What did you wear after you laparoscopy? - Endometriosis UK

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What did you wear after you laparoscopy?

katymarie profile image
katymarie
β€’31 Replies

Hi I'm just getting all the questions out of the way before my lap! After surgery what kind of things are best to wear? I'm due to go to a family Christmas thing 4 days after my surgery, would I be able to wear jeans by then or would you suggest leggings etc?

Thankyou for the help in advance x

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katymarie profile image
katymarie
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Lines123 profile image
Lines123

Hi Katy,

I had my lap a week and a half ago now, and personally believe that wearing jeans and baggy trousers are more comfy- at least for the first week or so, but this may depend on the person.

Hope this helps and you have a good Christmas! x

katymarie profile image
katymarieβ€’ in reply toLines123

Thankyou 😁 I think Atleast if I do wear pj bottoms all the time I have a good excuse! And you xx

carolineeballard profile image
carolineeballard

It really depends on your surgery and how complex it is. Your belly may still be a bit swollen 4 days after. I lived in pyjama onesies and when I started venturing outside playsuits, or loose tops with leggings. X

katymarie profile image
katymarieβ€’ in reply tocarolineeballard

Perfect Thankyou! X

Lines123 profile image
Lines123

Yeah I mainly wore leggings and pyjama bottoms :)

Cla1re profile image
Cla1re

I wore loose fitting dresses and BIG knickers for a week so nothing was pushing or touching my stomach. Hope all goes well xx

vb90 profile image
vb90

Leggings / Pjs. and very big knickers too!! they were so big they came up and over my hips and above my belly button but it was good / more comfortable to not have anything pressing or rubbing on the wounds.

Good luck for your lap and hope you have a speedy recovery x x

poppy75 profile image
poppy75

The second time I had surgery for Endo I also had investigative surgery for my bladder and kidneys (unrelated) so I was very sensitive to any pressure on my tummy for a couple of months. I went with loose fitting dresses, big knickers and tights where the band was way high up (couple of inches above belly button!) to avoid pressure on my tummy. Worked very well. Loose fitting night shirt for bed. Everyone is different tho and will depend exactly what they do so you may be fine with jeans/waist bands. Wishing you a speedy recovery! Xx

katymarie profile image
katymarieβ€’ in reply topoppy75

Thankyou for your advice!

I have a list of things to get, I'll be a walking health shop soon with all my teas and loose clothing etc πŸ˜‚ Xx

Krystyna15 profile image
Krystyna15

Both times I've had surgery my stomach has been blown up like a football... Yes the gas will go... You need to drink peppermint tea, suck on polos( anything mint will relieve the gas...

Clothing wise... I lived in lounge pants in the house and leggings and dresses outside the house... Make sure th hosp gives you more dressings..you will wanna shower and the dressings need to stay clean. Ask for more, failing hat asda/tesco do them over the counter for like 20p ish.

Hope that helps. Xxx

FallenAngel1984 profile image
FallenAngel1984β€’ in reply toKrystyna15

regarding the dressings.... superdrug does waterproof ones... I used these after my last lap and my mum used these after her shoulder op.... they really are great and stay on during a shower and keep the stitches dry... :)

katymarie profile image
katymarie

Amazing Thankyou! I'm going to get lots of minty things!

I also have fennel, ginger and peppermint tea which I'm hoping will help xx

poppy75 profile image
poppy75β€’ in reply tokatymarie

Yes peppermint tea helped me too. The gas can cause pain right up to your shoulder blades. Unpleasant. Best thing that helped me was moving. Even if that was very gentle stretches in bed. It's hardly glam but the more you gently move around, the quicker it er, departs!

Adele-84 profile image
Adele-84

Hi there, I am 22 days post lap, I was signed off work for 3 weeks, during this time I wore size 18 Primark leggings and size 18 Primark knickers that come up to under my bra ! (I am normally a 12 on the bottom!) I went back to work part time yesterday and I am now wearing tights and wrap dresses. My tummy is still very swollen but I had quite alot removed, the massive knickers have been a life saver as I cannot bear anything rubbing my stitches. It's not pretty being post lap, but it sure is comfy. Best of luck xx

scribble1603 profile image
scribble1603β€’ in reply toAdele-84

I'm glad I'm not the only one wearing massive knickers following a lap at the moment πŸ˜‰ xx

Adele-84 profile image
Adele-84β€’ in reply toscribble1603

The biggest problem is how do you go back to wearing normal ones !! These are far too comfy...... sorry hubby! πŸ˜‚

katymarie profile image
katymarieβ€’ in reply toAdele-84

Hi Thank you for your message! I think I will be off to Primark this week to stock up on knickers and leggings etc.

