3catstoo,
Lap does mean laparoscopy. Its the operation usually done to see if endometriosis is present.
You are given a general anaesthetic for this procedure which takes around 30 minutes or so, you may be under for longer than that.
Not sure how much about this op you actually want to know but the following gives some detail (a bit graphic) of what happens:-
First of all, a small needle like device is passed through your abdominal wall just below your naval. Carbon dioxide gas is pumped through this to push your coils of bowel away and to inflate the cavity. This helps expose your womb and ovaries as much as possible.
Two small punctures are then made in your abdominal wall:
one just below the naval; this is where the laparoscope (magnifying viewing device) is inserted.
one just above your pubic bone, through which other instruments (such as a probe, hooked scissors etc) are passed as needed.
When the surgeon is satisfied that he has fully inspected your pelvic and abdominal cavities, he will remove the instruments. expel as much CO2 gas as possible from the cavity and close the two small puncture wounds with a stitch or staple. Sometimes the stitch dissolves on its own. Otherwise the stitch or staple is removed a few days later by your surgeon.
You may well get some discomfort post op. This is due to the gas pumped into your abdomen to inflate it and often feels as if the pain is shooting up into your shoulder. Painkillers take the edge off it (my such pain was particularly noticeable the day after surgery).
I was advised to take 2 days off work post op to recover. You can resume sex as soon as you feel comfortable unless told otherwise.
Important
The first thing you need to do when you have recovered from the op is to ask your surgeon exactly what was found and what was done:-
Some questions to ask
Were your ovaries and fallopian tubes healthy?
Did you have an ovarian endometrioma?
Did you have many adhesions?
Was your bowel or bladder involved in the disease? (endo can get there as well)
What further treatment is recommended
To this list add any questions you may have
You should be ideally seen a few days post op so that the above can be properly discussed with the surgeon. Find out when you will be followed up when admitted. It is little point being talked to when you're still coming round!!.
I wish you luck with your lap, mine went well when it was done and lots of endometriosis got lasered out. Would say that the fear of same was far worse than the reality - the worst bit for me was the pain caused by the gas post op).