Nervous about Laparoscopy

I am having a laparoscopy in about two weeks, and I am nervous. I have always had really bad periods, but since this past summer, things have been really bad. Maybe because I went off of birthcontrol. I get such a sore abdomen a week before my period that it hurts to walk. It hurts to pee, and this past period, I thought I was going to pass out from the pain of trying to have a bowel movement. I get the nausea along with the sore abdomen that has caused me to vomit twice since October. I have pain in my lower abdomen, and in November, and ultrasound found a 3.3cm septated cyst on my left ovary. I was told it would probably go away, and went back on birth control. Had another ultrasound in February, and the cyst is still there. Referred to a GYN who thinks I may have endo, which is causing this mass on my ovary. So, I am having an operative laparoscopy for the mass, and then she will treat the endo if she finds it. Endo runs in my family, so that may be the cause of my problems. I am SOOOOO tired though, is that common with endo. I have trouble breathing, get very fatigued with normal activity, and sleep all the time. Still in pain in my lower abdomen, where the cyst is. So, can you all tell me about your experiences with laparoscopy? What was it like when you first went in? How was the recovery? When did you go back to work? I am in grad school (22) and I have finals coming up. I just want to get this taken care of, I feel like I have been 'sick' for so long. I just need a little encouragement. Thank you all. - Chelsea

[Kay0201]

Hi I had my lap done when I was 17 and found out I have stage 4 endo and I am 25 now. I did not really have that bad of an experience with my surgery. They went in through my belly button and went in and burned all the endo the doctor could and the recovery was ok I was sore from being cut on but nothing bad. I really don't remember how long I was out of school but I do know it was not long. I think I had it done toward the end of the week and had the weekend to recovery and went back to school that Monday, just had to wear lose clothing and could not do any heavy lifting. In my opinion it is not as bad as it sounds, but everyone is different with things like that some can take pain and others can not. I really can not handle pain but that surgery for me was not that bad. Compared to the 3 back surgeries I have had it was a piece of cake. I wish you the best of luck. If endo runs in your family it is more than likely you have it because my grandmother, mother, older sister had it and after I had found out that I have it my sister finds out she has it as well. Good luck! I hope everything goes well!

[Donnachain]

hi mouse you poor poor thing i know how you feel. i just had a lapro 5 weeks ago and its really not that bad. i was supposed to have keyhole but the cyst was to big so they had to give me open surgery. i am now on the pill. so im hoping that works. i have stage 3 endo but dont be worrying about it i was the same going in but its only 30 mins to an hour. i got 6 weeks off work. the recovery is ok they feed you painkillers so it isnt to bad. if you have any questions you can email me ***@****. and trust me we all get fed up, angry and upset over this. it certainly isnt an easy condition to have. Hoping all goes ok for you x

[katphotogirl]

I have endo (Severe) also and had a laparoscopic cystectomy done last year May. I went to a Mercy San Juan hospital. They prep me in a room, put on leg warmers and socks and the robe. Then they put an IV in. If you dont see a good vein on your hand, DONT let them attempt to put it in your hand but put it in your inner elbow. (Man they couldn't get the vein in my hand and THAT HURT) (Yah i'm a bit of a baby)
Anyway. Then you'll sign something I think. Then..........wait..............wait..............and wait some more.............Shoot I think I waited about 4 hours. During the wait they wheeled me to the waiting to be operated on room. I heard some wailing in the other room. Finally they wheeled me into the operating room, it was real cold. Set me up on the narrow metal table, looked around and then.....-------------------zzzzz-----------Can't remember being put out. I started to wake up and began to wail and groan because I was in pain and very drousy too. The pain was in my shoulders (felt like achy muscles from working out so much). Nurse said it hurts because the carbon dioxide they put in me to see inside goes to my shoulders. They hurried to get me going home. I was still drousy and sleepy. My stomach area didn't hurt too bad. Muscles were a little tight for a few days. And the shoulder pain lasted ...uh...can't...remember...some days/week. The trick is to walk and bounce.  That helps the gasses to dissipate.Also take your vicodin for a few days and try to toughen up and stop sooner. You're a big girl you can do it!
So that was my experience. It was alright that I am able to do it again, and actually just got word that I need to have an open surgery this time in May and have my left ovary removed =( aahhh mannn.
Hey, my sister just had her gall bladder removed Laparoscopically. She didn't feel any pains in her shoulders at all. Amazing!
Also something no one told me was that you might still feel some endo symptoms a couple months after (true for me) but then they'll go away!! Yay!
You'll do fine. Just pray to God to take care of you during the surgery. I did and before and after and so on. =) You can do it!

