Recovering from Laparoscopy

Board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon Jonathan Kiev, MD, spent more than 30 years amassing a varied history in several medical subspecialties and institutions. An attending thoracic surgeon at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Jonathan Kiev, MD, is familiar with numerous surgical procedures and technologies, ranging from robotic surgery techniques to laparoscopic techniques.

Primarily used for diagnoses, laparoscopy involves the use of a thin tube that is inserted into the abdominal or pelvic cavity via a small incision. This tube lets medical professionals examine the area for diagnosing and treating different diseases and conditions.

Since laparoscopy uses small incisions, recovery time for the procedure is drastically reduced compared to recovery times for standard surgeries. In fact, most patients recover from such a procedure in about 5 days. When performed as part of a larger surgical procedure, however, recovery can take up to 12 weeks.

During the recovery period, patients experience some pain at the surgical sight. They may also have an upset stomach, abdominal cramps, light bleeding, shoulder pain, and constipation. Since laparoscopy has a short recovery time for the average patient, these symptoms rarely last more than 2 days.

As with any surgery, patients must pay close attention to their bodies following laparoscopic procedures. When they feel tired, they should rest. Similarly, they should avoid driving until they are capable of stopping their vehicles in emergency situations and stay home from work until they feel comfortable completing their work load as normal.