Pre and post laparoscopy help

[RosieLou94]

Hi everyone,

I’ve got my laparoscopy booked for 4th March and I am BRICKING IT!!

Does anyone have any tips or advice for pre and post surgery? How long did it take you to recover?

Thanks all xx

[G3miniStar]

Hi RosieLou, what kind of laparoscopy are you having? Diagnostic or do you know what you'll be having done going in?

It definitely depends case by case, but I can share my experience from my first lap in Oct 2020. Firstly, it wasn't half as bad as I was expecting, once at the hospital the waiting to go down to surgery was the worst part for me as I got into my head about it. Have lots of distractions, books, magazines, Netflix, etc. as they often can't give you an exact time.

Waking up from surgery I had pain in my abdomen but it was tolerable and as soon as I said it hurt they dosed me up. They tried to get me to eat and drink as soon as possible which is common, then after about two hours after coming to they got me to try to pee - once you can do those things you're halfway to home. Your saliva glands might not kick in immediately, mine always take a few hours to come back so make sure you have lots of water handy as mouth will be very dry. You might also feel sick from the drugs they give you during surgery, don't be shy about throwing these up if you need to, I felt so much better after I'd done that.

I got to go home the same day, but depending on the time you have it you may have to stay overnight - maybe check with your hospital at any pre-op appointments what's to be expected so you know what to pack.

Recovery will be uncomfortable, but I was only on any sort of painkillers for the first maybe two days so pain was very manageable. You'll have up to three small incisions on your stomach, no more than 1.5cm long and if your surgeon is nice they'll try to hide them - I had one middle at start of pubic hair, one on the left at the panty line and one deep into my belly button. Your stomach muscles will be sore and getting up and down from chairs/bed will be the hardest part - this lasted for about five days so have someone help you if you need it. Try to keep moving as much as is comfortable, but definitely don't lift anything! Lift nothing over 5lbs for the first two weeks and then nothing over 30lb for the first month is the general guidance. Also be careful bending down or stretching up as you can pop a stitch.

I had my stitches out after 10 days, but you may have dissolvable ones so depends. Once they were out I felt I could properly recover as they can irritate the skin and make your incisions feel tight. I had vaseline handy to help protect my skin, especially in the belly button as the string was rubbing and caused a sore.

I can't say about post-op bleeding as mine was unusually heavy, but I had some endo left behind for a second surgery so if they're able to remove everything it might not be too bad. I'd still expect it for the first week or so so be prepared.

Sorry, it's a long post but I hope it helps! I have my second lap on the 22nd. Very best of luck with yours! xx

[RosieLou94 in reply to G3miniStar]

Thank you! It’s the waiting for the surgery that’s the worst bit - I really get into my own head!! Good luck with your second lap x

[Bluerock7]

Hi! I’m 11 days post lap now. Had treatment for endo and also had a hysteroscopy at the same time. Before surgery I mostly sat in the room watching the tv and playing on my phone! Make sure to tell the anaesthesiologist when he or she comes to see you that you’re worried about throwing up - they gave me extra anti sickness through the cannula! After I came round I felt really weird in the recovery room, there were nurses there though to keep watch. When I went back to the room, they helped me off the bed and into a chair instead where I stayed until I was ok to get up. They gave me painkillers when in the room as I was uncomfortable- just ibuprofen. I managed to get through 2 jugs of water but definitely could’ve gotten through more, you’ll probably be very thirsty when you come round!! The nurse popped in regularly to check in and they gave me a sandwich before I had to try for a wee! Once I was all good to go, they gave me the discharge notes and codeine. Make sure you buy paracetamol and ibuprofen before the surgery as it’s cheaper from the shop. I needed the painkillers for about 4 days before I felt like I didn’t need anything. Now I’m still sore and the stitches haven’t dropped off yet. I also still feel a bit more tired than usual and fatigued easily but you know your body so do what you can but don’t overdo it! If you have any concerns or worries after the surgery, cal your gp or the hospital you had the procedure done at. I mostly now feel relieved that I had it done and the relief outweighs the pain and worry of the recovery. Hope that all helps! It’s scary going into something when you don’t know what to expect. It was my first lap and I’ve never had surgery before so my biggest worry was the anaesthetic!! X

[juniper_rain]

Hi RosieLou - as others have said, there will be some variation on recovery times depending on the type of laparoscopy you are having. I had mine at the start of last week. Others have posted great info above so thought I would just list a few tips that have been helpful to me for the day of the laparoscopy and the recovery afterwards:

1. Put together a playlist of really upbeat songs that make you feel happy. I played a few while I was waiting in the hospital and it put me in a good mindset and reduced my nerves

2. Take a dressing gown or extra layer with you. It was a little cold in the waiting area for me so was nice to be able to put on another layer and keep warm.

3. Have some paracetamol and ibuprofen ready in the house (if you take these). I was advised to take over the counter pain relief as needed for when I got home (it sounds like this is case by case so you may have a different experience and have medication prescribed).

4. Have a stock of peppermint tea in the house to ease any bloating after the laparoscopy (I read this tip a few days ago and wish I had heard it sooner as I think it would have helped me the day after the surgery)

5. Try to walk slowly and move around after the laparoscopy (I experienced some discomfort from the gas that they use during the laparoscopy, and moving around the house seemed to help this move out more quickly).

6. Take time to rest and recover - a couple of days I've taken naps when I've felt I needed them. On other days I've felt good but then have done too much and got tired quickly, so listen to your body and what it needs.

I hope this helps! Wishing you all the best with yours! Shout if you've any questions in the lead up x

[Supergirl007]

Hey no worries, you'll just feel like you worked out and have sore muscles when you get up or lay down on couch or the bed. I was walking up and down my driveway a few hours after my surgery. And my endo was so bad surgery took twice as long as normal. Stage 4 bladder fused to my uterus, right ovary completely entangled, it was really bad. Just take it easy for few days.