Endometriosis lap

[buddie29]

I'm having my first lap on Monday after being messed around for four years!!! Finally I was wondering if anyone had any advice for beforehand what to bring to the hospital, after what can help and just anything that could help ease me through it, thanks

[sinine]

I'd like to join in on this one. I have my lap tomorrow and any tips for how to prepare would be appreciated

Although I have had lap some years ago it's a really foggy memory and all I could regret was not shaving fully pre surgery. Had a nurse to check and shave my lady parts...

Generally for surgery I like to go all empty, so I take some laxative because afterwards I'm always terribly dehydrated and hungry and when digestion eventually works again, going for nr 2 will be a huge challenge.

Post-op is soup, fresh juice and water. No bread or milk, cause that can make you constipated.

[buddie29 in reply to sinine]

Thank you, I never thought about shaving but I'll make sure I do it they did say you can't eat beforehand and can't drink stuff like coffee but what about water? Is there a limit you can drink before the surgery? I will get my mum to buy some soup, it's stuff like this that I really need to know, thank you

[sinine in reply to buddie29]

It can be a bit different in another hospital/country but the general rule is to not eat for 6-8 hours before surgery. It means your stomach must be completely empty before surgery, it's because sometimes people get nausea from anesthetics and may throw up (and that can lead to complications).

My leaflet says that it is recommended to drink until 2 hours before arriving to the hospital. They recommend sweet liquids (sugary juice, but nothing bubbly or artificially sweetened) and water to keep me hydrated and my blood sugar up. Coffee is also allowed but NO MILK!

I am also not allowed to eat mints or chew gum 2 hours before arriving to hospital (it creates saliva so your stomach will not be completely empty).

I was also told to take 2 painkillers (paracetamol) in the evening and 2 in the morning with the last drink before coming to the hospital.

I chose to eat light for a couple of days before surgery to prepare my body for fasting. I quit meat and ate mostly fish, avocados, egg, porridge, fruit and vegetables.

Since I am gluten free and mostly dairy free it's pretty easy to prep cause I don't eat bread and a lot of milk anyway.

[buddie29]

Thank you so much the hospital just hasn't gone into enough detail or helped me much on what to do so thank you

[sinine]

Oh, a few more things that I completely forgot.

You should have showered and shaved the private parts.

You should not wear any make up, artificial nails and nail polish (they need to be able to attach the heart monitor sensor on your finger and they'll need to see the natural color of your skin as it may indicate the state you are in during the surgery).

Fingernails should be cut short.

You should not apply cream to your torso and the area that will be operated on (they need to attach sensors to your skin).

You should remove all jewelry (earrings, necklaces, rings, piercings etc.)

You should remove contact lenses.

You should arrive in comfy clothes that are not too tight as you might be sore after the surgery. Don't wear your best underwear or fanciest clothes. The iodine solution they use for disinfecting the skin (where they cut) leaves ugly stains and is difficult to wash out.

Prepare to have somebody to drive you home afterwards and help you out cause you should be resting.

Have a good stash of painkillers at home for post surgery pain.

There's probably more, I'll update if something pops

[buddie29 in reply to sinine]

Ok thank you most of that doesn't apply to me but I am worried about taking out my belly button piercing and that it may grow over as the cut will probably take a time to heal and won't be able to put it back in :/ I've been told to bring pyjamas for after so that I'm comfortable and also a pillow for driving back so the seatbelt doesn't dig in. I still live at home so my mum will pick me up and is staying with me for 24 hours after they said. I will get her to stock up on painkillers when she next goes shopping! thank you that would be great

[sinine in reply to buddie29]

Is your piercing recent? I have a bellybutton piercing and I just put it back 3 days after the surgery. I have a small ring so it did not scratch or rub the scar.

The cut will be below your bellybutton, mine is 15 mm below.

[buddie29]

No I've had it roughly a year but have struggled with keeping it from getting infected so was just worried. Ahh ok I might have to invest in a ring as the normal bars usually dig into the belly button. Ok so not in the actual belly button itself?

[sinine in reply to buddie29]

Haven't seen or heard of anybody having a scar on a belly button. Depending on the operation one of the holes is somewhere around the bellybutton.

They have to put the tube for surgical instruments through that hole, so smoother area is best. It will be stitched afterwards.

I'm sorry I don't know how to explain it better, I'm no doc It's just what I have read, witnessed and experienced.

[Hidden in reply to sinine]

Had 3 laps, all used belly button, but the lower end of it, and small scars. If piercing is top end it'll be fine.

[Kerri215]

Wear slip on shoes or trainers and loose comfy bottoms and top. If its one day surgery you wont need much at all... After make sure some1 stays with you as you may need help getting up or in and out of bed... Loads of pillows as i couldnt lay down in bed so sat up and slept.. you will be fine after a few days and its soo worth it.. im 12days in after my op and feel loads better x good luck

[buddie29 in reply to Kerri215]

Thank you all this is helping so much

[will-EndtoEndforEndo]

For Amy it's all about taking comfy - oversized PJ's, and having someone there when you come round to go listen in when the surgeon tells you his / her findings. Good luck and hope all goes well!

[buddie29]

Ok bit worried the surgeon said it goes through your belly button :/ that's ok thank you sinine you've been so much help yh my mum will be there so she can talk to the surgeon, thank you

[Mabes in reply to buddie29]

Perhaps it depends on whether you have an inny or outie belly button.

I have a very deep inny and my incision did go in the bottom of my belly button (not beneath it). Because of the way my belly button naturally was, they actually cut through one of the 'folds' of the belly button area which happened to be bottom centre, and then continued the incision down.

Perhaps the people with outie belly buttons get their incision just below the button bit???

[Hidden]

Make sure you speak to your surgeon before hand (not a minion) and also afterwards to find out what they did/found. VERY IMPORTANT on both counts! If there's a 'might do' list I would say go for it as having to go back is not great!

Someone did a what to take list on here elsewhere too healthunlocked.com/endometr....

Also make sure if someone else is coming to they have enough to keep them entertained! Hubbie came with me, we had to go the night before as I had to do bowel prep and I ended up there the night after as I came out of theatre at 5pm; we loaded the ipad with movies and scrabble.

You get VERY dehydrated so drink loads before until you're told to stop, and after. I cry a stupid amount after anaesthetic, don't worry if that happens!

Good luck, glad you'll be getting sorted!

[Mabes]

I just wanted to add - I didn't have to shave, or have shaved, my lady parts for a laparoscopy but I did for a laparotomy. Likewise no iodine stain with laparoscopy but all my abdomen was covered in it with laparotomy.

For abdominal ops I find big knickers - like one or two sizes bigger than normal and Bridget Jones style (granny pants/high waisted) are super comfy as they come above the belly button and other incisions. Also a non underwired bra or one of those like supportive vest type things is more comfy as you don't really want anything pressing on you when you're swollen post-op.

[buddie29]

Ok thank you so much everyone, I'm taking all this advice on board and have looked at that blog pemswomble so thank you just gotta deal with the nerves now, I know its not a major operation but its still scary