Laparoscopy 29 june

[Jk2015]

So I had my consultant appointment today and I will have my laparoscopy on 29 June. I'm not really sure how I feel. The consultant was very consultant-y and although I know he can't be definitive before it's done I don't feel very reassured. I'm worried I'm overreacting and I'm going to have this operation and it'll be a waste of everyone's time. I don't know, I feel a bit unseated. I've been so focused on getting the referral and then getting the consultant that now it's all booked I feel a bit odd. Does anyone know what I mean?! I do think I have endo, and I do want this operation so that I can get some answers and hopefully treatment, I guess I just wanted today to validate how awful I've been feeling and he was so matter of fact that it didn't. Sorry for rambling I'm probably not making any sense! Thank you if you've got this far.

[Jk2015]

Thank you! I know I'll just have to wait and see- good luck for yours, let me know how you get on! I was thinking I would go back to work the following Thursday, I should be ok after 6 days?

[beth18087]

Hey I'm sorry you had that experience with your doctor. You are not a waste of anyone's time - trust your own body and your symptoms. I am a trainee doctor and also am considering getting a diagnostic laparoscopy (I have my consultant appointment on Thursday).

It is hard being a woman and experiencing these symptoms I think because we don't know what is "normal pain" and "normal bleeding" as every woman is different. If your symptoms are severe for you, and they are affecting your quality of life then they are important and worth other peoples time. I hope you meet other healthcare professionals before and during your surgery that will validate your pain and symptoms - but understand that if you don't get that validation, they are real and if they are affecting you then they are important! I feel the same way sometimes that I am wasting doctors time, but then I think about if my patients thought "What if I am wasting her time" and I would say don't be so silly you are not wasting my time!

I was wondering please if I could ask a question - was this your first consultant referral or have you met him more than once? Thursday is my first consultant referral and I am worried it will all happen so quickly after that and haven't decided yet whether I am ready for a laparoscopy!

[Jk2015 in reply to beth18087]

Thank you Beth, thank means a lot. I know he's busy and he's a specialist so he sees people like me a lot- I think I probably expected a bit more because I went privately, which is silly really because they obviously work in the NHS too.

This was my first consultant referral, but I made sure I was referred to someone on the bsge list and checked him out beforehand. It has all happened really quickly. He did give me the option of trying hormones first, but I wasn't keen on the idea of treating 'blind' and would rather know what (if anything) is there. I got the actual operation appointment so quickly because I'm using private health insurance- if you're with the NHS I think it takes a lot longer. One advantage of that would be more time to prepare!

[beth18087 in reply to Jk2015]

Ah I understand. At least you will be able to get it over and done with (not as much time to worry) and also get answers to all of your questions quicker and get on that treatment quicker if it is there!

Good luck for your surgery!

[Kaiser_susie]

I know what you mean, I'm having my laparoscopy tomorrow and the last three days I've felt like a normal human being. It's like waiting to go to the doctor and by the time you get to the appointment, you're all better! I know it'll come back in a few days though but I wanted him to go in when it's at its worst so he can see how bad it is.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't work like that for us though and I'm sure they'll still find something. I've got faith in the doctors finding it.

Good luck with yours

X

[Jk2015 in reply to Kaiser_susie]

I know! That's exactly it. Good luck tomorrow

[Memw in reply to Kaiser_susie]

Best of luck lovely xx

[sal-lew]

Hiya. I had my lap a week tomorrow so I know how you feel. I actually started crying during my consultation where I agreed to the surgery because it was so matter of fact and strange to me. I hadn't had surgery before so had no idea what to expect, and as I'd had the word 'endometriosis' thrown at me without having ever heard of it or what causes it, I think I found it very overwhelming, especially when I was asked if I wanted the coil (which I declined). The consultant did explain everything, I think I was just very scared.

I also found myself questioning if I needed the surgery in the weeks following, because I was so overwhelmed by it all.

Following my laparoscopy, I am pleased I had it. They removed endo and caught it early. You may probably find you don't get the sense of validation you are seeking right after surgery (I didn't anyway) because as there is no cure, there's no solid treatment plan. I've opted to take my current pill in a different way for the next 9 months. But having the diagnosis does help and reassures you that you weren't just being dramatic. And if they don't find endo, they're physically looking at your organs, so they should be able to identify a problem if there is one.

I've noticed you've asked somebody else about recovery time. I think it depends how much work they need to do. I was told between 2 days and 2 weeks but would only know post op. I have been signed off for 2 weeks.

[JackieBo]

Thanks for posting this. I've finally got my referral to the specialist and am waiting for that appt so I can get my initial laparoscopy booked. I've also been wondering "what if they don't find anything and I waste all their time" "what if it's all in my head"....

I know those thoughts are not very helpful, but they're there. It's nice to know others have the same self doubt.

Good luck on the 29th!!!

[ThaliaThalia]

If they didn't suspect endo. they wouldn't have arranged the laparoscopy. You're not wasting their time. When you have endo., you kind of know. Anyway, even if it's not, you need to get to the root of your pain and this will help establish the cause. Don't worry. x

[Memw]

I am 6 days post my first lap op and the week leading up felt exactly this way!!!.... I was like "shit maybe my pain isn't so bad/ maybe I'm over reacting/ I don't need to do this surgery ect"

My doc had me skip my last two periods leading up to the surgery so I hadn't had a period nor pain for so long that really made me question everything also.

I had to TRUST MY PAIN, trust those sleepless nights all meant something, trust saying "no" and cancelling on events was all for a reason, trust the burn scars on my belly from the hot water bottle.

It was hurting you enough to take the first step and as hard as it is to take the second you need to remember why you went in the first place.

Hopefully you will get the answers your looking for and a pain free future (if that's possible)

Trust your pain is telling you something!! Sending you much love x

[Stellauk]

Hope your operation goes well. I had my operation last year. I found the consultant is very matter of fact and very cautious about anything he said. I think this is pretty common. As long as he is qualified and experienced, he will successfully remove any endometriosis present. Good luck.