Lap

[Amj555]

Hi guys

Going for my first lap tomorrow,

Any advice?

I've been advised to take an overnight bag? What to pack?

Really nervous! Panicking!!!

Thank you

[S-Joys]

Good luck for tomorrow, I had my first one on 22 Aug and I was terrified but shouldn't have been, the doctors and nurses were lovely at calming me down.

I ended up staying in for two nights and I packed loose clothing, a giant t shirt which I used as a nightie, slippers, pads (I bled for a few days afterwards), peppermint tea (my hospital did provide this though), baby wipes or make up wipes (not that I wore any make up) just to freshen up. I also took a book but my concentration wasn't great so didn't read it.

Um.. the gas pains are very uncomfortable and a heated pad (provided by the hospital) was a comfort but I think you can also purchase one from high street shops if that helps when you get home. Might be good if you want to prep in advance for your return home.

Oh and also I took all my older hospital notes and MRI scan pictures just in case.

Good luck x

[Amj555 in reply to S-Joys]

Thank you very much

Yes indeed I have brought a heat pad!

I've packed a bag just incase I have to stay but didn't know what to take as might be uncomfortable

Thank you!

X

[becky1985]

Hi there, I had one last year and I was nervous. Don't be. It is uncomfortable afterwards, I would also recommend loose Pyjamas. The swelling is uncomfortable but after a few days it does calm down. Try and rest afterwards however walking around slowly and just for 5 minutes helps with getting rid of the gas in your stomach. I used a hot water bottle to calm mine down. You aren't under for long so don't worry. Don't worry if you have a sore throat, mine went fairly quickly. Good Luck x

[Amj555 in reply to becky1985]

Thank you!

Yes I've took a week off work and will take it easy!

Did you find peppermint helped?

X

[becky1985 in reply to Amj555]

I didn't try that to be honest as I cant stand peppermint. I had lemon and ginger tea. That helped for me. The ginger calms the stomach down I found. You may find you will need at least 2 weeks off. I had 2 weeks, the first week you find you still feel groggy because of the anesthetic. x

[Amj555 in reply to becky1985]

Yeah I'll invest in some of that!

Did you feel sick at all or nauseous?

Yeah I'm self employed so will take everyday as it comes

Thank you

[becky1985 in reply to Amj555]

I did when I came round from the operation. I had mine at 6.30pm on a Monday and I still felt nauseous until the Wednesday. They gave me tramadol but I stopped taking it as it made me feel more sick. I would recommend eating ginger cake. My friend made me one and it cured the hunger and the sickness. Try not to eat to large meals just small and often. That helped with the sickness.

I still felt nauseous a few times over a few months. However, it didn't stop me from doing much (well other than a skydive I wouldn't book that straight away!!). xx

[Amj555 in reply to becky1985]

Yeah I've been reading about a lot of people feeling sick afterwards and I hate feeling like that!

Perfect! You have to eat before they send you home don't you?

I've got to be there tomorrow at 10am so nice and early 😂

Oh my god haha definitely won't be doing one of those 🙈

Xx

[becky1985 in reply to Amj555]

Yes you do you also need to show that you can go to the toilet too lol. I had to stay in overnight due to mine being in the evening. They got me up at 4am! wasn't impressed lol. Be aware that you wont want to eat much. I just had a couple of strawberries and some yoghurt.

Let me know how you get on. Looks like i'm having another one soon as well. xx

[princessk09 in reply to becky1985]

Hi, I may need to have a lap and was wondering if it's true that they put something down your throats during the op. If they do, is it taken out whilst your awake or not? xx

[becky1985 in reply to princessk09]

Hi yes they do, when I woke up mine was already out so don't worry about going through that! Your throat will be a little sore after but after a day it's fine.

xx

[princessk09 in reply to becky1985]

Thank you, I'm so scared if I need surgery and the throat thing was scaring me even more xx

[becky1985 in reply to princessk09]

Don't worry I was. And it was ok. Don't get me wrong you feel abit groggy and out of it but you don't even know you have had the throat thing. I didn't even know I was having one xx

[Hidden]

Good luck hope it all goes well!! It will be over before you know it. I have my first one in a couple of weeks too!

[Amj555 in reply to Hidden]

Good luck to u too 🤞 let me know how you get on! X

[Hidden in reply to Amj555]

Thank you 😘 yes definitely let me know too!! x

[Judan]

I would take loose clothes to come home in, and same for PJ's/nightie. I also got some granny pants few sizes bigger so they didn't feel tight r rub against my cuts.

If you can, cook ahead and freeze meals so you have meals ready as you won't want to cook.

If you don't like peppermint tea you can get capsules to take, no taste to them.

You probably won't need a book etc as the day of the op you will probably sleep a lot, maybe take a magazine in so you can flick through it.

Take a small cushion for the journey home to tuck in so the seatbelt doesn't dig in.

Walk about as soon as you can and take peppermint tea for the gas.

Good luck and big hugs xxxx

[Aarpatel]

Hi I had mine done 3 weeks ago with appendix removal.

I was super stressed too but after realised I was stressing myself out. The nurses and doctors are great.

I would recommend taking

- wipes both body and face wipes,

- slippers

- 2/3 bigger size knickers - I was and am still bloated

- 2/3 bigger size nighties. I lived in mine and was really comfortable. I struggled to wear trousers because of the incision under my belly button

- slippers, flip flops and something to calm you down.

After surgery I had the best sleep and Was in hospital 2 nights but the morphine and drugs are needed. I made sure I was taking them but needed anti sickness as they were making me sick which made me really drowsy.

Also if your friends or loved ones can bring any food you would like to after the opp. I was nil by mouth for 4 days before the opp and my first food was yoghurt which was the best thing ever. After the opp I was having really light foods mainly liquid based soups, Indian kedgree, jelly,

But rest, take it easy when you are home. It has taken me around 3-4 weeks to recover and Im still getting pain and my stomach is bloated. The best thing I bought after surgery was a maternity pillow as in my 2nd week after surgery sleeping on your back is a drain and I'm a side sleeper.

Take it easy and you will be ok. Good luck xxx

[Lulububs]

Dont b nervous.

It depends on there plan, have they told u if it a diagnostic or a if they get in there and find something there do it lap?

If it a diag ur b in and out and home within about 3-4 hours.

Ur b uncomfortable for about 2 weeks... not pain.

My stitches took 7 weeks to dissolve.

Just get some box sets and painkillers( hot water bottle) and ur b fine!!

Good luck xx