Any experience with laparoscopy??

[JESW]

I have to go in for one on June 8th and I am starting to get nervous! TMI but, I get severe cramps 1 & 1/2 weeks out of every month and last month they were REAL bad! Dr. is checking for endometriosis or whatever else.

What can I expect for recovery? They say I will be there for at least 3 hours which includes the surgery and recovery. I am also getting an endometrial ablation. Sounds like I have a real fun day ahead of me...

Jill

 

[luvwinnie]

I had 2 for endometriosis. Not so bad, but beware that it will hurt like heck to get up from a laying down position (you use your stomach muscles) for a couple days and you could have chest/shoulder pains from the carbon dioxide they fill you with to get a better view. I wish you the best! Let me know if you have more questions.

 

[DISNEY180]

I have had a few myself and totally agree with luvwinnie comments. If it is endometriosis make sure you look at all possible treatments before you make any decisions, especially if you are under 30. PM if you have any more questions. Wish you the best.

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

I had one 6 years ago and they discoverd endo - stage 2 going to 3. I agree with luvwinnie above about the pain in getting up from laying down, push a pillow to your tummy when you are getting up and it helps. How do you take anestesia (sp?). I don't wake up well, and I had nausea. Scar is tiny, and they went in close to my belly button. Almost can't see it anymore. Good luck!

 

[GraysMom]

I had laproscopy 2 years ago to explore why I wasn't getting pregnant and to remove an ovarian cyst. During surgery they found I had stage 2 endometriosis which was a shock since I didn't have any symptoms at all (I was 31 yo). My surgery took a lot longer than expected (almost 4 hours) due to the endo being burned off. When I came to, I was very nauseaous from the anesethia (sp?) and threw up stomach acid. No big deal normally, but it turns out the tube they put down my throat for the anesthetic scratched the sides of my esophogus and then the stomach acid burned the scratched spots. I ended up with horrible heartburn for over a month (I've never had it before but the Dr swore it wasn't related to the surgery...) but this could have happened with any kind of surgery. The incisions healed pretty quickly, but I was sore for about a week. They made me pee before I was allowed to leave the hospital. Wear a loose fitting dress that you won't need to wear underwear underneath to go home in since the incisions are usually in/near the belly button and then two where your pantylines are. HTH and Good Luck.

GraysMom

 

[WeLuvDisney05]

I had a laparoscapy done when I was 17-18 yrs. old (I'm now almost 29). I had a non-cancerous tumor in one of my ovaries, which they had to remove(the tumor, not the ovary-thank goodness). It wasn't that bad. I was sore for a few days afterwards but I don't know if that was b/c of the laparoscapy or b/c of them having to remove the "grapefruit" sized thing that was inside me. The scars I have from my surgery you can hardly notice. The incisions were small (4 of them). One of them is in the shape of a "Z" - My Zoro scar Don't worry I'm sure everything will be fine. As far as the recovery afterwards....Really, I don't remember it being that bad! & It was only a few days afterwards that it was pretty tender in the area they worked on. I don't even think I needed to take any of the pain meds for too long (can't remember whether I even took them more than once b/c what I Do remember is they made me sick!) It sounds like you need to have this done....So the sooner you get it over with the better, And hopefully the Doc will be able to figure out why you're getting cramps & fix the problem & also take care of the other things as well. Good luck, you'll do fine!

 

[PrincessKitty1]

I also had a laparoscopy for an ovarian cyst (turned out to be on the peritoneum rather than the ovary, so I didn't have to have the ovary removed).

BEST advice I received: sitting or standing causes the gas from the surgery to press on your diaphragm and causes chest/shoulder pain so LAY FLAT as much as possible when you are recovering (I think it was for about the first 24 hours). If you are having too much chest/shoulder pain, it means you are not staying flat!

I had minimal problems and did not have to use a single dose of pain meds, but my abdomen was sore (my dog hit me in the belly with his wagging tail--OW!) and I needed to take 3 days off from work (my MD told me I could go back to work the next day, but my supervisor had a lap herself and she insisted I take off 3 days--she was right!).

 

[Christine]

No experience here. I just want to wish you well. I remember your original post regarding your pain and I'm glad you are on the way to getting this taken care of.

I've had my share of surgeries and I know the "nervous" feeling (and understatement to say the least!!). You will feel great once they give you the drugs beforehand. It's a great feeling!!!

 

[ceiligh1]

I had one done about 7 years ago. Just two tiny scars left. Remember to bring really loose pants and shirt to the procedure as well as a pillow to hug on the drive home. It really helps to not have to support yourself right after and it can go between the seatbelt and you. THere are a lot of good endo sites out there that can give you great info and support. I dont think the recovery took too long. Maybe three weeks until everything was back to normal, but I dont remember it very well to be honest. I guess that is a good thing.

TO you I know it can be scary but it can also turn out to be a very good thing to have done.

One more thing. Remeber to have a very direct and specific discussion with your MD about what you want to have done vs not done for specific situations. You do not want to wake up from the procedure and find out that something was done that you are not happy about.

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

One more thing. Remeber to have a very direct and specific discussion with your MD about what you want to have done vs not done for specific situations. You do not want to wake up from the procedure and find out that something was done that you are not happy about.

