Surgery

[Jenstir75]

Hi all. I'm finally scheduled for my laparoscopy next week after a year and a half on the waiting list. I won't have anyone with me when I come round after the surgery so I want to make sure that I have questions ready for the surgeon before I go into surgery. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should be asking?

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

Not sure about questions but I found it helpful to write down what they said as your memory won't be all that after the anaesthetic. I had a pen and pad and just scribbled it down soon as the consultant left!

[Starry in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Or record it on your phone.

I wrote down a list of questions.

Key things to ask

Is the diagnosis confirmed?

What endo was found

Where was it?

What severity grade? Deep or superficial?

What organs / structures ( peritoneum, bladder , bowel , ovaries) ?

Were there also other things eg adhesions cysts fibroids found or?

Was any excision done ? How much, where

Any complications during the operation? (Will help inform likely recovery, if need to stay in overnight, need for antibiotics?)

What will be the next steps, treatment plan?

When will I have a follow up?

Will I need more surgery? How do I tackle symptom x

When can I expect to be able to return to work?

Request a copy of the operation report notes and ask when it will be sent

Hope this helps

[Music1]

I'm not sure about questions before, but as Lizzie said... have a pen and paper around and ask them to write a few notes down for you, or I would imagine you'll have someone around after to drive you home. Make sure they write down what they say when you get out. I was so 'out of it' I didn't even know they came round and saw me lol

Maybe you could even take a digital recorder or use your phone to record what they say if you are able to do that? After surgery (when you have a follow up) that's when you need to write down all those questions that you can think of and ask them then. Everyone's lap outcome is different.

Best wishes for you x

[Jenstir75]

Thanks for the advice. I don't know how aware I will be when the surgeon speaks to me after the surgery and the person who will be picking me up may not be there when the surgeon speaks to me so I wanted to make sure I had questions ready for then. I've waited so long for this so I want to make sure that I am fully aware of what the outcome is. It's general gynae too which worries me but as I'm in northern Ireland I have no choice initially.

[S-Joys]

Just wondering how your lap went? I'm also in NI and on a waitlist for a lap. Do you know if they used excision or ablation? Hope it all went well for you.

[Jenstir75 in reply to S-Joys]

They didn't do any removal as said it was too deep. I am being referred to Mr McIlwaine who I have been told is an Endo specialist. Have you heard anything about him?

[S-Joys in reply to Jenstir75]

Oh really, so you have to go through it again with another doctor? I haven't heard off that doctor, where is he based?

I had an MRI and they said mine is deep too so bit nervous.

[Jenstir75 in reply to S-Joys]

I think in South West Acute Hospital. I had mentioned Iris Meninger and Jim Moohan and was told that it would be quicker to see McIlwaine. Where and who are you seeing for surgery?

[S-Joys in reply to Jenstir75]

I'm under Dr Agbaje in Belfast at the moment.

[Boso_92 in reply to Jenstir75]

I'm going to see Dr McIllwaine next Sunday. What's he like? Will he take his tine with a first timer?

[Jenstir75 in reply to Boso_92]

Hi Boso_92. We're not allowed to discuss surgeons on this forum so I'm surprised the previous messages actually got through. I run the Tyrone and Fermanagh support group for Endometriosis now which meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7pm in Omagh Fire Station. Our next meeting is this Wednesday. Concerning your meeting with the surgeon, have you just been referred by your GP? I would advise to have whatever questions you have written down to take in with you so that you won't forget. It's strange you're being seen on a Sunday, are you going privately?

[Boso_92 in reply to Jenstir75]

No not privately. There's a huge backlog. I've been waiting 3 years for this.

I wasn't along about him personally.

I've not been diagnosed yet.

[Jenstir75 in reply to Boso_92]

I wouldn't worry too much about it just make sure you're prepared and don't get fobbed off. I find sometimes I only get to see a junior doctor instead of the actual consultant which is of no benefit whatsoever and on those occasions I ask to see the consultant which means waiting til the end of the clinic. Good luck with it and I hope the wait is worth it.