Like you, I am also finally getting a lap! In 2-3 months time I think. I have been reading about people's experiences of this and this website is really helpful so I think I will use it as I prepare for the op!
Hi
New to soulcysters and LOVE this site!
I've had 3 laproscopic surgeries and the only advice i have to give is.....wear loose fitting sweat pants, have the person who will be taking you home have the pain meds in hand with a bottle of water, the gas they put into your body sometimes will give you pain where it settles like shoulders or back so don't be alarmed, you may be a little horse b/c of the breathing tube, and it may be hard to use your stomach muscles for a day or two. All in all my laproscopies were pretty easy.....good luck
Eva, I haven't had a lap for endo, but I've been poked around for other things. You'll mostly need to recover from the anesthetic. Like the other ladies mentioned, you might feel neck/shoulder pain due to the gas for a couple of days, and that's quite uncomfortable, but will resolve on its own. You'll want to eat bland things like toast and broth, nothing too hard to digest afterwards and probably most of the next day.
Everyone is different, but you'll probably have a heavy type of af, and it may last longer then a typical af. I remember bleeding for at least a month and heavily. It wasn't fun! But then again, you may not. You'll have dressing over the incisions and your doctor will probably tell you to remove them after a few days, or just allow them to fall off on their own.
As far as what to wear, I would suggest a loose gown so that nothing is pressing against your belly area at all. But make sure it's one you wouldn't mind parting with, in case you stain it. It's also a good idea that whoever is there with you fills the prescription for your pain meds while you are still in aftercare so you have everything for the ride home and don't need to stop anywhere.
Don't overdue it when you get home. The pain meds they give you in the hospital will last a while, so you won't realize the pain for a while. Just rest!
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Typically you have one incision for lap, but if you need additional work, you will have multiple incisions. Don't be alarmed if you wake up and there are multiple incisions. Be sure to bring a blanket to place over your lap for the ride home so the seat belt does not cause pressure (which can cause pain). Don't be a hero in the first 48 hours - if it hurts, don't do it. After 2 days take small walks around your home so you don't get stiff. It will also help you recover. I found that sitting upright on the couch w/ an ottoman under my legs was most comfortable for me. Make sure you sleep. For some reason I could not sleep after my surgery and was awake for about 24 hours. My dr Rx'd me a sleeping pill so I would rest and recover.
I did a pretty serious bowel prep the days before my surgery. Every dr is different though. I had not eaten more than 2 days prior to surgery so I was starving afterwards, but ate mushy foods like pasta, mashed potatoes, etc. Gatorade was a life saver.
Because of the length of surgery for me and having the tube down my throat I ended up with a pinched nerve in my neck. It caused numbness in my arms/fingers. If you have any symptoms like this, call your dr.
While on pain killers its good to take a stool softner (I like Miralax) because pain killers often cause constipation and that HURTS right after surgery. So, try to keep regular
Urinating and bowel movements may cause discomfort and sometimes pain at first. If it lasts more than a few days though, call your dr.
Good Luck
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Me~27 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Husband~28 Got Pregnant on Lupron Depot (EDD: 10/8/09) Endometriosis Surgery - Laparascopy, hysteroscopy & D&C done 7/08 Cystic Ovaries (Surgery for the cysts) Ruptured Cyst Scleroderma
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My doc's office recommended either to do an enama (sp?) or a liquid only diet after 3pm the day prior to surgery. I opted for the liquid diet. I guess they want your bowels pretty empty for the surgery. I recovered pretty quickly afterward, but some ladies take a little longer, you'll just have to play that by ear. Good luck!
I've had Four Laps. I've had countless doctors tell me I need them when I don't. I would suggest you bring someone to sit with you afterwards, it really comes in handy to have someone there to massage you if you get gas pains (which, to be honest, cam sometimes hurt almost as bad as the actual surgery). Ceana Nezhat is one of the, I guess you could say "inventors" of the laparoscopy and he has always stressed to me how there should be minimal scars. My case is pretty rare, so I've had doctors want to cut me hip to hip just to take a look but NEVER let them do that. Drink lots of fluids afterwards. Pretty much, it's a simple procdure, with minimal pain compared to what I'm sure you've been through with cramps before. It really does help "clean up" the Endo. The doctor might give you a laxative drink, sort of tastes like really lemony sprite the night beforehand. Before one surgery I had to actually go off of my no-sugar diet to see the immediate effects sugar had on me. Just make sure to ask your doctor any questions you might have, there are no stupid questions when it comes to surgery.Hope that helped some! Good luck and have a speedy recovery!
Ahh yes my pre-operation assessment is on the 8th. I don't really know what that entails... Getting nervous about the lap now..but staying positive. I am pleased to say that taking my Yasmin pill continuously is starting to decrease the frequrncy of pain! Hope it continues.
i know what you mean, ashley. I am kind of nerveous to get it done, but excited to know what is happening, too.
my pre op assessment is 1April. If it's like a usual pre op assessment (ive had other operations), its a time to talk about any questions. They take your weight/blood pressure, say exactly what will happen at the lap.
eva
Ahhh thanks eva, I have only had one op and that was when I was little so really don't remember any assessment beforehand. I hope they don't say I am too fat or something equally unhelpful. I really want to know why I am and have had pain for so many years since I have always been told it's "not PCOS causing it", but never given an alternative!
I have a friend who had a lap and she said she felt "totally broken" for a few days after so to take it easy and just rest. But her scarring is minimal which is good!
First Lap For Endo - Any Tips?? Advice?? 
