Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

lap and dye

39 replies

nella73 · 09/03/2008 09:25

hi there, i've just signed up. tomorrow i'm going into hospital to have a lap and dye, i'm terrified!!! can someone tell me something about it...how long it lasts, do they tell you the results straight away???
i had a baby in 2005, but on the 34th week i lost her, and since then i've not been able to get pregnant again...help me!!!

OP posts:

lulu1414 · 09/03/2008 10:48

Hi. I had a lap and dye in October (with a hysteroscopy and ovarian diathermy). It really wasn't too bad. They put you under general anasthetic and you wake up with very little pain. I went in first thing in the morning and was home in the early afternoon. I was quite uncomfortable for a few days afterwards- mainly because of how bloated your tummy is because of the gas they pump in (but I think this is for the hysteroscopy, not the lap and dye...). I was back at work 5 days later. I probably could have gone back a bit ealier, but decided to take it easy.

After a few minutes in recovery they wheel you back in to the ward. My DH was there waiting and they just left me to doze for a bit. They then give you a bit to eat and a cup of tea. As soon as you are able to walk and go to the loo you can go. I was out very quickly. The doctor will then come in to tell you the results. I would recommend you have someone there to take in what they say and also to ask any questions as it happens pretty quickly and you will likely be quite groggy. So maybe think of a list of questions before.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your baby. I hope it goes well tomorrow.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 09/03/2008 10:57

Have any other tests been done prior to this operation?. Have both of you been tested further?.

Why are they doing the lap (I would say this is often done when endometriosis is suspected). You should be fully conversant as to why this op is being carried out. I would speak to the surgeon beforehand to ensure the lap is not being done just as a diagnostic procedure. They are likely looking for adhesions, polyps and or endometriosis deposits.

A laparoscopy is keyhole surgery and in this procedure you are under general anaesthetic.
The whole thing can take around 45 minutes to an hour; you should be in hospital for the day.

They will likely want to see you eat and drink and open your bowels before you are discharged.

You should be given a follow up appointment a week post op to discuss the findings of the operation. Make sure you have such an appointment. You should NOT be talked to post operation by the team; you will still be drowsy.

I have had such keyhole surgery and can remember feeling scared witless as well. However, the fear is worse than the reality. The worst thing I found about the whole thing was the pains in the shoulders post op although painkillers take the edge off it. This is because carbon dioxide gas is pumped in by the surgeon to given him a better view of the organs. This gas travels upwards and dissipates over time. I was also advised to take two days off work post operation.

HTH a bit, good luck for tomorrow

Any other questions just ask

Attila

AttilaTheMeerkat · 09/03/2008 10:59

Questions to ask post lap:-

What exactly was found and what was done?

I would ask this as sometimes laps are done as purely diagnostic procedures thus more surgery may be needed.

Were ovaries and fallopian tubes healthy?
Did you have an ovarian endometrioma if so how big?
Did you have many adhesions?
Was the bowel and bladder involved in the disease?
What stage is your endometriosis? (stage 1 is "mild")
What are the results of any biopsies?
Were any nerves cut to relieve your pain?
Was your appendix removed?

10. What further treatment is recommended?

Ensure you get answers to all of the above!!.

Add any other questions to that list you can think of no matter how insignificant it may appear to you.

helenlouisey · 09/03/2008 17:23

Hi Nella73 -

Where are you going for your operation? I had a lap and dye and also a hysteroscopy (where they insert a camera inside the womb )at the beginning of the year. I went in on a Monday morning at 7.30am and had the operation at about 9.30am, I think the operation lasted about an hour as they found endometriosis which had to be removed by laser. I didn't go back to work until the following Monday as felt really wiped out for the rest of the week, and quite light headed for quite a few days afterwards.

I had bad period type cramping when I came round but not sure whether this was down to the laser work I had done or the hysteroscopy.

I saw my consultant that afternoon and he explained what he had found and then had a more indepth follow up consultation a week later.

I was discharged late afternoon the same day. The operation wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting, and was such a relief to have it all over and done with.

The one thing I regret is not asking for some strong pain killers when I was discharged. I was in a lot of pain in my chest and shoulders due to the carbon dioxide trying to escape. The pain killers I had a home weren't strong enough. One tip if you do have pain from the gas trying to escape is to get up and walk about, I found that helped loads.

I hope it all goes well, best of luck.

Original poster

nella73 · 09/03/2008 18:31

well here i am, still feeling scared, but i just want to thank you all for answering me, all your words have been a big help, and i hope to have some good news in the next few days

OP posts:

pootleflump · 09/03/2008 18:49

Sounds like you've got some good advice here, I had a lap & dye done in dec (not under anaesthetic) it was quite painful for about 20-30 seconds then it was over. I drove myself home straight after and had no discomfort at all afterwards.

I was shuffled out of the door with the doctor saying "everything's fine, lie on your tummy after sex- that might help".

Good luck tomorrow.

Original poster

nella73 · 09/03/2008 20:59

thanks very much, i will try to be positive about it, lie on my tummy after sex? sounds interesting!!! will be in touch soon xxx

OP posts:

Original poster

nella73 · 09/03/2008 21:03

just wanted to say that me and hubby have had loads of tests, and everything seems fine, unfortunately i don't ovulate every month!! the lap and dye is something they want to do to see if my tubes are blocked, well so they say!!!
have any of you had blood clots? i've been having them on my second day of period for the last 4 months, any idea why?

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 09/03/2008 21:11

Nella - I had one several years ago before conceiving DD. You will probably get there at some god-awful early hour, hungry and then sit on a bed for four hours having a brief chat with an anesthesiologist and then go in for the forty minute procedure under a general (ie they knock you out).

