Recovery after endometriosis excision surgery: stage by stage

Endometriosis surgery ranges from removing small superficial deposits to operating on the bowel or bladder. The recovery pattern follows the extent of the work. The ranges in this timeline come from a Gloucestershire leaflet on keyhole surgery and a Leeds leaflet on deep infiltrating endometriosis, with treatment context from NHS pages.

Because endometriosis has no cure, recovery also includes planning to keep symptoms under control; that planning is part of the timeline, not an afterthought.

The Gloucestershire leaflet says abdominal pain and shoulder discomfort are normal and resolve within one to two days, with stitches typically removed around day five if not dissolvable. Keep the wounds clean and dry and use regular painkillers; stronger medicine may be given for the first days.

After deep disease surgery, bowel or bladder function may take time to settle, so report any new difficulty with passing urine or stool. If a temporary stoma was needed, a stoma nurse will teach you to manage it.

Neither leaflet gives a fixed driving date, so use the general rule: you must feel in control and able to make an emergency stop, and your insurer's terms matter. GOV.UK says it is for the patient to assure themselves they are fit to drive, warns that ignoring medical advice may affect insurance and says the DVLA must be told if you are still unable to drive three months after an operation.

The Leeds leaflet describes return to normal activities within two to four weeks after deep disease surgery. Work return will depend on the job and the size of the operation, so agree it with your surgeon at discharge.

• Keep painkillers regular for the first few days rather than waiting for pain.

• Move your bowels without straining; ask about laxatives.

• Pace the first fortnight; tiredness is normal.

Walk from the first day and build up. Neither leaflet states a date for sex or sport, so ask for guidance specific to your operation, particularly if the vagina, bowel or bladder was involved.

Pelvic floor and core work can restart gently once wounds are comfortable. If painful sex was one of your reasons for surgery, tell the team how it changes, because that is one of the outcomes they track.

The Leeds leaflet describes post-operative hormonal therapy for six to twelve months to reduce recurrence, while the Gloucestershire leaflet says that about 50 out of 100 patients will have symptoms and disease return. The NHS says that there is no cure and more surgeries may be needed if symptoms come back.

Agree a plan before you leave: who reviews you, what to do if pain returns and which hormone treatment you will take, including how it fits with trying to conceive.

• Fever, increasing pain or vomiting: contact the ward, your GP or NHS 111.

• Heavy bleeding, or wound redness, swelling or discharge.

• After bowel surgery: a swollen tummy, vomiting or being unable to pass wind or stool.

• A swollen calf, chest pain or breathlessness: call 999 if severe.