Laparoscopy Booked Today - Any Advice?

[SGorms]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster :')

I finally had a meeting with a consultant about 2 weeks ago, who agreed to put me on the lap waiting list and told me it'd probably be a few months' wait due to COVID.

To my surprise, I got a phone call this morning saying I was booked in for a pre-op assessment on Tuesday and offering me a date for a lap, which is on October 29th. I'm a bit shocked/anxious, but happy it's finally happening - it's almost 5 years since I finally got the courage to go to my GP and ask for help, but I've been largely ignored until last year, so this is a huge emotional release for me.

I live alone and was wondering if anyone had any pain relief/post-op tips or advice, as I'll have to isolate 3 days before (and I assume for a while after? no-one's told me yet). Obviously, given the suspected endo, I'm used to coping with pain, but I've never had surgery before so I'm a little worried about being unprepared.

Any advice would be amazing

[Moon_maiden]

Well done, that’s great you’ve got a date so quickly 😀

Is it to treat endo if it’s there as well?

Even if they say you’ll be out the same day, take a small overnight bag just in case. I had to buy dresses as I didn’t want anything tight around waist.

Make sure you’ve got enough painkillers for after from GP, the hospital may give you some but it won’t be many.

Brain is being slow at the moment, I’m sure others will have a better response 🙂

[SGorms in reply to Moon_maiden]

Thanks so much, it was a shock to get a date so quickly!

They've not said if it's purely diagnostic or to treat too (and I was so shocked they'd called that I forgot to ask!) so it'll be my first question in my pre-op assessment.

Great idea to take dresses, I'll dig out the maxi dresses that I didn't get to wear this summer from being stuck inside!

It was a great response, thanks so much

[Moon_maiden in reply to SGorms]

Can’t remember the last time I’d worn a dress before this 😂, was a jeans/trousers person.

Let us know how you get on. 🙂

[ChloeL934]

Hey!

Glad you’ve got a date, least things are moving forward for you.

I had my first surgery at the start of September and was so scared, but it was actually fine!

Take something stretchy and comfortable for after, I took some pjs & slippers to go home in & I took a overnight bag just in case even though it was a day case, I also got my husband to bring a pillow for the car ride home, for some support.

Pain wise for me was ok, but again everyone is different! Just make sure you got the meds on hand.

I had to isolate for 3 days beforehand wasn’t told anything about after! But just take your time with things, be gentle with yourself & try to walk everyday even if it’s a little, I found this really helped me! I also wasn’t allowed home unless I had someone staying with me for 24 hours after.

Good luck & I hope everything goes well for you xx

[SGorms in reply to ChloeL934]

Hey

Congrats on getting your surgery, hope you're doing well!

Great advice, thanks. My sister is literally round the corner from me so I'll ask if she wouldn't mind staying for the first 24hrs - thanks for the heads up because it hadn't occurred to me at all!

Thanks so much, really appreciate it xx

[Alpaca01]

Regarding the lap, I always read the consent forms carefully, especially if it is not just exploratory. Don’t consent to anything you are not happy with. Have you got someone who could go with you for moral support?

On a practical note, wear loose fitting clothing and cotton knickers as the stitches prickle man made fibre. When you leave the hospital, make sure that the hospital pharmacy supplies you with pain killers and anti-sickness tablets. Have some ready meals in the freezer for when you come home. I hope it goes well. Good luck xx

[SGorms]

Thanks so much. I can't have anyone with me due to covid, but I'll be sure to question anything and everything I can - great advice

I've been making a to-do list and painkillers were definitely high up on it, so I'll make sure to keep that in mind before I go. Thanks so much xx

[Coolcatandkittens]

Hey, best of luck for your surgery lovely! Things that I found super helpful was:

-pack an overnight bag to take to hospital just in case you have to stay a little longer than expected- pj’s, toothbrush, toiletries

- stocking up on pain relief for after surgery

-bring slippers, fluffy sock and dressing gown to hospital

-also bring a pair of really big comfy nickers😂 (and pads) for after surgery! I got a 5 pack of Hugh wasted pants from m&s just so it wouldn’t put pressure on the incision site too!

-comfy joggers or pj’s bottoms after is a must too! Something not too tight

-bring your fav little snack or sweet treat to look forward to after surgery as a little pick me up

- buying windeeze and/or deflatine/ peppermint tea for the horrible gas discomfort after surgery, these helped ease it so much!

-trying to get up and move around slowly but as much as possible after the lap to help with the recovery

-pillow for car journey home to put inbetween the seatbelt

-lots of pillows at home to sit and sleep upright to help with the pain/discomfort post op

-hot water bottle or a heat pad

-having somebody with me for the first 24-48 hours really helped, especially as I had to isolate for 3 days before because of covid- it was very nice to have the company and the emotional support especially through such a scary time!

These are just a few little ideas and things that I found helpful, especially having somebody at home with me after for emotional support, I struggled a lot more than I thought I would emotionally after! I think it was a combination of it being a scary overwhelming time anyway but also all the pain meds and anaesthetic they pump you with haha!

Feel free to message if you ever need a little chat or have any questions lovely 😊

[TheLittleMermaid30]

Heya,

Wishing you all the best for your surgery.

I had my surgery just a week and a half ago, but ended up having open rather than a lap as mine was a little more complicated.

Everyone has made great suggestions so far, but here’s a couple more from me;

- Order a pregnancy pillow, it means you will be able to sleep on your back comfortably while you heal and also you can use it to prop yourself up during the day. It’s been an absolute god send for me!

- Sleep in night dresses, you’ll want to get some air to your wound/wounds depending on how many you’ll need, that will help the healing process and you need lots of fresh air and ventilation for that

- Start taking arnica about 5 days before your surgery, it’s a natural remedy for bruising and should reduce how ropey you feel and speed up recovery

- Start on the scar healing as the dressings are off and the wounds start to close up, I’m using bio oil, rose-hip oil and Z Gel.

- One last thing that has been mentioned but is really important, make sure you are as mobile as possible to help that trapped wind escape. It can be really quite uncomfortable so peppermint tea is mandatory!

Take care of yourself and I hope the surgery goes well xxx

[BeTheSunshine]

Agree with all the above and I would also make sure you have a gentle laxative handy. Movicol or something like that. After my lap I got all clogged up and had to go out and buy some when I really should’ve just been on the sofa!

Also, I would suggest a magazine or book or something for the hospital as I waited hours before going to theatre.

Hope all goes well x