questions about laprascopy

[dm7]

I'm having laproscopic surgery for approx. 5cm dermoid cyst next week.I'm wondering about recovery time.I do lifting in my job and am wondering how long until I'll be able to comfortably lift again.Also wondering how long until you feel well enough to run errands etc.I'm nervous about having this done and am hoping having this done laproscopically is the right choice.This site has been helpful to me and I'd really appreciate any input or comments anyone might have.thank you.

[cirella]

Hi Mary, I am always afraid of the aspects of surgery, too. What's funny is my husband is an anesthesiologist and I should know better.  Still, it requires complete trust b/c someone else holds you life in their hands.  I am a Christian so I know that God holds my life first and foremost so that gives me comfort. I hope that you are comfortable with you doctors and trust that they will do the best job according to their ability.

Not knowing what exactly is growing in our bodies is also scary. This surgery is important b/c it will allow you to move in a direction, any direction, other than limbo land, which is what I call the waiting game.

I really hope that your surgery goes very smoothly! I'll say a little prayer for you.
Lori

[urbangal]

Well,right now funnily enough I am most scared about the surgery itself. Mostly the anesthetic and not being awake. I've never had any kind of surgery before.Closest I've come is an epidural when i had my 3yr old. That is totally different though. I know I should be more scared of what they find(and I am) but somehow the whole "operation" has me really stressed right now..Any help?
Mary

[urbangal]

Thanks for the info! When was your surgery?
Mary

[dm7]

thanks for the information-it's so helpful to hear from someone who's gone thru this already.mary- I wish you luck with your surgery- ive been reading the posts-is it tuesday?They're still working on schedules but I think mine will be wed.

[cirella]

My surgery was 11/13. I am feeling good.  I think fatigue is what gets me but it's not an all the time thing. I actually walked on my treadmill today and did the bike (recumbant). I may have done a tad too much but I think I just want to get back to "normal".  I am a little crampy tonight.

I don't really have pain anymore.  I feel a kind of pulling sensation if I walk too fast or lift something too heavy.  I ask my husband or kids to lift for me. Laparoscopic surgery is a faster healing time, I think, but, as my doctor told me...it is major surgery through smaller holes.

I had my follow up on Wed and the Dr. removed my steri stips. The incisions look good and are healing.  He gave me the pictures from surgery...an inside look at the hitchhiker on my ovary.  Quite the photos, I must say.  I had a lot of questions about endometriosis.

Mary, what are you most scared of, if you don't mind me asking?

[urbangal]

Thanks for the good wishes! Yes Tuesday..scared and panicked!
Mary

[cirella]

Happy Thanksgiving!
I was up on day 3, post op. Everyone is different but I was a bit off balance.  If I turned too quickly I felt like I did a little dip. Time was in slow motion. If I got up to make myself toast the clock would be 8 and then I'd look up and it would be 8:30. Strange. I knew it is better if tried to get out of bed to walk a bit. Because of the off balance thing I didn't feel comfortable driving myself until about day 8.

Your stomach will be sore and you'll walk kind of hunched over for a couple of days. I think, for me, it was muscle ache at first but after a few more days it was more an internal kind of hurt. Because of the laparoscopy, they move your organs around to look.  And, if they take the ovary(s) then that will cause pain as well.

You will be tired for a while, off and on. Today, while making the meal, I just had to go take a nap for an hour or two.  My family helped me cook, which did help. One day you'll be fine and the next you could be zonked. I just go with the flow and if I need rest, I rest.

[urbangal]

Second that..I have a 3yr old and stairs in my house. The doctor said I will be able to do the stairs but not the child(no lifting) for about 2 weeks. But as the other lady said can I expect to be up and around doing errands in a couple of days? Don't really want to be confined to the house for a week!
Mary