Laparoscopy scared

[breadfortea]

Hello I am due to have a laparoscopy in a few weeks. I have had one before and it was fine but I'm.much older now mid 50s. I am so nervous this time. I am worried about the bypass machine that they put you when they stop your heart and fill you with gas to have a look around. I am worried what if it doesn't start up again. am trying to be brave but am wondering if I should cancel it .

Not sure where you've heard about bypass machines and stopping hearts - that is not what happens during a laparoscopy! Your heart will be beating the whole time! (From an anaesthetist).

Woaahh I've had 2 laps and the heart stopping thing was never mentioned!! Walking I'm glad you confirmed that is not what happens!

I’m a surgeon and do lots of laparoscopies - I can assure you your heart doesn’t get stopped and there’s no bypass! Your abdomen gets filled with carbon dioxide to create space so we can see what we are doing. Happy to give more in depth info if you say what exactly you’re having done.

thank you welshweasel. Laparoscopy for cyst draining. very grateful.

Ovarian cyst?

Assuming so...then once you’re anaesthetised they’ll make a tiny cut in your belly button and pop a small plastic tube into your abdomen - they pass the gas down this which will make your tummy swell up and look huge! You’ll have probably 2 more tiny cuts lower in your abdomen for them to put instruments through. You may have a small probe into your uterus to help them move it around to get a good view of the cyst. Once the cyst is drained they will take the instruments out and let all the gas out so your tummy goes back to a normal size! All very straightforward. Your anaesthetist (who will have been monitoring you really closely throughout) will then slowly wake you up and you’ll go to the recovery ward. You’ll be asked if you feel any pain or nausea and if so, be given medication to help, but most people wake up feeling fine.

Please try not to worry, these sorts of cases are totally routine for the surgeons and anaesthetists - you’ll be well looked after and if you have any questions along the way then do ask - we are always happy to explain stuff to patients, no matter how silly you feel your question may be!

many many thanks Welshweasel I feel much better now 😊