Laproscopic procedure

[Kimigwen]

Can anyone explain to me what happens during the laproscopic procedure?  Are you awake or asleep?  Is the incission big? What can they see?
Thanks,
Kimigwen

[aisl]

i had a laproscopic done  a week ago and the doctors told me id be swollen for a few days but the doctor told me i needed to walk alot after the surgury, to let the gas out of my systom but as the week has gone by i and some of my friends have noticed that im way bigger than what i should be ex im twice the size i should be, i dont understand theyve done everything they can think of and im still having problems what should i do im at lost

[Gatsby]

And there you have it!  Everyone has explained it very well, so I will just let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.  Godspeed
~Tascha

[GreenWoods]

You may want to look at Dr. Goodman's post on 7/5/06.  In her  answer to a question about Laparotomy vrs. Laparoscopy she gives a brief description of laparoscopy.

[Kimigwen]

Thank you all so very much for responding to my question.  You have all been very helpful.  I'm not sure yet what I will have to do.  I think the lap is my next step though.  I have an appointment with my gyn on Oct 9.  I have been having abdominal pain for over a year now.  Pains often shoot down my legs.  My hip and back hurt.  I have tons of pressure in my rectum and my vaginal area.  Sex can be painful, but not always.  My CA125 has been tested several times, it goes up and down so no big worry there (hopefully). I had a CT scan and it showed a small cyst on my right ovary, but my primary care physician said it wasn't a bit deal.  I am so tired and I notice my symptoms really flare right before my menstrual cycle.  I have the oddest pain very low almost in the joint of my hip and thigh.  I don't know what all this means.  I'm afraid they'll find something but then again, I'm afraid they won't and I'll forever be in pain.  I also have awful pain in my big toes, doc says it's arthritis, I'm 40, that seems weird.  I don't know if it's coincidence or it's all related but it began about a year ago also.  I just appreciate you all listening.  Thank you so much.
Kimigwen

[Ms_Makita]

Just looked at your other post,forgot to add its a outpatient procedure,after procedure you will go in recovery room.I went home 4 hrs later,but depends on how much you can tolerate the pain (it isnt really bad,but you will hurt)when you wake up they give you pain shot (I had shot and pill,vicodons)and nurse brought me a ice pack (your gonna wanna use it at home to help the swelling and pain)nurse also placed warmed blanket over tummy area and it helped alot,you can eat after procedure,they wanna make sure you can hold something down,get around and go bathroom (urinate),nurse will help you around.Second day is usually the roughest but you will feel better quickly.Make sure to take pain pills as prescribed (every 4 to 6 hrs)and its ok to move around a little,they encourage you to do so,but dont do any lifting ,you will have swelling and bruising,I found for couple days hurt to bend over so I was careful to avoid bending over.Once the pain does go away,You will be sore for awhile but nothing painful,but lingering soreness,I found using heating pad helped too,be sure to ask your dr if its ok.

[Ms_Makita]

sorry mispelled your name..lil out of it today..lol

[Ms_Makita]

Hi! I had my laparoscopy Aug 9th,and you are totally knocked out,dont feel a thing,best nap I ever had,lol, and they give you a sedation before to calm you down and help your nerves,the nurses are very reassuring.I had a small cut through my bellybutton and pelvic hair line..very small.They get a good look at everything (I been having severe abdominal/pelvic pain for 7 months)my dr thought i had endometriosis but during my procedure didnt found any ,and all organs looked ok.Dr told me he got a look at my spleen,gallbladder,stomach,intestines,so they get a good look at everything for it being a minor procedure.If your having a lap,worst part is the gas pain,they put gas in your stomach to blow it up to get a better look,when i woke up I didnt feel bloated,but you will get trapped gas takes few days to go away ,and get what they call referred pain(chest,back,or arm)moving around helps get rid of it(so does taking gas x )It isnt too bad..you will be sore but you will recover quickly,just take it easy first 2-3 days,you will prob sleep alot,make yourself comforable,read,watch movies to distract yourself,eat a good diet,make you sure you include alot of fiber and liquids because you dont wanna get constipated or strain during bowel movement cuz it will hurt! pain pills and sugery can make you constipated,at night I would take 1 stool softner to avoid that problem.I Found holding a pillow to my stomach with lil pressure helped during bm,coughing or laughing.make sure to keep cuts clean to avoid infections.Hope this helped ya..take care!

