Just found out am having a laparoscopy tomorrow - argh!!!

[monkeybumsmum]

There's been a cancellation and they've just rung now to say I can have it tomorrow morning - was thinking this wouldn't happen for ages.

What should I expect? Any advice? Am feeling quite panicky now as I really wasn't expecting it so soon!

Will I able to get back to normal straight away or will I need to take things easy? It's not too bad a procedure is it?

Right am off to sit down and try to calm down....

It's not so bad, I had one...go get some arnica and start taking it, it will help witih any bruising soreness. It's a minor operation, it will be fine. Just take it easy...

Its a procedure done under GA. Its usually also done when endometriosis is suspected.
Its usually a day case op and usual procedure seems to be that they see you eat, drink and open your bowels before leaving hospital.

As this is keyhole surgery there should be no noticeable scarring.

I was advised to take two days off work post op - the CO2 gas which is used during the op to get a better view travels upwards into the shoulders and causes some pain and discomfort, painkillers do take the edge off it though.

Ensure that you are given a follow up appt a week or so post op to discuss the findings of the laparoscopy. You do NOT want the findings of the op discussed whilst you are coming round after surgery!.

A list of questions for you to ask post lap:-

Did they find any endo, if so where?
Were your ovaries and fallopian tubes healthy?
Did you have many adhesions?
What are the results of any biopsies?
What further treatment is recommended?

Good luck tomorrow!!

Attila you are a star, thank you!!!! I shall write those down and make sure I ask them. Maybe I shouldn't but other than feeling rather apprehensive I actually feel a little excited that maybe this will help us get pregnant...

Do you know when you can normally start ttc again after a lap? Am going to be ovulating next week, but maybe that's too soon?

Thanks 8oreighty - I shall go and hunt out the arnica now. I know I have some somewhere!

I've had a number of Laps and the thing you need to remember is that, as with any keyhole surgery, the work is done on the inside and just because you can't see it, it doesn't mean that you won't have been pulled about etc so take it easy for as long as you need to afterwards.

With regards to the gas getting trapped afterwards, the best thing to remedy this is to get some peppermint tea in. The gas can actually cause quite a bit of pain and you will honestly be glad that you got some to drink - it does help a lot.

Good luck for tomorrow, I hope it all goes well and that you get some answers to help in your ttc quest

Yes I remember that trapped wind, pain in your shoulder. But it was a lot worse with a c-section...it's honestly not a big deal. I was terrified too before mine though, I've actually had a few over the years. It's so much worse thinking about it...

Oooh peppermint tea, SIL is coming over on Saturday, so will ask her to bring some with her... Thanks for the good luck wishes too IckleJess, am now getting a bit more nervous...
Poor you and 8oreighty having had more than one lap, did they improve things for you both? Hope so...

Monkeybumsmum this is great news, you're getting it over with. They'll be able to tell you what they find (if anything) straight afterwards. Answers finally!
I was back BD 2 days after my laps, so by OV day next week i'm sure you'll be up to it. Good luck honey, and remember all you have to do is lay there. x x x

Ensure that you are given a follow up appt a week or so post op to discuss the findings of the laparoscopy. Ask about this. You do NOT want the findings of the op discussed whilst you are coming round after surgery!. That is bad practice.

I cannot stress the importance of the above enough!.

Thanks Vikks, you are lovely That's just what I was wanting to hear re the bd'ing too Hooray!!! How are you doing? I really do have my fingers crossed for you, and shall deffo just lie there tomorrow... Isn't it amazing how much support can be gained on this website? Am welling up just thinking about it

Attila, I will definately make an appt with my specialist - he said to make one two weeks after the lap, but seeing as I've only just found out I'm having it I think I might have to wait for longer as he has quite a waiting list. The only thing I want to hear tomorrow is whether we can carry on ttc in time for next week, and the rest can wait. Thanks so much for your advice, I know you know loads about this kind of thing, and it helps to put my mind at rest

I have to go and swallow some disgusting liquid now - over here they want you 'empty' for a lap and so I shall no doubt be on the toilet all night after taking this laxative stuff. It is truly one of the worst things I have ever tasted, and I feel like retching just thinking about it. God knows how I'm going to swallow it!

Hold your nose!! x

I did! Am now trying not to throw up................

I had one to check my tubes...before they ever did a sperm test on my dh!!! then had to have keyhole surgery - which was kind of a lap. again recently...that lasted 4 hours, and I still felt ok afterwards. You'll be fine. Just take it easy, and do take that arnica, it works like mad. Let us know how you go!

Right, am just about able to stand up... Never realised it would be so painful. The op went okay on Friday, but I had a bit of a reaction to the anaesthetic and so had v low blood pressure and kept throwing up afterwards.
Had a cyst taken out and other bits of endo removed, so the surgeon said it went well.
Am a bit worried about the bleeding now though - it's got heavier today, and (tmi sorry) has a sweet smell - is that normal? Was thinking it's the dye or the stuff they might've used inside?
If anyone could put my mind at rest that would be great. Am off to go and try to lie down again now - is agony!

