I've had two laps and two very different experiences. First one in May last year was absolutely horrendous. I lost a lot of blood during surgery, had a drainage tube in when I woke up (which had to be removed a few hours later - blah!) and one of the incision sites ruptured every time I attempted to get out of bed, causing rather scary amounts of bleeding. I ended up staying overnight. I honestly do not think I was well enough to be discharged when I was, but it was a day surgery facility. Took me about 6 weeks to fully recover. I had severe shoulder tip pain for at least a week and was in bed for a week. The second week I as up and about a bit more but I took 3 weeks off work in total. Having said that, although it was a lap, I've been told it was still pretty major surgery, I had a large complex cyst removed from my left ovary.

My second lap in November last year could not have been more different. Admittedly, it was more exploratory, although I did have hyst, dye & ahesions removed (caused by the first surgery - rah!). I felt really good after a day or two and was back at work the next week. Had no shoulder tip pain that I can recall. DH and I are still amazed by the difference.

I was not prepared for the pain I experienced after my first surgery. It took me about 8 weeks to be able to do no 2s without excrutiating pain. I also found eating painful - yes, I know! Bizarre but it was like I could feel the food being digested and it was painful.

My advice - be prepared for either outcome!