So frightened of having first lap done :(

[catsrule40]

Hi everyone

Hope you're all doing ok today

I had an MRI scan a few weeks ago that showed two big choloclate cysts on my ovaries and a lot of endometriosis affecting my bowel. A lap was first offered to me about 18 months ago when I had just one small cysy and i've been putting it off just because I'm so scared. I've never had surgery before and I'm super squeemish! The thought of what they'll be doing when I'm asleep seems to be the worse thing for me - silly I know as I'll be asleep

Now that I see the cysts are so big, I really have to go for it now and I'm hoping to get the date through soon but I really don't know how I'm going to cope. I keep crying at the thought of it.

Any advise would be very appreciated

Sarah xx

[MID123]

Hey Sarah. I have had 2 laps - one when I was just 17 and the second last year. We all work ourselves up and overthink, with good reason, it’s scary! I was so scared up until the moment I was put to sleep.. it’s totally natural. But the positives of having the lap done completely outweigh the anxiety leading up to it.

I kept telling myself ‘you’re in good hands’ The doctors know what they are doing. I had a great gynaecologist who I really trusted, which I think really helped me.

Hope this is helpful! Please message me if you want to ask me anything X

[catsrule40 in reply to MID123]

thanks for your reply I'm sure all of the worry, pain and IBS symptoms are far worse than the actual procedure but I'm still scared! haha x

[EmaW]

I had my first laparoscopy in December and I’d never had surgery before so was scared of what to expect.

My mum came with me and sat in the waiting room until after I came out of theatre so that really helped. The hospital staff were all so friendly and helpful and talked me through everything. I thought I’d freak out when walking to theatre but everyone was just so calm and reassuring. I fell asleep in seconds and woke up again after what felt like just a minute or two like nothing had happened...apart from being pretty out of it from the anaesthetic.

I got lucky and was the first patient of the day, so maybe you could try to request to be first then you’ll have less time to feel nervous? 😊

[catsrule40 in reply to EmaW]

thanks EmaW, I will let them know how anxious I am beforhand for sure It's just fear of the unknown I guess. I keep thinking that it will be over before i know it and then I can at least enjoy the rest in the summertime! x

[Harley35]

Hi 😊I had my first Lap almost 4 years ago I was so scared I’d never had an Operation before so I was in bits but everyone told me I was gonna be fine and they were right everything went great and they got a massive cyst out of me it destroyed my left Ovary and they found a fibroid( they didn’t know it was there before the Op) so I’d say you need to get the Op especially now your Cysts are so big you will be ok it’s perfectly normal to be scared it is a scary thing but once you get it over and done with you’ll feel so much better and wonder what you were worried about coz it’s so quick good luck i hope you get your date through soon I hope this helped you 😊

A fellow Sarah 😁 xx

[catsrule40 in reply to Harley35]

ah thanks Sarah How long did you take to recover? I have a holiday booked at the beginning of Aug so was hoping to be on the mend by then - but I guess it depends what they do. Hope you're feeling much better these days x

[Harley35 in reply to catsrule40]

No problem 😁 My work wasn’t very supportive I only had 11 days to recover before going back to work I was told by the doctors I’d need 3 weeks off to recover you

Should be fine by then you’ll have recovered by then 😁 thanks I’m not as bad as when it first kicked off( the Op helped) but I do have bad days unfortunately ☹️ xx

[catsrule40 in reply to Harley35]

Hey Sarah, I had my op on Monday and like you said I was fine and the worry definitely was the worst part. They removed both cysts - one had 800ml of fluid in so I've lost weight - every cloud and all that I will probably need further surgery as they found endo stuck to 'everything' but I won't be anywhere near as worried next time.

Thanks so much again for your support on here - it really helped me and I was much calmer than i thought i would be.

Take care Sarah x

[Harley35 in reply to catsrule40]

Hey Sarah, I’m glad it went well I knew you’d be fine 😁 wow that’s a lot of fluid 😬and it’s definitely one way to lose weight and fast 😂 Endo stuck to everything yikes I hope they get it all in the next surgery fingers crossed 🤞 awwww you are most welcome 😊we have to look out for each other this disease is like nothing I’ve ever known I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy so it’s just nice to be able to help 😁

Take care Sarah xx

[ali_cupcake]

Hey Sarah,

I’m 17 and I got diagnosed from an MRI scan in February. I had my first laparoscopy last week where they discovered more Endometriosis than they expected. I have stage 3. They also discovered another condition that I was unaware of called painful bladder syndrome which is a bit like ibs of the bladder. I was really worried beforehand but I knew they were going to do everything they possibly could for me. (Went private so was seen very quickly if I’d gone nhs I wouldn’t have been operated on until August)

The positive out of your surgery will be that you will get the cysts removed or drained and have the Endometriosis removed. It will be terrifying for you it’s not just about the op now it’s about the future too because it’s the unknown. Don’t feel silly but it will help you this op and they will do everything they can to help you! Good luck xx

[catsrule40 in reply to ali_cupcake]

thanks for your reply. Hope you're recovering well and enjoying the rest. I'm 40 now and always shyed away from facing my fears unfortunately but when it comes to your health that isnt an option I am thinking about going private as well just to get it over with in time for my holiday in Aug. Do you mind me asking how much it cost roughly?

Sarah x

[ali_cupcake in reply to catsrule40]

No worries! I got taken back in on Sunday as I got a slight infection but I got home tonight and I feel so much better.

My consultant told me a lot and apparently Endometriosis in teenagers and young women is completely different to Endometriosis for women in their 30s and 40s as it’s a lot more invasive for younger women. This is because the theory is, is that it’s an autoimmune disease as younger people’s cells reproduce quicker.

I’d definitely recommend going privately. I got much better treatment privately as I have later found out that if I’d had treatment on the NHS they would have only used the ablation technique which is just like cutting weeds at ground level whereas privately it removed with ablation and excision which is removing the whole of the weed and it’s root. I hope that makes sense.

I’m really sorry but I don’t know the cost of the treatment was as my parents paid and then claimed it back on my dads work medical insurance. I had it done with the Nuffield health. Depending where you live and where your nearest private hospital is I would ring them up and get a quote as I know you can do that. I’d just ask what the package is for a gynaecology laparoscopy and if they have a gynaecologist who specialises in Endometriosis. I hope this has helped! X

[catsrule40 in reply to ali_cupcake]

ah that's interesting to know - thanks

I've found a private consultant who specialises in Endometriosis and just waiting for a quote so we'll see.

Hope you're feeling better and thanks for the advise

take care Sarahx