Laparoscopy

[HP07]

Hi,
I had a laparoscopy on Friday last week as my husband and I have been ttc for 16 months and after some investigations found out I had an endometrioma. During the lap they did a dye test of my tubes which are fine/open, removed the cyst and also found some endometriosis which they removed. I am now hopeful that we can go on to conceive naturally. I would love to hear any success stories from ladies who have had the same experience please.
Also I am still recovering from surgery. I have taken 2 weeks off work so still have over a week until I return. My abdomen's quite sore still and I find it difficult to lie on my side as it feels like a pulling/dragging sensation on the opposite side (at the surgical site). I had 4 port holes and my belly bottom is still very uncomfortable. I have non dissolvable sutures which need to be removed (first appointment I could get was Monday, which will be 10 days p/o). Any advice apart from painkillers? And is it normal to still be so tender? I've read people who have said about going back to work after a few days! There is no way I'd want to go back next week, apart from anything I do 11 hr days, all on my feet, so I just wouldn't have the stamina, let alone coping with the discomfort still.

Thanks

Hello

Everyones different, I had 3 days off but some take 4 weeks, most common is a week or 2, good luck with your recovery and take it as slow as you need to

Hi HP

I'm in almost the exact same position as you - had a laparoscopy last Wednesday to remove an endometrioma. Found severe endo all over the place, lots of adhesions but tubes were clear. But in my case they didn't remove the endo or adhesions, I think because it was do extensive. I'm going to have to consider whether I want further surgery to treat it.

I gave also been TTC for 2 years, but because they didn't really treat my endo I'm not sure how much good the op will gave done.

My recovery is similar to yours, although I'm 5 days behind you. I'm very bloated, stomach is sore and can't spend more than a few minutes walking about before I need to rest up again. I'm hoping to get up and about more tomorrow.

How are you doing now?

Hi PJsaredaywear,

Sorry to hear that your endometriosis was severe. Were you having many symptoms before the op? Mine was mainly just intermenstrual and post-coital bleeding. I am now feeling a lot better than I was. I'm still off work and I just had my final stitch out yesterday. I have an infection in my belly bottom so on antibiotics at the moment. Still feel it's best to have the full 2 weeks off work as I do a lot of standing and lifting and don't want to put unnecessary strain on my wounds. Have you any idea whether you want the surgery to treat the endo? Would you have to have a full laparotomy for that?

Watching with interest! Had a lap and excision last May, TTC in Aug, BFP in cycle 1. Sadly mc and no BFP since. Waiting for 2nd lap now.

Good luck honeysucklejasmine, hope it gives you the BFP you're hoping for. I'm wishing for a miracle so will let you know how it goes! X

Hi, I don't have any personal experience but my parents conceived me after 6 years of trying after Mum had dye put through her tubes as part of an investigation. Not sure of the exact circumstances but she was told there was no blockage of the tubes or obvious reason why she could not conceive and not long after she fell pregnant Her doctor said possibly her 'tubes were blocked but the dye unblocked them'!

I've just had my gallbladder out by laparoscopy and I was in a lot of pain for the first week, could not lie on my side at all, could hardly walk for the first two days! I too have 4 port holes but with dissolvable stitches which seem to be dissolving well. I had two weeks off work and went back for a late shift on Friday last week. I found it very tiring (psychiatric hospital ward) and a lot of my colleagues thought I was mad for going back after 2 weeks but to be honest I feel more or less like my old self now!

Good luck recovering

Thank you malletsmallet. One other question I have just thought of and wondering if anyone knows the answer, will the lap affect the length of my cycle this month or should I expect my period at the same time as usual? I had the lap roughly at the time I would expect to ovulate. Thanks

I had a lap on weds. My scans had shown my left fallopian tube was full of fluid & was told it would be removed or clipped. I also had a cyst on my left ovary which they were planning to aspirate. However when they got in there they found it had all disappeared! They got the dye right through. I only had two port holes which seem fine so far. The trapped air was awful for 3 days, in agony around my shoulders. I found peppermint oil in boiled water helped, plus paracetamol & ibuprofen. I am surprised at how worn out I feel though. Went for lunch 2 days after & was totally done in by it. Also now on my period so doubly bloated! I'm back in work thurs, can't afford to go off sick as I won't get paid. I'm supposed to be on light duties but that probably won't happen!

dusty you had yours the same day as me. How are you getting on?

I'm feeling way more normal, been doing light housework on and off today. But if i do too much or try to lift, I feel horrible pulling so I know it's time to stop. I'm also feeling all my other muscles are really sore as they're compensating for my abdomonals a lot.

