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Original poster

Any surgeons about? Why wasn't I wearing knickers?

209 replies

ohwerehalfwaythere · 15/10/2021 22:08

I had laparoscopic surgery for an ovarian cyst this morning. Went into surgery wearing disposable knickers but wasn't when I woke up. It's really bothering me. Can anyone shed any light what would have happened? I'm in England. Thank you

OP posts:
TatianaBis · 15/10/2021 23:29

I understand feeling perturbed, but people cutting your knickers off for surgery is a lot less undignified than having a baby! Or a cystoscopy for that matter.

bungalowrose · 15/10/2021 23:32

Bless you op, must be scary to have surgery whilst pregnant. I can totally understand why you'd be shocked if you weren't expecting it. Absolutely ask, I'm sure the nurse will be happy to explain and put your mind at ease.

BiLuminous · 15/10/2021 23:32

@TatianaBis

I understand feeling perturbed, but people cutting your knickers off for surgery is a lot less undignified than having a baby! Or a cystoscopy for that matter.
So?! Ive had 3 and been starkers, up in stirrups and a student watching but I still dont get this comment.

Its very disheartening watching people constantly telling others on the internet that they should feel ok because x is worse.

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FindingMeno · 15/10/2021 23:34

I totally get why a non medical person might wonder this.
Ask what you like op, and I hope you have a speedy recovery Flowers

ChuddleyCannons · 15/10/2021 23:34

For the diathermy pad. Needs to be on a meaty part of the body usually thigh. To get to it we take the knickers off so it doesn't interfere with the current.

NotMyCat · 15/10/2021 23:38

@KevinTheKoala

It is very normal for surgery in fact every surgery i've had (and I've had a few) I have been told to remove all underwear before hand. I believe they do insert a catheter while you are under anaesthetic and it also reduces the risk of infection because they are not sterile. Coming round from sedation is horrible and it should have been explained to you but I think this gets overlooked because they want to discuss the other details such as complications and often don't have alot of time, it isn't very nice for the patient of course. I hope your recovery goes well OP.
See I had spinal surgery and still had underwear one! No catheter either and I was under for over 4hrs (I was panicking because my period decided to start the day before surgery helpfully)
SortCode · 15/10/2021 23:44

I had this treatment as well but cant remember how they did it. All I remeber is I have 3 stomach scars just around my bikini line and 1 of them is above my tummy button.

Things I wasnt told after was l had horrific shoulder pain for days after apparently carbon dioxide coming out and I bled for a few days

WhatsTheEffingPoint · 15/10/2021 23:54

Most people come out with their own pants in a bag.

This. I was 24 never had surgery before so no idea what to expect. Had to have 2 lots of surgery on my knee, went down with pants on woke up and was handed them (put on my bed) in a bag.
Unfortunately whenever I have ended up in hospital my mantra is leave my dignity at the door and pick it up on the way back out. These people have seen far more of me, and know most of my bodily functions then I care to think about.

Atmywitsend29 · 15/10/2021 23:57

They should have informed you, to ensure you knew what to expect.

When I had mine they had me remove my knickers before I went in for the anaesthetic, I was on my monthly at the time and they got me to just tuck a pad between my legs Blush

IggleyP · 16/10/2021 00:03

I woke up from a crash c-section , with a catheter and a lot of bandages, but I am pretty certain I had knickers on, it would face bothered me if I didn’t.

Especially in those gowns which are always flapping open at the best of times.

Surely it wouldn’t have taken much for them to stick a pair of those disposable ones on you.

IggleyP · 16/10/2021 00:03

*would have

TheOrigRights · 16/10/2021 00:09

@Bellabelloo

I've had multiple ops and have often come round with no knockers on. I always felt a bit embarrassed thinking I may have wet myself!
Grin I hate it when that happens!

OP, I hope you get a polite explanation and best wishes for your recovery and your pregnancy.