How was the procedure for you? Im worrying a lot about it! xx

Adele-84 profile image
Adele-84β€’ in reply tokatymarie

I know it's easy to worry, I felt the same. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, I had alot more removed than they expected to find so I did feel pretty beaten up, but lots of pain killers, hot water bottles and PJ days made me comfortable. It's different for everyone and I had some removed from my bladder so that came with its own symptoms but all manageable . Just be prepared to go slowly and take things at your own pace xx

katymarie profile image
katymarieβ€’ in reply toAdele-84

Thank you for the quick reply!

I don't like needles or feeling/being sick so that is the main worries.

Atleast I can get it over and done with before christmas I suppose xx

Adele-84 profile image
Adele-84β€’ in reply tokatymarie

I am ok with needles, but have a phobia of being sick. I mentioned at pre op and to the anethitist on the day, they gave me extra anti sickness when I came round as I felt a bit icky and panicked. They were so good about it and I didn't actually get sick once, so I was happy! It was my single biggest worry before the op x

katymarie profile image
katymarieβ€’ in reply toAdele-84

That has made me feel tons better! Because I also have a phobia of being sick and I thought I would sound silly going in and telling them that! Thankyou so much for that! I'm going to ask for numbing cream on my hand also! Xx

Adele-84 profile image
Adele-84β€’ in reply tokatymarie

I felt exactly the same but everyone I mentioned it to at the hospital put me at ease. There are a few of us on here with the same phobia so you are not alone x

katymarie profile image
katymarieβ€’ in reply toAdele-84

Thank you again! I will speak to them during the pre med also! I will let you know how i get on :) xx

FallenAngel1984 profile image
FallenAngel1984β€’ in reply toAdele-84

yep!!! me!!! Hi Adele!

Thankfully (well not really, but you know what I mean) nausea is a symptom of my endo so I always carry anti-emetics with me... I will be telling the hospital about my phobia so that they can sort me out right away and if someone is unwell near me they can hopefully move me.... this is my biggest worry about the surgery to be honest.... Pain I can handle but being sick.... not so much! :)

CP17 profile image
CP17

I wore jeans after my surgery b/c that's what makes me feel comfortable emotionally, but not tight ones. I was still having significant pain 4 days after, so if you're going to a family thing not at your house you might want to bring along a heating pad, medication or whatever you're using for pain relief.

FallenAngel1984 profile image
FallenAngel1984

I have just invested in a pair of maternity leggings (I can't stand them being big everywhere (if you understand what I mean). I just wanted a bit of room for my expanded belly. I'm having my second lap on Friday. I already wear Maternity tights because I find regular tights cause untold problems and pain for me.

I have the leggings and a H&M jersey dress to come home from hospital in. I will probably need them for a few weeks after too. I already have my Christmas outfit sorted, a long jumper and leggings (Maternity if need be).

I have plenty of Jammies ready for loafing around the house in... also a few nightshirts for the first few days post surgery.

also - think about your footwear... it has to be something easy to put on becuse you will need help and trust me you don't want to be having to push or pull any more than neccessary... shoes that can be loosened right off for you to easily slip your foot in and someone else do up for you... I didn't think of that after my last surgery and it was agony forcing my foot into long boots!!! HELL ON EARTH!!!! this time i'll be wearing my converse - nice and easy to get my foot in...

FallenAngel1984 profile image
FallenAngel1984

I forgot to mention underwear.... I wore my regular keks... :) mini ones... they are very low cut so don't go anywhere near the op sites. don't forget to take sanitary pads with you to hospital because the one they give you at the hospital is HUGE! you'll be much more comfy with your usual ones :)

katymarie profile image
katymarieβ€’ in reply toFallenAngel1984

Thankyou! When is yours again? I'm just going to double check with my docs for the sickness worry!? What do you say to them? I feel a bit embarrassed saying I'm scared of being sick!! Xx

FallenAngel1984 profile image
FallenAngel1984β€’ in reply tokatymarie

My lap is on Friday.... don't be embarrassed... they come across it all of the time! :)... I normally just bring it up when talking to 1) the nurse/s 2) the consultant and 3) the anaesthetist... I normally say "oh FYI... I'm emetiphobic (they'll like that you use the correct term) so please can I have a good anti-emetic post surgery"... that should do it

trust me it's well worth mentioning

katymarie profile image
katymarieβ€’ in reply toFallenAngel1984

Brilliant thank you so much! That was one of my main worries! I'm sure they will make me feel comfortable! Good luck for Friday!! Xx

FallenAngel1984 profile image
FallenAngel1984β€’ in reply tokatymarie

Thank you - when is yours? I wish you a speedy recovery! enjoy your time with your feet up watching christmas movies - I will be! :)

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