[mkseym]

I agree with everyone on here.  The surgery is really not that bad.  I have had 3 so far.  My first was okay, second very painful, and third a total breeze.  I had my surgery on Thursday and went to my cousin's wedding on Saturday.  Not for very long but I was there.  I scheduled my last two surgeries on Thursday's so that I could be back to work on Monday.  I think the second one I was not quite up to par and came back on Tuesday.  You will be sore for a little while but it is not that bad.  Just make sure you have some help at home for the first day or two so that you don't overdo it and make your recovery longer.  You will for sure want loose clothing.  My first surgery was in the summer so I just wore long dresses (i was going through a little bit of a hippy period anyway!!) but anything loose on your stomach will do.  Sweats are great.  I just hated having anything rubbing on my stomach after that for a while.  Good luck and here's to hoping they are wrong and you don't have endo!!! But if you do know that we are here for you.  

[mousewhisperer]

I finally got scheduled, it is going to be on April 22. Worst possible time, FINALS week! But, I think it is actually a good thing, because she wants this particular surgeon to assist her, and so she couldn't modify the schedule. I am feeling that mass all the time now, it aches. The only thing I am nervous about is that it will burst before the surgery. But I will think positively. Also, I want to get a little more in shape before hand. I want to be as healthy as possible so that the recovery will be quick! Any more advice?

[mousewhisperer]

I finally got scheduled, it is going to be on April 22. Worst possible time, FINALS week! But, I think it is actually a good thing, because she wants this particular surgeon to assist her, and so she couldn't modify the schedule. I am feeling that mass all the time now, it aches. The only thing I am nervous about is that it will burst before the surgery. But I will think positively. Also, I want to get a little more in shape before hand. I want to be as healthy as possible so that the recovery will be quick! Any more advice?

[mousewhisperer]

I finally got scheduled, it is going to be on April 22. Worst possible time, FINALS week! But, I think it is actually a good thing, because she wants this particular surgeon to assist her, and so she couldn't modify the schedule. I am feeling that mass all the time now, it aches. The only thing I am nervous about is that it will burst before the surgery. But I will think positively. Also, I want to get a little more in shape before hand. I want to be as healthy as possible so that the recovery will be quick! Any more advice?

[Ms_Makita]

Hi! I totally understand your fear,I just had 3rd lap done 2 weeks ago ,and they found endometriosis.Like everyone else here says,it isnt that bad,but of course your going to still be scared.Only thing that bothered me was the trapped gas,but I found sitting up ,walking helped, and heating pad on chest/shoulders.
   Your bowels might be out of wack for awhile which is normal (constipation) and common after surgery and especially being on pain meds,I found eating fiber and taking stool softners really helped get things "moving" and walking as much as you can tolerate.Dont over do it.I stocked up on some good books and movies to distract myself and comfort food.Good luck to you and keep us posted!
                                               Stephanie

[petals76805]

I am really worried. Im on list to have my gallbladder removed as there is multiple stones in there.

Do they put a tube in your Urthera and one in your nostril and down to your stomach?

also i aint sure yet when the removal will be but is it ok to exercise (walking) and maybe go to the gym?