Laparoscopy coming soon. I'm terrified..

[hippopotato]

Hello,

Following on from previous threads regarding my infertility fears. My laparoscopy and hysteroscopy appointments have came through. This is to treat my endometriosis and to remove a dodgy Fallopian tube.

I'm absolutely petrified of actually finally having answers. I'm scared they're gonna discover that my insides are basically all f*cked. I'm scared they're gonna say I've got absolutely no chance of ever conceiving with ivf nevermind naturally. I'm scared they'll remove both tubes and my ovaries.

And to top it all off - I have a major, major phobia of being sick.

Please can anybody who has had a laparoscopy/hysterocopy reassure me or give me any advice.

Is this likely to make me sick?

I understand in the grand scheme of things this is ridiculous but I am terrified.

Thank you so much to anybody who reads this x

I was the same, the best things I did was the minute I came round I asked for anti sickness medication, took Rennie Deflatine with me for the gas pain, got up & about as soon as I could (I was bursting for a wee as soon as I got back on the ward) take painkillers with you so you don't have to wait. I was back on the ward by 8.00pm & home by 10.30pm (had it done choose & book at private hospital) I was back on school run the afternoon after.

I had one for endo, I was terrified beforehand but it was actually fine. I wasn’t sick but did faint after it. The worst part if I remember rightly is the shoulder pain, something to do with the gas they use in the operation, but took painkillers and it was manageable.

I've had multiple laproscopies. Diagnosis and removal of endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy and 2 for ovarian torsions caused by huge cysts on ovary, 1 of these was also while I was pregnant.

In my experience recovery was very quick with all. Certainly a few days rest and taking it easy for another week or so but wasn't in any severe pain or anything.

Extremely nervous the first and second time about going into theatre but was given something in the anesthetic room must have been a pre med and honestly I went from feeling so nervous that I thought I would throw up to feeling so relaxed almost instantly!
I also have a fear of being sick which I mentioned and they gave anti emetic drugs so no nausea or vomiting and I felt like I came around from the anesthetic very quickly and not too drowsy afterwards either.

Good luck OP. I hope they can help you 🙏

I’m 3 weeks on from a laparoscopy for ovary removal. I felt fine after the surgery, no sickness, but the anaesthetist did give me some good anti sickness drugs as I do tend to get sick, so mention it to them. I was out the same day.

I have to say it’s taking a bit longer to recover from than I expected, I’ve ended up with 3 weeks off work, but I think that’s because I’ve already had two c-sections so the bottom incision and muscles are taking a long time to heal, plus I have kids at home so I’m not getting the rest I might do.

Overall though, it was easier than I thought. I hope everything goes well for you!

Regarding your fears that the surgeon might remove more than the Fallopian tube that has been discussed, you’ll have a conversation before surgery to detail what is being consented to. Be clear that you do not consent to further organ removal unless your life is under threat.

If, and it’s a big if, they were to consider this necessary, you’d obviously want a full discussion and possibly another opinion.

Good luck.

I had my laparoscopy august 2020 for endometriosis, they found I had stage 4 endo and it was removed. I’m currently 18 weeks pregnant after only a few months trying.

my laparoscopy was absolutely fine, I was hypnotised a few times before my surgery date because I used to be quite scared of hospitals/needles etc and that really helped keep me calm. As it was the pandemic I wasn’t allowed anyone in with me but it really wasn’t a problem. I wasn’t sick at all, I felt a bit sick when I came around and they gave me an anti sickness medication that worked. Another recommendation for peppermint tea for your recovery to help with the gas pain in your shoulders.

It helped so much with my endo symptoms, I felt like a new person. I hope all goes well for you too.

You’re usually more prone to postoperative nausea and vomiting if you get bad travel sickness.I told my anaesthetist and they gave me two separate anti-emetic (anti-sickness) drugs. I was fine, just had an extremely dry mouth.

I’ve had at least 6 laparoscopies for endometriosis and ovarian cysts. Apart from some bruising I didn’t need any painkillers pistol.
Please tell the anaesthetist that you’re scared of vomiting and they’ll make sure you’re topped up with antiemetics- I completely sympathise, I have been horrendously sick after anaesthetics in the past but the last 3 have been absolutely fine, because I told the anaesthetists.
Good Luck, I’m sure you’ll be fine.

Thank you all so much - im honestly so grateful and it's definitely put my mind at rest a bit more. Does seem like the general feeling is that actual vomiting is unlikely.... fingers, toes and everything else crossed!

I have had both procedures and wasn't sick. I am scared of vomiting so asked for an anti-emetic. Felt great afterwards and couldn't get enough of the tea and toast in recovery (so much so they went and got me a sandwich too!). IVF afterwards was a success too. Fingers crossed for you.

