Positive Lap Experience

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share my lap experience and hope it may help others.

I had stage 4 Endo, endometrioma cysts, Endo on the bladder, bowel, adhesions, ovaries stuck together, the lot.

I only found out I had all this in March this year. I booked in for endo incision surgery through my BUPA as soon as I could. I was literally on the verge of cancelling due to anxiety but I thought, I have to do this for my health and to better my chances of having a baby naturally. I researched the best doctor I could find which is absolutely crucial. Most docs work with the NHS too. My doc had a great CV, 30 years experience, Endo mechanic the lot. So in a nut shell, the whole experience has been absolutely fine and I'm a pure wimp with high anxiety. As soon as you have the anaesthetic, you are knocked out straight away, wake up groggy and high but you are more relieved its all over. In fact for me I was excited because I felt brave.

My belly was swollen but that goes down. The gas is uncomfortable but that eases off. The incisions were miniscule and my recovery has been very quick. I'm 2 weeks on and back to normal. No pain. I think this is all down to the fab skills of the doctor I went with.

Tips:

Take and wear baggy clothing to the hospital and wear for as long as possible to aid recovery. This is so nothing rubs or aggrevates your wounds.

Rest when you can but keep mobile to avoid clots and keep up your stamina.

Try and find the best doctor in the field. Look at recommendations online, look at linked in etc etc. Getting the best surgeon and doing your research is so important. I can't stress this enough!

Your incisions will be glued (at least mine were) Make sure the glue only stays on your wounds for around a week after the op otherwise infection can set in, especially in your belly button. Bacteria and dead skin accumulate here. I wasn't told this by the nurse. She just said wait for it to flake off. Flag this with the nurse and ask about this after surgery.

Make sure you have some help at home and during discharge from the hospital.

Keep hydrated all the time. Plenty of fluids and cordials. Eat well! Keep those nutrients flowing.

Take sanitary towels to the hospital.

Take body wipes to the hospital.

My doc said my periods will be funny, as in heavy, light, irregular etc so expect that for a few months after.

Ensure biopsies are done when they are removing tissue to ensure there are no pre cancerous cells.

Peppermint tea helps relieve gas for some people.

I experienced horrendous trapped wind in my bowel after my op. This is flatulence gas and not the Co2 they give you. This is normal and will subside.

If you are trying to conceive my doc said I could try now, 2 weeks after my op.

I understand everyone is different but I had a really good and positive experience and so could you. Xx

[luthien]

Wow cool, thats so much like my experience

[Missingcat]

Just to add to this, my incisions were dissolving stitches. They took between 3-4 weeks to go, the one to the side of my belly button went quicker as it would chafe against my waistband. I was able to remove the dressing the next day, shower and bathe as normal.