Laparoscopy- terrified!!

[anonymouselephantx]

Hi all,

I’ve got a laparoscopy scheduled for the end of the month. On one hand, I’m hopeful because I’ve got all the symptoms of endometriosis and we’ve been TTC for over 2 years now so it feels like it might finally give me answers.

But honestly I’m so scared. I also have degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, bulging discs and sciatica, and I’m worried the surgery will make my back pain worse. I’ve read that the gas they use and the positioning during surgery can really aggravate things, plus I’m not sure how the recovery period will affect my spine either.

Has anyone else with existing back/spine problems had a lap? Did it flare things up badly, or was it manageable? Any tips for getting through the recovery without wrecking my back would be hugely appreciated.

Thank you 💜

the gas they use to inflate the pneumoperitoneum won't make any difference at all to your back. Most of the volume is let out at the end of the operation. Small pockets of gas that get stuck inside are absorbed over a few days.

The profound relaxation that comes with the anaesthetic and the position the surgeons usually require mean that some people with bad backs do notice things are a bit stiffer than usual for a while post op. They shouldn't be able to do any major damage though. Equally, you'll get some pretty funky painkillers intraoperatively so you might wake up feeling better than usual! HTH (doi: anaesthetist)

Thanks so much for this, it’s really reassuring to hear especially from an anaesthetist! I think I’ve been catastrophising about the gas hanging around and making everything worse, especially after reading so many posts online with people saying they were “dying with back pain after.”
It helps to know it’s more likely just temporary stiffness rather than lasting damage. And I’ll happily take the funky painkillers haha (though I’m already pretty much constantly high on cocodamol and pregabalin 😂). Feeling a bit less panicked now, thank you!!!

I have had three laparoscopy surgeries- one for appendicitis, one for endoscopy and one for a ruptured ovarian cyst. I also have spine and neck issues.

the worst bit for me was the feeling in my shoulders afterwards because of the gas, but I can honestly say it didn’t make a difference to my back pain. After I had my appendix removed it wasn’t great but I was a lot sicker and had stayed in bed for longer than I really should have, so I think it was actually other factors rather than the surgery.

Good luck, I’m sure it will be worth it ❤️

I had 3 slipped discs - L4, L5 and S1 in 2016 that causes significant sciatica to the point I couldn't walk. I had a caudal epidural and 10 weeks of physio (2 hours a week) in hospital. Since 2016 I've "done" my back in 3 times but never to the degree in 2016.

I had a laparoscopy in 2021 and had no issues at all. I was absolutely terrified over the cannula (as I'm petrified of needles) and the "gas pain" as everyone said how awful the pain was in their joints.... I bought peppermint tea beforehand and assumed I'd be in agony.

In short - I wasn't. The pain was so bearable that I took just paracetamol for a couple of days and it was absolutely fine. I had no joint pain and healed well. My back didn't cause any issues at all. In fact, I felt so well that 4 days post.... I did some gardening in the garden and THEN felt awful as I was a moron and did too much, too soon. So my advice is, even if you feel really great - just continue to take it easy.

However from my back perspective, I didn't have any issues and wasn't in overnight - It was a day operation and I was back home the same day.