Laporaoscopy / Laparotomy.... raw truth please!

[Decafflatteplease]

Hi all

I'm about to have (suspect) cancer surgery (oophorectomy and saplingectomy) via laparoscopy (hopefully) or possibly laparotomy.

Terrified is an understatement.

Hospital say I'll be in for one night if laparoscopy and 2 nights if laparotomy.

First time having a GA but have had previous csection.

Don't know what to expect post surgery, how out of it will I be, when will I get out of bed, when I can I walk?

I've got nighties dressing gown pyjamas and slippers for hospital. Own pillow, lip balm. Phone, tablet and chargers. Books, kindle, audible. Need to download some soothing TV onto tablet incase WiFi not great. I won't be having visitors in hospital.

Hospital have said no driving / lifting / hoovering for 2 weeks if laparoscopy and 6 weeks if laparotomy.

DH can take a few days off. When DH is back to work the week after my op then 2 days a week I'll have my toddler at home with me so how much will I be able to do / not to do?

I putting together some easy quiet activities so far I have a sticker book we can do on the couch together and those magic painting books. Any ideas appreciated.

I've got a couple of meals prepped in the freezer ready to put in slow cooker for evening meals. The ladies from our church might make a few meals aswell. Also have an air fryer so no bending to the oven. DH can make me lunch and put in fridge before he leaves. I've got lots of lounge type comfy clothes.

If anyone has any tips etc or things I haven't thought of that would be good.

It won't be hugely different to after your C section. People seem to forget that is major abdominal surgery.

So I had 2 laparoscopies and 2 salpigectopies at the same time (and no I can't spell that!). This was for ectopic pregnancy.

I was out of hospital pretty quickly both times. Only one night stay. Out of bed quite quickly and encouraged to walk up and down the ward to help the gas move around. I had 6 weeks off work both times but tbh if we'd have been wfh then I'd probably have been fine after 4.

It was the surgery which hit me more than the wound if that makes sense? The general anaesthetic knocked me for 6. I subsequently had a c section which was worse from a wound perspective but way better from a general ability to be up and about.

I was sore and pretty sofa bound for the first week but I'd come downstairs rather than stay in bed and our loo was upstairs which was helpful in terms of gentle movement.

I didn't have kids at the time but I think it would be v tough to manage a toddler for the first week or two.

Good luck, I hope it all goes well.

Thanks both

I'm a SAHM so thankfully no work to book off etc.

That's a really good point about coming downstairs etc, I'm not really one to stay in bed so I think a gentle routine of getting up, semi dressed then settled on the couch would be good. Bathroom upstairs so I'll have to move regularly which is meant to be good

Can i recommend a soft sleeping mask for in the hospital? Also playing white noise through headphones helped me stay really calm and shut out the hospital noise. Take wet wipes to freshen up if you cant shower. Also take your own sanitary towels, you will be bleeding afterwards( not a lot)hospital will provide, but i liked having my own so i could change when i wanted.

Take a pillow for the journey home to put under the seatbelt!

I had a total hysterectomy laparoscopically. I was up and about quite quickly, went out for coffee on day 3 and was walking fairly normally, slightly slower, by about day 5. I was also fine preparing food pretty much straight away as long as I didn't need to lift anything heavy and going up and down stairs was fine from the beginning too. I agree though that having a toddler to entertain for a day will be challenging, you'll need lots of rest / sleep.

I've had both a c section and a laparoscopy and so far (I only had the lap on Friday), I found the c section recovery easier and less painful

I had an ovarian cystectomy, removal of endometriosis and adhesions between my uterus and sigmoid colon and ovary and appendix divided

My stomach is very painful and I cannot really look after my 4 year old although if it was my only option I would manage, although I think a toddler would be significantly harder. If your DH is around for the first week though I'm sure you'll be okay

I have to look after DS by myself from next Monday as it's half term so I'm hoping to have recovered by then

I hope all goes well with your surgery and you get good news

I've had a laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo oophorectomy. Mine was for endometrial cancer. I was only in hospital for one night and was home by the afternoon the next day. I was up and around the next day as I'm not one for lying in bed. I was able go for a short walk within a day or so and was pretty much back to normal in a month, minus being able to lift anything heavy. Good luck OP.