Im looking for some advice and must haves etc for after a Laparoscopy. I will be having my first ever one on the 5th December to diagnose/not diagnose Endo. I got told this was the next step after finding out one of my tubes is blocked.
I’ve been told peppermint tea and a hot water bottle are good things to have for post op.
Also does anyone have any advice for exercises/returning to exercise post op.
Thanks 😊
The pain in my shoulders due to the gas was more painful and annoying than any pain in my stomach after my diagnostic lap. I didn't know about peppermint beforehand so didn't try it but got some for my next surgery next week 🙂 other than that I would reccomend comfortable clothing and plenty of things to keep you from being bored before you are back on your feet x
I’ve heard that already, not looking forward to the gas pain at all, it sounds horrible. What does it feel like? How long untyou were up and about? I also have a broken foot, so it’s going to be a nightmare 🥴x
I don't know how to describe the shoulder pain really, just sharp pain at the top. It only happened as a moved so I found a comfy position and tried not to move about haha I was only in as a day case so I was up and walking within a few hours of surgery to go home. It was probably 4-5 days before I felt up to going out of the house to the shops etc (although not driving ng or carrying the bags)
Thanks for the reply, sounds like the peppermint tea works though, im off to do my “shop” for comfy PJs etc this week.
Hi, here are the following things I took-
Pack: Extra underwear and one that preferably sits about your waist line as you will have two incisions on your thigh crease and wearing a underwear that sits on that will be irritating and painful. I end up buying the briefs that looks like shorts from primark they really helped to sit above my incisions.
Pads: get the night pads that are thick. Some bleed after the surgery. when you wake up you will feel strange down there, they will leave you with a disposable light weight underwear with some surgical gauze down below after surgery so when you recover and go to the toilet you can change into proper underwear and put on a clean pad. I didnt really bleed but when I got changed out of my gown there was a big stain of blood on my gown which happened during the surgery.
Night dress- you will need a night dress or a loose hoody and leggings.
Slippers- avoid shoes just take a slide on slipper, preferably fluffy ones as they can keep you toes warm when your leaving hospital.
That's all I packed, as it is a day surgery. When I got home I drank lots of peppermint tea which helped. You will be constipated for atleast 7 days. So try and not be worried and drink some yakhult or actimel drinks to get the bowel working quick. No one wants to be constipated whilst had lap.
You will need hot water bottle for a week too for the back pain. I was lucky to not have shoulder pains for the gas but some people do, so water bottle might be needed for the shoulder.
Other than that you will need loose fitting clothes at home, and a shower gel that is not got any preservatives or scent. "Simple" brand is good for when you have showers you will need to use this type of shower gel till the stitches have fallen off. Always pat dry the incision area.
Good luck lovely hope all goes well.x
Thank you so much for all this information! I have written a list based on your suggestions, i pretty much live in hoodies and leggings but was thinking of buying some loose PJs and a dressing gown, do you think its worth it? I don’t have any.
I’ve currently got a broken foot so might have to stick to my trainers to leave the hospital for good grip on my crutches 🤦🏼♀️
How long did you recovery take? Did you exercise at all?
Once again thank you xx
No your loose longline hoody and leggings with be fine. But you will need to rest the waistline of the leggings above your belly button coz you will have a incision in the belly button where they will insert the gas through. And make sure your underwear are definitely the ones that are high waisted because you will have incision in the thigh crease you dont want the under wear to rub again the incision.
When I came home on the first day i was moving a little bit around the house to use the loo,but noticed i was more sleepy. Make sure you get plenty of naps as the maps will allow the body to work on healing.
It took me 2 weeks to start feeling better as in more movement but not lifting. The belly button incision took more time to heal, and getting out and lying down in bed was hard. j went back to work on week 3 under reduced hours as my doctor did not want me to go back to work, nor drive. But the hospital gave me dihydrocodiene for pain relief that was amazing. Just make sure you do not allow the pain get too harsh, soon as you get pain take ibuprofen inbetween the dihydrocodiene. As the dihydrocodiene can only be taken every 6hrs so inbetween you can take ibuprofen.
No problem, any questions just ask. x
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I downed a can of coke as soon as I was back on the ward. It caused the most horrible burping session but I didn’t get any gas pain. I also took sweets to suck as your throat will be soar. Take food if a fussy eater (food allergies) like me as they don’t cater for dietary requirements even when they are told at the pre op.
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