I’m new to this and wondered if I could get some help/advice.
I’m 19, and have been suffering with hip pains for the past 5 years, and by pains I mean stabbing pains in my inner groin/hip area, when I sneeze, cough, breath too sharply, get up to quickly, during sex and even worse when i’m due on or on my period. My gynaecologist said my symptoms sound like endometriosis.
I have been on the waiting list for a laparoscopy since December, and received a letter today with a pre-op appointment and operation date.
I’m scared and don’t know what to expect, i’m worrying what the outcome will be, how bad the endometriosis will be, how i’ll be after the operation, recovery time etc.
I am receiving plenty of reassurance off my family and partner, however I feel like I need help off women who go through the same pain and constant doctors appointments like I do.
Any advice for pre op or post op would be great, thank you.
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Poppy_hub
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The lap is the best thing you can do. I know its hard and I was the same but try not to think of all the what ifs. I tried to instead look at it as either I'll have a diagnosis of endometriosis, or it will rule it out and either way that is progress from where I was pre surgery. I got a diagnosis of minimal endo but I have high pain (the stage doesn't always correlate to the pain you get)
All the what ifs don't help, and can just stress you out which can put you in more pain. I know its easier said than done.
Recovery wise I think an average seems to be round 2 weeks off of work depending on what you have done, and what job you do. But remember everyone is different. Highly recommended wear loose clothing (I bought pj's a size to big) to wear back from the hospital and to recover in. Slip on shoes for the operation day so you don't need to bend over and tie shoe laces. Plenty of pillows to prop yourself up, you will struggle to sleep flat on your back for the first few days but with pillows and slightly sitting up it's fine. Have plenty of peppermint things like peppermint tea or capsules, this helps with the gas, that they use to inflate your stomach so they can see better. Take little walks around the house the few days as this helps too.
Thank you! I always get told to not think of the what ifs but it’s a never ending problem with me 😂 I’m just not sure what else this could be, i’m worrying in case I get told my pain is just normal periods but in myself I don’t feel normal 😬 Thank you for the advice on the peppermint tea, pillows, and walks around the house, i’ll try and do these! Really appreciate your reply x
I'm 20 and just had my first ever lap on the 19th of June, and I was exactly like you are now - it's not helpful having anxiety!
I have an awful pain tolerance so I was a complete baby for the first couple of days, plus I caught an infection on my belly button incision so that's taken a little longer to recover.
In regards to recovery, everyone is different! I've read that some women take 3-4 weeks to recover whilst others can bare work the next day! (I could never!)
When you wake up you won't have too much pain because they provide strong pain killers into your cannula and some local anaesthetic in your incisions before you wake up. If you're like me and hate needles you can ask for numbing cream - it really did help me! I also have a phobia of vomiting so I asked for extra anti sickness meds which they gave during the op and I woke up hungry and with hiccups, and really needed to pee!
As for tips, I went out and bought a pair of knickers a size too big because your stomach will be inflated with gas when you wake up and your average pair might squeeze a bit tight, and irritate incision(s) around the pubic area. I drank some peppermint tea to help with gas relief and put a hot water bottle on my shoulder for trapped gas pain! (You will burp and fart a lot after so be prepared! 😅) . I couldn't lay down flat for the first week after so make sure you have enough pillows to keep you propped up if you're anything like me! For the drive home, I brought a pillow to rest on my stomach so it'd make bumps and rubbing of a seat belt easier.
I also lived on paracetamol! Don't be afraid to take the maximum dosage (I hate relying on medication) but always remember to eat (or try to) because they will likely upset your tum.
One huge tip is just carry on drinking water/juice as dehydration makes it so much worse and fluids really do help you feel like yourself (even through pain!). I found when I was feeling a bit sick I'd just eat some dry crackers to line the stomach with something soft.
Try taking small walks around the house (not too strenuous though!) Every day. Make sure you did a tiny bit more today than you did yesterday. I saw some serious progress after the first week e.g. I can now lay flat and am trying to re-encourage laying on my side two weeks later, I can bend down and sit with my legs any which way, and finally laugh and cough without it hurting!)
The only thing I'm suffering with is a fast heart rate but that's because I'm an anxious person and have been under stress and antibiotics for the infection.
Ooh also - don't expect to be able to run when you feel well again! You'll get tired so easily and feel so unfit! But it'll get better.
Peeing for me hurts sometimes but that's because one of my incisions is within proximity of my bladder so muscle usage around there hurts a little!
You will recover in no time. I lost hope in the first two days (I'm so dramatic though) but I'm pretty much myself again now! Just take it easy and have someone there to do things for you for the first week or two. Milk it - you get to rest!! 😁
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