Surgery advice!

[Megbx]

Hi, I am going to get a laparoscopy in the next few months (just awaiting confirmation - likely in the next two months) I was just wanting to hear peoples tips on what to take, what helped them pre & post surgery. And any tips for recovery and how long it took people to recover. They are also going to fit the mirena for me whilst I’m asleep (added pain yeyyy!).

Thanks in advance x

[AllthatGlitters]

Hi

Before your surgery I would say in the few days that lead upto it, have a sense of calm. I was so worried and anxious about it, it’s not as bad as what you may think the surgeon and consultant anaesthetic come in to see you prior to your surgery.

Afterwards I was vomiting, you feel spaced out, a bit like being drunk. I would say take a spare set of night clothes pants and your own pads

I had an overnight stay which was planned as I get Ill with the anaesthetic, plus they don’t let you go home until you have peed. This again can take hours on end, you feel the urge but just can’t go.

I took in magazines, music but I didn’t listen to any of it or read it. I slept quite a bit, in and out of sleep for a while and drowsy.

For your journey home definitely something loose over your belly, you will feel weak and need someone to be with you for a few days. I also took a pillow so I sat with my body against the pillow and the seatbelt over it so it wouldn’t put any pressure on my stomach.

I wish you luck and hope that it goes well.

Xx

[Megbx in reply to AllthatGlitters]

Thankyou! Xx

[Bookish23]

I agree with everything AllthatGlitters said but just want to add that they may try and get you to eat after and the food can be a bit weird or too much especially if you don’t get on well with anaesthetic (I’m the same.) so I would recommend taking something simple in that you know you can eat when you feel queezy. Ginger biscuits are great it you like them. My weird good crutch after surgery seems to be skips crisps as they melt on the tongue and even chewing hurts when you are post surgery anaesthetic sick and dizzy.

Also take a blanket or dressing gown if you can. It can get really cold in the hospitals especially post surgery and can take ages for nurses to get things for you because they are so short staffed.

Good luck! x

[Megbx in reply to Bookish23]

Thankyou x

[Smee1234]

Just lots of rest. You will be sleepy. Use lots of pillows when you get home to help you sleep on your back. Eat light nutritious foods get someone to stay with you for the first few days as you do get dizzy.

[Megbx in reply to Smee1234]

Thankyou x

[Smee1234 in reply to Megbx]

Anytime currently recovering from my lap on Tuesday so it's a long boring process

[Megbx in reply to Smee1234]

Wishing you a speedy & healthy recovery.

[wanwood]

After I had one lap, I wasn't at all worried about the next one, because it's not as scary as it sounds and you definitely can do this. Make sure you have some very loose comfy clothing to wear afterwards.

Just a word of caution, if you're having excision done, don't expect to be feeling better than ever after only a few weeks. Don't be hard on yourself and take it easy, get lots of rest. After the external incisions heal, the internal areas are still healing. You may feel more tired than usual for a couple of months after the procedure. Or not - everyone's different!

[Megbx in reply to wanwood]

Thankyou x