Hi, I had a laparoscopy on 19th Dec 2023 in Munich, Germany. I had a similar experience and was in terrible pain for the first three days, but I still had to move around because the nurse made sure that I moved around a bit. I had a catheter and also a blood bag for 2 days. After surgery, you might bleed for at least 2 weeks, so prepare accordingly, drink a lot of water, and stick to an anti-inflammatory diet. Most importantly, medicine for Gas pain, waterproof bandages, stool softener, and loose clothes will be things you will need. In case you are sent home after three days, as I was sent home after three days. In my experience, recovery depends on your body, which Endometriosis stage you are in, and what your doctors find in laparoscopy. You can usually start working after 3 to 4 weeks if you have a desk job. Be gentle, take things slow, and I wish you all the best and a good recovery.

Hug a small pillow when you poop!

It hurt a lot to cough for a while after, so I always had cough drops and/or a bottle of water close by.

I had my lapex(robotic) last month 28th. Still on recovery. I had my bowel shaved, endometriosis removed from 8 sites plus a fibroid was also removed.
It took almost one day for the anasthesia to wean off. You won't feel much pain till then.
First time I ate something, almost after 24 hours I knew when the food was passing through my Bowels, the pain was unbearable. Probably because I had my bowels shaved and stitched.
You might get an itchy throat so ask something for that. Because coughing and sneezing will make you see hell and heaven for first 3 4 days.
Ask for stool softener if they don't prescribe it. Because passing stool is going to be a problem. ( Even if they don't operate on your Bowels)
You might get nausea too, mine wasn't that severe plus I had it just for 2 days.
I have 5 incisions on my stomach. They do hurt in the start but I would recommend to move around if the pain is manageable because moving helps with more blood circulation more healing. Keep the incisions clean. Check for any unpeculiar smell or sensations or pus coming from those areas. Especially the one you will have on your umbilical region. I got that infected and had to take antibiotics for longer period than normally taken. My doctor said that the umbilical area gets infection pretty quickly.
Passing urine might be a lil painful in the start but it will go away soon. I had a catheter for 2 days.
After 10 days post surgery ....13th day when I am writing this, I can walk around, do my chores but still I do spend lots of time on bed. Because I feel like my body needs rest. I haven't resumed my job( desk job) mostly because my office has very poor working environment. If it was a corporate working office with good facilities I would definitely be going back to work after 2nd week.
Bending ( I started bending side ways), lifting heavy ( anything above 2 kg), getting up from the bed these things are still tough for me and I am taking it slow.
Your recovery depends on your age physical fitness other comorbidities and the food you are taking. I am 30 year old woman with a 23 bmi mostly physically active before surgery and follows an anti inflammatory diet. Plus I did my surgery in India and I can afford slow recovery and longer leaves.
I have read woman getting back to their desk job after 1 weeks rest and I have read woman who doesn't feel like themselves even after 6 months of surgery.
So don't push the recovery.. listen to your body and don't compare. Hugs. You got this.

I'm not sure how to reply to comments. Theresa, may I ask what job you had at the time? I work a desk job so bending and lifting is not something I do on a daily basis.

Hi I had a laparoscopy four years ago and gave me some for relief for at least two years until I had a polyp which had to be removed. I had to take it easy for 3 months but that was mainly bending down and stretching but was mainly a three week recovery period . Think I went back to work just after a week on light duties . Took me two days to recover from anaethrsia from op
Do be careful when bending down and stretching as I over stretched and was very painful .
Good luck hope all goes well and gives you relief for few years unfortunately it does grow bk