Laprotomy

I am due to have a laprotomy in 2 weeks time, to remove 8cm simple CYST and to remove 5.4 cm fibroid from my uterus.

This is the first surgery I am having, and I am really scared. I believe this is similar to C-section, people I know who have had C-section have told me its not painful as when you wake up after operation you are drugged up with painkillers and hardly feel any pain, just discomfort, is this true?

Has anyone had laprotomy and had no pain after waking up from the surgery, is pain bearable?

I have been trying for baby for 6 years now, so hopefully having the surgery will improve my chances of conceiving.

Appreciate anyones help with this please. thanks

[ireneo]

Surgery is always uncomfortable.  I think the pulling and ache inside is much more uncomfortable than the stitches.

I had a 10cm cyst on my ovary and some fibroids in my uterus. At first they were going to remove the cyst/ovary/tube and work on the fibroids. But then my doctor changed her mind. Said the fibroids were causing me no symptoms and didn't see a need to complicate my surgery. So I had my cyst/ovary/tube removed by laparoscopy. Just a few small incisions and remove the parts. I went shopping the next day, a slow shuffle but at least I was out of the hospital and out of the house.

In your case since you want to have children, the larger surgery to remove the fibroids is necessary. You will not go shopping the next day. LOL But within a week you'll be up and around, feel tired and will be restricted from lifting things. My daughter had a C section with her second child this year and she was up and about in no time. Just couldn't lift her older son.

I know it's scary but you can get through it. They will give you pain pills to take at home if needed. Don't be afraid to use them but you can taper off to regular OTC meds when you want to. I never used my pain meds. My daughter only used hers for the first 3 days then went to ibuprofen.

Go for the surgery, get things cleaned up in there and then I hope you'll be expecting a new baby some time next year. Take care, good luck.

[sara64748]

Aww thank for your reply means alot, i just have this fear of waking up to loads of pain after surgery, did your daughter experience pain waking up after surgery or was is it controlled by pain killers. I was initially down for laproscopy but the doc changed their mind as they felt it would be difficult to remove both cyst and fibroid with Laproscopy, i shud relax really but just getting really worried

[ireneo]

Since hers was a C section for her son to be born, she had a spinal type anesthetic. She was awake the whole time (I got to be there to see him being born) and was not feeling much of anything for several hours afterwards. The next day she was up and out of bed walking around. She had a pillow to hold against her stomach whenever she had to cough or sneeze. But that was about it. They did give her pain medication when she felt uncomfortable but she certainly wasn't twisting around in pain. She acted quite normal except for moving more carefully/slowly. You just have to listen to your body. If it hurts, don't do that. LOL I was more worried than she was because I thought she was doing too much too soon. But she said she felt fine, just some aches in the lower abdomen.

[Shannri]

  I have a low pain tolerance and cannot fathom being up shopping a day after surgery. I have had 4 laparoscopys, the last one a once incision and every one I have woken up in pain 6 out of 10. The nurses have always been great in giving me more pain meds and the vicodin at home helped a lot too.
  Biggest thing is to take it easy and no heavy lifting/straining. Listen to your body. Sleep when you are tired or rest.
  Have you had a second opinion on the type of surgery? A laparotomy is much more recovery time that a laparoscopy because of the bigger incision.  Make sure you check that out. I had to go for another opinion and am glad I did!  Good luck. Hopefully you are not in too much pain.

[sara64748]

thank you for your answer's, Shannri, the doctor said its best to have laprotomy, because with laproscopy its difficult to stitch the uterus, and also they need to remove cyst ad fibroid and do a dye test on the tubes too, they said its best to clean everything out like this, so i am just listening to what the docs are saying. i just hope i can fal pregnant after this operation. i am just being such a baby i dont know why, my mum has had 4 c secions as shes keeps telling me there is no pain u get through it and that in her dayz they used to give paracetmal, but now they have morphine etc, i dont mind having little bit of pain afterwards but i jus dont want to wake up and scream in pain that is very scary thought lol,

[ireneo]

I wouldn't go so far as to say there's no pain because it is uncomfortable - feels achy and lots of pulling. But the doctors don't want to see you miserable and most likely will encourage you to accept pain meds. I know they did with my daughter after her C section. They kept offering and she would often decline. She certainly took them in the evening so she could sleep. The hospital will take care of you. Gone are the days of biting on a stick to handle pain. LOL

[sara64748]

Yeh ur right, i dont know why im feeling so terrifed, i have had really strong period pains so i hope the pain is not worse than that lol, the more i read on net the more its terrifying me, but i cant help but research on it :(

[Shannri]

Aw try not to think about it. I was so nervous for mine too.

[ireneo]

Reading about things certainly isn't the same as going through it and you're right, sometimes reading makes it seem even worse. But hearing from people who have had abdominal surgery is the best way to go. It can vary widely but at least you know any pain/discomfort you might have will go away and can be dealt with by using the proper medications.

[sara64748]

thanks guys, i had my pre operation assessment today, the nurse told me that they will give me pain relief while im under anaesthetic and then affter morphine pump for pain relief, so i guess i be ok, will see how it goes :(

[ireneo]

Please stay in touch, let us know how the surgery goes and how you're feeling. Stock up on books and movies so you don't get bored during recovery.  :-)  But you will need to get up and walk around so you don't get constipated on top of it all. Ick.

[sara64748]

thank you for your support and help will do hopefully, yeh i think i will sleep most of the time lol x