Endometriosis is a condition whereby endometrial tissue, which lines your uterus, starts to grow somewhere else in your body. This can happen virtually anywhere in the body, but it usually affects the pelvic organs. This condition often causes pain and irritation, especially during menstrual periods.
A woman may experience mild symptoms and still be developing severe endometriosis. Symptoms of this condition include painful periods, pain during sex, pain during urination, painful bowel movements, excessive bleeding, and infertility. Having more than one of these symptoms should prompt patients to see a doctor.
Endometriosis can be treated with noninvasive procedures such as pelvic floor therapy. However, serious cases may require surgery to remove the inflamed tissue. Let’s talk about the recovery phase after endometriosis surgery.
How Does Endometriosis Surgery Work?
It is encouraged to seek medical advice as soon as you experience even the mildest symptoms. Treatment at the early stages of the condition may lead to faster recovery, so it is best to tend to it immediately.
Treating endometriosis surgically usually comes in one of two forms: removal of the implanted endometriosis or full hysterectomy. A hysterectomy involves the removal of the entire uterus, which makes future pregnancies impossible. In comparison, conservative surgical removal of implanted endometriosis only involves removing the abnormal tissues, thereby leaving the uterus and ovaries intact.
Experts in endometriosis now lean toward simpler surgical removal of just the implanted endometrial tissue due to the major side effects a total hysterectomy can cause. The surgery can be performed through a minimally invasive gynecological surgery called laparoscopy or, less commonly, through traditional open surgery. Both procedures require being under general anesthesia, but the more minimally invasive procedures may be done as outpatient and involve a faster recovery time.
Recovering from an Endometriosis Operation
Some women may experience mild to moderate bloating after the surgery. Medication for pain, nausea, and bloating can be administered orally.
For minimally invasive surgeries, patients may feel mild discomfort and fatigue while they recover. It is important to stay active, eat healthy foods, and stay hydrated to help speed up the healing process.
Patients should get plenty of sleep at night while their body recovers from endometriosis surgery. They should also avoid physically straining themselves or lifting heavy objects in order to prevent complications.
For many patients, recovery from the operation is swift. You may be able to return to work after two weeks or so; your doctor will explain your restrictions and give you helpful advice for your recovery.
A post-operative checkup should be done about one to two weeks after the surgery so that the physician can monitor your healing progress. In general, any discomfort, pain, or nausea due to the operation will slowly decrease each day. If conditions worsen, however, you should see the doctor.
OB/GYN in North Miami
The severity of endometriosis isn’t always proportional to the extent of the symptoms. Consulting with a doctor as soon as you experience any symptoms will help in managing and mitigating the condition.
At Levin’s Women’s Health & Wellness Center, endometriosis surgery can be done through da Vinci® robotic surgery – the most advanced, state-of-the-art gynecological surgical system available today. While the surgeon is in complete control of the procedure, the robotic machine lends its steady arm for enhanced vision, precision, and manipulation.
To schedule a consultation, call us today at (305) 981-0231 or request an appointment online now. We look forward to seeing you!