[Ms_Makita]

I have some of the same symptoms you have,severe back/abdominal/rectal/pelvic pain with pressure and also breast pain and tenderness.Dr is dismissing it as IBS but I have gut instinct this is more! I'm 28 and my dr just tells me im healthier than im think,but when you lose 50lbs in 4 months and hair is falling out with severe fatique,that isnt normal or ibs! sheesh..lol

Have you had or considered mri? I'm no expert but sounds like could maybe be prolapsed disc in back /pinched nerve,explaining  why pain travels down your legs and hip,spine pressure causing rectal pressure,alot of people with back pain will have referred pain and also cause abdominal pain not relizing its coming from the back.After my laparscopy and everything looked ok ,my gyno suggested pinched nerve  but my family dr refused the mri,and I dont believe this is my case,but for you it might be worth looking into,also have you researched fibromaylgia? similar symptoms..,I have symptoms of so many things..its getting hard to pin down what it is,Its very frustrating! I hope you find an answer soon,keep us posted,and take care (:
                Stephanie

[Kimigwen]

Stephanie,

Thanks for understanding.  I have had an MRI of my back, I had fractured a disc years ago but that is further up and not a problem (according to DR).  I'm told nothing looks amiss.  I even went to a chiropractor and orthopedic doctor.  It was the Orthopedic doctor who ordered the MRI, he did one of my lower back and right hip area because I had been feeling so much pain.  He put me on Celebrex which did nothing.  Now I hear people are comparing it to Vioxx so certainly am not interested in that.  It is so frustrating when you don't feel well and nobody seems to care.  I don't really know what to do. I've had the CA125 test done several times, it's always above 35, but it fluctuates.  It's never been low.  I guess I suspect Endometriosis and that is may possibly be growing around my Sciatic nerve.  I'm just such a big baby and don't really want to do the Laposcopy which I'm sure will be the next step.  Also, in researching Endometriosis, I've learned there are actually "specialists" who say that excision, not laser, is the only way to treat it.  Dr. Redwine has a website and is highly recommended by a few women on and endo forum I go to.  Anyway, I hope we both figure this out soon.  Good luck to you and thanks again.
Kim

[Ms_Makita]

It is prob just endometriosis,the scar tissue can go anywhere from what my gyn told me and it is commom.I use to be able to tolerate pain but this is just,I cant even explain it! its pure hell! more frustrating not knowing what it is! I was a huge baby about having my laparscopy done ,took xanax week before ,so nervous and afraid,I almost cancelled it last minute! after it was over I was surprised,it was not near as bad as I thought (:
                   Stephanie

[LindaF]

I was told by the anesthesiologist that Motrin (Ibuprofin) will help more than GASX with any pains since the pain is caused by muscle spasms due to the gas. Motrin calms muscle spasms.

Linda

[sdp4314]

Dawn is right.  When you awake you will be given medication for pain.  The worst thing about it is the gas pains you have afterwards.  So it will be important for you to get up and about to get that air moving out of you.  Buy some Gas-X as it will help in that area as well.  Your abdomen will be sore too, so be sure to take meds as directed to stay ahead of the pain.

Best of luck to you,
Shawn

[dawn932]

Hi
I am no expert, and only know what I have read on this site.  From what I can gather, a Laparoscopy involves keyhole surgery with several small incisons, under general anaesthetic. I personally haven't gone through this yet, but is probably a question of time until I do.  A laparotomy involves a bigger incision usually needed if a cyst is large and/or awkward to get to.  I know this is a very general description, and I would welcome someone else giving you advice who has been through this procedure to comment.  What you could do is look through previous questions asked on this forum, and I am sure you will get the info you need.  I wanted to reply, as it's hell to wait for answers when it's the only thing you can think of!
I hope I have been of some help, God Bless.
Dawn