This is the daftest most shallow question ever asked about surgery ever

[dontlaugh]

...but how naked will I be? I am scheduled for a laparoscopy next week. I am more concerned with overall results of course, but am wondering about level of nakedness on table, will I be draped? totally naked whole way through? I have namechanged at sheer level of embarrassment at even asking this.

[Fisharefriendsnotfood]

I would imagine they will pull up your gown and then cover below the surgical site with disposable towel/blanket type thing..

I don't think you'll be lying there with your bits out

Ive had 2 laps..good luck

[dontlaugh]

thank you thank you fish, if even only for not laughing at me. Thanks for the good wishes, I hope yours were ok.

[Fisharefriendsnotfood]

You can always ask a nurse you know, they won't laugh and will always try and preserve your dignity. Best of luck

[dontlaugh]

You are right of course, I could, but I would have to look him/her in the eye and I just couldn't do it, it is such a shallow concern given the overall high stakes, I would be mortified. This is why the gods invented MN!

[VforViennetta]

They cover all non relevant bits with surgical drape anyway, not just a modesty issue, an infection control one.

[whomovedmychocolate]

Well first they will set up the webcams. Then they will strip you naked and paint your nipples red so they show up on camera.....

Seriously, you will be put into a surgical 'bum flasher' gown. If you ask nicely they give you two so you can wear a second one the other way round so you are covered till you get to theatre. They they drape a surgical cloth from hip to knee - sometimes to ankle, and sometimes one from upper abdomen to neck (but the anaesthesiologist still has to be able to access your arms, neck and to be able to see your face).

In most cases your entire tummy will be exposed, especially when they inflate it like a balloon with gas.

Cheer up, it's much better than bum surgery! :)

[whomovedmychocolate]

and did I mention you'll be asleep and completely unaware of any of this and actually you won't meet the majority of the people in the room ever again after you come round?

[QOD]

WHen I had to have emergency surgery in Cyprus, they pulled my gown down and strapped my arms to the bed before they knocked me out. Oh and put my feet in stirrups -( having camera up my poor little urethra).

Very humiliating! However, never ever been remotely embarassed in UK hosps - had oh about 10 ops!

[dontlaugh]

thanks Chocolate, does the gown come off? Based on the nipple paint serious reply, I am guessing yes.
I intend to be completely unaware of the whole thing and prolly will never meet any of them on weekly shop, so am reassured.

[whomovedmychocolate]

Well when I had a lap they didn't knock me out (complicated reasons relating to my heart go here) and they didn't.

[TechnoKitten]

Depends what you're having the laparoscopy for.

You wear a surgical gown which covers you entirely until you are asleep.

Once asleep, the gown is pulled up, normally to the costal margin (that's the lower border of the ribcage in men, just under the boobs in women). That's fairly standard for general or gynae laps. The top drape goes about this level and covers your boobs and shoulders. Some places peg the drape up to drip stands so your face is uncovered, some places just let the drape drop over your face. Depends on how long the op is with me (for long procedures I peg up, shorter ones I don't tend to).

If you're having a general surgical laparoscopy (e.g. for a gall bladder removal) then the lower drape normally goes across just under your tummy button, covering your legs / hips completely.

If you're having a gynae laparoscopy (e.g. lap and dye test, or diagnostic lap looking for endometriosis) then your legs would be put into low level stirrups and they are covered with separate leg drapes - but your perineal area is exposed because they need to put instruments into the uterus to move it around.

Side drapes go unsurprisingly down each side.

Some places have expensive drapes which are basically a large sheet with a hole in the middle (obviously not where I work!)

You will be covered up again before you wake up. They try to cover as much as possible during the op as you get too cold otherwise.

[gingeroots]

Just wanted to add - don't feel so silly for raising this .
I find that when I'm worried about something my mind starts focussing on one small detail - sort of can't see wood for the trees effect .
I never realise until afterwards .
Maybe you're suffering from same thing ?