Oh no, sorry to hear it's been painful, I didn't realise you were having anything taken out, for some reason I thought they were just having a look. I really can't help with the bleeding. I know I had a bit of bleeding after I had my ovary taken out, so I'm sure it's normal to have bleeding...call them tomorrow morning. If it was anything serious you would probably know - be in agony, but best to check.
Did you get any arnica? not to go on and on but it is so helpful with healing.

MBM

SO the surgeon did talk to you at some point post surgery?. Its a real bugbear of mine, I sincerely wish these people did not do this!!.

I would be contacting them asap re the sweet smell particularly if it continues. I never had anything like that post lap and they also need to ensure there is absolutely no infection post lap.

Laps can be diagnostic only but more often than not these days surgery is carried out. They don't want you to have any more surgical procedures than needs be, a purely diagnostic lap would entail another op which is not always desireable.

Where is the pain - is it in the shoulders?, This is normally the case post lap. Painkillers should take the edge off it.

Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks 8oreighty, think I will ring them if it's still going on tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder about the arnica too, shall get dh to dig it out tomorrow!

Poor you having your ovary taken out, that must've really hurt. How were you afterwards?

I didn't realise till today that there were different types of laparoscopies - I saw on one website earlier that there were two types, one for just looking at stuff and then the operative one to take stuff out. I was worrying a bit that I should be feeling much better than this, after have heard that three days should be enough for recovery.......There's no way I could consider going back to work in the next couple of days!!!

Hi Attila, X posts... It was the assisting surgeon who came to see me, but we won't find out all the details until going to see the specialist on the 9 Dec.
The pain was absolutely awful yesterday, and was mainly in my shoulders/diaphragm. That's a lot easier today, but it's my tummy that's so sore now. Am sure it will be a little easier tomorrow...
I just went to the loo again, and the bleeding is a bit lighter, so am hopeful that that should tail off too. If not then I shall ring the hospital in the morning. I would hate to have any complications from infection.
Thanks again for your advice.

Monkey - Hope you're feeling better soon and that they gave you some super pain killers! I bleed for a few days too afterwards but nothing that I wasn't expecting. They found I had endo too, just mild but they were able to lazer some off.
Relax and go back to work when you feel up to it. After both my Laps I went back a little bit too quick and wished I hadn't. Don't push yourself just stay in bed and let DH pamper you. x

hope you're feeling better?
Sounds like quite an operation, so normal to need a few days to recover.
My ovary twisted, that hurt more than anything I have ever experienced, happened while I was pregnant with twins after ivf...then again for no apparent reason when they were 21/2! It was agony, so surgery was a relief. That took four hours by keyhole, so not really lap as had 3 other holes as well as belly button...I remember I couldn't lift anything like the kids for about 4 weeks, so it is a major thing.
The lap I was remembering was just to check on a cyst, which I think they removed, so it wasn't anything major. Then I had another one at some point but can't remember now what that was for. Surgery is a big deal though. Take that arnica! Has the funny smell gone?

My goodness 8oreighty, that sounds awful You poor thing! Did you have the op while you were pregnant?

Am feeling quite a lot better now, thanks. Still pretty sore, and if I do too much my stitches are hurting, but loads better than I feared I might be feeling! The bleeding has practically stopped now which is good. I did ring my doctor for reassurance and she gave me her mobile number to let her know how it was going, bless her. It started slowing after I'd spoken to her though - typical

I do have a bit of a quandry - am using the CBFM, and have just had a 'high' reading today, which should mean I'll be ovulating in a few days. Do you think it's too soon to be trying again? Unfortunately my stitches are in till Monday, so I can imagine they will hurt but apart from that I can't think of a reason why we should wait... Anyone have any advice?

Hi all; due to go into hospital in few weeks for laproscopy and so nervous. Am 31 and been ttc for about 7 months which I know is no time at all but was referred to fertility clinic early by GP as Doctor thinks I may have at least one damaged Fallopian tube from PID 13 years ago but can't be sure. Just looking for some advice really about what to expect and what might come after if the worst case scenario happens and have to have tubes out. So worried, can't think of anything else.

Hi Baby, I was monkeybumsmum and actually started this thread all those years ago, but have now name changed Please don't worry too much about the laparoscopy - I had another one after the one detailed upthread, and that one was much easier.
Poor you having the worry of having your tubes removed. I hope it doesn't come to that though. They can do a lot without having to make such a drastic move. Before my laps I had to sign something that either told them I absolutely did not want them to remove my tubes, or I would have been able to give consent for them to do so. Have you already spoken to your doctor about having your tubes removed?
If the worst comes to the worst, and they are taken out then I think IVF is your only option. Have you thought about this yet? If I were you I'd take one step at a time, and just concentrate on getting through the lap, and seeing what they say. Whatever happens you will be in a stronger position as you will know what you're dealing with.
Please feel free to PM me if you'd like

Thanks for your message shroombroom it's all so confusing and your right, it's the not knowing that makes it worse! Have had the conversation about what I'll give them permission for. At the end of day if they decide tubes have no use it makes sense for them to go ahead and remove but would seem so final and yes, the only way to conceive would be ivf which of course we will progress...here's hoping for the best

Everyone is different under GA, as was mentioned above get a follow up appointment ASAP. I was told my results whilst still feeling the effects and didn't recall them. Take as long as you need to recover, some people recover quicker than others. Take care and good luck.