Hello ladies,
I hope you’re all doing well.
So I just got a surgery date for the 23rd. I thought it’d take longer so I’m not prepared at all.
It is my first laparoscopy since I was diagnosed by ultrasound and MRI.
I’d love to hear about your experience and advice, tips, everything.
Any ideas which supplements must be discontinued to avoid thin blood? What about food?
What’s the best things to have to prepare for the surgery and healing after?
Thank you so much my endo sisters 👯 👯 👯
I had my first lap on 22nd september. First i was expecting a pre op but its not neccessary anymore apparently. Get lactolose 😂 it will help after lap as your be given painkillers that will probs bung you up. Also take a pad with you as I had bleeding afterwards. Dont force yourself back to work if you still dont feel well. Listen to your body. Ask for a sick note, they should sign you off for 2 weeks hopefully. You are most likely going to feel alot of shoulder pain for the first few days as your filled with gas, its painful so get a heat pack to help with the discomfort! You will be bloated for a week or so after the lap so dont stress. I got thrush after my laparoscopy which apparently is commen for alot of woman after having a laparoscopy. You will probs be really sleepy for a few days after your op. I literally slept as soon as i got home and slept loads for around 3 days after.
Hope this helps, this is just my experience so yours may be completely different 😘
Thank you for sharing. Did you have to take the pain killers? Like did you actually have pain? Wow so no more pre op...that feels way more abrupt I guess. I wasn’t expecting to get a date so soon so everything feels so quick now.
I was given strong codeine based pain killers that made me feel very spaced out. I had to take my pain killers regularly as I was in pain alot but thats cos my incision got infected as I didnt dry them properly as I was too scared to pat them dry. However the shoulder pain was more painful in the beginning. Also if you sleep on your side try get used to laying on your back I couldnt roll of my side for a least 2 weeks. Im on my 3rd week off now. Ill be going back to work next week. I had longer off because im coming to terms with the fact i may never have children 😭 i was surprised too! I had all my tests and everything in January and was put on the waiting list then got a call at beginning of september to say i have my lap date!
Have you seen a fertility specialist? I’m a bit afraid of the surgery because The fertility doc said I have low egg count. And it may get lower after the laparoscopy.
Please may I ask how only to have been on the waiting list?, I’m listed for my second operation, I was listed in August this year. Xx
I’m surprised as well, they told me I’ve been on the list for a while. I had my MRI in January, and I was referred to see endo specialist and have surgery after that. But I didn’t have an appointment nor I confirmed the surgery so I’m surprised. I thought it would be after I sign all the paperwork that I’d be put on the list! I don’t get it. They must’ve put me on the list before lockdown. I was expecting to have to wait a couple of months. Well I hope is that and it’s nothing urgent.
Hello, I just had a laparoscopy this morning! Also had left ovary and both tubes removed under general anaesthetic. They left the right ovary. Am home now.
Basically, my left ovary/tube was stuck to my pelvic wall due to endometrial adhesions.
What happens is- they insert a gas into the area via keyhole- make a tiny cut on both sides and insert a tiny camera in and then for me, they did the removal too. For me it took about 1.5 hours.
They gave me morphine in recovery and have sent me home with a codeine based painkiller. and a laxative as it can bung you up. Morphine has worn off now and I’d say pain is very bearable. Just feels like an uncomfortable sharp tugging. I feel really really tired and a bit sick on occasion. My tummy feels very bloated due to the gas but that should go down soon.
Drink as much water afterwards as you can- it flushes the anaesthetic out and staying hydrated is so key to recovery. Also eat something light as painkillers can make you nauseous.
I’m taking arnica and calendula for rapid healing and to reduce bruising etc.
Based on how I feel today, there’s no way I’d feel able to go back to work for at least a week. Not coz of pain but more just listening to my body and it feels tired and like it needs to heal.
I’m having some vaginal bleeding but that’s only light and should stop in about a week.
All in all, it’s really not too bad - good luck!
Hope you get better soon. So how do they decide to remove the ovary and tube? I imagine you already have children or something similar?
Yes I have two kids, didnt want more. Decided to remove entire ovary as my mother died of ovarian cancer and they now think ovarian cancer starts in the tubes so for me it was a preventative option. I have no signs of cancer but it’s a worry so I feel at peace with this decision. A tip for drying your incisions- use a hairdryer on the cool setting! Surgeon told me that. Works excellently and you don’t have to touch them!
Oh, I didn’t know it starts in the tubes. Preventing it gives that piece of mind. Awesome tip, thank you 😊.
You’re welcome- good luck!
Hi!
I had my lap surgery on sept 24, so 2 weeks ago. I had my right ovary and tube removed and unfortunately they have said I have stage 4 endo and it's all over my pelvis(dont actually know if they removed any of it!). In terms of recovery I coped on ibuprofen and paracetamol for the first couple of days and didnt need anything after that. Stomach was sore for the first week as everything healed and was difficult to bend down etc, but that's mainly all gone now . I made sure I went out for a walk every day and did lots of standing at home to help get bowels moving etc. I also ate light meals for the first week . I did bleed lightly for about a week and a half, but not sure if that was because i was on my period when i had my surgery!. They did tell me to stop taking any multivitamins about a week before surgery as this can affect the anesthetic .I have decided to take a third week off work as I am still getting my head round my diagnosis! Hope this helps and good luck x
I had a small cyst on the left side removed on the 21st Sept.
I'd completely underestimated how long the recovery would be so try to be open-minded about how long it'll take for you to feel normal again. You will be tired but, like everyone has said, keep moving even if it's very gently initially.
The bloating is normal and will go on for quite awhile - I'd say this morning is the first time my stomach looks almost pre-op so it will eventually ease and be patient. Others talk about shoulder pain due to the gas but I had terrible pain in my left side and I felt sick with it. Quite sure that was gas build up and it eased after a few hours.
When you're being discharged make sure you get told what to do about aftercare - when to change your dressings etc - as I was pretty much shown the door with paracetamol, ibuprofen and a handful of dressings but no proper guidance.
I've had a strange nerve complication which is not great but the actual cyst removal went well.
Good luck!! x
I just had mine on the 30th and all I can say is that the shoulder pain was real for me! I couldn’t breathe properly and no position was comfortable. Ended up heading back to hospital for a big shot of liquid morphine so my advice is that if there is the opportunity to stay in the hospital overnight, do it! Just for precaution.
Overall I am fine, no more pain, just a very sore tummy - I had adhesions excised but no organs were removed. Hopefully yours you’ll be great and you will have an amazing nursing crew taking care of you like I did 🥰🤞🏻
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