My symptoms before - well I get severe period pains for a couple of days each month. I also got blood in my stools during menstruation. Then I've had 3 episodes of severe abdominal pain. The first time I went to my GP, and she referred me to a gastro consultant. Second time I did nothing, and the third time I went to A&E which is how I eventually got seen by a gynae. Following this third flare up, I had chronic niggling pain around where the cyst was, and terrible bloating - I looked 6 months pregnant.

Not really sure what I'll do next, TTC is my priority, I too Am hoping for a miracle.

Not sure how the lap will affect your cycle OP I'd be interested to hear anyone's responses on this, as I'm wondering the same thing. My lap was done during my period so we'll see.

Hi , I had a lap and endo removal in April 2014 after 2 years ttc DC2. I had very few if the usual symptoms other than not being able to conceive,a bit of mid cycle bleeding and also terrible nausea (which no medical professionsl seemed to pick up on as a symptom).

Anyway mine was moderate to severe. Right ovary stuck down etc but they had a go at removing it. I fell pg the very next month but sadly had a MMC which took two ERPCs to sort out. Then I couldn't seem to conceive again.

I had another hsg (where they put the dye in your tubes etc) in December last year and they found scar tissue. I was due to have that removed surgically in January but I fell pregnant instead and I'm now 21 weeks.

I think the endo was definitely the underlying reason why I couldn't conceive and the later surgery caused a secondary issue with scarring but an HSG seemed to sort that. Apparently just the act of flooding the uterus with the dye can break up very fine scar tissue which might be impacting on conception.

I took two weeks off after my lap but was sore for quite a while. I hope your recovery goes well x

worriedmum when you had the HSG second time round, were you conscious for that part or is it done under general anaesthetic? Also, did you request it or did your consultant recommend it?

I had my lap 2 weeks ago (hi everyone else on thread!). Had stage 4 and they removed it all however I was gutted to learn they couldn't get the dye through my tubes I'm now on these hormone injections to stop me from ovulating and therefore preventing the re-growth of the endo, as consultant wants me to go straight to IVF in six months.

I just want to know what my chances are if the IVF doesn't work. Can I request that they do further investigations on the tubes??

How's everyone feeling today? I'm recovering really well, feel almost back to normal (10 days after the lap). Having said that, I'm currently lying on the couch because sitting up at the table still pulls at my lower scar a bit too much.

TapDancing interesting to hear that you had stage 4 and they removed it all. I'm really confused why they didn't remove any of mine, I feel a bit cheated, like I went through all of that for nothing (well they drained my cyst but left the endo and adhesions where they were). I just worry that it means I'll have to have further surgery to make any progress.

Sorry to hear that your tubes were blocked, fingers crossed that the hormones let it settle enough to give you a good shot at IVF. I can't answer your questions, but I'd say you can certainly request that they explore all options for you - do you have a follow up appointment with the gynae so you can put these questions to them?

Hi pjs I'm not bad thanks. Although my port hole in my belly button is looking a bit minging, think I've scratched at it in my sleep! I'm gonna give it a clean with a drop of tea tree in boiled water later. Still feel very tired but that's probably more to do with work. Light duties have included being stuck running the shift & hours of ironing! Going back to normal next week.

My belly button one is looking a bit dodgy as well - I've been cleaning it out with diluted TCP twice a day, but I think that was a bit too much as I was removing the scab, so now I've decided to leave it be and see what happens for a few days. The other two are clean as a whistle, although no sign of my stitches dissolving... and they're soooooo itchy!

Sorry to hear you're tired out - my doctor signed me off work for 2 weeks and I only do an office job. Take good care of yourself.

Hi,
I had a lap in November 2013 after trying to conceive for 4 years where they found scar tissue partially blocking my Fallopian tubes and endometria. They unblocked my tubes and drained by cyst. I was very sore the first couple of days but felt much better after about 4 days and I was back to work a week later.
I fell pregnant 3 months later but unfortunately our baby had chromosomal problems and we had to have a TMFR at 15 weeks. We are still trying to conceive but so far no luck and we will be starting IVF soon. If IVF doesn't work then I think I will try to push for another lap as I fully believe as a good clean up was the the only reason we got pregnant.
Good luck and I hope you will get your bfp soon xxx

Hi tapdancing I went to a new consultant for the second HSG. Long story short...after ERPCs we went back to our fertility clinic who scanned me and said I had a "growth". They wanted to do a hysteroscopy but after all the uterine surgery I'd had I wasn't keen and decided to go to a specialist in uterine scarring (had to go private for this). He was brilliant and ordered the HSG which I had at Hammersmith hospital. They were lovely there. I was awake during the procedure but it was no more than uncomfortable. I had it in November then got the results in December which showed scarring in my lower uterus probably a result of my miscarriages and ERPCs. Surgery was scheduled for January but we decided not to "waste" a month and tic. Got my bfp the day before the surgery. I've been very lucky as I had all but given up hope. My tubes were fine though so I'm sorry I can't be more help on that part. If I'd had the hysteroscopy the consultant was going to give me a window of 4 months then we were straight to IVF.

