laparoscopy and excision surgery tips?

[Pinkbear27]

Hello everyone, I'll be having my first laparoscopy and excision surgery on Dec 2nd and am wondering if you have any tips? I'm not sure what I will need/how sore I will be afterwards. I'm really nervous and don't know what to expect. I'm 27 and relatively fit. MRI diagnosed 2 endometriomas which will hopefully be removed. Any tips will be much appreciated. Thank you

[Violet89]

Hi lovely,

Hope everything goes ok on the 2nd.

You will probably feel quite bloated afterwards that’s what I struggled with the most. The incisions weren’t painful it was more the bloating. Some people really suffer and recommend peppermint as a great way of helping. Also moving about gentle little walks just around the house help ease it. Make sure you have plenty of paracetamol & ibuprofen at home so you can keep on top of the pain meds. Heat pads too I found they helped mainly because in Dec it is chilly and when you’re not moving about loads they double up to keep you warm.

I took a pillow with me for the car journey home as I was in in the morning and left that evening. It’s nice to have something I between your tummy and the seatbelt.

Loose clothes like PJ bottoms and a baggy t shirt and jumper I lived in and wore home from hospital you just want to be comfortable.

Take it easy, drink lots of fluids. You will probably feel quite tired and whacked out from the general anaesthetic. I think it was a good couple of weeks before I felt ‘back to normal’ so to speak.

As you say you are fit your body should recover quickly just remember to take it easy.

Hope this helps xx

[Pinkbear27 in reply to Violet89]

thank you lovely, this is great advice. much appreciated x

[Amyjenner]

Hi, I’m not going to sugar coat it, you will be sore after. The key hole incisions will be small but will pack a punch and you will feel bloated. I would suggest plenty of rest and if you do need to bend/sit down do it very slowly, no fast movements and no driving for a good few weeks either.I’ve had 2 laparoscopies now and each time I just give my body time to heal so I would suggest the same thing.

Don’t be afraid to ask any questions to your surgeon matter how daft you think they might be, make sure you have some nice baggy tops/jumpers and comfy sweatpants too that you can sit just on your hips so they don’t ride up or cover your lower belly as they will just sit on the cuts and make it sore.

I really hope it works for you xx

[Pinkbear27 in reply to Amyjenner]

great advice too, thank you lovely did they work for you? x

[Amyjenner in reply to Pinkbear27]

The first laparoscopy worked, the second I had due to my own stupidity 🤦‍♀️

I am in pain again now so will need to go back to my GP as I am once again experiencing symptoms but for the last 10 years I have been fine ☺️

[Pinkbear27 in reply to Amyjenner]

I'm glad the first one worked for you, what happened with the second?

I'm really sorry to hear that, get back to the GP as soon as you can and get it sorted. It's great that you have been fine for the last 10 years though

[Amyjenner in reply to Pinkbear27]

Oh the second one was self inflicted as I took the decision to come off of the deprovera injection I was put on to control the endometriosis and a year later I was back having surgery so that was my own fault 🙈

I will speak to my GP next week when they open again xx

[Pinkbear27 in reply to Amyjenner]

Aww bless you, don’t be hard on yourself. It’s such a hard thing to deal with, especially in the middle of a pandemic! Did the deprovera work in controlling the endo? Xx

[SunshineSylvan]

Good luck! I’m 3 weeks post lap and feeling much better than I thought I would. I agree with all the advice above! Make sure you have some loose comfy lounging clothes for the first few days. I made sure I had all my fave food and drinks for when I felt up to it - just to boost my mood. I went for a little 20 minute walk about a week after surgery and am now up to doing an hour or so fast paced walking!

But my best bit of advice is to buy a V-shaped pregnancy style pillow. I got one on Amazon for about £12 and it was godsend. Great for the first few nights sleeping propped up. Handy for side sleeping as it stopped me rolling onto my stomach. When eating I put it round the front to balance a plate on and still provide support. It’s been so good - wish I had it for my first lap last year!

