I've finally had my initial appointment with a specialist endotriosis centre come through. Yay!
I'm not sure yet whether I would even want a laparoscopy since some women have a diagnosis with just an MRI. But I know I might have to have a laparoscopy for a definite diagnosis. I've got a bit of a weird question and no amount of searching online seems to give me an answer. For those of you who have had laparoscopies, when you awoke from your surgery, did you still have the breathing tube in? I know it sounds so stupid, but I'm really terrified of waking up with a tube down my throat. I have a really strong gag reflex and high anxiety, and I am petrified of not being able to breathe properly, and I'm scared that if I choose to have a laparoscopy, I'll wake up afterwards before they remove the tube.
I'd really appreciate if anyone could tell me their experiences of waking up after the surgery! Did any of you still have the tube in when you woke up?
Written by
CitizenErased
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi, great that you got a date for your initial appointment (wish it wasn't all such a struggle). I had a laparoscopy in November at an NHS hospital & did not wake up with a breathing tube in. I didn't even have a sore throat or anything like that, I guess my anaesthetist did a good job. Waking up was gradual & gentle, a nurse was next to me, she told me they'd found endo and I was immediately offered a morphine injection. I'd never had surgery before that & really didn't know what to expect, but overall the experience was fine. Wish you all the best
Wow, that's so reassuring! Thanks so much for replying. I'm glad to hear your experience was okay. I don't know if I'll even be offered surgery, but I want to be prepared as much as possible, and as silly as it seems, the breathing tube part scares me as much as the actual surgery itself! Thank you for putting my mind at rest 😊
I totally understand the fear of having a tube in the throat (hoping I'll never need an upper endoscopy!) but really don't worry about it with surgery - anaesthetists are highly skilled & the drugs they use are very effective, when you wake up you don't remember that you had a breathing tube x
Hello I have had 3 surgeries and not once do i remember having a breathing tube down my throat when I woke up. You are drowsy and a bit confused, not in a horrible way, I hope that reassures you 💛
hello! I work in theatres so I have seen hundreds of extubations (the process of removing breathing tubes or endotracheal tubes). Patients do not remember this as they are still coming round from all the anaesthetic drugs and gas - so do not worry! It is incredibly controlled.
I've had two laps and no issues with breathing tube, not even sure I had one? both laps were for removal of endo so if they're doing a lap I would think they would remove what they can whilst in there...MRI will only show cysts and not general tissue, my MRI showed endo cysts in ovaries but they found lots more doing the lap...I would recommend the lap ...recovery was about 2 to 3 weeks, after the second one I stopped eating gluten and eggs which can cause inflammation and have not had any problems since...good luck with it all
hey no I didn’t wake up with the breathing tube in and also they put me in a deep sleep before they put the breathing tube in . So all I woke up to was a scratchy throat xx
I have had MANY surgeries in the last 20 years and I have never had any issues with waking up with a tube in my throat. Please explain your fears to the staff they will be happy to help alleviate any fears and answer any questions you have. Good luck
Hi, so the breathing tube is removed before you wake up and you’ll likely wake up with an oxygen mask over your mouth and nose. That’s how it’s been with all my surgeries.
I’m pleased you are being seen by specialist centre. I’d recommend having a diagnostic lap as even though MRI’s do show some disease they most certainly don’t show it all. With me, it showed some but when they opened me up it was apparently the worst case the consultant had seen. Just from the scans he couldn’t tell just how very severe it was.
Best wishes to you, if you have any questions at all just message me I’m more than happy to help. ❤️
this was me! Except I didn’t realise it was a possibility until I was in hospital and waiting. Then they mentioned the tube and I almost bolted! It’s my absolute fear too (I’ve told family that if I’m unconscious and on a tube, then that thing better be out before I wake up!)
You are technically awake when they take it out but you will 100% not be aware of it at all. I was worried when they said that, but when I woke up and was really drowsy still, the first thing I said was “is the tube out” 😂 (too drowsy to realise that if I said it, it must be!). So first thing I was aware of, was post-tube coming out! Some people get a sore throat, but I didn’t have that - I think if you’re under for a longer time then maybe that’s when you get the sore throat.
I had my lap last year and have no memory of the breathing tube. I had a very dry mouth when I woke up but they gave me a cup of tea as soon as I went back to the ward which was like a cup of heaven!
No you will be in a recovery area with a nurse who monitor you, speak to you to wake up. If your body is slow in responding a tiny light weight mask to the nose which you have control over with oxygen to increase better air intake. This may still be the case when returned to your bed.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
First laparoscopy!!!! 
Laparoscopy on Friday
First laparoscopy tomorrow, scared, looking for support. 
Push for a Laparoscopy? 
Laparoscopy and period