I was given my results before I left the hospital, they will be able to tell you whether the tubes are clear, if they found anything (and if they fixed anything). It's advisable to take things easy afterwards, I was pretty sore for a few days and got referred shoulder pain from the gas they pump in to make room to have a look round.

Also they forgot to tell me I would bleed afterwards (yeah thanks for that - the white jeans went down a treat ).

I had blood clots with my periods - I have PCOS and also apparently didn't ovulate every month. I was given nefamic acid and tranxaemic acid (it dissolves the clots). Made a huge difference to my periods. However it was acupuncture that made me conceive DD and then this latest pregnancy happened naturally.

I hope you have a happy outcome from the op and get the baby you yearn for very soon.

Original poster

nella73 · 09/03/2008 21:14

for whomovedmychocolate
thanks very much for your kind words, just what i need. my lap and dye is in the afternoon, but i've got to be there at 10.30 in the morning...it's gonna be a long day!!

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 09/03/2008 21:25

Take a good book. It's bloody boring and I tell you what else, they MAKE YOU STAY IN BED like there is something wrong with you. Plus your DH will sit there drinking coffee and eating chocolate and driving you demented!

They are probably also looking for signs of endometriosis while they are in there, adhesions on the ovary or in the fallopian tubes can prevent pregnancy and there will also be a chance to see whether there was any damage during your previous pregnancy.

If you don't mind me asking, do they know what happened to your baby before? Was there any indication why she died?

Original poster

nella73 · 09/03/2008 21:28

no, no one ever knew what happened to my baby, just one fine day i didn't feel her kicking anymore, had a scan and she was dead. but i wasn't in the uk at the time, i was abroad.
what exactly is endometriosis? is it dangerous?

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 09/03/2008 21:33

I'm so sorry, it's so much harder not to know why. I never knew why I had miscarriages and I'd honestly rather someone have said 'oh yes, it's because X happened' just so I could put it to rest.

Endometriosis is not dangerous as such. There's a good explanation here
It can cause infertility though. Depending on the severity. I have stage 1 endometriosis as well as PCOS and clearly it's not precluded me conceiving though it took us a while to get started.

Original poster

nella73 · 09/03/2008 21:39

oh i see, i'd never heard of that. here's me thinking that all they wanted to do was see my tubes...i just wish it ws already over with. i'm just scared of what they will say tomorrow, not so much for the lap and dye.
how many children have you got?

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 09/03/2008 21:48

One DD (16 months) and am 20 weeks pregnant with a DS.

They always take a look at the overall situation - there is no point not to, while they are in there as it were - you'd think they were negligent if they didn't and missed something bloody obvious wouldn't you?

Honestly it's not as bad as you're thinking. For me the hardest bit was not eating beforehand and not being able to have a cup of tea.

The majority of these procedures either confirm all is well, or find something that can be fixed at the time. It's quite rare for someone to come out and be told 'you have no hope whatsoever' particularly as you have conceived in the past.

Try and stay positive. The chances are they will find you are more or less okay and that you need time or perhaps ovulation stimulating drugs like Clomid to give you a hand with getting pregnant for a second time. But you have more chance of succeeding if you know what you are dealing with. This is just the next step to your becoming a mum to your next baby

Original poster

nella73 · 09/03/2008 21:59

well congratulations for your second pregnancy, it's always good news to hear abour girls like you with problems, who are able to have babies, that really makes me feel positive. thanks again, you've been great, i will certainly be in touch as soon as i'm out, and tell you my experience.
xxxx

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 09/03/2008 22:08

You are welcome. There are a lot of women here who have been through problems and had happy outcomes. I have known about fifty women who have been told they have problems who have gone on to have babies, and only one who hasn't - they decided to stop trying because of the pressure it put on their relationship. That's good odds.

kd73 · 09/03/2008 22:10

Good luck Nella73.

I had laparoscopy with lap and dye last March having been unable to conceive for over 2 years.

The operation was absolutely fine and was back at work the following week.

We were told that our infertility could not be explained and assisted fertility was the way forward. As it was, I found out I was pg in June. Unfortunately the pg wasn't viable but whatever they did enabled me to get pg.

Hopefully, you will find that it provides some answers and will help you on the road to parenting!

Original poster

nella73 · 09/03/2008 22:18

very good odds i would say, well lets just see what the doc says tomorrow, i suppose that's what all my worry is about, i just want some good news, i've had a shit time since the loss of martina, that was her name, and unil they tell me i can't have babies, i will never give up!!!

OP posts:

Original poster

nella73 · 09/03/2008 22:22

hey you kd73, well i just hope that things go like that for me too, the only positive thing is that i've already had a baby, that shows we can, but the negative thing is that it's over a year now that we're trying again, but nothing, sometimes i think that it's a mental block cause i really do want a baby, and that's the reason that i'm not getting pregnant, wish i could take my mind off things!!!
nella

OP posts:

kd73 · 09/03/2008 22:26

I am sorry to hear about Martina, I can not imagine what you went through.

Good luck tomorrow!

Original poster

nella73 · 09/03/2008 22:37

thanks very much, i'll let you know how it goes!!!

OP posts:

pootleflump · 10/03/2008 10:20

nella, I should have said that the doctor told me to lie on my tummy after sex as the xray showed I had a tilted uterus.

Original poster

nella73 · 11/03/2008 14:32

hi there, i just wanted to say that the lap and dye went very well, my tubes are ok etc...i should start clomid on my next period. i was sent home last night, but returned in hospital this morning, cause i needed another stitch as i bled all nite long, i was very scared!!
the only thing that scared me was that, this morning my blood was clotting as soon as it was coming out the cut, is that normal?

OP posts:

Original poster

nella73 · 12/03/2008 11:08

is there anybody who has just started using clomid?
i'm to start on my next period, how does it make you feel, how long does it take to work?

OP posts:

Flip

1 2