Hi guys, this has been an amazing platform with beautiful strong women guiding each other and I would like to reach out to you all again.
Tomorrow I am going for my first laparoscopy. I am 19 and given the Covid restrictions will not be able to see anyone before or after the surgery - there is also no phone signal in the hospital so I will not be able to contact my parents until they tell me I am ready to go.
I was wondering if anyone wanted to share their experience? I am scared of going under general and scared of waking up alone but I know it is all anxiety.
Also does anyone have any post surgery tips?? It's a hard time at the moment with lockdown at tier 4 (I'm in Scotland) in my area and I probably won't be able to see more than my flatmate (who I rarely get on with) for my recovery period so any tips on how to get through the blues would be greatly appreciated.
I hope you all are doing as well as can be in these times nd am so greatful for this wonderful community xx
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Ellyfant
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I'm 3 weeks post lap. I have 4 incisions, one for my belly button, either side of my hips and in my lower groin.
Take some headphones and listen to some music or read a book while you're waiting to go in if you can 🙂
Honestly with the general anestetic you won't even notice it taking much effect and suddenly you're out. I had to keep my surgical mask on whilst breathing it it, so took slightly longer than usual.
You'll also wake up with some lovely nurses by your side, they usually have a gab with you until they're happy you're fully awake and then you'll go to the ward. I had a bad reaction to the morphine so was abit sick afterwards, but the other women who had surgery the same day left within hours of waking up.
I took off 3 weeks from work, and spent alot of time making pom poms and binge watching tv! 😂 if you have any little crafts they're ideal to do whilst recovering. Or buy a few good books to keep you occupied! Just listen to your body and rest when you need to ❤
Thank you so much! I really hope your recovery is going well and I think I will get some cosy PJ's and curl up Infront of Netflix for the next couple of weeks!
I'm feeling a little less anxious now for later so thank you!!
Honestly it will be over and done with before you know it. I just had my first laparoscopy during covid and in Scotland, so definitely understand your worries.
Once I woke up from the general anaesthetic, I actually had to ask the nurses if the laparoscopy was completed! 🤣
Post surgery you will probably feel pretty tired so won't really be thinking about anything else.
The nurses will be with you throughout the whole procedure and after care so this will definitely make things easier for you. If you are feeling anxious at any point make sure to let them know. 👍
In regards to post surgery, make sure to take plenty of rest. I tried to go back to my 'normal routine' too early and this definitely increased my pain levels. Do something you love whilst recovering, whether that be watching movies, drawing, phoning friends/family.
All the best for tomorrow. Hope its good news for you. If you have any more concerns/questions feel free to ask. X
I’d say before your surgery take entertainment with you since you’ll have to wait. Signal isn’t good at hospitals but you can download videos, audiobooks to your phone and watch.
Also, to release the anxiety you can do some guided imagery for surgery. It helps you relax and feel safe before surgery, and is proven to help. You can find some on YouTube.
Don’t worry about letting your parents know, they’ll ask you if you want them to let them know you’re out of the surgery and also when you are ready to go home.
Some ladies had even hot water bottles, eye cover and snacks they took in their overnight bags. If you’re staying overnight that’ll help. They don’t have hot water bottles at the hospital and will be reluctant to give you pain killers because of the morfine.
It depends on the team and hospital, but my doctors, nurses, etc that did the surgery were very bubbly and smiley. That helped a lot. I had to stay overnight and the ward nurses were really busy, so they weren’t that nice. I had cramps and codeine etc don’t work on my cramps, plus they were reluctant to give pain killers because of the morfine from the surgery.
Once you’re ready to go they’ll let you know that you can arrange the pick up, but I’m sure they can call your parents if you have no signal. They’ll let you know a bit short notice so it’s good to have your parents or someone available. In my case everyone was at work and could only pick me up after 6, but the ward kick me out to an uncomfortable waiting room at 4. I ended up getting so I didn’t have to wait that long.
The doctor will eventually come and tell you the outcome of the surgery and what’s next. But I still felt that there wasn’t clear guidance on foods, moving or even how early can you sleep on your side.
For after surgery, they’ll give you meds like pain killers, laxatives, etc. They didn’t give me anything for the gas. The laxatives are quick and gave me cramps. So I found stool softener like lactulose easier with less cramps, even though it takes longer to work.
So things I did:
- Activated Charcoal helps with the gas, a lot. But you can’t take it with food or meds. You’ll have to take it 2h after food/meds or 1h before. I was taking 2 capsules twice a day. It can give you constipation, I think I’ve seen online that some ppl take it with olive oil. I’m not sure how that works but the oil will reduce the constipation it may cause.
