Has anyone had a laparoscopy before?

[Butterflyone1]

Hi,

I'm booked in for my laparoscopy as I've had various symptoms for months and my scans have shown larger ovaries and cysts but I'm just wanting to hear from others that have had one done please.

I'm not sure how long I'll have to take off work. I have to fly long haul for work two and 17 days post op and I'm hoping that'll be ok.

I'm really not sure what to expect and slightly freaking out. I will also need to remove my coil and need to consider alternative contraception as we're not in a position to start TTC as I also start a new job in July. Seems like so much is going on but I need to get these things sorted sooner rather than later so when we do TTC hopefully I'll have a clean bill of health.

[wildgirls]

Hi! Yes I had one and had fairly extensive removal of endometriosis at the same time. It was fine. I think I only had a few days off work afterwards. A bit sore but ok. It’s a really clean incision and it cleared up quickly.
You’ll feel groggy from the general but apart from that I don’t really recall any issues.
We were TTC and had had miscarriages and after this was sorted I think I was pregnant within a couple of months and that pregnancy was successful.
It sounds like you have a fair bit going on though which may need further treatment? Are they planning to remove cysts when doing the lap? I can’t see how flying long haul would be an issue but I’d check.
If it is just the laparoscopy it shouldn’t cause any issues really.
Good luck x

[Butterflyone1]

wildgirls thank you so much for your reply.

I believe they will remove anything that's not supposed to be there during the laparoscopy.

I've cancelled other plans I had after the surgery (like completing Tough Mudder lol) so I'm hoping it'll be fairly straightforward.

That's wonderful news about your successful pregnancy but I'm so sorry for the miscarriages.

I'm considering taking the oral pill until early next year then hopefully we can TTC. I'm hoping the pill won't take long to get out of my system.

[casperthefriendlyghoster]

Hi there I've had a laparoscopy for endometriosis! I had three incisions and a bit removed whilst I was in there and the hospital signed me off sick for two weeks before I left. Its not incredibly painful just rather sore and you will need someone to help you with preparing food and washing/ walking around for the first couple of days or so.

Stock up on peppermint tea! They pump you full of air to see better and the trapped wind in your chest cavity gets stuck in the your shoulder blades- peppermint tea helped me!

[Butterflyone1]

Thanks for the tip casperthefriendlyghoster. I've heard the air can be problematic thankfully I like peppermint tea.

[wildgirls]

Oh yes! Totally agree re the peppermint tea. The shoulder pain/trapped wind is uncomfortable. Definitely not the time for tough Mudder!! 😂
Just take it easy as you can never be sure how these things will effect you. X

[Myfanwyprice]

Hi, I had one last year, had some endometriosis removed, as well as an ovarian cyst, the ovary and a Fallopian tube, I was amazed to be signed off for 4 weeks, but as my job can be quite physical, I was pleased to be fully recovered before I returned to work.

I think I’m unusual though, my friend had similar and went back to work after 2 weeks, and although not 100% was well enough for work.

Good luck with your op

[Butterflyone1]

Oh gosh I honestly thought I'd be back to work on Monday if I have the op on Wednesday (so four days rest). Think I need to manage expectations at work better.

[casperthefriendlyghoster]

Yep don't rush it- I find that people can get a little competitive with it, just take your own time. For me because of the location of the stitches my bending/ holding myself up/ carrying was quite affected so I wouldn't have been much good at work, even in an office environment.

My hairdresser had 3 days off because she was self employed and ended up back in hospital again

[Myfanwyprice]

I definitely couldn’t have gone back after 4 days rest, obviously everyone’s different, but I would say be prepared for needing a bit longer off.

[Pinkstars2501]

I had one last week. They were meant to take away a 10cm cyst and whatever endo they found, but unfortunately my whole pelvis is glued together so need a laparotomy.

I will say don’t underestimate it. It’s not the worst thing to go through, but it’s definitely not as easy as I think some people make out. The pain from the leftover gas wasn’t nice, but the incision sites aren’t too bad. I had a drain in one of mine when I woke up.

I think everyone is individual and it really depends what/how much they do.

I’m having two weeks off. I know people say you can go back after a week, but I work in a nursing home and there’s no such thing as light duties there! I might have gone back if I’d worked in an office though.

[Butterflyone1]

I hope you're feeling better Pinkstars2501 how's the recovery been?

I've started freaking out so much about the operation. They will have to remove my coil first and I was thinking how the hell do they do that! Surely that's a separate procedure.

It looks like I won't be working away now so I'll definitely take the two weeks off. I might as well as I'll be paid.

[AlwaysaLittleBitTired]

Yes, I had one a few years ago to diagnose some unexplained abdominal pain. They removed some adhesions whilst in there.

I had surgery on a Monday evening. I took 2 days off work, and then worked from home (desk job) for 2 days, then had the weekend to recover too. I was a bit fragile that next week, but ok to get into the office and work at my desk. No rushing around though.

I think a lot depends on what they do whilst they are in there.

Emotionally I was a bit of a wreck for a few days though. Perhaps just the effects of the anaesthetic?

If I did it again I would take 2 weeks at home...

I hope all goes well for you.

[Pinkstars2501]

@Butterflyone1 hello! I’m much better, my stitches popped out yesterday. I think they were a little tight because the skin is pinched on one side. Never mind though they’ll be cutting me open properly soon so that’ll probably go.

Mine is too severe to do without bowel prep so need that and a laparotomy.

The gas ache was more uncomfortable than the incisions when I came around.

