For my first diagnostic and therapeutic lap plus cystoscopy on Tuesday. I have bought big pants for if i swell up plus one size and a few plus two sizes (tummy feels like a balloon already as I've started period today, joy) . I also have a good stock of peppermint tea.
1. Is there anything else I need at home to aid recovery ?
2. What questions should I be asking the surgeon beforehand?
3. What questions should I be asking the surgeon afterwards ?
Ask them what activities you can do, how to change bandages, what to eat.
Clear liquid diet 24 hours before just in case of bowel involment if you aren't doing a prep.
Hey,
If you've got someone at home that's great, but if not set the place up before you go in as chances are the first few days you're gonna feel pretty rubbish (done worry it does get better! Lol) so if no one is cooking for you prepare or get some easy meals that you can just stick in the microwave or oven or order food in. I found the most comfortable place was on the sofa led down but propped up with my pillows and with a blanket.
Peppermint tea can help with the post Op Gas pains that you tend to get over the first few days, and it may be worth eating some laxative such a sennakot as a lot of people find that the painkillers after the anaesthetic can have an...'effect' lol.
In regards to the trousers whatever size they are you'll just want to make sure they don't sit on you're stomach etc and that you have a loose fitting top.
When you get home try and walk around every hour, even if it's just down the hall as it will help to avoid post op blood clots and to keep you from getting too stiff and to move the gas out.
They should come and tell you post op what was found and done and Nurse should explain recovery (e.g. When and if to change or remove your dressings, when you can start bathing as opposed to showering) but feel free to ask any question that pops into your head e.g. Will you have a follow up? Can they give you a sick note for work (although they should offer it anyway)? What do you need to look out for post surgery that means you should contact ours GP? When can you start exercising? How long should the stitches take to dissolve? Having said all that you should get a little information with some information in it to take home re post op recovery.
Also don't be surprised if you don't get a follow up. Often they just say 'see how it goes and go back to your GP if you have any further problems'.
Best wishes!
Just wanted to say good luck with everything, I'm going in for my op next week, I have been told to make sure I have enough painkillers for when you get home, I've bought some cheap trousers two sizes bigger and got some peppermint tea. I'm going to ask for a copy of my notes as I feel that you are so overwhelmed with everything at the time it's good to have a record of what's gone on so you can go through it later on. Take care xxx
Many thanks Sammy Sparky and Hannah. Lots of helpful tips. X Not Long now!
Phew! Out the other side now. Much tougher than expected. The anaesthetic really burned. When I woke i was in agony and they had to give me lots of morphine which then affected my breathing. I ended up on a drip staying in overnight and narrowly escaping having a catheter put in. Diagnosis of Endo confirmed. My ovary was glued to my peritoneum by a cyst and the surgeon unglued me and burst that cyst. Unfortunately the other nodule wasn't operable and no biopsy taken as too risky. told I have to see a bowel surgeon next before my Endo consultant but the tone suggested it has to come out 
. Seems I don't have much but what is there is big nasty and badly placed.
In so much agony in stomach. Don't know what to do with myself 🙁
I’m crapping myself
Freaking myself out :(
Driving myself crazy! Endo & Pregnancy 
How long to feel myself again!!