Good luck - before you know it you’ll be home and healing xxx

[Pinkbear27 in reply to SunshineSylvan]

Wow well done! You’re doing amazing. That’s great advice- thank you, I got a pillow off Amazon and it’s amazing!🥰 haven’t even had the surgery yet and it’s a god send! Much appreciated. I hope you continue to heal well and keep it up, you’re doing so well lovely xx

[Larajanejohnston]

Hey!

Good luck for your surgery! I just had my first laparoscopy last Thursday so everything is fresh in my mind. A lot of people have covered the best tips below already but I would say:

- stay on top of your pain meds (get a pill box to sort them out and set alarms on your phone for when to take them. You can ask for cocodamol or dihydracodine to take home for the pain)

- peppermint is your best friend (the bloat is unreal and really sore so anything to help sooth that!)

- make sure you stay hydrated!!!! Keep drinking water and fluids.

- V shaped pillow or those reading pillows (i got the millards reading pillow and has helped immensely on the sofa and in bed)

- a lap tray for in bed (easier for eating etc)

- take some pads with you the hospital! (You are having the mirena put in you will spot for a few days...)

- either get stool softer or buy some prunes/apricots etc as you will be constipated from the dihydracodine

- the gas they use to inflate your belly tries to escape and it rises upwards so you get this weird shoulder pain. I already had an electric heat pad but I'd recommend that or a hot waterbottle!

- pillow for the car journey home!! Essential and a life saver!!

Its so scary having surgery, especially when you can't have visitors but there is a lovely wee endometriosis community on Instagram who really really really put me at ease before hand! If you want to chat further my IG is @lifeoflarajane

Good luck for your surgery! You'll be amazing xxxx

[Pinkbear27 in reply to Larajanejohnston]

Thanks for the tips lovely, I hope you are doing well despite the circumstances. I’ve purchased an electric heat pad ready and some tablets for the gas!

Did you have peppermint tea? Or tablets? Not sure which is best to get.

It is scary being alone, seems like you did really well and got through it though so hopefully I can do the same! 🥰

I will add you on insta! Thank you 😊 if you ever need a chat feel free to contact me too!

Thanks again, Much appreciated xx

[Larajanejohnston in reply to Pinkbear27]

Not a problem!

Some days have been better than others but I just keep reminding myself that healing isn't linear! But overall am doing well, thank you!

How are you feeling about it all?

Honestly I drink peppermint tea daily so I got the tablets as I thought it would work better for me! Seems to be doing well! You can actually ask your GP for apercap which is a strong peppermint tablet. I used to have to get them for ibs pains.

You will do great, don't worry! If you have a portable charger bring it as it was hard for me to reach the plug!

Wishing you the best of luck and lots of love! Xxx

[Sweeneythyca]

Hi,I had mine last monday lap, hysteroscopy, & polypectomy, they removed adenomyosis, but luckily no endo outside womb.

I have to say it was not half as bad as I thought it would be.

As with advice above being comfy is essential, even the baggy pyjama bottoms were cutting into my bloated tummy.

From the day after the procedure I didnt take any pain meds, was black and blue (still am a bit)

So lots of pads and comfy clothes are my recommendations.

I was out and about 2 days later as was staying with my sister to recover amd she lives in a flat i have lots of stairs and didnt think I would be able to manage, but fot the bus home 2 days later.

Hope it all goes well. Xx

[Pinkbear27 in reply to Sweeneythyca]

Hello, you’re doing amazing! That’s so much to have done bless you. And no more pain meds too! Can’t believe you managed to go home 2 days later, you’re doing really well. I’m glad it went better than you thought. I hope you’re healing well thank you for the advice! It is much appreciated. After reading your advice I’ve decided to get some nighties just in case pyjama bottoms hurt my tummy too much.

Thank you again 🥰 xx