Most women arrive to their pre-op appointment carrying quiet anxiety about the unknown. That anxiety softens once the day is broken into concrete, familiar steps. Here is what laparoscopic gynecology actually looks like — from the morning of surgery through the weeks that follow.
The day of surgery
You arrive fasted, usually a couple of hours before your slot. A nurse settles you in, an anaesthetist reviews your history, and Prof. Parkar meets you to confirm the plan and consent. Surgery itself is typically 45–120 minutes; the incisions are 4–10mm and closed with dissolvable stitches or glue.
Walking gently on day one is not bravery — it is the single most effective recovery instruction we give.
The first 24 hours
You wake gently in recovery, usually within 20 minutes of the last stitch. Most women eat a light meal within a few hours, walk the same day, and go home either the same evening or the following morning. Shoulder-tip discomfort from the gas used during surgery is common and settles within 24–48 hours.
Weeks 1–6
Light activity resumes within days. Most patients return to desk work within 1–2 weeks and full activity — including exercise — within 4–6 weeks depending on the procedure. Follow-up is at 2 and 6 weeks, with direct contact available in between.
What makes recovery easier
- Walk gently on day one — it clears the gas faster
- Stay ahead of pain with scheduled, not reactive, medication
- Protein-rich meals in the first two weeks
- Ask questions — the team wants to hear from you
Common questions
Will laparoscopic surgery leave scars?
The incisions are 4–10mm and typically fade to fine lines that are hard to see within a few months.
How soon can I fly after laparoscopy?
Short-haul flights are usually safe after 5–7 days; long-haul after 10–14. We tailor this to your specific procedure.
Book a consultation with Prof. Parkar
A private, unhurried appointment to review your history and design a plan that fits your life.
