After a laparoscopy

After a laparoscopy

Who is this information for?

This information is for you if you are about to have, or you are recovering from, a laparoscopy (keyhole surgery). You might also find it useful to share this information with your family and friends.

You may be having, or have had, a laparoscopy:

• to help your gynaecologist make a diagnosis by looking inside your pelvis – this is known as a diagnostic laparoscopy
• as a treatment – this is known as an operative laparoscopy and includes procedures such as:
• sterilisation or a small amount of treatment of endometriosis (simple procedures)
• removal of an ovarian cyst, treatment of an ectopic pregnancy, removal of one or both ovaries or division of scar tissue (intermediate procedures)
• treatment of severe endometriosis or hysterectomy (major procedures). If you are having a hysterectomy, you may find helpful information in Recovering Well: Information for you after a laparoscopic hysterectomy.

This information is for you if you are having, or have had, a diagnostic laparoscopy and/or an operative laparoscopy where simple or intermediate procedures are performed.

Your choices will depend on your personal circumstances and will be discussed with you by your gynaecologist before your operation.

About this information

You should read this information along with any other information you have been given about your choices and the operation itself. This information gives general advice based on women’s experiences and expert opinion. Every woman has different needs and recovers in different ways. Your own recovery will depend upon:

• how fit and well you are before your operation
• the reason you are having a laparoscopy
• the exact type of laparoscopy that you have
• how smoothly everything goes and whether there are any complications.

Download the leaflet

The full leaflet can be downloaded as a pdf below:

• Information for you after a laparoscopy (pdf)