MayLeaveADentInYourSofa · 16/10/2021 00:09

I was 30 the first time I had surgery and I'd never supported anyone having surgery. I had zero idea of what to expect. Just before being wheeled down to the operating theatre it suddenly hit me how vulnerable I would be unconscious for the next couple of hours and I started asking lots of questions. The nurse was lovely and put my mind at ease but I can only imagine how unnerving I would have found it if my knickers were removed.

I totally understand your concern. It's a new experience and of course you want to have an explanation.

TatianaBis · 16/10/2021 00:12

@BiLuminous I didn’t say she should ‘feel ok’ I said I understood ‘why she felt perturbed’.

OP said she’s pregnant so if she’s not had a baby before she needs to prepare herself; if she has, technically the medical staff see far more during birth.

Yaya26 · 16/10/2021 00:27

Wow - these people with nasty comments. Pull your necks in!

The poster had not expected to be knickerless after her op. She's taken aback. This possibility really should have been discussed with her before the op. Since when is wrong to ask questions regarding our own bodies? I hope you get a satisfactory answer tomorrow @ohwerehalfwaythere

Clocktopus · 16/10/2021 00:39

YANBU, it should have been explained to you beforehand. There will be women who would find it triggering to go in wearing knickers and wake up wearing none, staff should be aware of possibilities such as this, and - as others have pointed out - its your body and you have a right to know. I have PTSD and when I last had surgery the staff took the time to explain to me exactly what would happen and when, who would be in the room, who was looking after me while I was sleeping (and introduced me to them beforehand), what would happen while I was asleep, what would happen when I woke up, who would be looking after me then, etc so that when the time came for me to hand over control - something which is incredibly difficult for me - it would be less stressful.

Clocktopus · 16/10/2021 00:41

I also woke up wearing the knickers I went to surgery in, they were my own knickers, and they weren't removed as far as I was aware. I had no catheter either.

Lanareyrey · 16/10/2021 01:04

They dispose of them after the procedure. It’s very normal? I think you are misinterpreting the situation.

bengalcat · 16/10/2021 01:11

Standard practice to empty the bladder with an in and out ie not left in catheter before sticking the laparoscope in your belly to avoid damage to your bladder

SquarePeggyLeggy · 16/10/2021 01:38

I’ve had several laparoscopic surgeries, for my endometriosis. I’m am always instructed not to wear knickers. I assume they sometimes have to do something vaginally, I’ve never thought to ask. And I always have that antiseptic paint down my thighs so I just assume they do that everywhere.

LaBellina · 16/10/2021 01:52

Some appalling comments from some posters here, I can only hope they do not work in the medical field because they seem to have very little respect for the importance of patient dignity and consent.

OP, you’re absolutely right to be upset about this and although although I also think it’s unlikely something sinister has happened, they should have explained this could happen to you pre op. They should, frankly every woman I know would feel uncomfortable about this sudden change and it would be potentially triggering for those with a history of sexual abuse.
I would want an explanation about this and I would report it to PALS, they need to be more mindful of explaining this properly to women.

Hop27 · 16/10/2021 02:14

I woke up from a Lap without my paper pants and a sanitary pad between my legs, which the nurse removed when she checked on my wounds once I was starting to come round. Didn't give it a 2nd thought to be honest.

SimonedeBeauvoirscat · 16/10/2021 02:17

It must be terrible to wake up after a general anaesthetic and medical procedure to feel confused and vulnerable. I’m sorry you felt like that and were in sufficiently warned OP Flowers

SimonedeBeauvoirscat · 16/10/2021 02:18

*were insufficiently (thanks autocorrect)

justustwoandmoo · 16/10/2021 02:24

I had one this morning too (or yesterday morning now!) and went in with no knickers on and came out the same. I had a hole (can't remember the technical term) really low down so guessing that's why?

Hope yours went well. I've been in excruciating pain with trapped gas. Hence the reason I'm sat on the sofa at 2am!! Lol

Hope yours went well 🌸🌸