My Lap Experience

[Jess96]

Hi, everyone. Positive post here. I had my first lap on Monday and I wanted to write this for anyone who is scared of having theirs done. In the days leading up to my lap, I was so sick with nerves, and I just wanted it all over with. I'm proud that I have done it, and I have a positive experience.

The patients on the ward had people staying with them, so my mum and dad stayed with me the whole time. At my pre-op, I had told the nurse how anxious I was, so she said she will try and make sure I'm first on the list. If you're anxious, tell them, because I ended up being first, which was much more preferable than having to wait around for ages. Nurses, doctors, the surgeon, and the anaesthetist spoke to me and were all really nice and caring. They understand that people are going to be scared.

I was terrified of being put to sleep, but it was interesting to experience. My blood pressure was high, so I was given a pre-med. The pre-med basically made me feel drunk, which I think was good haha. I don't even remember being given the actual anaesthetic because I was totally out of it after the pre-med 😅 Then what seemed like time travel, I woke up in the recovery room, still feeling drunk. A nurse was monitoring me and spoke to me when I woke up. The drunk feeling passed after a few minutes. Everything was just really relaxed. I was taken back onto my ward and was well looked after.

I know that it's so scary, especially when it's your first time, but it honestly wasn't bad, and I'm the biggest wimp ever. Everyone was really nice and they all reassured me.

If anyone has any questions, or just wants to talk about it, feel free to talk to me ☺️ And thank you so much to everyone who has supported me and shared their endo journeys with me.

Jess x

[JeanOsborne]

Hi sweetheart,I just wanted to say how proud I am of you. I know how anxious you were at the whole prospect of having this op. But you beat your demons and did. And I’m glad you had a good experience.

[Jess96 in reply to JeanOsborne]

Thank you so much, Jean, for supporting me through this. You've helped me from the very beginning when I first came on this forum, and I truly appreciate it 😊 x

[JeanOsborne in reply to Jess96]

That’s no problem sweetheart. I’m just glad you finally got there. And I will still be here for you. Message me anytime. Xxx

[Holleymuzz]

I’m really glad to

Hear you had a positive experience jess!

Did you get answers?? X

[Jess96 in reply to Holleymuzz]

Thank you! Yeah, I have adhesions and endo at the back of my womb, endo around my right ovary, and small spots of endo around my left ovary. I'm glad I finally have answers! X

[gabbiefawn]

Thankyou for writing this! I’m going in for my first lap very soon, and I’m extremely anxious. How long was your recovery time after? I get very down when sat at home doing nothing, and I’d just want to get back to work.

[Jess96 in reply to gabbiefawn]

No problem! If I remember correctly, I think I took it really easy for the first week or two. But definitely by the fourth week, I felt back to normal. It is a bit boring, but I took the opportunity to binge watch some TV programmes and enjoy the rest haha.

I wish you all the best of luck with your surgery! x

[catsrule40]

Hi Jess

Nice to read your post and has made me a little calmer so thank you

I've put off having a lap done for over a year now as the thought of it just frightens me so much but a recent MRI showed two big chocolate cysts on my ovaries and my bowel has been affected so I know i can't put it off any longer and deep down I know the waiting and worrying is probably far worse than the surgery. I think its just the thought of what they'll be doing as I'm super squeemish. I'll be asleep so silly I know!

How did you cope with your nerves running up to the day?

Sarah x

[Jess96 in reply to catsrule40]

Hey, you're very welcome! I know how you're feeling, I put it off for a long time too, because I was scared. The waiting definitely was the worst part. Oh I'm really squeamish too haha. Running up to surgery day, I just tried not to think about it because it's up to the doctors to think about it. All you have to do is turn up on the day, and let them take care of everything else. The days prior, I did stuff that I enjoyed to take my mind off it, even if it's just temporarily. Another thing I found really helpful was making a playlist of a load of upbeat songs that I like. And I listened to them on the day, which really lifted my spirits. I was full of nervous energy and adrenaline on the day, so I was actually dancing to the music while getting ready in the morning 😅

But try to convince yourself that you're just going there to be sent to sleep for what seems like 5 seconds. You don't need to worry about what else is happening 😊

I wish you all the best of luck for it x

[catsrule40 in reply to Jess96]

Ah that's really helped thank you. Although I'm scared a big part of me now feels like enough is enough and just get on with it lol.

What was your recovery like?

x

[Jess96 in reply to catsrule40]

I know what you mean. It gets to a point where you've just had enough haha. You gotta push ahead with that feeling and show endo who's boss! 😁

My recovery was the best bit! 😅 All you have to do it sit around and enjoy being lazy haha. I remember my abs just felt like I had done sit ups. A bit achy, but not painful. I kept myself topped up with painkillers for the first couple of days. The shoulder pain from the gas was probably the most painful part, but shrugging my shoulders repeatedly made it disappear within seconds.

