A laparoscopy is keyhole surgery to diagnose or treat endo, and recovery is usually two to four weeks, not the two days people hope for. Knowing what is coming takes a lot of the fear out of it. Here is how to prepare, what to pack, and what recovery actually feels like, told straight and without the scare tactics.
Still deciding whether to go ahead at all? Is Laparoscopy Right for You? covers what it diagnoses and the questions worth asking before you consent. Already booked in? Keep reading.
What is a laparoscopy?
It is keyhole surgery using small incisions and a camera to look inside your pelvis. A surgeon can diagnose endometriosis and often treat it in the same procedure, either by excision (removing lesions at the root) or ablation (burning them off). It is done under general anaesthesia and usually takes anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on what they find.
How do you prepare for surgery?
Confirm your date and follow your surgeon's pre-op instructions to the letter. Ask early about blood tests, bowel prep and fasting, so nothing is a surprise the night before. Organise two to four weeks of lighter duties, and someone to drive you home and stay close for the first 24 hours. Fill your prescriptions in advance. Stock the fridge with easy meals, plenty of fluids and the comfiest clothes you own. Future you will be grateful.
What should you pack?
Keep it simple and soft. Loose pyjamas, a soft dress, high-waist undies that sit above any incisions, and slip-on shoes so you are not bending down. Bring your phone, ID, a small pillow to hold against your stomach, and peppermint tea for the trapped gas nobody warns you about. Lip balm, earbuds and a good playlist help the waiting. Pack heat for afterwards too: rae is wearable, so warmth can come home with you rather than living in the microwave.
What happens on the day?
You check in, change into a gown, and meet your team. During surgery, you will have two or three small incisions, and gas is used to inflate your abdomen so the surgeon can see clearly. Waking up groggy, bloated, tender and dry-throated is completely normal. So is aching in the shoulders, which is that gas making its exit. It is strange, it passes, and it is not a sign anything went wrong.
What does recovery really feel like?
The first week is about moving gently. Short, slow walks help the gas escape and keep things ticking over. Stay hydrated, use heat for comfort, and lift nothing heavier than a kettle. Rest is not a setback; it is the plan.
The longer game runs one to six months, and it is not linear. Some days you feel almost normal, then swelling, fatigue or a low mood shows up out of nowhere. That is healing, not failure. Ease back into life at your own pace, celebrate the small wins, and if the emotional side feels heavy, talk to someone who understands chronic pain. Leak-proof period underwear can take one worry off the list for your first post-op bleed.
When should you call your doctor?
Some discomfort is expected, but trust your instincts. Contact your surgeon or seek urgent care if you have a fever, heavy or worsening bleeding, severe or increasing pain, redness or discharge around an incision, or trouble breathing. You are not being dramatic by checking. That is exactly what your care team is there for.
Frequently asked questions
How long does laparoscopy recovery take?
Most people need two to four weeks before returning to normal activity, and up to six months for full internal healing. It varies with what was done during surgery.
Is a laparoscopy painful afterwards?
Expect tenderness, bloating and shoulder ache from the gas for a few days. Your team will guide pain management. Gentle movement and heat help you stay comfortable.
Does a laparoscopy cure endometriosis?
No. Surgery can remove lesions and ease symptoms for a time, but endo can return. It is one step in ongoing care, not a full stop. Discuss the long-term plan with your specialist.
Once you're weeks out and back to daily life, the ongoing side of things, heat, rest, movement, tracking, is covered in the Endo Toolkit.
This is education from lived experience, not medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, talk to your doctor.