Surgery advice!

[Yotom]

Hello ladies,

I’m due to have my first lap this Thursday with a potential overnight stay according to the surgeon. I am also going to get a Mirena at the same time as I’ve been diagnosed with adeno already. Do you guys have any advice for what to take, eat and ask? Anything to help healing? A good last meal?

So far I have peppermint tea to help with the bloating, I’ve packed pads for the hospital as well as a nightie. I’ve made a note to ask for photographs and for a copy of my discharge notes to be given to me too.

Thank you!

[hannah11]

Slippers and a dressing gown or cosy jumper. It gets cold!

[Yotom in reply to hannah11]

Good point! Can’t believe this didn’t cross my mind, thank you Hannah!

[jessmoy95]

Hello, I'm recovering from my first laparoscopy which I had on Wednesday last week. I would suggest eating something easy to digest the night before as I was extremely constipated and had to use a suppository to go to the toilet. Peppermint tea is a good idea for bloating.

Drink as much water as you can as that will definitley help. Take something with you to do whilst you wait for your procedure as I was waiting from 7am and didn't get taken to surgery until 1pm. Wear clothes that are lose fitting following the discharge and get some really comfy big underwear that won't push on your stitches.

Hope your procedure goes ok.

[Yotom in reply to jessmoy95]

Thank you Jess, I hope you’re recovering okay and that it went well. I’ll be mindful of what I eat the night before to try and avoid that since I’ve been feeling more and more constipated in recent months... Have you been using/doing anything in particular to help you recover? Definitely going to add your comments to my note to make sure I’m as ready and prepared as I can be, thank you so much

[jessmoy95 in reply to Yotom]

I’m recovering well thanks, was a diagnostic but turned out I have endometriosis and it’s in my Fallopian tubes and on my bowel. I’ve had some removed but have to go and see a specialist. To be honest I’ve just been resting in comfy clothes and taking my pain meds I got given at the hospital and I seem to be healing nicely although my stitches still haven’t disappeared yet but it’s not even been a week.

[Yotom in reply to jessmoy95]

I’m sorry to hear that it’s quite a complex one - I hope it’s upwards from here for you. Keep me posted on how you get on, sending you good vibes!

[Thecupcakesoldier]

Good luck with your surgery, I hope it goes well.

As well as everything everyone else has mentioned already I'd also recommend lip balm and moisturiser, your lips and skin will get very dry from the anaesthetic and having your mouth open during surgery.

I'd also recommend taking some headphones so you can listen to music/watch Netflix etc it's boring while you're waiting but will also help you take your mind off it!

Please feel free to message me of you need anymore advice, I've had 3 surgeries so far! X

[Yotom in reply to Thecupcakesoldier]

Thank you very much - I’ve added them all to my list! I will definitely reach out as things pop into my mind xx

[Hazelnut345]

Hope all goes well with your surgery! I had my lap 3 weeks ago, I’d recommend some sucky sweets as my throat was pretty rough after the tube during surgery. Definitely something to do/ watch/ listen to, I had a 6 hour wait to go down for my surgery!

I ended up having to stay overnight, so toothbrush, toothpaste, cleanser and a clean nightie definitely made me feel a bit more human! Also a phone charger as I ran my phone down during the wait and would have run it out before I could call my lift home the next morning. I’d also bring some snacks as the nurses were really busy and I had to ask several times to get a menu for dinner and I was starving by then!

[Yotom in reply to Hazelnut345]

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions! It would never have occurred to me to take in some snacks so will definitely make sure I have a few bits. How are you doing now that it’s been three weeks, back to your usual self and routine?

[Hazelnut345 in reply to Yotom]

No problem! I’d say I’m pretty much back to where I was pre-surgery now, doesn’t seem to have had much of an effect on my pain so far but hoping it might settle down yet! I worked from home last week and have been back at work this week, still tiring but I don’t have any pain moving around or anything like that

[Tiger999]

I am recovering from a laparoscopy I got last Saturday .

All the advice above is good. I got some good advice on this forum which was to take a cushion/pillow for the car journey home. This will stop the seatbelt pushing into your wounds and makes it a bit more bearable.

Good luck and a speedy recovery x

[Yotom in reply to Tiger999]

I hope that went as well as possible for you. Thank you for the pillow idea, I would never have thought of it myself so I’ll be putting that at the top of my list! Feel better soon xx

[Owl9]

Good luck with your operation! I had my second laparoscopy yesterday. Big pants are a must! Do not underestimate the pain from the gas - peppermint tea really helps as does a hot water bottle if it travels up to your shoulder. I find it more comfortable to sleep with a pillow underneath my thighs/bum so that I am slightly elevated.

I also had minera inserted and I have been bleeding quite a lot so definitely stock up on a lot of pads.

Good luck! Xx

[Yotom in reply to Owl9]

Oh gosh, definitely not looking forward to the gas... I’m not a big hot beverage drinker but I’m sure I’ll be converted during recovery! Can I ask if the bleeding is outside of your Mirena and is it heavier than you’re used to? Is it painful or more of an inconvenience bc of the bleeding? I’m going to take a new pack of pads with me just in case and make sure I have plenty at home xx