I’ve got my laparoscopy on Friday morning to diagnose and treat endo and I’m an absolute bundle of emotions. I haven’t slept for about 4 days because I keep thinking about it. When I do sleep I have horrible dreams about my surgery where I wake up during it or I’m never put to sleep.
I know my fears are completely irrational and with the fear there’s also excitement because I’m in agony at the moment and I want to know what’s going on.
My biggest fear is being put to sleep. I have a really bad phobia of needles and at my pre op they wanted to take bloods but I had a panic attack and so they’re taking bloods on Friday before the surgery. The nurse at my pre op said she’d see if they could take bloods after I’d been put to sleep but I have a feeling they won’t
I’m not sure if gas is an option when it comes to being knocked out? I’ve also read a couple of posts on here saying that a couple of people were giving injections in their thigh after the op! Does anyone know why? I’ve not been given much info apart from a leaflet that lists the pros and cons of surgery.
Sorry for the rambling. I’m not really sure where else to go.
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RosieLou94
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I have had 2 surgeries and psychologically it is always very difficult, I can understand you... I don't know if it is possible for you to choose a surgeon yourself, in my case I was able to choose. Just remember that surgeons have performed similar operations repeatedly and they have experience, you are not the first, you are in the hospital and they will do everything possible. If the surgery is laporoscopic, then you will recover very quickly. The night before surgery, ask for a sedative injection, which will help not get hysterical when you are taken to the operating room. I sincerely wish you good luck, I hope the operation will be successful and it will really help you.
I really feel you.
Everything will be fine, believe in it. I know how scary it is, but unfortunately, laparoscopic surgery is not realistic without an artificial respiration apparatus, because you will not be able to breathe without it. You know, when I "slept", both times I had good dreams. I am also afraid of doctors, surgery and white coats. But after three years of this hell, when I almost lived in hospitals, I got used to it. Think that all this is necessary and it gives you a chance to feel better. Don't be afraid, everything will be fine
hi l can understand your anxieties, l am on waiting list for lap surgery for removal of both ovaries and an associated 10cm cyst. I previously had a gall bladder operation under full anaesthetic and was given a pre med tablet which gives you a feeling of calm l believe it was Pethadin and it really does take off the anxiety. l am 75 and yes l do have anxiety to a certain point at present not overwhelming so l empathise with what you are going through. lf you want another chat please just send me a nudge and l will come back. Please talk out your thoughts with a GP you know well and whom you trust, take care 🤗🤗
I had my first lap over 3 weeks ago and I was quite nervous as well as I hadn't had any kind of surgery before or been put to sleep but it was honestly fine. I'll tell you a bit about my experience if it makes you feel better.
Came in at 7am I got took for my surgery at around 10am. Before surgery I had a chat with nurse then anesthetist , I then got changed into hospital gown, stockings etc
Sat for a while then it was time I was called through, lay on the bed had a chat with the nice staff who made me feel at ease. This is when they inserted the cannula, I understand you have a fear of needles but i'm sure they can insert this after you have been put to sleep.
They then put the mask over my nose and mouth and I must've been out within 30 seconds. It's just like being in a sleep and you don't feel a thing.
Next thing I know around 2 hours later I wake up in the recovery room I was very drowsy obviously and I felt quite a bit of pain (and was bursting for a pee!) The nurses gave me something for the pain straight away and I just kept sleeping on and off for a while. I never got an injection in my thigh, just painkillers when I needed it. I was out by 5pm.
The first few days I spent lying in bed, I took it really easy for a couple weeks and made sure to be on top of my painkillers
I have luckily recovered well and back to normal activities and work etc. I will say the gas pain is really annoying and sore but that subsided withing a few days.
If you have any other questions let me know and I will try my best to help.
I had my laparoscopy done on 14th February 2022 this was my first ever kind of surgery and first time ever being put to sleep.
Totally know what you mean by the excitement part as I was the same, when you’ve been suffering for years the thought of getting answers and them physically going in to have a proper look can be quite exciting in a strange way.
Please don’t worry you’ll be absolutely fine, I was really apprehensive going in and felt exactly the same way about being put to sleep, I was convinced it wouldn’t work on me and I’d be laid there awake! But trust me they are professionals and that won’t happen. I actually dreamt quite a lot when I asleep which I wasn’t expecting, but to be fair was quite nice as when I was woken up it didn’t feel as daunting and I felt like I’d literally been asleep like normal.
The worst part for me was the gas pain afterwards and you are quite sore but I was fully recovered within a week.
Please try not to panic and try to remember that you are on the road to getting answers to what’s going on with your body!
Hi RosieLou94 I had a similar experience to the others however I had emergency surgery for a ruptured hemorrhagic cyst. If they need to take bloods before they will put a cannula in when they take them, the needle is removed so it's just a little plastic like tube, you can ask for a sedative which will make you feel a bit drowsy if your anxieties are too high.
Following surgery I was in hospital for 2 days and had a blood thinning injection prescribed for 7 days this is decided on your risk factors for a blood clot, I am overweight and have limited mobility. My daughter did my injections for me when I was at home, as I couldn't do them myself and obviously don't want to scare her so it made it easier to accept. (She's only 8)
I haven't had the best time since but I know from the surgery that my ovary has well and truly attached itself to my womb as they couldn't remove it without damaging my uterus so am seeing the endo surgeon later today to make a plan after having an MRI.