@caffelattetogo

Thank you so much 🤍🤍
You've certainly sold it to me 😂

I'm very pleased your ivf was a success xx

@hippopotato I also have emetophobia and panic any time I have to have anything done that might cause vomiting.
I had a C section and the anaesthetist gave me anti emetics and I actually have my own tablets (cyclizine) which are available easily on prescription which I took with me in case I needed them. I also have an electric watch thing called EmeTerm that I wore in recovery which also helps. I am sure you’ll be fine

I’ve had a laparoscopy. Wasn’t sick. Two babies later and didn’t vomit in pregnancy or labour either. Also fear of vomiting x

I've had laparoscopy and a couple of hysteroscopies ( one under GA, one without) and didn't feel at all sick with any.
I had to stay in after the laparoscopy as my blood pressure was low, but apparently that's not unusual after gynae stuff, and it was no big deal.

@JKDcot

Can't believe how many there are that have had this surgery nevermind emetophobes too!!!

Thank you xx

@ScabbersChin

Thank you so much 💕

@FindingMeno

Thank you 💕
I wonder if most people get to go home the same day afterwards?

@hippopotato it was certainly expected that I would if it hadn't been for the low blood pressure.
My laparoscopy was to remove an ovarian cyst that was more tricky to get to than expected because of adhesions- presumably from previous c sections.

It’s normal to be scared about all this. It’s an emotional time with much uncertainty. I have have had a lap and also other things. I found it to be sore afterwards but I didn’t vomit. If that helps.

I don’t have a happy ending to share. After 20 years of TTC, including IVF, we are still childless. I’m now in my 40s so that’s probably the end of the road for me. Life without children is possible, even if it doesn’t feel that way now. When we started all the investigations I thought I would rather die than spend my whole life childless. As time went on and childlessness became increasingly likely I learned to adapt and refocus. It wasn’t easy. But we coped somehow.

@OnAWobblyFence hope it’s ok to send you a hug. I’ve been there and it’s crap. However you are totally correct, you do adapt. Hard to go through though.

@hippopotato I have had two gynae ops. First one I was very ill afterwards but that was due to incompetence on behalf of a surgical team member which is obviously very unusual and was later investigated. However, please don’t worry, as the second one was great. I woke up joining in the recovery team’s conversation about Game of Thrones, was sitting up in the trolley back to the ward demanding tea and toast, and was home the same day.

@OnAWobblyFence

I'm sorry to hear you didn't get your 'happy ending'. Thank you for sharing with me xx

I found the worst physical part of recovery was the awful shoulder tip pain. The gas they use to inflate the abdomen presses on a nerve which causes the sensation. I was a bit sore in the abdomen but nothing unmanageable. I’m awaiting another lap now for further treatment of deep disease that couldn’t be done at the time and it’s the shoulder pain I’m dreading most about recovery.

I also want to say I was given very bad news while in recovery which was hard to take in, let alone accept. My lap revealed a diagnosis of endo, which I’d been fobbed off about for 15 years. Also that my tubes were so blocked by endo that I’d need IVF to conceive. It added emotional trauma to the physical recovery but I’m happy to share that 5 months after my op I was pregnant via IVF. Sending you the best of luck.

@GodspeedJune

I am hearing a lot of stories about the shoulder pain!!

This is what I'm fearing. My left tube has a suspected hydrosalpinx from the endo and I'm terrified it's going to be both tubes that are destroyed and ivf will be my only option.

I'm pleased to hear your ivf was successful though 💕💕 xx

I've had 4 laparoscopies, the first was just for a look around & a hysteroscopy, the next to remove an ovarian cyst & ovary & both tubes, my third was a laparoscopic hysterectomy & my last was for gallbladder surgery. Other than the hysterectomy one I have always gone home within a couple of hours, once you have had a wee they are happy to discharge you. I'm always hyper after an anaesthetic, I can't sit still & usually don't sleep for at least 24 hours. Like you I'm emetaphobic but have never felt the slightest bit sick, take something wet to eat because your throat will be very dry, I usually take something like melon or mango, it also helps to make sure you don't get constipated from the drugs. Don't forget to take some sanitary pads with you, some big knickers & something loose to go home in as you will be bloated & sore, I always went home in my pyjamas so I didn't have to mess around getting changed when I got home. Take the painkillers they give you on schedule even if you don't think you are in pain & get some Arnica tablets as they help with the bruising on your stomach, don't be surprised if you find bruises in funny places like elbows & on your thighs, it is where they are pulling you around when moving you in & out of the theatre.

@Nat6999

Wow thank you for so many helpful tips - didn't even think about the likelihood of bleeding post surgery!

Sorry to hear you have been through a lot ☹️ xx