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Laparoscopy, what to really expect? what the dr's don't tell you?
With my upcoming laparoscopy, I am wondering what it will really be like for me afterwards. I have called the gyno back twice now since he scheduled me for it, and he keeps giving me the run around and telling me it's 'no big deal'. He says all he plans on doing is looking around and, at most, doing some 'scraping' but no removal of organs at this time. He says once I come out of anaesthesia, I will be coherent enough to take a taxi home and let myself in my house and take care of myself for the 3 days of recovery. Today I actually talked to a nurse, and she said she didn't think I should do this alone and that I should have someone to take care of me for up to 5 days. But even she wouldn't tell me what to expect after the procedure. I am wondering how much I will be able to do for myself during the first few days, such as shower, bend over to feed my cat, etc. Any advice or tips anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.
I did not have endo. I just had a lot of scar tissue that had formed since my Hysterctomy.
So let me get this straight, a hemm. cystis is actually endometriosis? Anything over 3cm is surgical. Talk to me about this film that shows up on the surrounding areas that has to be removed also. I have one on the right ovary now that is within surgical range that has not burst. She gave me meds to make it either pop or shrink and go away. I was told before that I have cystic ovaries b/c I have had problems with my ovaries since about 1992. Talk about pain. I have had several pop over the years. He said that my ovaries try to release the egg but for wome reason the egg stays in the ovary--this causes the cyst--it would fill up with blood and pop and it would hurt a little. Typical man. A "little pain" my butt. Nobody said word one about endometriosis.
The original plan was to remove a Hemmorraghic cyst (blood filled). When my doctor got in there the cyst had ruptured. My right ovary was completely covered with adhesions, and so was my bowel. Let me just say I even though I was able to take care of myself I was very sore, and still uncomfortable for 2 weeks. The incision in my belly button was the worst. Most of the scar tissue that my doctor removed was up high, so I couldn't wear anything around my waist for very long.
Hi. I had a lap on Oct 25, and am happy to say, it was a breeze (or at least a breeze compared to what I feared it would be.) I had a large cyst and m,y right fallopian tube removed, as well as a small spot of endo removed. I had no problem climbing my stairs, showering, etc. although I did everything very slowly and carefully. I also, like MickeyVicki, fed my catgs on a table. I was very proactive ablut taking my pain meds and my doc said I should take a luxurious 2 weeks off of work, which I did. I also found that one of those "grabber" things that you can get at OSH or the drugstore was handy if I dropped anything on the floor. However, after a few days, I could bend, as long as I took it slow. I'm happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Debbi
Debbi
The removal of the endometriosis adhesions, also called endometrial implants, is usually done with the laser. The removal of each adhesion leaves a 'raw' spot the size of that particular implant. I had a terrible case of the disease; when my doctor finished removing as much of it as she could, there were raw spots, small and large, all over my abdomen.
I should have added that I personally consider my recovery as taking two weeks, and my surgery consisted of having one ovary, that fallopian tube, the large endometrioma cyst, and the endometrial plants removed. As I mentioned previously, I had difficulty bending over. However, I could sit, stand, and walk with no difficulty. I was not an invalid by any standards. I was told by my doctor to avoid using stairs for one week, and also I was allowed to drive beginning one week after surgery, but found that it was still uncomfortable to turn in the seat to look backwards. I waited nearly another week before driving again. After two weeks, I was more or less healed, except for that part about lifting heavy objects. By the way, my doctor said a part of the concern about driving and using stairs is that pain medications can make the patient sleepy, and thus more prone to falling or having accidents.
I should have added that I personally consider my recovery as taking two weeks, and my surgery consisted of having one ovary, that fallopian tube, the large endometrioma cyst, and the endometrial plants removed. As I mentioned previously, I had difficulty bending over. However, I could sit, stand, and walk with no difficulty. I was not an invalid by any standards. I was told by my doctor to avoid using stairs for one week, and also I was allowed to drive beginning one week after surgery, but found that it was still uncomfortable to turn in the seat to look backwards. I waited nearly another week before driving again. After two weeks, I was more or less healed, except for that part about lifting heavy objects. By the way, my doctor said a part of the concern about driving and using stairs is that pain medications can make the patient sleepy, and thus more prone to falling or having accidents.
deb, if you don't mind me asking, what all did you have done to you in your laparoscopy that you were able to do so well afterwards?
One more thing... as I mentioned previously, my surgery was probably more involved than yours will be, but I could NOT bend over at all for about one week, due to swelling from the removal of endometriosis as well as the ovary. Fortunately, I could feed my cat on a table.
My own doctor had a gyn surgical procedure, so she could tell me exactly what to expect. That is truly the only way to know, to experience it for yourself.
For my surgery, which did involve the removal of an ovary so I suspect that your surgery will be much less involved than mine, I was requested to stay overnight at the hospital. However, after my release, since I live alone, my doctor recommended that someone check in on me several times a day. In addition to the simple recovery from the actual surgical procedure, some people react to the anesthia and/or the post-surgery pain medication with nausea. I do work as a caregiver, and most all doctors have recommended that the patient have someone drive him or her home after the procedure, and then stay overnight to see that the patient remains well. It is difficult to call for help if you are very sick.
Otherwise, the greatest concern that you will likely have is to refrain from lifting anything heavy. You will need to let the incisions heal completely before lifting.
For my surgery, which did involve the removal of an ovary so I suspect that your surgery will be much less involved than mine, I was requested to stay overnight at the hospital. However, after my release, since I live alone, my doctor recommended that someone check in on me several times a day. In addition to the simple recovery from the actual surgical procedure, some people react to the anesthia and/or the post-surgery pain medication with nausea. I do work as a caregiver, and most all doctors have recommended that the patient have someone drive him or her home after the procedure, and then stay overnight to see that the patient remains well. It is difficult to call for help if you are very sick.
Otherwise, the greatest concern that you will likely have is to refrain from lifting anything heavy. You will need to let the incisions heal completely before lifting.
I had a laposcopy in September, and I was fine when I got home.
My husband was with me, and took me home. I was wide awake when I got home, so I felt comfortable being by myself for a few hours while he finished up some work. I was able to take care of myself as far as showing, and even cooking dinner. Don't get me wrong I was sore, but nothing I couldn't handle.
My husband was with me, and took me home. I was wide awake when I got home, so I felt comfortable being by myself for a few hours while he finished up some work. I was able to take care of myself as far as showing, and even cooking dinner. Don't get me wrong I was sore, but nothing I couldn't handle.
MIckeyVicki, thanks for your insight. My doct says if he sees endometriosis, he will be removing that. So should I expect that I will have a longer recovery if he does have to do that? I also told him that another doct has me scheduled for an upper endoscopy on Dec. 14, exactly 2 weeks after this lap, because of all the gastro-intestinal problems I have had lately (which I now believe are related to my gynocological problems). He said to go ahead with that procedure and I will be totally healed and feeling fine by then. But this gyno also thinks this lap is 'no big deal' so I don't trust his opinion that I will be fine to have the other procedure so soon.
I was told today that I will be in hospital for a minimum of 2 nights and possibly 3 depending on how I recover. I know they are taking out two cysts at the minimum. Then I have to get a lift home and have someone to look after me. If they were doing just diagnostic laproscopy, the total rehab time was said to be 2 weeks, but for 2 cysts, it's likely to be 6 weeks. If it's anything more, then it will be longer.
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