What Should I Watch After Laparoscopic Surgery? The Ultimate Guide

September 22, 2025 •

4 min read

Millions of individuals undergo minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery each year, which often involves a period of rest and recovery at home. Knowing what should I watch after laparoscopic surgery is key to avoiding boredom and making the downtime as comfortable as possible.

Quick Summary

During your recovery from laparoscopic surgery, choose low-stress entertainment like lighthearted comedies, inspiring documentaries, and engaging TV series to keep your mind occupied. Create a comfortable viewing space to relax and aid your healing process.

Key Points

Choose Calming Content: Opt for low-stress genres like comedy, feel-good films, or nature documentaries to keep your mood positive during recovery.
Create a Comfortable Viewing Space: Use extra pillows to recline and support your body, especially if you experience shoulder pain from the gas used during surgery.
Consider Non-Screen Options: If eye fatigue occurs, switch to audiobooks or podcasts to rest your eyes while staying mentally engaged.
Avoid Intense and Stressful Genres: High-stakes thrillers or horror films can raise anxiety and are best saved for after your full recovery.
Binge Your Favorites: Re-watching a favorite TV series offers familiar comfort and distraction during an extended recovery period.
Use a Hands-Free Holder: A tablet stand can prevent neck strain and discomfort from holding a device for long periods.

Why Your Entertainment Choices Matter During Recovery

Recovering from laparoscopic surgery requires significant rest, but this downtime can also lead to boredom and feelings of restlessness. Engaging your mind with the right kind of entertainment is a powerful tool for improving your mental and emotional well-being, which in turn can positively affect your physical healing. Opting for content that is calming, uplifting, and not overly stressful can help reduce anxiety, distract you from discomfort, and keep your spirits high. Conversely, choosing intense or overly stimulating media could heighten stress and make relaxation more difficult.

The Best Types of Content to Watch

Lighthearted Films and Comedies

After any procedure, especially one that involves internal healing, you'll want to avoid anything that could cause a rush of adrenaline or anxiety. Comedies are a perfect antidote to boredom and can even boost your mood. Think about feel-good movies that you know and love, or discover new ones that are simple and heartwarming. The objective is to enjoy a story without any emotional strain.

Binge-Worthy TV Series

A recovery period is the perfect time to tackle that TV series your friends have been recommending. Long series provide hours of entertainment and a sense of progression, which can be particularly satisfying when you feel your own progress is slow. Opt for shows with multiple seasons to give yourself a long-term distraction. For example, a fantasy adventure series or an easy-to-follow sitcom can be ideal.

Inspiring Documentaries and Educational Content

If you prefer something more mentally stimulating, documentaries can be a great choice. They offer an engaging way to learn something new without requiring physical exertion. Consider documentaries on nature, history, or fascinating biographies. Many streaming services offer extensive libraries of documentaries that can provide a fulfilling viewing experience during your convalescence.

Soothing, Familiar Favorites

There is comfort in the known. Re-watching a favorite movie or an entire TV series you've seen before can be incredibly relaxing. There are no surprises, no intense plot twists to worry about, and the familiar characters and stories can feel like a warm hug. This is especially helpful in the first few days post-surgery when you may be feeling fatigued and less able to concentrate on new stories.

How to Watch Comfortably

Your viewing experience is not just about what you watch, but how you watch it. Comfort is paramount during recovery. Set up a cozy nest on your couch or in your bed with plenty of pillows for support. A hands-free tablet holder can be a game-changer, allowing you to watch without straining your neck or holding a heavy device for long periods. Remember to recline rather than lie completely flat to reduce swelling and improve comfort, and use a weighted blanket for a feeling of security and warmth.

Comparing Entertainment Options for Post-Surgery Recovery


Content Type	Stress Level	Focus Requirement	Binge Potential	Comfort Level	Example
Light Comedies	Low	Low	Medium	High	Classic sitcoms, rom-coms
Documentaries	Low to Medium	Medium	Medium to High	High	Nature or historical series
Familiar Films	Very Low	Very Low	Low	Very High	A beloved childhood favorite
Fantasy Series	Medium	Medium to High	Very High	Medium to High	The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Intense Thrillers	High	High	Medium	Low	Avoid these until fully recovered

Beyond the Screen: Alternative Forms of Entertainment

While this article focuses on visual media, there are other excellent ways to stay entertained without staring at a screen. Audiobooks and podcasts are a fantastic option, allowing you to rest your eyes while still being engaged in a story or a conversation. Many libraries offer digital versions of audiobooks for free. You could also take up a low-effort craft like knitting or coloring, or even try solving crossword puzzles if you feel up to it. Writing in a journal about your recovery or reconnecting with old friends via text or phone can also pass the time constructively.

Authoritative Source for Laparoscopic Recovery

For more detailed, clinical information on recovering from laparoscopic surgery, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists provides an excellent resource on what to expect, pain management, and resuming normal activity levels. It's always best to follow your surgeon's specific post-operative instructions, but authoritative resources like this can provide additional peace of mind.

Conclusion: Finding Your Flow After Surgery

Selecting the right entertainment is a simple yet effective strategy for a smoother, more pleasant recovery after laparoscopic surgery. By prioritizing comfort and low-stress content, you can transform a potentially tedious period into one of rest and mental rejuvenation. Whether you opt for a cozy movie marathon, an educational documentary, or a long-awaited binge-watch, remember to listen to your body and choose what makes you feel best. Your entertainment choices are an important part of your overall self-care during this crucial healing period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Immediately after surgery, you might feel groggy or tired. Stick to simple, lighthearted content like a favorite sitcom or a familiar film. The goal is to avoid anything that requires intense focus or might cause emotional distress.

While you can technically watch anything, it is highly recommended to stick to low-stress entertainment. Anesthesia and fatigue can make you more sensitive, so avoiding intense or scary shows and movies is a good idea to maintain a calm state of mind.

A reclined position is often best, using pillows to prop yourself up. This can help reduce pressure on your abdomen and may also relieve the temporary shoulder pain caused by the gas used during the procedure. It's important to change positions periodically to maintain blood flow.

Mixing up your entertainment can prevent boredom. Besides movies and TV, consider listening to audiobooks, podcasts, or music. You can also engage in low-effort activities like coloring, knitting, or journaling to keep your mind occupied.

Both are fine, but consider your comfort. A TV might be easier if you're resting in a chair or bed and don't want to hold a device. A tablet with a hands-free stand can also be very comfortable and allows for flexibility in your viewing position.

Binge-watching a series is a great way to pass the time during recovery. It provides a long-term distraction and can be a very relaxing activity. Just make sure to get up and walk around briefly between episodes to prevent blood clots and stiffness.

To make your experience more comfortable, arrange your pillows to provide back and neck support, use a lightweight blanket, and keep your remote, water, and any necessary medications within easy reach. The less you have to stretch or strain, the better.

Avoid movies or shows that are stressful, scary, or emotionally draining. High-stakes thrillers, horror films, or intense dramas might increase anxiety and are not conducive to a restful recovery. Stick to calming, predictable, and uplifting content.