having a lap done?

Ok, im new to this board and am very anxious here. im turning 18 next month and feel like im a prisoner of my own body. Ive have sever right pelvic pain and bleeding so bad, its gushing for 8months now. And am scared about the lap. im having done next week. i dont know what to expect, how ill feel, or if my belly button will ever look the same.

[Sagittarius]

Hi. I am 22, I am turning 23 in december. I had lap three years ago (at 19) and I was very scared. But with me it was serious because i also had tumor. But in your case I think that everything is going to be ok. After the lap the first few days is a little paintful and unpleasent, but after that everything is going back to normal. You will take some medications for paint and thats all. I still have scar on my belly button and the doctors are telling me that the scar is going to disapear, but that isnt happening. I am living with that three years. But that scar reminds me how brave I was. Be brave and dont worry. Everything passes and after that the things are ok again!

[JRC03]

Don't worry it is very simple procedure I have had 3 of them done. You belly button will look fine they will do a small incision and you will be the only that can see it. I have gone through mine 3 times and it looks fine. I was off work 3 days. Just becareful with lifting and moving certain ways for a while you will still be a little sore just so you don't pull or tear anything.
Something that I have learned from my experience have the laps done. Is that make sure you walk as much as you can that will help with the gas they put in your abdomen. You may feel some shoulder discomfort I have learned that putting heat on your shoulders will help with that discomfort. Just something to keep in mind. But otherwise it really isn't that bad. The gas was probably the worst part. The end results usually make it worth it.
They will be done before you know it. Good luck!

[Michelleinhawaii]

I just had my first lap done on July 25th.  I have to say the recovery has been longer than I expected...I still have a stubborn stitch that won't fall out or dissolve and it's 2 weeks later.  The day after I had shoulder pain and the gas was really uncomfortable.  I would reccommend taking a stool softener, so you don't get constipated.  I was so constipated  for 3 days and that I think the gas made it worse.  

I do have to say, my belly button does not look the same.  I used to have an outy and now I have an inny.  I think if you have an inny to begin with it would probably look the same.  But my button is for sure gone...it's just a hole now :-(

But don't worry, you'll be up and running in about a week or so.

[mandapanda303]

i had my surgery wednesday, i foudn out i had endo in three places, on my uterus and ovary. I also ahd a fibroid on my uterus and pollyps in my uterus and all i am worried about right now is that i may never be able to have any kids, which i ahve dreamed about since i was a little girl.