First time Lap

[Spiffy5]

Hi Everyone...I have never posted on a site before, but I am to have a Lap on Feb 27th and I am very nervous. I have never had surgery before. My Gyn told me I have two complex cysts on my left ovary, there was only one small cyst 6 months ago, and that I need to have them removed. Yikes! He thinks I have endometriosis...which I had NO idea could cause gas and nausea, two symptoms I have almost 24/7. Anyway, I just wanted to know if you guys had any tips/suggestions to prepare for the surgery or some comforting words?

[Spiffy5]

Thanks everyone...this info Definately helps!!  I will ask them to take the tube out of my throat before I wake up, that and the catheter freak me out!  Hmm..I am supposed to go back to work after four days, it sounds as though I might not be doing that. Oh well, it's just work! I will ask for some drugs because I know I won't sleep at all the night before I really do appreciate all the info, I will let everyone know how it goes too. I really wanted them to move up the surgery, because I had a miscarriage about 2 days ago and I just want everything to be normal! I was pregnant for only three weeks...long enough to know about it, get the symptoms and then have the miscarriage. I am really hoping they find what's wrong in there. I have my Pre-Op appointment on the 19th. You guys gave me some really good questions that I would have NEVER thought of (since I haven't had surgery before). I will write this stuff down! Thank you all again!!

[rosy1912]

I am in the process of recovering from my first lap now. (Had it on the 28th Jan).  I think it is different for everyone.  Based on my experiences I would suggest the following:

-Have your house clean before you go so when you come home you don't have to worry about a messy house.
-Get some flowers to put around
-Check your stocks of loose clothes.  I couldn't fit into absolutely anything cause of the swelling.  Sweats will become part of your life for a good two-three weeks.
-Have your fridge stocked with good wholesome food.  For the first like three days all I could eat was soup.  Everything gets so swollen your appetite changes for a while.  I found Bananas were very nice.
-Get a massage or pedicure the day before if possible
-Be prepared for your shoulders to hurt.  Gas gets trapped sometimes in your system and can cause pain.  
-Try to get out and go walking outside if you can
-Stock up on feminine supplies.  Two and a half weeks later I'm still bleeding (albeit my period started shortly after too)
-Stock up on some girly movies
-Be prepared that you may feel emotional for a good week after.  Post-op blues is normal.  I cried quite a bit after my surgery.  However, with me I don't think being told I was normal helped.
-If you have someone whose very understanding, you will probably need help doing things like showering for at least the first week.
-Be prepared that things like peeing and having regular bowel movements may be thrown out of wack for a while.
-Have comfort in the knowledge that things are going to get better.

Anyway, hope this helps!  I know how you feel though, surgery is frightening!

[juliesmom]

Well, this isn't my first rodeo, I've had 4 laps, 3 of them because of endo and I'll just tell you, every time is different.  I think that the best lesson I learned after the first one is that you do need to get up and move around.  Since they use gas to expand your abdomen so they can see everything, you may have some residual gas and if it gets trapped under your ribs it is very painful!  Walking around worked best for me, I would go out and walk up and down my driveway a few times a day to keep things moving.  Don't overdo it though, use your judgement as to what you're capable of.  The second lap I had for endo was the worst, the anesthesia was way to strong, I had to have neb treatments in the recovery room because I couldn't breathe, I shivered for almost an hour and was kept in the hospital for over 12 hours because I couldn't pee enough to satisfy my doctor.  I didn't really have a lot of pain, just soreness, which is to be expected.  Remembering all of this, when I was told that I had to have another lap last Nov, I went to the billing department of the hospital and got an itemized bill from the previous surgery.  I went through the pharmacy section with a fine toothed comb, looked up every drug that was given to me, on the internet...then went over them with my husband, who's a paramedic and has spent some time working in an OR.  I took that list with me to the hospital on the day of the last lap that I had and showed it to the anesthesiologist, I told him how horrible the previous procedure was and told him that I didn't want to repeat that experience at all.  He was very understanding and explained that since this was a different hospital they had different protocols as to which drugs they use, intubation/extubation procedure and recovery.  He also gave me something to calm my nerves which made it much easier, Versed is now my friend pre-surgery.  Having had medical issues as a child I've had several intense surgeries and for me the worst part has always been being intubated, the thought of a tube being put down my throat petrifies me!  I made it very clear the last time that I expected to be extubated before I came around and I was.  Point being, make your wishes known and any reputable hospital should do their best to accomodate you and make you comfortable.  Good luck and keep us posted!

