On my own...: Okay so I have my lap on... - Endometriosis UK

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On my own...

shazlovesevo profile image
14 Replies

Okay so I have my lap on Tuesday to see if I have endo.

My boyfriend was meant to be coming with me but he has been called into work on Tuesday and everyone else is at work so I'll be going on my own,

I have got to be there at 11:30 but stop eating at 7am and stop fluids at 11. On the letter I received it states that no one is allowed to stay with you whilst you are waiting as I'm only meant to be in as a day case, I suffer with anxiety and depression and just a bit scared of been on my own and having no one I know there when I wake up as in past operations someone has always been there for me...

I was just wondering if anyone else has had the same experience?

How long did it take before you went down to surgery from your arrival time?& any tips on how to make me feel a bit more calm about been on my own would be greatly appreciated! Thanks xxx

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shazlovesevo
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14 Replies
ShanJ profile image
ShanJ

Hiiii I felt the same your not alone with this.. Luckily I was in for 8:30 and taken down by 9 it's depends really .. Also I managed to have a new nurse come into the operating room and waiting by my bedside for me to wake up so I felt at ease. I was asked if it was ok which it was . But don't be to stressed because you will wind yourself up. There's plenty of other women on the ward you can just have a natter with and take your phone so once you wake up you can contact a loved one. Good luck xxxx

shazlovesevo profile image
shazlovesevo in reply to ShanJ

Well that was quick then! Hope mine is as quick! And yeah just trying not to get stressed, its hard tho when there's so many things going though your mind aha.

And I love to natter! Love having a chat! So yeah hopefully will be able to speak to a few people there! Thank you for the support xx

victoria044 profile image
victoria044

Hi, I totally understand how your feeling, I have gone to all my ops on my own. Once I arrived at hospital I started chatting to the lady next to me,as we are all nervous and it helps. I waited about an hour then saw my consultant signed forms etc and about 45 mind later I was being prep for surgery. Waking up in recovery ask for more pain relief and extra blankets as you can feel cold due to anesthetic. Couple of hours later I was offered tea and something light to eat. The nurses are lovely and really don't be scared to ask for pain relief. Are you being collected afterward? x

shazlovesevo profile image
shazlovesevo in reply to victoria044

I will probably feel better on my own as I'm usually an independent person,& yeah I love been able to talk to people who are in the same situation,makes me feel a lot better! And I defo will do! I've had 2 ops in the past, one on my hip which was quite major and I had a lap 1 year ago for appendicitis and ovarian cyst, can't really remember much from recovery apart from the oxygen thing that goes up your nose was irritating me haha, I should be fine, that is for the advice and support xx

shazlovesevo profile image
shazlovesevo in reply to shazlovesevo

And sorry yes my boyfriend should be picking me up :):)xx

Chopples profile image
Chopples

Hi, just want to say good luck for Tuesday.

I have my first lap tomorrow morning, can't have anything to eat or drink after midnight tonight and have to arrive at 7am. I can have my fiance with me but not sure if I will; I know it might sound a bit strange but I will probably be stronger on my own. I don't think I'd be able to handle saying goodbye right before surgery and would rather him just drop me off but I might change my mind when I get there. Not sure how long I will wait beforehand but I hope it's not too long as I'm terrible when I'm hungry :) I've never had a general or being in hospital before so don't know what to expect really over the coming days but I've read lots on here.

I'm taking plenty to read, even might take my ipod as that might ease my nerves a bit with music. Also trying to remain positive and not over-think it too much as it's taken me a while to get to this point - just trying to think that this is a small moment in my life. There will also be other ladies in exactly our situation on the day and the nurses and support staff are there to look after us. The day will hopefully be over before we know it xxx

shazlovesevo profile image
shazlovesevo in reply to Chopples

Thank you very much & good luck to you too!

I'm sure everything will be fine :) I had a lap a year ago but I was already admitted to hospital and woke up the next day and they told me they were rushing me to surgery so didn't really have chance to get worked up about it but tbh its nowhere near as bad as open surgery, just have a bit of a big belly for abit hehe.

As for the fiance situation, umm its really nice to have someone there to support you, its not nice saying goodbye but its lovely knowing that after they will be waiting there for you, its a real comfort!

