Lap sugury for Endo what do I need to know?

[Rin9]

What should I wear? What should I take to the hospital? What should I have at home for recovery? What questions should I be asking here? Will I be able to wear anything during the surgery? What criteria do I need to meet to be able to go home? Anything at all about prep/surgery/post op would be greatly appreciated thank you

[KM1986]

Hi lovely. Sorry to hear you're needing surgery but on the plus hopefully it means you're making progress! I'm going in for my second in a couple of weeks and in the process of making lists - everyone is different but here's my wee list xx

I would wear loose joggers or comfy leggings a size up with a baggy tee and hoody over the top. I've also found wearing a comfy non wired bra or crop top is easier than a bra too.

You'll need to walk down to theatre in a dressing gown so I always try and take a full length dressing gown and comfy slippers or flip flops.

Other things I always take (thanks to a recommendation from a lovely lady on here) are cosy fluffy socks - you can often wake up with cold feet after the op and unable to reach your feet.

An overnight bag with the usual. Clean underwear, comfy pyjamas, toothbrush - all the usual stuff. Something to read in case you have a long wait, phone charger. Face wipes and something nice to smell - dry shampoo. Decent sanitary pads - you'll wake up with hospital one between your legs but your own brand will be better for going home.

A pillow for in the car on the way home between you and your seat belt.

For at home - try and get house work etc all done, bed changed so coming home you'll have nothing to do. Easy meals prepped and in the freezer so you are getting something decent to eat without too much effort.

On the day of your lap, you'll be taken down to theatre by a nurse, wearing your dressing gown and slippers but nothing else. You'll then get changed into a gown and then taking into theatre. The next thing you'll know is you'll be waking up in recovery feeling a bit sleepy - if you need pain relief ask for it. Depending what gets done it's likely you'll be sent home that day.

Hopefully this helps a wee bit. Things in there were passed from lovely ladies on here years ago to me and it really helped. If there's anything else I can maybe answer just shout. Kelly xxx

[Rin9 in reply to KM1986]

Thank you that helps a lot. I've been kinda freaking and obsessing. My doctor really didn't give me any information. On the subject of meal prep. Is there anything in particular I should or shouldn't eat? Any foods that will make recovery easier? And how long after waking up do they let you leave? I know it probably depends case by case but is it like 2-3hours or like a lot more? Thanks again for your list. I really can't express how much it helps.

[KM1986 in reply to Rin9]

Aw bless you. I know, it's the wee things that make the difference. Meal wise I was able to eat pretty much anything. Everyone is different, but things that are easy to digest - so whatever suits you. Anything you can prepare in advance, freeze and then throw in the microwave. Peppermint tea was useful too as they'll pump you full of gas and you can get quite a bit of pain around your shoulderblades - the tea will help with that.

Regarding how long before your discharged, it all depends what you've had done, how quickly you come round etc. Once I had come round I was still in a lot of pain so they gave me something for the pain that then knocked me out again for a while. I was in for 8.30am, I think my surgery was around 11.30/12.00 and I was home by about half 5 (I live about 30mins from the hospital). I had a lap and had endo removed but only lasered off - so not hugely invasive. I think I was only awake a couple of hours before they had me up and dressed - then it was a lot of hanging about waiting on results. I think they normally need to make sure you can pee ok before you leave.

I guess everything will be case by case.

One thing I will say is rest is the quickest way to heal. I don't know if you live alone or if you'll have someone to help out but the more rest you can do afterwards the better. K xx

[Rin9 in reply to KM1986]

Thank you for responding. I hope I'm in and out quickly as I have a phobia of docs and hospitals. I don't live alone but I don't expect any help from them. Is having help really needed? Is it because of the pain? Or is It because of the meds making you tired and out of it? I have a brother who I might be able to talk into staying with me for a day or two if it's really necessary. When you has yours did you have help? If so did you really really need it or is it something I can do on my own but it's just better to have help? And when you say rest do you mean just nothing strenuous or like lots of sleeping?

[KM1986 in reply to Rin9]

It depends on what kind of lap you end up having. Is it purely diagnostic? If that's the case you'll just be out of it for a few days.

When I had mine I had several bits of endo removed. It's just really difficult to anything. I couldn't fill a kettle to boil it. Everything is just a huge effort - your body has experienced a huge trauma. And when I was referring to resting, I mean lying and doing nothing, literally for a good while. It takes a good period of rest for your body to heal. Luckily I had my husband on hand but I guess I could have got by on my own but you'll just be really restricted xx

[Rin9 in reply to KM1986]

Thank you for responding. I glad you had help 😊. My lap is maybe diagnostic. If they find Endo they will remove what they can. They plan to remove a couple of cysts and apparently there is free fluid in a place it's really not supposed to be so the plan to test that or something. They refuse to tell me anything until the day before. I called and they said id learn what I need the day before. But if I'm having doubts they can cancel it. So I'm not gonna pester them because I really need this surgery. So I've been trying to get info online and at this site. Thank you for all the info you've been giving me. I really need it and feel better for knowing thanks

[KM1986 in reply to Rin9]

Aw you're so welcome. Glad it's helped a bit. Try not to stress to much. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Anything you need to know they'll tell you so try not to stress. If there's anything else I can help with just get in touch. Good luck xx