Lap in 2 weeks

[PeanutButterCookie]

Hi there fellow warriors

I have been waiting for my surgery for a year and finally they called me this morning to tell me it's happening on the 13th December. I am 41 and have probably have had it for a while. The surgeon saw me one year ago and touched me around in places and pushed inside me (pouch of Douglas?) which really hurt. He then said that from his experience it feels like I have Endo but not Stage 4. But we would have to have the lap to make sure.

So one year later the lap is coming! I am really scared and wanted to come here to ask for advice, if there is anything you wish you could have done differently before the op, and especially, things like, will I have to stay in the hospital that day? And also, how many days will I have to factor in for recovery? We were supposed to go to my bf's family home for Christmas on he 23rd, that's 10 days post op, will I be able to make it? What are the symptoms one has after such ops? Did everyone have gas pain?

Also we live 2 hours away from the hospital (Ashford and St Peter's in the UK) so will it be okay for my boyfriend to drive me home that day? I am so scared...

Thank you everyone!

[EndoSuckss]

Hiya! Glad to hear you've been booked in for surgery ❤️

A lap is typically done as day surgery - so you'll be able to go home the same day!

You'll probably have gas pains for a couple of days, these are horrible! But pass quickly, and be aware that your bowels might slow down so stool softeners are good.

On both of my laps I've been signed off for 2 weeks - so as long as you take it easy, I'd say you'll be fine to travel for Xmas. But just be mindful you might still need to rest xxx

[635703]

Before your lap: clean your home and put nice meals in the freezer, change the bed sheets. Make a recovery chair or spot in the lounge with tv remote and magazines and books. Maybe a blanket so you can put your feet up. A basket with all your meds in he kitchen and set alarms on your phone for meds times or a paper list and tick stuff off.

In your hospital bag put loungewear that’s loose around your middle and a baggy T-shirt, take a nightie as there’s no waistband and slip on shoes. A long phone charger, some coins, a book or kindle and this is all just in case ok. As it’s a day surgery. So you are not staying in overnight unless there’s a complication. But whoever takes you keep it in their car just in case.

I took 3 weeks to recover but everyone is different but I would explain you might not be able to make it and then show up if you can. Do not force yourself.

Gas pain is uncomfortable but we are Endo Warriors and we just cope with it all 💕 Make sure you get up and walk around to get the gas moving. Sleep as much as you want and get tv shows ready to watch.

You’ll be able to drive the 2 hours home but take a pillow or cushion to put on your tummy as any jolt of the car will press on your stomach. Put the cushion on your tummy and the seat belt on top. Just for protection.

Everything is gonna be okay. We are here to advise and to help you x

[SasF]

Hi PeanutButterCookie,

There are already two great answers here.

I’m just over two weeks post laparoscopic surgery. As the ladies have already mentioned, it’s day surgery and so all being well, you should be able to go home the same day. Unfortunately, I had a bit of a funny turn just before I was due to be discharged and so they kept me in overnight as a precaution. It was just a reaction to the general anaesthesia which is perfectly normal. Feeling invincible, I wasn’t prepared for this. As 635703 says, I would suggest packing a couple of overnight items just in case.

I had someone drive me home. I don’t think I could have driven myself.

Stock up on lots of delicious and nutritious foods. Warm and comforting soups are great. To help with bowel movements, I ate lots of fibre packed foods and of course prunes! For me, this worked wonders. Heaps of veggies and fruit, lots of spinach to top up my iron levels. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Herbal teas are also great, especially peppermint.

I found gentle movement and short walks helped with the discomfort from the gas, as did a hot water bottle.

My surgery was on a Tuesday, and I went back to work the following Monday, but everyone recovers differently. I’m a writer and so my work doesn’t involve anything physically strenuous. Be kind to your body and listen to what it’s telling you.

I was scared too. It’s fine to be scared. Write down any concerns or questions and take them with you to ask the medical team looking after you. I found a distraction helped to calm my nerves. I find listening to music soothing and a book offers escapism.

I hope the above helps.

Wishing you the best of luck, let us know how you get on and throw any questions in our direction.

(Last minute thought, this may already be noted in your admission paperwork, but bring some sanitary towels.)

[PeanutButterCookie]

Hello everyone, thank you so much for your replies, these are so great and so comforting. I went for the Pre-op yesterday and they told me the good news that I also have to prep for bowel protocol.

My surgery is on Mondya 13th December and I have to start bowel protocol 4 days earlier so on the 9th, with two days of laxatives and then 2 days of only water and just this horrible sweet thick milk! I cannot eat any food! I was so shocked and sad when I heard this.On top of that, I have to go for a 2nd pre-op on Friday 10th, because they said they want to do two separate blood tests (to see what my blood type is) as they do not want any errros.

Also on that day Friday 10th I also have to do a covid swab and then isolate at home til surgery.

My main issue is that from my home to the hospital it's an almost 2.5 hours drive, which really stresses me out, as on Friday 10th I will be in the middle of the bowel prep and i might need to be near a toilet. It also stresses me out as on the day of the surgery I am supposed to drink these sackets of water to be hydrated as they might not find veins) which also means I might desperately need a wee in the 2.5 hours drive.

All this has stressed me no end, and I haven't even been thinking about the actualy surgery itself!

I thought of going to a nearby hotel the previous evening but we are facing the same problem with the toilet issue. I have no idea how it will all work out, but I will keep you posted!

Any advice appreciated xx

[LouiseC83]

Oh honey please don't be scared. The things I would have done differently is accept my recovery time took longer than I thought. Not wanting to cause you distress but I was still extremely tired even 10 days later. I had a lot of endo and also had my appendix removed. So i was off work for four weeks in the end but started to feel more like myself after about 3.5 weeks. And because of how much I had done I had to stay in hospital for two days. It's not the case for most people though so don't worry. Get very loose trousers. I took this bit for granted and found only one seamless pair of loose pants I owned were suitable for a while. It can press on your belly button a bit otherwise. You probably need some underwear that sits slightly below your belly button but high enough above your pubic line. Invest in a hot water bottle. Try not to do too much too soon. I decided to wipe some things in the bathroom and I managed to twinge myself which was quite painful, but I was told it was nothing to fret about. I'd say you'll be ok for Christmas but take it easy and don't push yourself. You might be finding yourself falling asleep pretty early. Just try and relax with it 😂Get your house cleaned before surgery, fresh bed, wash your hair the day of surgery, make some meals ready to heat up! Get some comfort food in. After the first couple of days all I wanted to do was eat, eat some more and eat again. Find some stuff to just stare at on TV and just enjoy the down time!

Wishing you all the best and just reach out if you need anything to talk about x