Let me know how you get on hun! All the best xx

Chopples profile image
Chopples in reply to shazlovesevo

Thank you! I will do xx

victoria044 profile image
victoria044

Best of luck to you both. Hugs x

shazlovesevo profile image
shazlovesevo in reply to victoria044

Thank you so much!:) xx

Chopples profile image
Chopples in reply to victoria044

Thank you :) xx

mablesky profile image
mablesky

Hi there I've always gone to have laps on my own it's just become an awful way of my life

The thing is you won't know where you are on the list because it changes all the time on the day if they have am emergency in they take priority.etc

When you speak to the doctor on the day tell him how anxious you are they nay take it into consideration.

my last lap which was two weeks I ended up chatting quite happily to the other people waiting it passed the time and met some fellow endo suffers and we shared stories.

When you come around from the op you will feel very woozy and in my experience the recovery nurses gave always been very kind and will sit with you.

Hope all goes well

shazlovesevo profile image
shazlovesevo in reply to mablesky

Thank you very much for the advice!& yeah that's understandable, just hope I dont have to go in too late because I don't fancy spending the night in hospital haha,& yeah I'll mention it to them, sounds really stupid but I'm mostly nervous about having the cannula haha, hope I have one tho as I'm not good with needles!👎ill let you know how I get on, thank you for the support hun! Xx

Hen85 profile image
Hen85

hi everyone!

I had a laparoscopy 10 weeks ago for removal of ovarian cyst and diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. it was the first operation I've ever had, and I tend to get anxious and over-think things, so I was nervous about all of it! I was worried about the cannula, the anaesthetic, the hospital gowns, the stitches etc.

it all happens quite fast and when the time comes, it's not very scary. I had to go by myself. some how being on your own makes u emotionally stronger though. I had to be at the hospital for 7.30am and was taken down to theatre at 10.30am. the wait flew by though.

when I went to get the cannula in, I told the anaesthetists that I was nervous about the needle and they all made me feel better by talking to me and actually, I had a good laugh with them. before I knew it, I was asleep.

next thing I knew, was when it was all over and I was in recovery. there was a nurse there as soon as I woke up. I was in pain but was given morphine straight away and the same nurse stayed with me constantly, while I was in recovery, and reassured me as I needed to stay in recovery longer because my blood pressure was low. I wasn't one bit worried though because I felt very well looked after and completely trusted this nurse who, bless her, kept stroking my forehead and telling me I was going to be ok. plus, at this stage I was still very sleepy after the anaesthetic so I was just drifting in and out of sleep.

next I was taken back to the ward. I was given paracetamol on drip, as i expressed that i was still in pain, and then slept for a good while. before my op, the thought of a drip was even too much for me because having a cannula in the back of my hand was something which made me feel sick. when I was in hospital, this thought didn't enter my mind at all... I was just thankful to be able to get relief from the pain. just shows, there was no need to worry!

I had to stay overnight as my blood pressure was still low and even trying to walk to the bathroom made me feel faint and queazy so I ended up opting to pee in a commode by my bed the day of my op. again, this wasn't embarrassing because I just felt so unwell that my focus was on doing what was best for me. I stayed 1 night and went home the next day around lunchtime.

some things u def need:-

1.big nickers! I sent my boyfriend to the supermarket to get me some very unattractive full briefs in 2 sizes too big! u will want the waistband to be above your stitches and to be loose fitting as your tummy will be bloated.

2. a pillow or a folded up blanket in the car to place between your tummy and the seatbelt for the car ride home.

3. pain relief... I felt like I was constantly asking for pain relief in the hospital but I needed it! and make sure u have plenty painkillers at home with u.

my recovery took quite a long time... I was off work for 7 weeks and even now at the 10 week stage, I'm only working 3-4 days per week, as opposed to my normal 5 days. im still living my life in leggings as jeans still hurt my tummy but im feeling very positive about the op. lots of women say they felt fit and well after 2-3 weeks. this is defs not the experience I've had but even still, I've just kept reminding myself that these operations are to make us healthier. I feel very grateful that these treatments are available and that lots of women like you are happy to share your experiences because I've taken a lot of reassurance and comfort from reading what u all have to say.

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