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419990 tn?1228259126

laparoscopy what to expect?

I'm sure many of you ladies have had a laparoscopy surgery? Just wanted to know what to expect.
I'm really nervous they're going to find something wrong.
I really wish I had my mom right now.
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419990 tn?1228259126
thank you very much for all the info! I have never ever had surgery before and really scared of hospitals (my mom died in one almost two years ago)...I get sick to my stomach whenever I'm in one now. Hopefully it goes smoothly like you said. I have a very weak stomach though so I think I'll have lots of nausea.
Helpful - 0
415867 tn?1323365503
I'm on operating room nurse and we do diagnostic laps all the time.  I can kinda go over the routine of our clinic setting but it may vary some with the clinic you are having it done at.  The first thing is tha tyou will check in at the desk, most likely you will sit in the waiting room for the prep and hold staff to come get you when they are ready.  When they take you in the prep and hold area your family will not be aloud back.  You will go into the room undress completely and hop into bed. then they will take your vitals (usually the surgical assistants) then the nurse will come in and ask you all sorts of questioins.  Most of the questions will relate to your health history, allergies, the normal basic information. Then they will start an IV catheter.  The anesthesiologist or MDA will come in and talk to you as well about the anesthesia.  Then they will prescribe some preop medications for you...they may give you some, all, or none of these.  Zofran and Decadron which are more post op nausea and vomitting. A scopalomine patch which also helps post op n & v.  And the best drug of all Versed or Midazolam which is the "Loopy" medication, or relaxation medication.  If may feel like you've had a few cocktails! You may not remember much after getting the medication because it is an amnesic (spelling?) drug.  Also in the prep and hold area they may due a prep or scrub & shave.  Don't worry they won't do your private area while you are awake, they wait until you are off to lala land for that.  However they may prep your stomach.  Some places do it in the prep and hold area and some do it all in the OR room.  After you are completely set for surgery it is a wait until the room is ready.  At this point you can ask for your family to come and sit with you if there is time. Then the OR nurse will come and get you.  They will most likely ask you a few questions and you are off to the OR. Once in the OR you will be asked to move over onto the OR table from your cart. Then they will hook you up to a bunch of monitors that watch your heart, oxygen, pulse, blood pressure, ect...  Then the CRNA will have you breath some oxygen in a mask and have you take some deep breaths. Then he will give you a combination of drugs and one is propofol (spellign) that goes through your IV and drifts you off to sleep.  The drug may sting a little in the IV but that will go away in about 5-10 seconds. Then thley will operate. After they are done you will most likely have the CRNA telling you to take some nice big deep breaths and you will go off to recovery room. Once their they will make sure you are not having any pain or nauseausness and as soon as you feel well enough they will get you up into a chair.  Most likely they will offer you a little something to eat or drink during this time and then they will begin giving you post op instructions.  and you will be set to go home. After the surgery is complete and you are in recovery, the surgeon will go and speak to your family about things. If at any time you have a question or fear please let the nurse know. we are there for anything you need wether it's a tissue, blanket, pillow, or just a hand to hold. I really hope this helps settle some of your fears.  You will do great and pleaselet me know if you ahve any questions at all. Best Wishes!
Helpful - 0
419990 tn?1228259126
It's just frustrating too because I will be starting a new job at the end of May and now I have to ask off for all this surgery stuff and infertility stuff..I'm not sure how much they are going to like that.
Helpful - 0
419990 tn?1228259126
I don't have that painful of periods. Just some cramping the first day and that's it. He thought it would be a good idea since we've had 6 cycles with back to back IUI's and no luck. We're using a donor due to my husband's vasectomy so that's really the only reason for the IUI's to begin with. What causes scar tissue?
Helpful - 0
294043 tn?1354207946
Yes, you doc can fix endo during the lap.  BUT endo can come back within a year so you may only have one year ttc window and then you may need ivf or another lap.  My diagnostic surgery revealed no endo though.  Do you have painful periods?  That's the first symptom.  If you do not have painful AF you may not have endo.  It's always nice to check it all out though.  I for example have scar tissue instead that was discovered during the lap.  
Helpful - 0
419990 tn?1228259126
so if they find endo they can fix it right away during the surgery??? Do they need to do it more than once? I'm totally nervous that I have it now. blah! I hate not knowing what's wrong!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Wishing you all the best. I wish my doc had the same outlook about the possibilities of endo. Mine said "meh not worried, HSG clear." :\

