Any advice for first laparoscopy

[missm87]

Hi, I finally have my appointment for my first laparoscopy - 27th December! (Happy Christmas to me yay) I was quite shocked surgeons work that week.

I was just wanting some advice on what to expect and what to take with me? The gynaecologist said she would burn away what she could but obviously if it's in complicated areas like the bowel then i would be referred to a specialist, I think this sounds acceptable?

[Stresshead24]

Hi I'm just over 2 weeks post op. If you have any specific questions let me know and I'll do my best to answer them for you

[missm87 in reply to Stresshead24]

Hi,

I'm just wondering what do I need to take to the hospital with me. I think I've got the obvious, nightie, slippers, dressing gown, loose comfy clothes for going home, overnight bag just incase? Is it worth while taking a book for when you are waiting?

I don't go back to work till the 2nd january, do you think il need more time to recover?

Do you bleed afterwards?

Also is the pain just like period pain afterwards?

[-ALiViA- in reply to missm87]

Hiya.

I’d recommend taking a lip balm.

Perhaps a small snack (my hospital sandwich was too dry for me to swallow)

Wet wipes (in case your sick)

A pad (you do bleed a small amount after surgery, they put the big thick pad between your legs, but you could take a smaller more comfortable one)

A coat (I was quite cold afterwards leaving hospital)

There are magazines in the waiting rooms. I took a word search book. But I found everything distracting so it could be hard to concentrate, depends what you are like.

They didn’t find endo in me so nothing to burn off. However after the procedure it didn’t feel like period pain. It’s really hard to describe how it felt (kind of tight on the surface, and tender, but not a deep feeling) the pain killers they give you work very well.

I’d suggest not skipping them as it really does hit you. I took them for 3 days after.

Any thing else I’d be happy to answer xx

[cmbxm]

Take a dressing gown to the hospital and flip flops as you can wear them around the hospital and as you leave, forget your cute underwear and buy the biggest knickers you can, get some big tops, download some boxsets because you will be bored out of your mind before surgery (ask for a Netflix gift card for Christmas 😉) bring some bottled water with squash added to it or anything you know you’ll drink your mouth will be dry and sore after, Id also take a pillow so when you get in the car put it on your tummy and put the seatbelt on over it, I’m 5 weeks post op now and the only thing I wish I brought was a sports bra, I couldn’t put my bra on after and knew that if I had brought a sports bra I could’ve just put it on and left it on, let me know if there’s anything else you want to know and good luck! 🤞🏻❤️

[Stresshead24]

As above... i also packed some headphones for over night as you don't get much sleep on a ward. 😂