Laparotomy Advice

[Nixl]

Hi,  saturday just gone i received my admittance for surgery letter from the hospital. As I had not yet been told which operation I would be having I rang the hospital. The doctors secretary was able to let me know that I would not be having the key hole surgery but the laparotomy.

At first I was happy to finally have the op date to get the problem sorted asap, it turn out i only have utill monday before I have the op and am now starting to get slightly nervous.

Can anyone give me advice on what to expect please. Any advice would be greatly apreciated

Thanks

Nic

[JessRae]

Not a problem that's what we're all here for :)

[Nixl]

Thanks for the advice, just knowing what happens from someones personaol experience helps a lot in alleviating some of my concerns.

Thanks again :)

[JessRae]

I had my laparotomy a year ago, I knew it would likely turn into one instead of the key hole. You'll have a "small" 2-3 inch incision I believe it was and they'll remove the cyst and/or ovary and tube through that. I had my ovary and tube removed at that time. When you wake up you'll be groggy, I didn't feel much pain that evening but the nurses kept dispensing my pain medication through iv for me in recovery(it was through a pump I just needed to push a button every few minutes to dispense medication) I was catheterized, for about 2 days, it wasn't until 36 hrs post surgery that I had it removed, at that time I was able to get up and walk around, I didn't feel hungry but did eat. Was giving stool softners by the nurses as well, as with tummy surgery you don't want to be forcing a bm. I used an ice pack on my stomach that nurses or myself would get and I found it helped a lot. On the same day my catheter was removed I also got my post surgery bleeding/period. My hormones were a little off so my body had a difficult time adjusting to one ovary. Had hot flashes, some hair thinning temporariliy. Over all I felt good, was slow walking etc. At about 2 weeks post op it hit me and it seemed like all I ever did was sleep. When you go home(about 3 days post op) make sure you have someone to help you if needed, and make sure you take your pain medication( for me it was only extra strength tylenol and motrin) even if you feel you don't need it, once the pain comes it is very hard to get it back under control. Also keep up with stool softners for the first little bit.

I'm doing this from my phone so I'm not sure if I've got everything. If I've missed something I'm sure myself or any of the other ladies can help answer for you :) good luck with sugery monday! :) it is absolutely stressful just before, but afterwards you'll feel so much better having the cyst gone.