First lap tomorrow!

[kfryer]

Hey all of you, hope you’re all having a good day!

I was just wondering if anyone had any tips for preparing for a lap? Or how to recover as best as possible? I’m a little nervous for tomorrow, but more excited to hopefully get something finally sorted! Did everyone else find their pain subside at all? Just want to prepare myself for what I’m going to be facing when I come round tomorrow!

Thank you all!

[Nicola2401]

Hello!

First of all best of luck, I can promise you it won't be as scary as you think, and it will be worth it

After having had 2 laps now, I'd definitely say my main advice would be to rest as much as possible afterwards (that's all you will want to do anyway!). I would always make sure you've changed your bedsheets, stocked up the fridge and cupboards with easy-to-prepare foods and cleaned your home beforehand. When you come back from the hospital you'll really appreciate it and it will make you feel better. I also make myself a 'base' on the sofa and have a tray within reaching distance with: painkillers/drugs, drink, remote controls, hot water bottle and of course, some treats! This is so the only reason you'll need to move is to go to the toilet.

Also, you may experience shoulder pain from the excess gas they use during the op. It can be horrible, but don't panic and know that it will ease in 24-48 hours. A hot water bottle applied to the area really helps with the pain, and also moving about as much as possible (within reason) helps to move the gas around.

My third piece of advice is to start taking natural laxatives (such as Senokot) immediately after your op. This is because you will have fasted on the day of your lap, the anaesthetic, drugs and the lap itself mess with your digestive processes, and if you're not careful you will get constipated very quickly (this happened to me after my first lap and I vowed it never to happen again, as it was so horrible!!). Make sure you take them regularly and drink lots of fluids to get your systems starting again.

Other than that, just make sure you have someone around especially in the first few days to look after you, boxsets to watch and books to read and the healing process will be over before you know it

Hope it all goes well and you get the answers you need! xx

[kfryer in reply to Nicola2401]

Thank you! That’s brilliant advice! Not sure whether I’m looking forward to sitting around all day or not... 😂

I hope your pain is starting to ease, glad to hear you’ve got good plans set for when you’re off!

Thanks xxx

[GL1906]

I had my Laparoscopy 2 days ago. Like you, I was very nervous. My blood pressure was sky high when I arrived there because I was so worked up. The nurses are fantastic at taking your mind off it and calming you down. I was lucky that I was taken pretty early in the morning. I wish I hadn't worried so much, you have to put your trust in them. Recovery wise, I felt better on Monday than I do 2 days after! Rest as much as you can. Keep pain relief topped up. Peppermint tea for the had pains and lots of pillows to prop you up. Hope it all goes well and you get the answers you need.

[Katy_in_the_house]

Hi! I had my first one on Monday! It was my first time having general anaesthetic and surgery. I was really scared about everything but nothing was as bad as I thought. I am not in a lot of pain at all. I had to sign a form saying I understood that they might need to take out my ovary and tubes so was extra scared but that didn't happen.

Laparoscopy really does feel like a 'light' type of surgery.

You can do it xxxxxxx