Common issues:

• Constipation: You should avoid straining hard to pass stool. If you do not open your bowels for more than two-three days you may need to take or increase the use of regular bowel medication such as Movicol, Coloxyl, or Lactulose. 
• Shoulder pain may occur secondary to laparoscopic surgery irritating the diaphragm (with pain referred to the shoulder or chest). This should settle by 1-2 days. It is usually eased by simple analgesia (panadol, anti-inflammatory tablets) and mild heat to the area.
• Pain: wound tenderness and discomfort is usual and may last up to 2-3 weeks. You should be able to walk reasonably comfortably with analgesia.
• Wound infections are uncommon. The usual sign of an infection is that the skin around the wound becomes very red and hot or there may be discharge from the wound. Small infections may settle after the discharge is cleaned away and an antiseptic like Betadine is applied twice daily. If you are concerned about the wound please contact us; it is possible antibiotics may be required.

The following signs and symptoms are not part of a normal recovery:

• a fever > 38.5°C or are feeling unwell
• offensive vaginal discharge or heavy bleeding
• wound becomes hot, painful or has offensive fluid draining from it
• nausea and vomiting which does not settle
• unable to empty your bladder or bowel
• severe pain.
• Tenderness or swelling in a leg/calf