Absolutely...Right before I went under my MD asked what I wanted done if the tube or ovaries looked damaged beyond repair. I didn't think of it before then so I just told her to not take anything out. Luckily nothing was damaged, but I wished I had time to think about my answers before I went under.

Also I agree about the comfy clothes...I forgot that. I wore a really loose sundress.

Good Luck...

 

[Daxx]

BEST advice I received: sitting or standing causes the gas from the surgery to press on your diaphragm and causes chest/shoulder pain so LAY FLAT as much as possible when you are recovering (I think it was for about the first 24 hours). If you are having too much chest/shoulder pain, it means you are not staying flat!

I have to say that this is the best advice and what I was going to tell you myself!!!

I have had 2 laparoscopies for endometriosis in the past and, most recently, had a laparoscopy last Sept. to remove my appendix.

I was v. nauseous from the anesthesia and let the anesthesiologist know about it beforehand. He gave me something before I went under. Then, when I came out, I still felt nauseous and they gave me another dose in my IV. I felt much better after that 2nd dose!!! I don't know how long it took me to "wake up" -- but I do remember that my friend, Kim, was the Recovery Room nurse and I woke up w/her tucking warm blankets over me. I don't remember being wheeled back to the place where you get ready to leave. However, I do remember that when I woke up, I was so parched and asked for ice chips. I also remember wanting to go home v. badly!

Also, the suggestion about the loose fitting clothing is right on target, too!

Good luck! My thoughts and prayers are w/you!

Warmly,
Daxx's Wife

 

[kat3668]

I am also scheduled this month for a laproscopy to remove a ovarian cyst.. Thanks you all for your replies to this post sometimes it is scarier not knowing the facts than going in with realistic expectations..

 

[LBAK]

No zippers until your tummy is all healed! That can hurt. I had very little discomforted at the incision site. The worst for me was the gas and the nausea from the anesthetic but once they gave me something for it I felt much better.

 

[JESW]

Thanks so much for all your replies! I am 46 so I am not concerned with the fertility end of things - done with having kids! Dr. has asked if I wanted her to just take everything out! Not so sure about that, but if there was a need for it then I wouldn't mind.

I am VERY concerned about afterwards. I have never had anesthesia before so I am not sure how I will react. My stomach is extremely sensitive so I am also worried about the nausea afterwards. I am hoping that it is not any worse than what I am going through now. Last month I had cramps so bad that I had the dry heaves, was shaking badly, and thought I had to go to the emergency room. Of course DH was away on business and I was alone with the kids so Ijust had to tough it out - very scary tho.

I want my dr. to find something - but not find something - know what I mean?

Jill

 

[Mom2Ashli]

I just had it done in July and I agree with luvwinnie and the others.

 

[tiggerlover]

I've had the procedure done twice and the worst part of it for me was coming out of the anethetia (sp?). I am very sensitve and was sick to my stomach. Recovery was relatively quick, I had the procedure on a Thursday once and a Friday the other and was back to work by Monday. Avoid getting up and down, tight clothes and stairs for a few days and you should be fine. Good luck with your procedure.

 

[Antonia]

My advice to you re: sore tummy afterwards is to not get up from a laying on your back position. First, turn on your side and and use your elbow to push yourself up into a sitting position. Should be quite easy. I've been a nurse for 23 years and I've seen people try to get up all kinds of ways. That's the easiest with a sore tummy.

 

[zaja]

Has anyone had a tummy tuck with a hysterectomy or hysterectomy-ish procedure? What was your recovery time like? Sorry op, just a couple questions , don't want to hijack your thread.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Dr. has asked if I wanted her to just take everything out!
Jill

The "take everything out" is a very old-fashioned attitude, IMO. Kind of the "if you don't care about your fertility, we may as well yank everything out" attitude that was prevalent in the 70s and 80s. You do NOT want to go through surgical menopause if you don't need to. I would advise you to make it very clear to her that you want to preserve whatever can be preserved.

The ovaries make the majority of hormones, but it's believed that the uterus makes hormones as well. Plus, when you start pulling out organs you leave more potential space for other organs to prolapse.

Sorry, but I am an RN and a health activist and I am shocked that she would ask you this.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Not so bad, but beware that it will hurt like heck to get up from a laying down position (you use your stomach muscles) for a couple days and you could have chest/shoulder pains from the carbon dioxide they fill you with to get a better view.

I had one for endometriosis almost five years ago (I was 19), and what luv said is exactly the best advice I can give you! For me, the carbon dioxide hurt worse than anything else. I couldn't lay flat, and I couldn't sit up straight, so I spent about a week in a recliner! Pajama pants will become your new best friend!! Oh and I totally forgot about seat belts! You will need a pillow or stuffed animal (if you are like me...) between you and a seat belt!

Also, you need to talk to your doctor about drug therapies to control your endo after the surgery. I was given Lupron after, and then a continuous BCP for the next four years. About nine months ago, I started having pain again and I new my endo was out of control. I avoided going back to the gyn because I did not want another lap, and I did not want another round of Lupron (I had a horrible experience with it, I know it works for some people, but not for me!). This gyn (a different one than who performed my surgery) suggested a combo of Femara and a low dose BCP (Yasmin). I've been on this combo for three months and I feel fantastic! So make sure you explore all drug options!

There will only be two small scars, one below the panty line, and one in your belly button...I got my belly button pierced after I healed up!