Has anyone had a laparoscopy before?

I'm having mine done on Wednesday, just want to know how it went from some people, does it hurt, does it heal OK ? Im kinda scared. ? ? ?????? But I'm ready for it. Just hope that i don't have endo.

[geminigirl1963]

I'm guessing by your comment about hoping you don't have endo you're meaning endometriosis and the laparoscopy surgery is of a gynecological nature?

You won't feel anything during the surgery - same as with full incision surgery, you will be asleep with a breathing tube inserted.  The main laparascopy "incicision" is usually in the belly button area and then there are typically 3-4 other "port" incisions where the surgeons can insert different instruments for examining the abdominal cavity, taking samples of tissue, etc.  In order to make it easier for them to see your internal organs and reduce the risk of damaging them with the instruments, your abdomen will be filled with a gas that "lifts" the fat layer, skin away from teh organs.  While most of this gas is released following surgery when they remove all the instruments, it's common to have some remain behind and that may cause some "gas pains" for a day or so after your surgery.  Getting up and moving around (if permitted) sometimes helps relieve those gas pains.

The incicions are usually closed with 1-2 stitches each - the stitches used may either be a dissolvable kind that do not need to be removed or a non-dissolvable kind that will need to be removed by the surgeon typically about  aweek or so after surgery.  You probably will have small steri strips or bandaids over each incision with perhaps a slightly larger bandage over the one in your belly button area (it's kinda hard to put a band aid on your belly button and have it stick!)

Your throat may be a bit sore when you wake up and for a day or two after surgery from having the breathing tube - keeping your throat moist with cool drinks, ice pops, etc., will help ease that.  You may notice some bruising around the incision sites.  Depending on what they find and what they actually DO other than looking around, you may have some slight cramping or pain.  The pain and discomfort with a laparascopy is typically much less than with a full incision laparotomy becasue there's been less trauma to the body.

As soon as permitted, get up and move around - it'll help with gas pains and reduce any risk of post operative blood clots in the legs.  If you're nauseated from the anesthesia, start off slowly with liquids - taking small sips rather than gulping - and then progress from there to soft foods andthen regular diet - of course, following all your doctor's orders.

I've had several laparascopy surgeries and they've always healed quite nicely - I've found that the incision that usually takes the longest to heal is the one in the belly button.  Be sure to follow all doctor's instructions as far as keeping the incisions clean.

I hope this has helped.  Best of luck!

[melanie2400]

Hi there,
I had one done and it was nothing and out-patient as well. At least thats how mine was. Your tummy will be aching a little but take your meds and you'll be fine. Id say after day 3 I was back to normal :D
Good Luck

[mandapanda928]

Thankyou guys so much for the information i've been so worried about it.