Anxiety is strange, the body feels the same physical attributes as excitement, but you will be in the safest place.
The main thing I would suggest, and I have seen in groups, is to talk to whoever comes to see you, nurse, doctor, anaesthetist and tell them your worries. I’m lucky that im ok with needles, but I had other worries (1st lap was Oct 21, going back in tomorrow for my second) and it’s better to air those thoughts than leave them in side. I had a DVT about 10 years ago but because it was due to inactivity (major knee Injury laid me up for 6 weeks) I wasn’t given any blood thinning injections after my surgery and I was fine.
I was very lucky and didn’t take any painkillers after at all, no gas pain, nothing (I was bloated though). I did also take peppermint capsules a few days before the surgery and after, and drank turmeric tea (both meant to help with bloat, don’t know if it helped, but it didn’t hurt) They suggest you move as much as you can after, so I was in hospital at midday, home by 8pm. Once home, I tried to take little walks to the kitchen or up the stairs once an hour to help the bloating but don’t over do it as you don’t want to disturb your stitches. My husband got me a corner pillow, best thing ever to help getting comfy for sleep and sitting.
I had mine in October was exactly the same as you. I was petrified of being out to sleep and needles. Honestly it was absolutely fine when I woke up I said why was I so scared made myself an emotional wreck to the build up. The nurse that took me through she stayed by my side and held my hand whilst I was getting out to sleep didn’t even notice what was happening it was done so quickly. I hope everything goes ok for you on Friday xx
Hi! I just had my surgery last Friday and was so nervous as had never had one before. Honestly? I was so much more calm once I got to the hospital as I had to speak to the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and a nurse to register and the time before my surgery flew by. I was nervous about the cannula too because I really dont like them but by then i was in a room with a bunch of anesthesiologists and they were chatting away so much that i barely felt it. Also, I think because they do this all day every day the cannula was put in so much better than ones I have had in the past. I had no bleeding or bruising! They also gave me some drug before they put me to sleep, immediately after the cannula went in and it worked instantly and I felt so chilled and started cracking jokes haha. Ill echo others and say I definitely was sore from the gas when I woke up so be sure to ask for more pain meds if you're hurting, but honestly the whole going to sleep part was the best part of the day! Haha
HiI know exactly how you feel and its perfectly normal to feel anxious. You just need to focus on the fact that you're going to get answers and be on the way to feeling better
The worrying really is the worst part and like the others have said on here you will be fine. Trust the professionals, they do these procedures day in and day out so you're in good hands. All you have to focus on is showing up and having a nice sleep. This all happens very quickly and the nurse is with you talking to you all the time. I remember we were talking about how much butter James Martin uses in his cooking and that was out in seconds
They do run through beforehand the risks of the surgery which can sound a bit scary but this is just something they have to do and the likelihood of those things happening is very very small so put it out of your head. I said to the anesthetist that i was worried i'd wake up during surgery and he smiled and reassured me that wouldn't happen and has never happened in all his years of working
I have a needle and blood phobia too. I just tried to distract myself and talk to the nurses - look in the opposite direction and talk about anything - the decor, what you're gonna eat when you get home bla blah I didn't even feel them putting the canula in. The thought of it is worse.
After the op I was so relieved and wide awake in recovery chatting away. I remember grinning away thinking 'I've done it' and waving at little kids as they wheeled me back to the ward like a crazy person lol.
I wasn't in any pain. You'll feel a bit sore for a couple of days but pain killers will help with that. I had a bit of shoulder pain (like when you've slept funny) and moving around and peppermint tea helped.
They'll take good care of you. You'll feel so good to get it over with. Good luck xx
I had my laparscorpy 3 months ago, I was so scared, anxious, crying and didn't sleep well up to the day of my surgery.I had a lovely team plus the surgeon all supportive and answered all my questions, to put me a ease.
When went in to to theatre, I had a wonderful medical student who held my hand, to put me at ease, while the anesthetist put me to sleep, the anesthetist gave me gas put me to sleep.
Next thing I remember I was waking up in recovery. The sugerons and anesthetist are all experienced and do thus everyday.
After I had my laparscorpy I felt better bc I found out I had endometriosis and since my op my pain have been manageable.
I had my laparoscopy in November last year and similarly to you I am scared of needles and used to have a phobia of them. I was absolutely bricking it going to theatre. I actually asked the HCA who took me down whether she could stay with me and hold me hand until I was asleep because it was my first surgery. She agreed to do this and was really lovely about it. I would tell people when they come in to see you before you go for your surgery how you are feeling so that they are aware of it. Also, the injections you get in your thigh following surgery are blood thinners to reduce the risk of developing blood clots, I didn't have to do this after my surgery, I just had to wear TED stockings for about two weeks, but the nurses will go through it with you! If you're unsure of anything just ask the nurses and maybe ask the consultant when they come to see you if you'll be put on blood thinners, and if possible ask if you can have a tablet instead of injections if this is needed. I hope this helps! x
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