- Calendula Balm to help skin regeneration. I’ve been using it after the dressings were taken out. It helps with the itchiness around the incisions. I also use avocado oil that is rich in vit E.
- Vitamins: C helps detox and in the production of collagen. Zinc helps healing. Vit E is an antioxidant and helps the skin recovery.
- Diet: protein will help the recovery. Foods rich in vit C and antioxidants will help a lot. I went for softer foods like soups, smoothies, yoghurt, etc.
- Ice packs will help the inflammation on your belly, as well as hand where they injected the drugs.
- Hot water bottle for the gas pain when it start going up your shoulders.
- Try to walk. Since you’ll be isolating you’ll have to walk indoors. I was doing 20-30 min walk morning, afternoon and evening. But see what works for you. There are some exercises you can do in bed to help the gas out. But I couldn’t find the video again.
- I was sleeping on my back but pretty high with loads of pillows. It helped me with the gas and I didn’t get a lot of pain on my shoulders.
- Have someone massage your shoulders when the pain hits. It helps the gas move.
- Don’t be shy and just the gas come out. I was burping and farting a lot. There’s not much you can do. But the activated charcoal helps.
About the anaesthetic, everyone reacts differently. I woke up shivering but there was a lovely nurse by my side. And I also had the catheter on, which is definitely the worse thing I experienced in my lap.so overall it wasn’t as painful I thought it’d be. My periods are or were more painful.
After I came back home I had a lot of vivid dreams and the worse nightmare of my life, which is also a possible side effect of anaesthetic. So hopefully it’ll be ok for you.
This week taking enzymes, they help healing after surgery. But they are blood thinning so I didn’t take them last week.
It’s much easier than your imagination is allowing, I was petrified, but it suddenly happens so quickly and the next minute you’re awake in recovery. Are you staying in overnight? Take a few overnight things just in case you’re last in or they run late. Something to read. Loose clothing so no pressure on waist and something for on the way home for between seatbelt and tummy.
If you do need to speak to anyone whilst you are there they’ll let you use the landline.
You probably won’t even think about it as you’ll be well looked after 🙂
Do let us know how you get on and the forum is great if you need to post afterwards just to talk. I hope your flatmate is a little understanding.
I am up and on my feet now after the surgery but unfortunately (and fortunately in many ways) there was no diagnosis. Hard to be back to the drawing board but I feel incredibly lucky to have support.
I was very nervous and scared before my laparoscopy in August but I can honestly say, your awake again before you realise anything has happened!
I remember the nurses take you to the surgery room and they talk to you whilst they doing a few checks. Then she put the mask over my face and said, just take a deep breath which I did, and I was out!
The next thing I remember the nurses were calling my name and waking me up. Two an a half hours had gone by, I couldn't believe it.
It was all done!
You wake up feeling incredibly tired, weak, groggy, you just really want to lay down in bed. They will encourage you to drink and eat and shouldn't let you leave without holding your meal down. I threw up quite quickly after trying to eat, so just went back to sleep for an hour and then ate again and I was okay. You will feel weak, so don't try to walk quickly or rush to get dressed. You may think you can do things normally but you definitely can't, so take your time. Your blood pressure will be very low so it will take time to come back up to normal so definitely take your time.
I didn't have very many incisions only 3 and was totally back to normal after 2 days. Bit sore on the scars itself but I could move as normal and went back to work the following week. Each person is different so it all depends.
You will notice you stomach area is very bloated indeed, well it was for me and was like that for some time. That of course will take time to reduce in size and heal.
Good news is, my surgery was so effective that I got pregnant straight away the next month! Couldn't believe it!! So fingers crossed all goes well with you and I'm sure all will go very well indeed. All the very best.
This is for when you come out of surgery, all will be well and you have come through the other side now congratulations!! Netflix and a cuddle from a snuggly blanket await you... and all your friends here.. do reply so we know how you for on.
I came around from mine about six hours ago, not endometriosis which means I'm back to the start when it comes to my problems, stupid periods. I'm having to stay in overnight for observations. I pretty much just want to rest, can't concentrate on reading or watching but I did download a few things to watch on the Netflix phone app before coming in, also bought a set of headphones in for this purpose. Best thing is just to rest, I'm weeing ever fifteen minutes too. Nurses are and will always be lovely so they'll be there for you (I did try phoning my mum on her mobile but she didn't pick up!) Move about a bit, carefully but regularly, just potter about. I plan to watch films, decorate the tree, wrap presents, nothing too strenuous but also not to sedentary - see what happens and what they suggest. It will be over in no time.
Take care of yourself, you have youth on your side which should help with the recovery. I had some issues with my bowel which is why I was kept in so am fully resting, just arrived home. Hopefully you'll be starting to feel better. Xx
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