I should be happy I'm getting a lap but...

[MaloushkaPat]

Hi ladies,

Just went to see the consultant about getting a diagnosis after another ultrasound scan a couple of weeks ago. The consultant told me it was absolutely normal. From there she said to me the next step is a lap which I was made up to hear. However me and my bf started to ask questions about potential diagnosis and what would happen if they didn't find anything at the lap...

This is when the consultant turned around and ended up saying that because the scans were all normal and I have bloating most of the time, she does not think they'll find anything and they'll send me back to my GP to look into gastro issues. Before that she also said : we have to do the lap cause we can't send you back to your GP without doing it.

It just felt like she had already decided that I don't have gyne problem and that they're simply doing the lap so they can discharge me... I am now questioning myself thinking it might have been all in my head this whole time and I might just have IBS or something like that, but at the same time, I feel like I know my body and it's defo gyne pains!

I don't know what to think! I should not be complaining as I know lots of other women have been waiting much longer than me for a lap but I also feel the consultant looked down on me today and just wants to get rid of me...

Sorry for the long post, rant over! Xx

[Hidden]

Listen to your body. I’ve had many things wrong with me with normal scans and they didn’t find anything until they opened me up.

If you’re uncomfortable with the lap you can still go to your GP to see a GI doctor.. I don’t see how they can just hold you hostage like that. If you don’t like your consultant possibly ask to see another. It’s your body so fight for proper care! I have had to for years and I’m only 21!

If you think it’s gynecological, then a lap may not be a bad idea. I jumped into one after my first visit with my gynecologist and they found a patch of endometriosis.

It’s all up to you, they can’t force you to do anything you don’t want to.

[MaloushkaPat in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much. I defo want a lap as all my symptoms and pains point to endo according to several GPs I have seen. I can tell it's not GI related, I just felt the consultant just wants to send me home but feel obliged to do the lap just so she can say she has done everything possible. I am 99% sure my pains and symptoms are gyne related,I just wish my consultant was not that dismissive and listened to me more.

I actually can't wait for the lap (even though it sounds weird!)as I'm hoping to get some answers, I just wasn't expecting the consultant to tell me that they will probably find nothing... I went to cloud nine to a slap in my face during the consultation... Xx

[Hidden in reply to MaloushkaPat]

I'm having another lap after next week I am excited too, so its definitely not weird. We need to get to the bottom of our pain! No one should have to suffer with no answers.

I was also told they will probably find nothing but they suspected that with my first lap for endo and my gallbladder removal and there was a problem both times!!!! So don't let that discourage you.

Good luck x

[Hidden]

I was in this exact position, pushed and pushed for a lap and they didn't find anything which crushed me, still not giving up hope as I know something is up. It sucks having doctors not believe you and feel like you're making a fool of yourself but if there's pain, then something is definitely up. I was basically told it wasn't anything gynaeo related (despite my womb being badly tipped and having vaginismus) and go to and see about bowel issues, which is bs but gotta keep pushing forward! Good luck x

[MaloushkaPat in reply to Hidden]

Yes I feel if they don't find anything at the lap I'm going to be in the same boat! I know there is something wrong in my body but I just don't feel anybody listen to us sometimes! I guess I will have to wait for the lap and take it from there!

Good luck with your diagnosis and treatment too! Xx

[cmbxm]

I basically felt that way, my surgeon was forced by his senior to conduct my surgery and had decided prior that I had no endo and that it was all in my head and actually wanted me discharged from gynae permanently! He didn’t take any biopsies during the lap I was under for less than 30 minutes (this is me looking at a clock as I went down and the time stamp on a clock being the first thing I saw when I woke up) And he only checked my uterus and ovaries, nothing else, despite informing me he’d check up to my diaphragm🙄 I whole heartedly believe he bodged my op and had already decided there was nothing wrong with me, you can ask to be seen by another gynaecologist at another hospital if you believe they’ve decided there’s nothing wrong with you and they’re just doing this lap to tick a box on a form and not to give you genuine diagnosis! I wished I’d been brave enough to see another gynaecologist instead of sticking with the one I was forced to have, you have a right to choose who provides your healthcare! Like you I’m also 99% sure my problems are gynae related and I am going through gastro just to tick the box on the form so I can see a gynaecology again, I’m hoping you get somewhere with your lap and if she does open you up, she finds something that helps ease your pain and make your life easier! Good luck hun 🙌🏻❤️ x

[MaloushkaPat in reply to cmbxm]

Thank you so much!

On the consent form I had to sign to go ahead with the lap today it says that they "cannot give me a guarantee that a particular person will perform the procedure. The person will, however, have appropriate experience" so I am not even sure that the consultant I have seen will be the one doing my lap.

I have my pre-op on Tuesday (I must admit I am quite impressed with how quick I got the appointment) so I am going to ask if I will know who is going to perform the lap before the day of my surgery. I am naively hoping that it'll be one of their endo specialists (I know there are two in the hospital I go but my consultant isn't one of them) . I am just scared to delay the lap even more if I change consultant...

We really shouldn't feel like this with our own bodies!

[cmbxm in reply to MaloushkaPat]

That’s seriously impressive that they got you sorted for preop so quick!😱 you’re absolutely right, we shouldn’t feel this way with our bodies, we should feel that we can trust our surgeons! I even asked stupidly if they could perform my lap under epidural purely because I didn’t trust my surgeon! How silly is that? They should hopefully be able to give you an idea of who your surgeon is then, fingers crossed for you that it’s an endo specialist!🙌🏻❤️ x

[MaloushkaPat in reply to cmbxm]

Yes fingers crossed! I think I'm super lucky too as they told me I should get my lap within 8 weeks ( I was expecting a 6 months waiting list!) So I feel a bit awful complaining about it all, it's just the consultant's attitude who kind of made me re-question everything! Xx

[cmbxm in reply to MaloushkaPat]

My waiting time was 8 weeks and I was private! So that’s absolutely excellent!! Some consultants need a reality check and need to realise that there are better ways to talk to patients 🙄 x