples.  The practice nurse at your local surgery can usually take out staples or undissolved stitches that need removing about 5 days after your operation.

You should remove the dressings that cover the stitches about 24 hours after your surgery when you have a wash or shower.

Pain and discomfort

You can expect to have some pain and discomfort in your tummy after your operation, and you may experience shoulder tip pain (top of the arm and end of the shoulder). This isn’t unusual.

We’ll give you pain killers before you leave hospital and tell you what medication you can take at home.

Reducing the risk of blood clots

There’s a small risk of blood clots forming in your legs after surgery.  These may travel to the lungs and be more serious.

To reduce the risk of clots you should:

• be as mobile as you can after your operation
• do exercises while you rest, such as pumping each foot up and down briskly for 30 seconds by moving your ankle, move each foot in a circular motion for 30 seconds and bend and straighten each leg alternately (3 times for each leg)
• wear graduated compression stockings day and night until your mobility improves if we gave them to you
• take any prescription blood thinning drugs that your doctor prescribed.

How can I help my recovery?

Establish a daily routine and keep it. You’ll benefit from eating a healthy balanced high fibre diet (fruit, vegetables, wholegrain bread and cereal) and drinking enough fluids (up to 2 litres or 4 pints a day).

If you smoke, stopping will help recovery. A positive attitude to recovery is beneficial.

Exercise regularly and eat healthily.

When should I get medical advice after a laparoscopy?

If the skin around your tummy incisions becomes red or angry looking, this may indicate an infection. Call your doctor for possible antibiotic treatment.

A painful, hot or swollen leg might indicate that you’ve developed a blood clot. Call your GP immediately.

Burning and stinging when passing urine suggests that you may have a urinary infection. Call your GP as you might need antibiotics.

Contact your GP if you have difficulties in passing urine.

You may need to go into hospital if you have:

• increasing abdominal pain/tenderness
• abdominal distension (bloated tummy)
• a temperature (fever and/or chills)
• lost your appetite
• persistent vomiting or nausea.

This may be because of injury to one of your abdominal organs.

You should notice a gradual improvement of all your symptoms after your surgery. If this doesn’t happen, calll your GP.

When can I exercise

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t start walking the day you return home from hospital.  You should aim to gradually increase your activity levels. Many patients will be able to increase their walks to 30 to 60 minutes around 2 to 3 weeks after the operation.

You can start swimming again 2 to 3 weeks after your surgery.

You can expect to return to your previous levels of activity within 4 to 6 weeks.

When can I drive?

You shouldn’t drive for at least 24 hours after a general anaesthetic. Before you drive, make sure you can:

• sit in the car comfortably and work all the controls
• wear a seat belt comfortably
• do an emergency stop
• look comfortably over both shoulders
• concentrate fully.

When can I have sex?

Women can usually have sex comfortably 4 to 6 weeks after their operation. If there’s initial dryness, use a lubricant from your local pharmacy.

When can I go back to work?

You’re the best person to judge when you feel ready to return to work. This will depend on the type of work you do and the hours you work, especially as some jobs are more strenuous than others.

Some people feel they can return to work after 2 to 4 weeks but you may be off work for shorter or longer than this.

Returning to work can help your recovery by getting back into your normal routine. Consider starting part way through the working week so that you have a planned break quite soon.  You should only return to work when you feel ready.

Who can I call if I have any concerns?

Call the surgical floor at Stoke Mandeville Hospital on 01296 318110 or call Ward 12C at Wycombe Hospital on 01494 426018.

Useful links

Recovering well from a laparoscopic hysterectomy

Planning your recovery from a laparoscopy

How can I help reduce healthcare associated infections?

Infection prevention and control is important to the wellbeing of our patients so we have procedures in place. Keeping your hands clean is an effective way of preventing the spread of infections.

You, and anyone visiting you, must use the hand sanitiser available at the entrance to every ward before coming in and after you leave. You may need to wash your hands at the sink using soap and water. Hand sanitisers are not suitable for dealing with patients who have symptoms of diarrhoea.

More help or advice

Contact our patient advice and liaison service (PALS) on 01296 316042 or bht.pals@nhs.net