laparoscopy- who has had this done?

[Lea2001]

I am scheduled to have a laparoscopy done in early December.  I am a little concerned, but I did some research and it doesn't look too bad.  
I am interested in anyone's advice, insight, or just dialogue to give me some information about it.
I know it's a two incisions and they blow up my belly and look around.   I have convinced my doctor to submit the procedure to my insurance company to "rule out endometriosis" as opposed to treatment of infertility... so they had better cover it.  
I know they will remove anything they see that does not belong, but what about the things the doctor's don't tell you?   How long is the recovery, FOR REAL.   What about sex... when can you do that?   Is it an overnight stay if the surgery is in the afternoon?   Do you get sick after you wake up?
I would appreciate any advice you ladies have.

[TeeA86]

i had the surgery done on June and they had to do a D&C due to scar tissue in my uterus the recovery was quick, sex resumed in  4-5 days depending on your body, you should not have to stay overnight, i was sent home several hours after my surgery and was fine @ home the surgery is not that bad.  Good luck and god bless

[scaredincanada]

In 2000 I had laparscopic surgery due to an ectopic pregnancy in my right tube in which the tube was completley removed. I have 3 scars from that surgery - one below my bellybutton, one to the right and one right above my pelvic bone. I don't know if the surgery has changed since then, or if it was different for me because I had my tube removed, but from what I remember, I was rather bloated, in pain, and required to stay off my feet for a duration of 6 weeks after my surgery.
I had a breathing tube put down my throat and in my nose, had a sore rough throat after recovery, and no amount of demoral would ease the pain. I stayed in the hospital for 3 days post-op, then released. Hope this helps.

[Lea2001]

Thank you all very much.

[cactus4l]

Hi, had my lap sep 18, 4 incisions, a week in bed with constipation and pain. just remember to take it easy.

[bttrflyswt6]

i am grtting a lap done in 5 days and i needed this i will be having a d&c and something will be done to unblock my right tube i hope this all works my greatest fear is to wake up and the doc say sorry you will never have kids because we had to remove everything thats what im soooo worried about i know it wont happen but still im a mess

[rinrin]

I had a lap done and some cysts removed from my ovaries in June.

I arrived at the hospital at 6:30 a.m. and was back on my couch watching my soaps by 11:30 a.m.

I bruised horrible around my belly button and I felt like I had done a million sit ups. It hurt to bend, sit down.

I didn't really have the chest pain my Dr. said could be associated with the gas they pump into you, I had a little, but not like I was expecting.

I had the procedure done on a Thursday. I went back to work on a Monday, but I should have waited a couple more days, because sitting at my desk all day was really uncomfortable.

[starymist]

yes it dose seem that way dosent it? how inconsiderate of me but she isnt to sure if there is any thing else in there.thet they will remove.i mean its not like we can just bend right over and look up there ourselfs right? i mean isnt that why its kinda like a look and see ( "exploritory" )? and by the way mine was suposed to be just a simple one too. so try and keep that in mind as well. they found all the rest after they got in there and looked around.but thank you again for reminding me on what im supposed to write about. and by the way im not in no way telling her thet that is whats gonna happen to her. im just saying have a heads up.because you never know what will be seen in there.my cysts werent seen on a vaginal u/s but it was seen along with scare tissue thet should be removed by means of a lap.and any ways any time your stomach muscles get penatrated like that it dose hurt.because it tears the mucles slightly they quote bore there way in past the muscels. any ways have a nice day =)

[who_dis]

Sounds like you had more than the simple look and see laparoscopy the original poster was asking about.  Generally, it's a simple procedure, but if you have other surgery during it you will have a greater recovery time.

[starymist]

i had my lap done on the 17th let me tell you i know every ones body is different. after surgery equaling 1 1/2 hrs. "man" i wanted to be hit in the head! in recovery the meds they gave worked for about 2 seconds! just enough to pull the major part of the pain away.they dont give enough to end the pain,just enough for you to be able to control/handle it.the vicodine said 1 to 2 pills every 4 hrs. lol yeah right!in the mean time i was ripping my stitchs out. up walking/hobbling around the day after surgery.like the nurse said or so hubby thought she said! "it will help" yes true but wait till you can do it with out begging and crying while doing it. that proved to be a big no no a week later wee for me.and please by all means talk to dr. about gas-x and laxitives i know now thet narcotics and laying in bed for almost a week stops the movement of certian things.and not to be in a rush to get up and move around. so take that advise and dont be like me. stuffing your pie hole while layed up for almost a week.i had alot of stuff done all at once. a right tubal removal and a left tubal repair and a few 4 cm long paratubal cyst's and scare tissue removed to open up the tube thet would help in the concieving process. but like i said befor every one is different ,just dont be in a hurry to get better really fast.wait for the dr. to give the ok to ttc again.i wanted it really bad , 4 seconds into it and that was enough for me.but all in all it was worth it . i feel 100% better now in my woman parts as well as the healing of the insions. good luck to you in your upcoming lap. and may you heal quickly and painlessly =) peace and ask for the dr. notes and lap pics and videos its wild to see it all im reading all mine and looking at it right now.

[who_dis]

If it's just a laparoscopy, you should be able to go home a couple of hours later.  You will have a sore tummy, probably at least 2 punctures that will have a stitch or two each in them.  Sometimes they are of the absorbable type that don't have to be removed, sometimes you'll go back in a couple of days to have them out.

You may also have some shoulder pain for a couple of days.  Have some Tylenol or Motrin on hand at home, according to what your doctor recommends.  Sometimes they'll give you an Rx for something stronger.  Having a heating pad at home helps.   Keep some soups and crackers on hand if you are nauseated or just don't feel like eating much.  

You may also have a bit of a sore throat from the breathing tube inserted during surgery.  You may have some spotty bleeding if a D&C is done at the same time (but your doctor should tell you if that will be done, too).
Most women take a couple days off work for a laparoscopy.  However, if something is found during the lap that takes some additional procedures, you may be more sore than usual.