Preparing for lap

[lwp75]

Hi, it's my first post as I have only recently been told I might have endo and really knew very little about it until I starting researching it. I have just heard from the hospital and have a lap to diagnose endo next week, just wondering if anyone has any advice for before or after as am starting to feel nervous! Thanks x

[Annie897]

Hi i have just had my first lap last week. They will invite you in for a pre op before your lap were they will check your general health , maybe do blood tests and swabs they will also give you information on you lap and answer any questions you might have. I was nervous to thats natural on the day of your lap you might have a wait before you go down to theatre so bring some things to pass the time mags and books etc. If you ask at your pre op they will tell you were you are on the theatre list so you will no whether or not you will have a long wait on the day. I also brought a bag of mint humbugs with me to suck on after my lap these really helped with the gas after the procedure. Hope it all goes well for you

[lwp75 in reply to Annie897]

Thanks Annie, that's really helpful, love a mint humbug so that's a nice treat! How are you feeling now?

[Annie897 in reply to lwp75]

Im feeling good thanks i had treatment aswell so i was a little tender for the first few days but nothing like the pain i am used to getting every month and the wounds are healing well they are so small. It all seems really scary but it was no where near as bad as i thought it would be i dont even remember going down to theatre and all the nurses were great before and after the procedure x

[Lovisa]

One thing I'll recommend is peppermint tea for the shoulder gas pain laps can give you. God it help'd so much when I had a lap last year, wish I drank the stuff with all the other laps I had.

[lwp75 in reply to Lovisa]

Shoulder gas pain? Heard about gas pain but not linked to shoulder, why does that happen? Am creating a shopping list, peppermint tea on it now! Thanks so much, really appreciate your help xx

[Lovisa in reply to lwp75]

Something to do with the CO2 gas being trapped in the diaphragm area. I think that's the only thing I dread when it comes to laps. Plenty of heat and peppermint tea also walking around helps to.

[lwp75 in reply to Lovisa]

Ah I see, that makes sense. Heat is really helping at the mo with my pain so will keep that up. Thanks again, really grateful for your advice x

[MilkeyMoo]

Hey I had mine last July. I found charcoal capsules did an incredible job on helping with the gas they pump into your tummy. Check first with your GP that they are ok for you personally, but I swore by them.

Once you have had it, remember, everyone heals at different rates. It took me 3 weeks to feel 100%. Don't rush, take your time you'll be thankful you did in the long run.

I hope it goes well for you.

X

[lwp75 in reply to MilkeyMoo]

Thanks so much, will look into the charcoal pastels. The one thing I am looking forward to (slightly) is some enforced rest as my son will be in nursery so I will have the house to myself for a few days which is a rare treat! Xx

[Pracy]

Hi, you have already got some great advice of the other ladies and to add to that I would say bring a pillow to put between you and the seat belt on the way home as you may be quite tender,

I would also say if you can get someone to pop in and help you for a couple of days after around the house do as you may not be able to stretch for things, bend down or lift anything. This will depend on what they find, I took 4 weeks to fully recover. Try to have your house as organised as possible so you have nothing to do but rest. Also make sure to have some shopping in or arrange for someone to do some for you. A heat pack would also help with pain, i wasn't given my prescription for pain relief until after my lap and had to wait until the following morning to have someone collect it.

Best wishes and hope things go well for you.

[lwp75 in reply to Pracy]

Thanks so much, that all sounds great, best get myself organised! My partner will be at home for the first couple of days so am hoping he will be on hand to look after me!

[Pracy]

Forgot to mention make sure you have loose fitting clothes to wear for a few days after as anything tight may be uncomfortable on you depending on how many incisions you have.

[lwp75 in reply to Pracy]

Would jogging bottoms be ok? I wore them after my c section but my insicion for that was very low so they sat well above that

[Pracy in reply to lwp75]

They will be fine so long as they're a bit on the loose side as you will be swelled for a bit afterwards. It's great you have help for a few days, I couldn't even lift my legs into the bed on my own for a few days. Be sure to bring a pillow or cushion to protect yourself from the seat belt, it was the best advice I got. Best wishes.