[tj825]

ive had two laps the first dr left the endometriosis to grow and develope and so i suffered in extreme pain till i found a new gyn after four gyn's pretty much told me i was wacked he found the endometriosis on the pictures that she gave me and she also left large ovarian cysts so by the time he got in there he had a big mess but he thinks i will still be able to have kids what has helped me since im not in a relationship at this time is the depo shot because it cuts down on the endometriosis and cyst formation i will be thinking of you at the end of the month it sounds like you are in good hands finally take care

[anne72]

I agree lupron is horrible!!  too many side affects!! I am managing my endo with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. I also did a lap july 2006 and may have to do one this summer too. Good luck. Angela is right book 2 weeks off of work i really needed that amount of time to recover. Good luck:)

[Endo_one]

I agree about letting the Dr. know about your wishes concerning a laporatomy.  I asked the Dr. to wait and he did.  Good thing because he may have not only done a bowel resection but a hysterectomy as well.  Although he went in a month later to do the bowel resection (endo was wrapped around the bowel) I was able to have him hold off on doing the hysterectomy.  I want to do some research and try other options before I succomb to forced menopause.  Whatever you do, I suggest staying away from the Lupron.  On that shot I had hot flashes, fatigue, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings and headaches.  To me, it just wasn't worth it.

[ticked]

It really depends on who is doing the surgery and how knowledgeable about endo they are. I would ask lots of questions.  Are they taking a biopsy and will they know the results right away, when does a lap become a laparotomy?, make sure you tell them not to take anything unless it is absolutley necessary.   I had the same symptoms for so long and it totally went away after my surgery.  I recovered quickly.  I did have complications after with the epidural because they took it out and i couldnt pee so they had to put it back in but that happened when i had my daughter as well.  I was in a lot of pain after my surgery because i had massive amounts of scar tissue all up my left side because of a surgery i had when i was 7.  I think for the most part it is okay.  Just make sure you take at least 2 weeks to recover for a lap. Dont try to do anything or lift anything during that time.  Do you have anyone that came make you meals?  do you live at home?  I am a single mother so my mom took my daughter for a week.  Other than that i survived on my own.  so lots of magazines, movies and rest :)  I had my first last june but i was super anxious i really wanted it done.  They convinced me after to take the lupron shot which worked okay but i had way too many side effects so i came off it.  My body is still trying to regulate itself and that was 5 months ago.  So look into that to make sure that is what you really want. I am not sure what else at the moment.  I know that i went to about 5 different doctors till i was certain that it would be done correctly.  The only thing that i regret is agree to """ Presacral Neurectomy. Laparoscopic presacral neurectomy uses laser techniques to sever a web of nerves between the lower spine and tail bone that transmit pain from the uterus. The procedure does not affect fertility. Some studies report pain relief in about 90% of women. It has more complications than LUNA, however. They include constipation, diarrhea, and urinary problems. (It should be noted, however, that these symptoms improve after the procedure in as many women.) Although injury can occur during the procedure, it is uncommon.


I heard from many people that this method is old school and it makes no difference to the pain, and i must say i agree and I also heard that it can cause problems with your bladder which i am having problems with right now.  I wish someone told me this before i went in.  Sometimes they do it without asking so i would find out exactly what they are doing.  

I wish i could hav emore comforting words, i just want you to know that its your right to ask as many questions as possible.  

Here is a link to endo-resolved that has questions regarding this that might help.  

http://cjlevett.proboards33.com/index.cgi?board=surgery&action=display&thread=1111029760


good luck

angela

[Endo_one]

I had a lap in Oct of 2007.  It was very easy to recover from.  Make sure that you are honest with your pre op questions and do everything they say.  You will be fine.  Good luck!

[anne72]

All i would say is to try to eat healthy and take your vitamins. Good luck, everyones experience with lap is different.
Take care:)