X

[catsrule40 in reply to Jess96]

that's good to hear - thanks Was yours a diagnostic lap or did they remove any endo? Sorry for being nosy - just wondering if recovery depends on how much they do.

x

[Jess96 in reply to catsrule40]

It was both. They diagnosed the endo, and also removed as much as they could. But I think they stay away from complicated areas.

Haha it's ok, any time 😊 x

[catsrule40 in reply to Jess96]

thanks Jess. Yeah they've said to me that they won't remove it all as being back on the pill seems to be controlling the endo - its just getting rid of the cysts.

Hope you're doing fine now - take care x

[catsrule40 in reply to catsrule40]

Hey Jess - me again sorry!

I've just been given a cancellation date of 3rd June eek not much warning so freaking out a bit. I suppose i should be pleased that it's soon and get it over with but I'm still so frightened

Sarah x

[Jess96 in reply to catsrule40]

Hey! I'm so sorry, I've only just logged on. Did you have your surgery yesterday? How did it go? I really hope you're doing ok.

Sending hugs x

[catsrule40 in reply to Jess96]

Hi Jess

No worries at all. Yes had surgery on Monday and had similar experience to you - all very positive. I was grinning like a cheshire cat when they wheeled me back from recovery. I was waving at everyone like a mad lady! lol Really the worrying was the worst part. I'm feeling quite chuffed with myself too at finally getting it done.

I'm feeling pretty good, no shoulder pain, my belly button is a bit twingy sometimes but that's all.

Now just chilling out at home and enjoying the time off work

thanks so much again for your support. I was soooo nervous beforehand but just kept telling myself what you said that all i have to do is be put to sleep dont think about anything else and like everyone says its so quick and the staff are all so nice.

Take care, Sarah x

[Jess96 in reply to catsrule40]

Oh I'm so glad you had a positive experience! Ahahaha aw bless you, that's so funny 😆

Hell yeah, you should be so proud of yourself! It really does take guts, but you did it. And I'm really glad everything went well. Did they find any endo?

Haha all you have to do now is relax and enjoy your time off 😊

Awww you're welcome. I'm glad that what I said helped x

[catsrule40 in reply to Jess96]

yeah he found a lot of endo 'stuck to everything', especially my bowel but didnt touch that for now - only drained the cysts. Took 800ml of fluid so i've lost a bit of weight - horrah! He wanted to sort the cysts out first because they were aggravating everything else and then i'll prob need another op at some point but i wont be half as nervous next time!

Hope you're doing ok

Sarah x

[Jess96 in reply to catsrule40]

Oh bloody endo. That's good about the cyst being drained though haha! Yeah, I imagine it's not as scary when you know what to expect.

I'm alright thanks. Going to the doctors tomorrow because I've been on the pill to ease my troublesome periods, but it's making me sick. So I'm hoping they'll put me on the patch instead x

[catsrule40 in reply to Jess96]

ah ok fingers crossed for you then

Take Care x

[Hidden in reply to catsrule40]

Hi Sarah, I have a 7cm endometrioma aswell, with likely endometriosis. Did you have contrast with your MRI scan? When did they say you could have the op?

[catsrule40 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, not sure what you mean 'did i have contrast with MRI'?

I'm waiting for a date still for the op but considering going private to get it over with before the summer

x

[Hidden]

Hi Jess, I really like your post. It definitely helps. I have my 1st lap on 17th June 2019. I am a very anxious person too but the thought of feeling drunk helps! X

[Jess96 in reply to Hidden]

Hey! Aw thank you, I'm glad it helps. Don't worry about feeling very anxious because the doctors and nurses expect people to feel that way. Yeah the drunk feeling really eases you into it and it makes you really chilled out.

I really do hope your lap goes well. Feel free to talk to me anytime 😊 x

[Bellabellaboo]

I really needed to hear this today! I am scheduled for my first lap and first ever GA on 29th June and am waking in the night with anxiety attacks over it! Are you in much pain post op? Did you feel sick or vomit after the op?

[Jess96 in reply to Bellabellaboo]

I'm glad you saw my post. The nerves beforehand are definitely the worst part of it all. I was a mess with nerves. But once the day came, I was so relieved that all the waiting was over. I really feel how anxious you are.

A few days following the op, I had a bit of shoulder pain from the gas. But shrugging my shoulders and keeping them moving for a few minutes makes the pain go away. I wasn't in pain with my incisions. I kept myself topped up with paracetamol for a few days after the op. But that was about it. My stomach just felt like I'd done sit ups the day before and my ab muscles were aching. Do not painful, just achey.

Nope, I didn't feel sick at all or vomit. I've heard of people telling the doctors that they're worried about vomiting when they wake up. So the doctors give them some anti sickness medicine to prevent it.

I really hope it goes well for you. You can message me any time 😊