Lap Advice

[Yellow-Moo]

Hi Everyone,

I’m finally having my laparoscopy at the end of January. I have two appointments with my gynae scheduled before then to talk through my MRI results and discuss the operation. Does anyone have any advice for questions I need to make sure I ask? Also any advice for the day of my surgery would be greatly appreciated - what to expect, what I need to bring, what I need to ask etc.

Thanks so much!

[Pinkybow]

Hey, it's amazing your op is soon and you get to talk through it all! Is this with a general gyn or bsge? If a general I would ask whether he is going to do exciting or ablation. I would also ask what his plans are if the endo is too excessive. But again, it depends on the surgeon type and also what the MRI says. Ask how many days you are expected to be in for and recovery times. I would take an overnight bag if your a day patient with a pair of pjs, slippers, dressing gown, big loose undies and large pads, a comfy bra (I found the overhead non wired bras best) a book and headphones with some thing on your phone to watch or listen to. Take mints and a bottle of water. Some wipes and I also took a shampoo soap block incase I was in a lot longer at least I could have a nice wash. Some deodorant and keep a pillow in the car to pop under your seatbelt for when you are travelling home. Keep some peppermint tea and some movicol at home with pain killers ready. I think that is all my advice. My hospital didn't let partners past the door so I was alone for about 7hrs before my op, which I wasn't mentally prepared for but a good heads up just in case. Hope it all goes well ❤️

[TennisAM]

Further to what Pinkybow said it's important to remember that excision is the best and only way to ensure the endo is out of you. If they abalate (burn the endo) my endo specialist called it "useless". Think of it like this.. you have a creme brulé you burn the top (great yum) but the rest underneath is pristine. So that's the same with endo. If it's gone any deeper than surface level the stuff underneath will grow through eventually and you will still be in pain. If your gynaecologist only uses ablation I would seriously consider whether it's worth doing a surgery in that way.

The other thing to ask is where they will check for the endo. Some gynaecologists don't check the whole abdominal area (ridiculous). Some only check gynae organs. Also ask them how long they take to have a look around normally. You want the person to do a thorough job.

Ignore them if they say you'll recover in 4 weeks. Most gynaes haven't got a clue what the true recovery time is. Everyone is different. I told my GP what my old gynae said and she pissed herself laughing. She said it'll take 8 weeks and she was right. The hospital docs never see the truth.

Good luck and hope it goes really well.

[Yellow-Moo]

Thank you both so much!

[Beautyintheordinary]

Hi,

Firstly, good luck!

Secondly, I received a book recommendation 'The doctor will see you now: recognising and treating endometriosis' by Tamir Seckin

There's apparently a whole chapter on questions to ask your doctor and surgeon! Might be helpful for you to give it a read before your appointments

[Rookery17]

I also have mine booked in for the end of the month I hope all goes well with yours

[Yellow-Moo in reply to Rookery17]

Good luck!!!