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Laparoscopy

I am going in for my laparoscopy on Monday and have a couple of questions.  I hear that the gas issue seems more uncomfortable than the actual surgical incisions.  Does anyone recommend anything to take for that afterwords?  Also, does anyone have experience with the Colyte and what it tastes like.  Should I get anything special to drink along with it?  My GYN/ONC didn't give me a whole lot of info about this whole thing.  Just that I can only have clear liquids the day before.  I am a wakeboarder and want to know when I can get back up on the board after all of this.  Also, how long until I can go back to my desk job, I was hoping the next day!  A little feedback would be great, it's always nice to hear about other peoples experiences.  Thanks so much!
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Avatar universal
Thanks for all the comments.  Surgery went well and they were able to get everything out of there.  They lasered off the endo and I have a follow up to go over pathology of the other stuff they removed.  I didn't head back to work until Thursday, I was surprised with how sore I was!!  And the anesthia wasn't my friend afterwards either.  Between that and all of the morphine I had a fuzzy head for a couple of days!  The second day I was able to walk around and shower, with the help of a chair of coarse!  I think I was more affected by the drugs than anything!  But, I'm kind of a light weight!  No wakeboarding for two weeks, but after that I am free to do what my body can handle.  Thanks again.
Helpful - 0
329994 tn?1301663248
Shy999,
I had major surgery 4 weeks ago tomorrow and I am still recovering (it wasn't laparascopic though) so I just want to chime in and say take it easy. Wakeboarding, I would think, would be out of the question for at least two weeks. Ask your doctor about that.  My nephew is a really good wakeboarder, he has been featured in magazines and I know how physical it is.  I didn't have too much trouble with gas but I was in the hospital for 4 days afterwards and on pretty strong pain meds, so probably just don't remember.  All the ladies on here that have had a laparascopy say to walk, walk, walk, for the gas!! So walk and rest and hopefully all will go smoothly!!!
Helpful - 0
225036 tn?1294509400
If the doctor did not recommend a bowel prep, then it is not necessary for you to only be on liquids tomorrow or to take a laxative.  I have only had to do the bowel prep once (Thank the good LORD) out of my 7 surgeries.  Just follow the doctors orders and no eating after midnight.  Good LUCK!!  I'll be praying for you.  Hugs, Kasie
Helpful - 0
488689 tn?1337993158
I'm having surgery on Monday also, left cyst and ovary, and I wasn't given any instructions at all regarding a bowel prep. I am just not supposed to eat or drink anything after midnight and have to be at the hospital at 9 a.m.. I'm wondering if I should just not eat any solid foods at all on Sunday and take a laxative that day.
I know I'll be staying overnight as I have other heath issues that need to be monitored and hope to be home by Tuesday afternoon if all goes as planned. I do know I'll have to get someone to walk my dog for about 2 weeks, and plan to be recovering for at least that amount of time if not more.
Good Luck and post when you get home
Valerie
Helpful - 0
543028 tn?1282428826
i only had two surgeries before this one im facing
one was for a miscarriage 1988
the second was to remove polyps from my vocal cords 2003

true story my hubby didn't believe about the lapse in judgement after anesthesia
since we were out after the surgery (and i couldnt speak for 2 weeks) he wanted
to go shopping on the way home
i wandered into a jewelry store and bought an expensive gold and sapphire necklace
i apparently wrote a note to the clerk expressing what i wanted
i didnt remember it except like a dream until it showed up on my account
statement three days later ... then i had to go find where i put the necklace
which was still in the VAN along with the note

point is ... stay home after anesthesia unless u really like expensive jewelry

luck n prayers
sharon
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225036 tn?1294509400
Good luck on your surgery Monday.  When I had one of my lap's done, I went back to work two days later and regretted it very much.  Like everyone else has said, it takes time for your internal incision to heal.  It is a fairly easy surgery compared to a laparotomy.  You should feel like yourself in a week or two.  Take time and rest.  No wakeboarding for at least two weeks.  Your doctor can give you directions on when that is a good idea.  I hope things go well for you.  Drink LOTS of water and take your stool softners.  It should help.  Keep us informed.  

Hugs and Prayers,
Kasie
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187666 tn?1331173345
Forgive me for not remembering your full story but are you going in for an exploratory laparoscopy or will they be removing something? I've had both and each time it took me a good week to feel fairly normal. The second one I had was to remove a cyst, ovary and tube so although I was back to work within a week, I was very careful about how I moved and did no heavy lifting or twisting.

My doctor did a good job of sucking out most of the gas from the surgery because I had very little discomfort from that.

My post-surgical instructions recommended against using Metamucil. Because your bowels are sluggish anyway, the fiber blob can sit too long in the system, the fluid drawn from it in the intestines and cause a blockage. I just drank lots of fluid, used some of the stool softeners and kept moving. I had little bm's for a week and then it all broke loose. Ahhhhh. That gave me a lot of relief right there.
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Avatar universal
Oh, and endometriosis...can't forget that!  :o)
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Avatar universal
Thank you very much for the advice!!  Everyone made it seem like a pretty easy surgery, but I wasn't sure because I have never had any type of surgery before.  I'm going in for some cysts on my ovaries, a tumor and a lesion on my uterus.  My dad died from a hereditary form of cancer that affects the colon, ovaries, and uterus so they aren't taking any chances with me since the gene is passed along.  I've had to do the genetic testing and all that fun stuff, this is just the next step.  Thanks again, and I will be sure to take it easy!!  
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356929 tn?1246389756
Forgot to mention.... like Montie said.. I don't think the next day is a good idea.. You're still under the influence of the drugs for one thing. It takes at least 24 hours for that to leave your system and I don't want to be negative here...but I doubt you're going to feel up to it... Stay in and rest!!! I was told I couldn't drive for 2 weeks !!! Don't rush this.. it's still surgery....

Take Care,
Sandy
Helpful - 0
437027 tn?1670266352
I don't think that you will feel like going to work the next day. I was out of it for a couple of days and was feeling close to normal after about a week.  Of course, I have a hard time with the drugs they use to knock you out, I always get really nauseated from them.  The gas for me was not a huge deal, as a matter of fact, I don't even remember that being an issue.  
Good luck.
Helpful - 0
356929 tn?1246389756
Hi,
     I was very fortunate and did not have any problems with the gas after my lap. I understand though that the best thing you can do is walk, walk, walk.

     The golyte-- I had something similar and it helps to drink it with ginger ale or gatorade . although that just adds to the amount one has to take. I like it best (?) chilled but some say better at room temperature.

     I'm going to guess on the wakeboard.. is that like a surfboard?? I'm pretty sure it will be at least a few weeks  for that. That's pretty strenuous isn't it? I was told not to drive or lift anything for 2 weeks. I got one of those grabby things from Walmart to reach things up high or on the floor. It hurts to bend over or reach.. Called a "Gopher"
     I had my stitches out in one week and actually felt pretty normal.. However, I was told that the interior doesn't heal that fast.. so take it easy ..
     Oh, and after surgery I took stool softeners, ate prunes and took metamucil .. Things sort of slow down for a bit.. Now, one of the members said their Dr. said not to take the metamucil for fear of blockage so you'd best ask about that. I diluted it a LOT .. I have that sluggishness anyway and I sure didn't want to pop a stitch ! Drink lots and lots of water... the day before the procedure and afterwards ..
      And.. let us know how it goes. Why is the procedure being done? Cysts? Drop a line .. Lots of folks here with lots of experience.

Take care and good luck,
Sandy
Helpful - 0
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