It will be ok.
Helpful - 0
374593 tn?1257879950
Hello!!! good luck with your lap!!! I had mine about two months ago, and like the other girls said its really not bad at all!  the air felt like a toothache to me but in my shoulders if that makes since, its all totally tolerable though!    I was back to running around at work after one week, but unfortunately agree that walking long distances (even a week later - like i did, it made me sore!)  probably should be avoided for a week or so... They also found endo in me, but the good news is that as soon as the lap was done we had a game plan in place to put us on the fast track to hoepfully getting that BFP!   GOOD LUCK! keep us updated!!!!
Helpful - 0
211043 tn?1337050701
I'm so sorry.  I'm sure she'd want you to be well and resolve this though.
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419990 tn?1228259126
ugh that really sucks. I've done the cancer walk every year since my mom was diagnosed almost 4 years ago. She died almost two years ago and it's kind of a healing thing...that sucks. :(
Helpful - 0
211043 tn?1337050701
I fully agree!  3 even 4 or 5 days is probably too soon.  I think I was still hobbling a bit after a week, and my belly was certainly still a little big!
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294043 tn?1354207946
You will need at least a week after the surgery for your 5 miles walk.  I was back to normal about 4 days after my lap but I was stepping very softly and walking very carefully for a few days after that.  I also got tired very easily for a few days after the the lap and needed more rest than I normally need.  I don't think you'll be able to do it 3 days after.  
Helpful - 0
419990 tn?1228259126
can you do your normal stuff a couple days after surgery? I think it's going to be planned like 3 days before I do my cancer walk every year..and it has to be there because it's either in the way of my period, me moving to my new house, or my graduation from college or finals and I can't take off school. I'm not sure I should be walking 5 miles a few days after am I correct?
Helpful - 0
294043 tn?1354207946
Yes, they will be able to fix endo.  My lap was a diagnostic surgery for endometriosis but my doc found no endo but lots of scar tissue.  So, you never know what they can find.  It's always nice to eliminate all potential causes of infertility.  After 6 failed IUI's I think it's a very good thing to do before you move to more aggressive treatments.
Helpful - 0
419990 tn?1228259126
my doctor is making me schedule a laprascopy because I've had an HSG and all the other tests and everything came out normal but I've had 6 IUIs with no success so now he wants to make sure I don't have endo. I'm really nervous about this. I've never had surgery before..besides my wisdom teeth. If they do find endo can they fix this right away?
Helpful - 0
294043 tn?1354207946
I had a lap in November and it was the best decision I ever made.  I struggled with unexplained infertility for 2 years by then and finally the lap revealed what was wrong.  My only regret is that I did not have it earlier.  

The lap is a surgery and your doc will be able to see if you have any endometriosis or scar tissue or other problems like fibroids, etc.  Also, your doc can fix the problem that he/she finds.  My surgery was on Thursday morning and I was back at work on Monday.  You will spend at least 3 days at home, mostly in bed although on day 2 I was able to cook for myself.  The worst part of the procedure is the gas that they pump into you and you feel like a balloon.  The gas will be escaping through your shoulder which was REALLY unpleasant.  The surgery itself you will not remember.

Good luck to you!  Let me know if you have any questions.
Helpful - 0
211043 tn?1337050701
I'm sorry you're going to have to go it alone, but you can rest assured that for me, it wasn't bad at all!  In fact - they were trying to kick me out about 2 hours afterward!  My husband had to fight them off so I could sleep a little, because I couldn't move because the anesthesia made me a little nauseous when I woke up.  Nothing severe though, and I was "fine" in a matter of hours.  You will need someone to drive you home from the hospital though.

For me they found quite a bit of endometrial tissue attaching my ovaries and fallopian tubes to my uterus, and they also found adhesions on the back of my uterus.  They were able to remove it all laparoscopically, and I gotta tell ya, I'd take that surgery any day over the pain I was experiencing before it!  My periods now are AMAZING.  The difference is night and day.  I was taking serious narcotics for my pain before, and those weren't even helping most times.  They gave me opiates because before that I'd take 24+ extra strength tylenol in a single day, and THAT wouldn't even take the pain away!  I'd always have to call out of work because I never knew when it was going to get that bad.  

Now all I take are a couple of advils, literally, for about two days.  I can't believe it!  I never had it this way before.  I'm not sure what your situation is or what they are looking for, but it may be worth it is all I'm getting at.

As for the gas pain (they blow your belly up with gas) - I'm not sure if they told you, but what happens is gas pushes on your diaphragm, which is connected to a nerve in your shoulder.  You get what is known as displaced pain, and the pain actually comes in your shoulder.  It is sharp, but I didn't have too much trouble with this.  It happened only the first couple of days for a couple of times, and each time I just moved around or turned on my other side and it went away.  

I was WAY more mobile than I ever expected to be.  Even on the first day I could still get up my stairs - just slowly.  I had mine 6 days before Christmas - and besides still being bloated from the gas and still having a little discomfort, I was pretty much fine by Christmas.  My mom was actually there trying to take care of me - but there was nothing for her to do!  She kept complaining of it!  

So don't worry - I'm sure you'll do just fine!  When are you scheduled?
Helpful - 0
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