Laparoscopy Scars

[RightsaidFreud]

So I've been told today that it's best I undergo a laparoscopy to determine whether or not I have endometriosis. I'm very worried about having the procedure, even though I know it's relatively routine. I've had a little read through previous threads on mumsnet about the procedure, and I've found them very helpful.

One thing I would like to ask any ladies out there that have had a laparoscopy, what is the scarring like? is it very bad? Are they pronounced? Did you use anything on them afterwards to help prevent the scarring?

I've had a laparotomy. The scar is tucked under my pants and now, 12 months on, is pretty much skin coloured rather than red. It is still a bit raised but not nearly as much as it was.

I didn't put anything on it :)

Good luck.

Mine is hardly noticeable, I think you would have to be actively looking to see it.
I didn't use anything either.

Thanks for the replies :) Ive had a look on the internet (always a mistake) and they look very red, but im assuming that these photos have been taken quite soon after. Do they tend to go silvery/see through like stretch marks?

No mine is not silver, just slightly more pink than my skin

I don't have any stretch marks so am unable to comment, however I've just had a look at mine and the scar is a teeny bit lighter than my surrounding skin tissue, but like I said, I really had to look.
I imagine the pictures you have seen, are the taken soon after type.
I really wouldn't worry, I think you are letting nerves get the better of you :)
Best of luck.

You're probably right about the nerves! Thanks for the reassurance :)

Ihave had 3 laproscopys for endo - the first one 7 years ago and cannot see scar at all, most recent 3 years ago and I have small raised but colourless scars just above the bikini line. I tend to heal badly due to clotting issues so were raised and obvious for about a year - but they are only about half a centimetre long. Also have a still scar on my belly button. I think I am at the extreme end of slow healing though! I don't think anyone else would notice them though not that my belly is slim enough for bikini exposure! I use bio-oil which I think has helped with those and my c-section scar. You will probably have disposable stitches in them for a couple of weeks and massive plasters to cover them which does look a bit frightening. Top tip is to take some peppermint tea and mints as they pump gas to see what is going on and that can leave to referred shoulder pain which is horrible - lovely nurse after one operation brought some strong peppermint stuff for me to drinks which really helped alleviate it!

Hope all goes well.

Had mine 10 years ago.

Leaves 2 scars. My largest one is an inch long (might have been smaller, but has been stretched as I've put on quite a bit of weight ) and runs vertically from my belly button down. It is very pale and I never even notice it now.

Smaller scar is on my lower tummy on the right side - I've just looked to see what it looks like and can't find it so can assume that it has magically disappeared or has blended in so well, it's not noticeable. From memory it is 0.5cm running horizontally.

I'm sure that this is a fairly typical outcome .

Good luck!

I have had 3 laps now and each time have been done through belly button so no scarring on from of belly and just a tiny nick on each side.

Agree with the peppermint tea idea but also advise that you ask them to thoroughly rinse any blood out from your belly button as I was too cowardly to touch my op site for weeks after and by then it was harder to clean!

I have had two laparoscopies in the past 18 months, the most recent of which was 10 months ago. The scars on me are pinky brown, and look very slightly puckered. They remind me a bit of a fading burn mark (you know, when you knocked the oven shelf with your forearm three weeks ago sort of thing).

DS has laparoscopy just a month ago, and scars already faded to tiny thin lines.
Tbf, children heal very quickly, but still- you wouldn't even notice the cut to his navel, though others still visible.

I've had 3. My belly button is a bit of a mess but all within itself IYSWIM. It's an inny and I'm not overweight so it doesn't really bother me.
The other hole site, well, there were 3 different ones. I just had to hunt them out!
Two are quite far out, sort of on my hip bones. Horizontal and 7mm ish. Faded. Barely visible. 6 and 7 years old.
The other (earliest and 20 yrs old) is in line with outside edge of pubes, 2 inches up. It's skin colour and about 1 cm.

This oldest one is more scar raised like, def more visible than other two.
I would say keyhole isn't going to scar you.
Def agree with p mint tea. The referred shoulder pain from the gas they extend the abdomen with can be a killer, far outweighs pain of keyholes sites.
And coke to make you burp! Embrace a good fart!

Thanks for all the advice! I've heard about the peppermint tea being good for the pain from the gas they pump you with. Never had anything like this before, and never had general anaesthetic, so a bit nervous. Been reading about other peoples experiences, and not read anything too scary yet.

Lap is keyhole surgery so scarring is kept to an absolute minimum. I did not have any lap scarring in either the short or long term.

Ensure that you are given a follow up appt to discuss the findings of the lap about a week or so post op. I can give you some questions to ask them if you so wish. You do not need anybody to discuss the lap's findings when you are immediately out of surgery or in the recovery room because that is poor practice.

Attila thanks for that advice, didn't realize that it was bad practice. Could you send me any questions to ask? I'm also having a pre op thing, blood tests and the such, any other questions i should ask before the lap?

The first thing you need to do when you have recovered from the operation is to ask your surgeon exactly what was found and what was done.

Were your ovaries and fallopian tubes healthy?
Did you have an ovarian endometrioma - if so how big?
Did you have many adhesions?
Was there any bowel or bladder involvement?
What stage is the endometriosis?
What are the results of any biopsies?
Were any nerves cut to relieve your pain?
Was your appendix removed routinely?
What further treatment is recommended?.

You'll likely also think of some more questions to ask as well so add those to the list.

HTH

Before the lap I would ask them if they are planning to do a purely diagnostic lap or will they actively treat any endo that is found?. What are their intentions?

Thanks for that. I've already been diagnosed with PCOS, but im displaying symptoms of endo now, hence the lap. Will add those questions to my list.