Top 10 things I have learned from laproscopic cyst/ovary removal

[painterchic]

It's been almost 2 weeks since my laproscopic surgery, I have learned alot both from experiencing it and talking to ya'll here on the forum. Time to share, because just maybe somebody is about to go through the same thing and has questions or needs help. It would be great if everyone added their two cents and we will have a nice "what to expect when your expecting laproscopic surgery" list...lol

1. Don't be fooled, this is major surgery. You could be having body parts removed. Don't plan on doing much for at LEAST a week or two. If you are lucky like some, you'll be up and at 'em. But if you're not, then you won't be disappointed and frustrated.

2. Make or buy muffins. Especially bran. You will need them. Don't ask me why. Ok...why? Because your meds will constipate you and make your stomach hurt. AND you will be too tired to make food. You can buy stool softeners too, but they don't make for a tasty breakfast...

3. If you can, shop for or prepare food and stick it in the freezer. And be REALLY REALLY nice to your friends and neighbors before your surgery. They may offer to bring you food. Don't be silly, say yes. You will be glad you did!

4. The CO2 gas may bloat you up. It might not happen for a day or two and you will laugh and say "I am SO lucky!!" and then "POP" You are the now the Pilsbury doughgirl. Only not as cute. But it hurts...not just the shoulder, could be all over. WALK, WALK, WALK.. around the house, it will go away. Could take a week or more, but the worst is the first few days. Try beano, mylanta, etc. too. BEST cure: Massage. Takes away all the toxins, pushes out some gas. Can't get one?... be REALLY REALLY nice to your spouse, significant other, children, whoever.... they may take pity on poor ol' bloated you and help you out.

5. Get one of those beanybag things that you put in the microwave. Put it on where it hurts. Warm feels nice and you can't get in the tub for two weeks. Your body might hurt all over. They say they don't drop you off the stretcher while you are unconscious, but I personally don't believe it...

6. Enjoy your downtime. Remember all those busy days you wished you could lie around, play on the computer, read books, organize your photos, google your old boyfriend,  write that novel? Well, do it. Or sleep. Or both.

7. Sleep. Sleep some more.

8. Driving sucks. Try and avoid it until your incisions/stomach muscles don't hurt. (and you're not on happypills anymore...) It's illegal in most states to drive lying down, I believe...

9. Drink lots of water. Flushes out all the stuff they pumped into you during surgery. Fluffs out the sleep wrinkles in your face..

10. Get on this forum when you can. You will find wonderful women with supportive notes, messages, laughs, and you can read others stories to know whether you are "normal" or not (in terms of your surgery - if you want deeper analysis, try the psych forum...)

That's MY top ten, I hope you all can add a few of your own! Thanks everyone for ALL your help, info, and especially the friendship and laughter.
Have a great day!
Joelle

[biancab22]

I'm sorry to hear that. I guess it really just depends on an individuals doctor and their procedure in removing the gas. I literally had only a few hours of gassy pain, no shoulder pain. It was just a matter of ab movement, bowel movement, and now my insides just have a constant dull ache. Blah. I cant wait to go back to doing my normal activities. Missing so much gym time!!

[biancab22]

Hey everyone, Just wanted to let everyone know that surgery went very well. It was only just over an hour. I slept for a bit though haha no surprise there. Right when I woke up, I was in quite a bit of pain, mostly dull pains, so the nurse put some more meds in my IV. Once I was ready I left, hurt to get up obviously. But it honestly wasnt as bad as I was making it out to be. Forst day after surgery, I was too medicated to even remember the pain, Thank God. I just remember the drive home SUCKED! My husband is a speed demon in my car haha. First few days, I needed help getting in and out of bed, I didnt have any problems with the wiping my privates haha no need for any reacher thingy. So, I pretty much stayed in bed for about 2-3 days, then started walking around a lot ! It hurt a bit, but i started getting in and out of bed without help. Actually, I didnt really need help with anything. I was just too sore to be on my feet for too long. I probably didnt go #2 for about 3 days, and even then it was nothing. And am still having a bit of trouble in that area, doctor says its due to my pain meds though. Now, 13 days post op, I'm doing a lot more! I feel back to normal, have been for about 2 days now. I literally just woke up one morning and felt so much better! Doing a lot though, theres still a dull ache. I had a little issue, I tried to do too much too early, I bent over to grab something on the floor maybe 5 days post op and felt a stinging pain under my belly button (i had laparoscopic surgery just in case anyone is wondering), and then my belly button started bleeding, Doc says I probably just stretched a sticth and that it was no big deal. Pain went away after 10 minutes so I wasnt too worried. The only thing Im worried about now, is that they "glued" my otside incisions and stitched the inside parts. The glue has peeled off, and I literally just have two open wounds on my side... lol. Well I have my post op appointment next week, I'm sure everything will be healed by then. One thing though, Im 13 days post op, and I had sexual intercourse with my husband cuz everything was feeling so much better, ever since then though I've had this dull ache in the actual area where they removed my ovary. (before it was just the pain at the incision sites and the abdominal movements). So we'll see how that goes .

[Tmad93]

i would suggest curling up on your side, with a pillow in between your legs and then hug one to your chest. It ***** due to the gas pain but feels a lot better if you do that.

[mummylou]

hi, i had a laparoscopy on the same day as you! they removed 3 cysts and most of my left ovary. i was told that the surgery would be around 45mins, 3 hours and 15mins later i came out of surgery. apparently i bled too much. i am only just beginning to feel a little well, i have experienced terrible shoulder and tummy pain due to the gas and my tummy is so swollen, i cant get comfortable to sleep, i didnt think that it would be this bad. i hope you are feeling well, im sure it can only get better.xx

[Tmad93]

I hope all went well with your surgery today!  I've been noticing that some of mine have been off as well, same with birth control and mine don't show up for about 5 days.  And i'll agree with the "crampyness", but most likely this time it is just stress. Let me know how you're doing!

[biancab22]

Thank you. Everything here has definitely helped get a better perspective. I've prepped everything, so I'm ready. surgery is tomorrow morning. Today is going by so slow, getting very anxious and nervous. Pain is rediculous. And menstral is supposed to be here.. hasnt. Last five menstral cycles have been off, has anyone else experienced abnormal periods? I take birth control pills, I've recently been getting my periods a week before the actual "period pills" and now I'm two days into the "period pills" but no period.. crampy. but nadaaaaaa. Maybe its the nerves? the stress? (Docs did a blood test a week ago so I'm not pregnant and there are no signs of cancer). 16 hours until surgery.