I really hope it works out for you x

Hi PJs, I'm confused as well - my lap was on the NHS - 2 weeks prior to my lap we'd had a private consultation as I'd heard the waiting list for lap could be up to a year, and hey-ho, there it was 2 weeks after the private consultation telling me my op was the next week (I'd only been on waiting list for 6 months which I think is pretty good).

Anyway, the reason I'm confused is that the private consultant (somewhat of an endo guru over here in NI) told me that for cases like mine they'd need a 'stage 5' endo (can I add that he diagnosed this through a speculum and shining a light up my foof!). He then went on to say he wouldn't perform the surgery without a bowel surgeon present as it was so close to my bowel wall etc etc, then went on to quote me £5k.

Anyway fast forward to the NHS surgery and afterwards the surgical team told me they got it all, including this hideous bowel-trouble maker and a massive cyst covering my ovary. I'm not sure why they didn't remove yours, although I have heard of diagnostic laps as opposed to ones where they remove them? I have my follow-up in 2
months so am preparing a list of questions.

Hi worried thanks for the info. I hope they do something for my tubes of IVF is unsuccessful, I notice sweetheart above mentioned they unblocked her tubes so I don't know why they left mine??

Ps glad to hear about others' gross belly buttons! I couldn't look at mine for days it was so disgusting. Just a big scab now!

Thanks for all the replies. All very interesting reading. I am now on my 2nd lot of antibiotics for my belly button as the culture came back and the bacteria were not sensitive to penicillin so now on metronidazole. I am feeling a lot better and will be back to work on Tuesday. Still get a bit achey if I stretch too much and can feel the incisions in the muscle layer if I touch the area. They are still quite inflamed. I am spotting again, which is quite depressing as this was the only symptom I had pre op. I'm hoping that because of the messed up hormones and surgery etc this is a one off and next cycle will be more normal. Expecting my period any day and wish it would just hurry up. One other question and this might be tmi but does anyone else feel a bit crampy when the have to go to the toilet? I'm not sure if this is surgical related, antibiotics or otherwise. Bladder has been a bit uncomfortable since the surgery and I suspected that was bruising but shouldnt that have subsided by now? Thanks

Anyone had a period since their surgery? Mine arrived last night and I'm quite disappointed that I'm in pain as usual

HP yes I get pain when I need the toilet, cramps and pressure. I also find I can't hold it, my bladder hurts immediately and I have to go right away.

I assume this is due to everything being a bit inflamed in there, but could also be due to the adhesions and endo on the bladder.

My main symptom now is my hugely bloated belly. It was like this in the run up to my surgery as the cyst had grown quite large, but I'd hoped that removing the cyst would deflate my belly somewhat. Then I was obviously swollen after the surgery, but I'd hoped it would have gone down by now. It's still hugely swollen and tight like a drum. I look pregnant

My period is due in a couple of weeks. I doubt my surgery will have done anything to help with period pains, so I'm expecting it to be as bad as ever. Tap in your case, perhaps it will be better once things have settled down a bit? My sympathy goes out to you - hope you have ibuprofen and a hot water bottle.

After an ectopic preg and tube removed as a result. I then had a lap that found and removed some endo. I was successfully pregnant 4 months later and now have a 3 year old daughter.

I found recovery from the lap easy compared to the tube removal. Took a week off work but was fine after 3 days. I did get a nasty bug after the ectopic so that made a huge difference, plus the hormones and shock. I have no tummy button after 2 ops though!

Forgot to add, I bled from 6 to 20 weeks so spent most of my preg terrified. I had loads of scans and they could never find out why (I blame the endo). She arrived early (36 weeks, 4 days) after my waters broke properly the day before (prob nothing to do with endo, but I like to blame it anyway)! She was fine once they got blood sugars and jaundice sorted. Everyone thinks I'm a v chilled mum. I know I did a lifetime worth of worrying before I had her and am far happier now I can see she's ok!

Hope you are successful soon. Mine was a v happy ending.

Thanks PJs - glad you also have a swollen tum, I'm the same two weeks later! It seems to get progressively worse as the day goes on for some reason.

Sorry about all the questions - here's my next one! Are any of you going to pursue the endo diet? I'm terrified it'll grow back Consultant didn't mention anything about cutting out foods etc and I would assume he has confidence in these injections preventing any re growth.

Glad to hear* that should say! Obv not glad you're feeling swollen