[dontlaugh]

Ginger, you have hit the nail on the head. I am worrying about one small insignificant detail, as I cannot control the overall outcome and this seems the easier thing to worry about. thank you all, and Techno, thank you particularly, that was the reply that reassured me the most. I thrive on the small details, me!

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

See I wish it had occurred to me to worry about the state of me during surgery. All I was worried about was IV lines etc. Which turned out to be not as scary or painful as I thought they would be.

I wish I had been given a heads up about how I would be positioned on the table though, I was face down with one arm up and one arm down for ten hours. I'm now just over 5 weeks post op and am only just getting feeling back in my breasts.

Hope everything goes well for you. Dont worry about seeing people again after the op, like someone said you'll probably not see some of them again afterwards and your surgeon will be extremely proffessional.

[michelleseashell]

I worried about exactly the same thing. Don't feel silly.

I know they use a catheter for some operations but the lady who was going to do it after they put me under came to say hello to me first and she was lovely. I can't say I was thrilled about it but at least it wasn't done by the male surgeon!

After that I think they cover you all up but I woke up with a pad stuffed between my legs but they gave me a load of morphine (sp?) so that was a nice compensation.

Everyone on the way in to theatre and in recovery was really, really nice to me.

You'll be ok!

[KurriKurri]

I had a laparoscopic operation last year and I was given paper pants to wear, and a gown. So depending on what your op is for, you may well be reasonably covered.

Just to cheer you up - I once gave permission for a photo to be taken of my bits during an op. because I had an unusual condition and they wanted to use it for teaching - so I imagine quite a lot of people have had a gander (hasten to add they would obviously take photos without asking first!)

Hope it all goes well

[dontlaugh]

Kurri that has actually made my day. Thanks! (I thought you looked familiar )
HOW on earth do adult film stars get so utterly naked ON FILM?? I am having to process medical professionals looking at me and having to get support here. I am in awe really.

[ameliameerkat]

On a similar note, at some point in the not too distant future I think I'll be getting my varicose veins stripped out. For that they have to tie off the vein in your groin - does that mean I have to get ready for surgery, get wheeled in etc with no pants on?!?! Wearing a weird gown, fine. No pants?! Not liking that idea....

[dontlaugh]

Amelia, I can't imagine how they would operate on a vein in your groin with your knickers on! On a more positive note, according to WMMC, we will all be on Youtube from the sounds of it, so on with the wax and off with the knickers.
I have come to terms with the nakedness due to this thread, it was like therapy. I may even invite a paying audience.

[Guildenstern]

After my lap I remember waking up in bed and being really grateful that I was fully clothed and arranged in a dignified position. Someone had obviously made an effort to tidy me up and it was much appreciated.

[emmspemms]

Havent had a laparoscopy , but have had more than one colonoscopy ( camera up the bottom -nice ) wore a hospital gown and my own dressing gown , covered with a blanket until wheeled into theatre. A male surgeon and male nurse , so they very quickly had 2 spare female staff in there to keep me company !!!!
They were very good at keeping as much covered up as possible , it's a bit difficult when you are lying on your side with no knickers on.....but the day before when taking the strong laxative was much worse.

[rockinhippy]

I've had one & apparently you are covered up, bar the bit they need to get too, so don't worry, you'll be out to lunch so won't care anyway

I do understand your concern though, so no, I don't think you are shallow, but its routine for them & whatever you have, I don't doubt they will have seen worse & its probably SO routine they don't even notice any more -

thats coming from someone who rescheduled an endoscopy (camera up the bum) exam until a Dr friend was on holiday - just incase I turned up & he was on the medical team - highly unlikely, but I wasn't going to ask him & wasn't taking any chances

[rockinhippy]

Whoops that should have been "colonoscopy"

[orangeflutie]

Dont laugh I'm going in for a laparoscopy next week too. I will be having an ovarian cyst removed. I really understand your worries as the op is always on my mind. I'll be relieved when it's done but the whole thing is a worry and your mind does tend to focus on certain aspects. I'm pleased that I'm having a GA and won't know anything about it until I wake up hopefully!

Good luck and I will be thinking of you x