Afternoon,
After several months of pain, discomfort, horrible periods and other health related stresses, I have confirmation of a laparoscopy next week. I have an ovarian cyst which is going to be removed.
I was OK until I saw the confirmation letter, I just wanted things sorted out. But now I'm really nervous. I know it's a routine operation that thousands, even millions of people have had, but I'm nervous. I've never had a general anaesthetic before. I've had a C-section, so not a stranger to the operating theatre, but this feels a bit scary to me.
Can anybody who's had one reassure me that it's not that bad? I've got three young children, I don't want to be away from them, I don't want them worrying or being unsettled. I'm probably being ridiculous, but I feel a bit panicky!
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Laparoscopy - reassure me please!
Slinkenconken · 12/09/2019 16:58
Aww you’ll be fine. I had the same last year. It was fine. In fact I have lovely memories of guilt-free lounging on the sofa for a week or two after.
It was more painful than I expected tbh but my cyst wasn’t straightforward in the end so there may have been more poking about than usual.
I felt totally exhausted for four or five days after the op and weak and wobbly for nearer ten. Many women feel fine after a day or so from what I read on here but I’d have needed at least two weeks off work if I’d have been working at the time.
Weeing was very difficult for 12hrs or so after. I was terrified that something had been damaged but it was all back to normal the next day. I could feel my bladder was full but couldn’t let it go. Totally normal apparently.
I had to make an appt to see the nurse at my GP surgery for a wound check about a week later so be prepared for this if you’ve got small dc to consider.
Make sure you’ve got big pants and comfy trousers or leggings for going home in. I had a wound in my belly button, two low down on my abdomen either side and one right down low in my pubes 
so anything other than granny pants would have been very uncomfortable.
Good luck. It’s all worth it when the bastard cyst is gone and there’s no pain 
I had one six weeks ago, and I was terrified (imagining worst scenario etc), but it was fine.
Like a pp, I had three small cuts and a larger one on my belly button, but they pretty much healed within three weeks.
Painwise, I did feel like an elephant had been jumping up and down on my stomach for a few days, and felt very weak and useless after the anaesthetic, but was discharged the following day. Did have a lot of very impressive looking bruising though, that's only just faded!
Word of warning, I was given strong painkillers, and coupled with the after effects of the anaesthetic, it does result in a fairly bunged up arse, I stopped taking them after a day or two as I didn't feel I needed them and I was more scared of the inevitable constipation ( think I was reliving the fear of the first post birth poo to be honest 
).
Just be careful with lifting and try and take it easy for a few days. I didn't really have a choice, being a single parent, but booked dd into nursery for two days, which helped.
Also, my consultant advised that I shouldn't drive for up to four weeks after the surgery. I was a bit naughty and drove after a week and a half as cabin fever had well and truly set in. But be careful as if you can't do an emergency stop due to the surgery it can invalidate your insurance.
Good luck, you'll be fine. Looking back, the most traumatic part was having no idea how to put the surgery gown and stuff on. I actually panicked and cried because I thought I would get told off it I had done it wrong! As I traipsed along the hospital in the sexy surgical stockings and see through knickers (thankfully gown in place correctly) I felt like flipping Anne Boleyn about to be beheaded! But really, really really, it's fine.
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