Lap in two days - petrified

[Bgrant]

Can anyone give me any advice how to calm down and get in the zone for this horrible thing. I am absolutely scared stiff, if I'm distracted I'm fine when I let myself think to much I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack and want to cancel it. What does being put under feel like? How did you get through the couple of days leading up to it? How does it feel when you wake up? I can't stand the idea of being out of control. Please help, xx

[Laura_T]

What are you scared of? Going under GA or the procedure? Honestly the way I look at it is you are just going to sleep. I’m strange as I love the feeling of going under. I’ve been under GA 6 times now and it doesn’t scare me. Don’t get me wrong the first time it was scary but it’s so quick just start counting and you hardly get to as it’s so fast. Just keep busy, get things ready. I made sure the house was spotless, I made my pillows into a V shape ready for when I got home, get your bag ready.

I’m not going to sugar coat it, when I woke I was really cold, had really bad pain and didn’t know what was going on. They do give you more pain relief so that helps. Sometimes people are sick afterwards but I never was.

I know it’s hard but try not to think about it too much. You hopefully you will come out of this with answers and pain free x

[Bgrant in reply to Laura_T]

Hey

Thank you for replying I think a bit of both it's just the unknown I suppose. I k ow it needs to be done so I know what's going on. I think it's the idea of being in even more pain after. Iv never done very well with hospitals. I suppose its just time to be brave and its a common procedure. Just need to keep my nerves calm, and leave it to the professionals xx

[Hidden]

I get how not being in control of what’s going on is scary, but honestly the surgery is nothing to worry about, and after you’ve gone through it you’ll realise that. Just remember you have a team of doctors and nurses who deal with this everyday.

In the run up to my surgery i wasn’t scared or worried, i just wanted to get through it to finally know what’s going on. But I would definitely try to arrange things so that when you come of hospital you have a comfortable place to rest and shopping and cleaning etc is done so you don’t have to worry about it for a few days.

Being put under literally happens in seconds, they’ll prep you first where they put the canula in your hand and do other things, then they’ll put in the anaesthetic and by the count of 5, you’re out. It’s just going to sleep extremely quick.

When you wake up, you’ll be in the recovery ward, you’ll feel very groggy and of course you will be sore, but the nurses will be on hand with pain meds, and you still feel quite sleepy, this is partly to do with the meds. And you’ll also feel pretty emotional, I was anyway lol. It will all be worth it in the end just to find out what’s going on. Hope this helps! Good luck x

[Bgrant in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your reply, just have to be brave now. I think it's the idea that if I do get a diagnosis it will be a relief to not feel crazy but there will be a name to the horrid pain. Xx

[Laura_T in reply to Bgrant]

One thing I’ve noticed they do is tell you what was found and what areas when you are still not with it. Which I find annoying x

[AllthatGlitters]

Please don’t panic, I was like you and it’s not half as bad as you think.

I was in a bit of a nervous state in the lead up to it but I needed it done so I said to myself grow a pair of balls lol and get on with it. It actually helps if you give yourself a talking to.

Going under is fine, need in your hand, you feel the room spin for a couple of seconds and you are out of it. Basically it’s the feeling of being drunk.

When you wake up, you will feel dizzy and not be aware of your surroundings but I believe it all depends on the person as we react differently to anaesthetic. I was unable to pee for hours and they wanted to put a catheter in, make sure you drink lots so you can urinate.

You may feel unwell, I was sick several times but it was only water, for a few days after you will be sore and not be able to do much so make sure you have someone who can look after you.

I didn’t go to the toilet for a week, take some lactulose if you can as that will really help.

Hope it goes well x

[Bgrant in reply to AllthatGlitters]

Thanks so much. I know I will do it. I'm just going to pretend it's not happening. Treat it like a put of body experience 😂god I'm such a wimp. Was the rest of your recover okay? Xx

[lotusojo]

I had my laparoscopy 11 days ago and i was also incredibly anxious, particularly as I got a cancellation and mine was moved a month earlier than planned with 5 days notice. I totally understand how you are feeling. I was very scared about going under anaesthetic, and as it turns out my anaesthetist was absolutely lovely and met with me before hand to talk me through everything. They are used to people being anxious and will do their best to put you at ease. Trust that you will be well looked after and in good hands throughout. I am now doing very well and can do basically anything in terms of normal daily activities, just taking my time to rest and build things up gradually. The relief of it being over and getting answers is so so worth it, keep trusting in yourself. Wishing you all the best for a restful recovery. You can do it!

[Bgrant]

Thank you all for your kind replies. Stage 2/3 endo was found so it was worth going through but not much better than what I believed it was going to be. The staff were so lovely. However I wont be rushing back for another one very soon. Glad it's over and I'm not crazy every month. xx