Lap query

[Jaye75]

Hi, I'm due my lap a week today it was a cancellation so I didn't find out until Monday and had my pre op today. Can someone please tell me if they will remove any endo found as it is a diagnostic surgery so I'm unsure if anything will be removed if found ... I've started to feel nervous as it's hit me today how quickly its happening and this is playing on my mind wether they will actually remove anything found as it dies make sense if it is mild ...plz anyone give me some words of wisdom if you have had diagnostic surgery experience 🙂

[Moon_maiden]

HiMy first lap he told me beforehand he removes if he finds it and can.

You’d have to contact the secretary or gynae dept to find out. It’s important that you’re comfortable with everything. We get desperate for answers, it’s understandable the way you’re feeling 🙂

[Lindle]

Assuming this is in secondary care then they can only remove mild/minimal endo which is that on the peritoneum only (pelvic lining) and uncomplicated endometriomas. If anything beyond that is found - so stage3/4 deep/rectovaginal- then they must just diagnose and refer you on to a tertiary endo centre. Endometriomas are usually associated with rectovaginal endo so it is important that they thoroughly search behind the uterus to look in the pouch of Douglas and the uterosacral ligaments. They must also carry out a thorough internal exam to feel for any deep nodules that aren't always visible at a lap. Be sure the surgeon has a special interest in diagnosing and treating endo which requires additional training above general gynaecology. You need to know who will be doing the lap and should have a consultation with them first to ask these questions.

[Andysa]

Hello, I am sorry to hear you are terrified about your laparoscopy. I had mine 3 months ago in Ukraine. I was lucky that I had a friend who has had a few due to adhesions and she told me “don't worry, your worry and thoughts will be worse than it actually is” and she was right...

From the minute you get there they are so on the ball, the nurses chat to you. You just don't notice what they're doing to you. I didn't even notice the cannula and then I walked down to the theatre where it was full of nurses and the anesthetist. They were chatting away and had music on and were laughing and chatting to me before I knew it I had it attached. They told me to count 5 and I got to 3 and I was out.... job done....

When I came to, I had a nurse standing by my bed with a cup of tea and she said “ how's your pain ?” I said, “yeh, it feels like bad period pain.” she came back with morphine and I didn’t feel anything again for ages....

I laid there drinking tea and chatting for a couple hours then went home. Make sure you have a nightie as you don't want anything around your belly. Your b is swollen. It is not pain, it is more discomfort... It's like period pain . Make sure you have mint tea or peppermint oil capsules as you have wind. Make sure you keep on top of discomfort do not let it get on top of you.. if pain take meds every 4 hours ( no more than 8 a day). Take Lots of sleep. Don't over do it...Chill out and relax , enjoy some box sets and films. I didn't go back to work for three weeks but I could have gone back after two but it would have been a push as I was just so tired all the time. It takes it out of you the anesthetic and the stress you get yourself. Into before and then you realize it is not as bad as you think.

[Jaye75]

Thank you I'm not really scared of having it done as I've had a few other surgeries, it's the idea of what will they find and will they find anything, I'm worried that it may end up not being endo, as if it was I would be happy so I had answers and to make matters worse my mother had similar symptoms and had diagnostic surgery were they found cancer so I think that is what is playing on my mind the most and I'm scared Incase they miss it, the mind is very clever putting these thoughts in your head but I keep telling myself I can't predict the future so I must stop trying and if it does turn out to be the case at least I'm in the right hands ...its hard once u have these anxieties but deep down I know ill be ok

[claudia_91 Moderator Endometriosis UK in reply to Jaye75]

Totally understand your worries here. You haven't had much time to process that you're having surgery so soon! I agree with Moon_maiden that it'd be best to contact your surgeon or his secretary to ask whether endometriosis will be removed during the diagnostic laparoscopy. Usually, you would also have a pre-op consultation during which the consultant talks you through what will happen during your surgery, and you are given consent forms to sign. Hopefully the hospital will be in touch with you to arrange this if they haven't already?

I am so sorry to hear that your mother has been through a similar procedure and learnt that she had cancer. This must be a worry, it's completely rational to be feeling like this. Remember that you're not alone, and hopefully in a week you will have some answers 😊

[Jaye75]

I seen a consultant at the beginning of the year but I don't think she has a secretary and there has been no mention of the surgeon who is going to be carrying the op out, I'm going to ring now while it's quiet and I'll let u know how I get on