As for the coil, while I was under, a junior doctor examined me with a speculum (as part of her learning or something), so I’d think it’s possible to remove a coil. Probably just put you in stirrups while you’re in there...

Definitely take as long as you need, don’t underestimate it. Everyone is different and it totally depends what you do for work and the journey to get there. I wasn’t allowed to drive for a week anyway, so couldn’t have got there and I wasn’t about to fork out for taxis there and back. I could probably have gone back after a week, but my period was due as well and we all know I’d end up off anyway. Recovery plus period pain wasn’t worth going back.... So I took two weeks.

Today I feel recovered! Emotionally I’m still working on it.

[NicoAndTheNiners]

I've had three!

You can get mintec tablets as well as peppermint tea. I think the tablets work better.

The gas pain was awful with the first one and I was home by then and no idea what it was. I genuinely thought I had internal bleeding and was dying!

So the next two times I was prepared with mintec and tea and I was fine afterwards.

I had a week off work each time. The first time I needed that week off for sure and was barely fit to go back when I did. The next two times I think I could have gone back earlier.

[NicoAndTheNiners]

Oh and I had my coil removed during one of them as well. They'll pull it out through your vagina before they do the actual laparoscopy.....but while you're asleep.

[Smith888]

Yes I had it. Stayed in hospital overnight.
Blew up like a balloon. It was to check my uterus. I have lots of endometriosis, can't remember if dog removed or not. It was 15 years ago! I'm surprised everyone takes so long off. I guess I was lucky! I had my op overseas and they tend to shew you out of hospital and back to work faster than in UK.

[Smith888]

Sorry I remember now it must've been two nights in hospital. Also I was not working at all then, but don't recall discomfort lasting too long after. Had to get home via taxi, boat, and walk up a steep hill though, and no help from my hubby (woke up from op to find him in room next to me recovering from food poisoning from hospital sandwich so his tummy had also blown up which was just ridiculous). The op was fine, but everything else was stressful so I guess the recovery didn't feel so bad after all that!

[FaithInfinity]

I had one last year and also have some theatres experience. They should be able to do the coil removal as part of the procedure.

It obviously depends on what they find/do. I only had a couple of spots of endo (how can something so small cause so much pain?!). I felt ‘post-op’ sore for a week. I’d had chronic pain and I was back at work within 4 weeks but I imagine most people would be back within a couple of weeks.

[FaithInfinity]

Oh yes take roomy trousers like joggers to wear and come home in, I wore my jeans and couldn’t do them up I was so bloated

[Nat6999]

I've had quite a few Laparoscopies, only had to have a night in hospital for the keyhole hysterectomy. Drink peppermint tea when you comeback from theatre & chew Rennie Deflatine tablets to help the gas disperse. Take loose clothes to come home in, I usually had my surgery in the evening so I came home in pjs. Take a folded blanket or towel to protect your stomach from your seatbelt while you are travelling home. Drink lots of water as your bladder can be a bit sensitive, eat lots of fruit & veg to keep things moving & get plenty of rest until the anaesthetic & painkillers are out of your system.

[Babdoc]

May I just correct a few misconceptions of PPs?
The gas used in laparoscopy is not air, it’s carbon dioxide. It doesn’t get into your stomach or your gut, it’s in your closed peritoneal cavity. Taking peppermint tea will have zero effect on it.
The surgeon should decompress the gas via the scope before removing the scope at the end of the op, but some of them are less meticulous about this than others.
If significant amounts of gas are left in your peritoneum, you will have pain. The gas rises up underneath your diaphragm, which is innervated by the same nerve roots that supply your shoulder. Your brain assumes the pain is coming from your shoulder, so you feel referred pain there, instead of at the actual site under the diaphragm.
You have to wait until the CO2 reabsorbs into your bloodstream and is breathed out via your lungs. This can take hours to a couple of days to settle.
If you were given opiate painkillers such as morphine, codeine or fentanyl, these can cause nausea, constipation and a bit of bloating in your gut, and if so, peppermint tea can be helpful with that. But not with the laparoscopy gas!

[Butterflyone1]

Thanks for the replies. I have to admit I'm starting to really freak out.

I spoke to my sister who is a nurse and she said she was back to work the next day. She doesn't exactly have a tolerable bed side manner though lol

I've been having issues getting the time off work but it's been agreed now so I will take the full two weeks off to recover.

[FaithInfinity]

Next day?! Really?! Does she sometimes exaggerate? Not being funny but I was first on the list, in the anaesthetic room at 8.45, on the table soon after. I only had a bit diathermy (no major interventions) and I was in Recovery by about 11.30. You can’t resume normal activities for 24 hours post-anaesthetic/opiates so even I, in the earliest slot would have struggled to be fit for a late shift! I’d be skeptical if she was back to work the next day! I tend to be shattered for days after anaesthetics, not sure why. I think booking two weeks off is wise. If you’re feeling great after a week you can always go back earlier.

[percheron67]

I had one to remove an ovarian cyst. Was in overnight and then to a friend for three days. No problem with stitches. I wish I had known about trapped wind - would have saved worry. Absolutely fine after a week.

[Butterflyone1]

To be honest she can be a bit of a cow sometimes. Typical big sister thinking little sister is being a wimp.

I had my pre op appointment this morning and I nurse was so lovely. I'm a NHS patient but they referred me to a private hospital so the level of care has been wonderful.

I said to the nurse I was scared and asked if she'd be there when I have the op and she said she's come and see me. She only works in pre op yet she said she'll see me (in another department) which I thought was lovely.

Thanks for all your advice so far ladies.