Laparoscopy

[Maximoo06]

I'm due to have a laparoscopy in a few weeks and looking for advice from anyone who has had one or is due to have one. Just had my pre assessment and didn't realise it was as big of a procedure

Hello I had one 3 years ago and I probably have a second one if IVF doesn't work so fingers crossed.my recovery was quick as I had a week off but the third day after the procedure was absolutely fine.i think it depends where it is and the stage of the endo.every operation is scary but I would have it again if it helps me to have a baby.Good luck!!

Thanks for the reply
I'm hoping there isn't any endo as none showed up on my hycosy but they gave me the option of laparoscopy or ivf so I thought its best to check for sure before I go down the ivf route. I've only booked 1 day off work but they said I will need about a week which I hope my workplace don't get funny about.

I had one many yrs ago now pre IVF and the day of the op was fine but very bloated (its the gas they insert), day 2&3 were pretty tender but after that pretty good. I took a week off work as suggested and was fine after this. Good luck!

I've had two laparoscopies to look for endometriosis and to remove ovarian cysts. I ended up being kept in overnight on both occasions as my pain wouldn't settle enough and I was totally panicky when I woke up. I've got a few tips for you;

1. Take a big bottle of already diluted peppermint cordial - you will be massively bloated and this helps to deflate you.
2. Get yourself a really baggy nightie - your stomach will be rather round afterwards and the thought of a waistband pressing on you will be torturous. Get one in a size or two bigger than your normal size.
3. Take magazine/books to keep you occupied as there could be lots of waiting round.
4. It took me two weeks to get back to work on both occasions so make sure you're fully prepared and have someone around at least for the first 24 hours to help you out.
5. Hot water bottles become your new best friend!

If I think of anything else, I'll pop back!

I had one a month ago. I’m lucky to be a school teacher so had no rush to work but after a week I prob could have pushed going back to work but after two weeks I felt fully myself again and the stitches had fallen out. I wouldn’t have been too keen going back to work before two weeks. I have moderate endo and they removed some in pelvis and an endometrioma on right ovary. Recovery seems to vary.

I was nervous as I hadn’t had general anaesthetic before etc. But the doctors were lovely and hopefully it will help! Good luck!

I've had lots of Laparoscopies, the best thing I can recommend is Rennie Deflatine to help get rid of the gas they pump in you, take a small pillow or a folder towel to put under the seatbelt for going home, peppermint tea as hot as you can drink it, loose clothing, no tight waistbands & move about as soon as you can when you come back from theatre, I'm normally up & about within an hour of coming back from theatre. You will probably be bruised round your belly button as this is where they make the biggest cut to put the camera in, get some Arnica tablets from the chemist or herbalist & start these as soon as you come out of theatre, take pain relief whenever you need it, I've never needed it for more than two days, rest when you come home, within 48 hours I'm normally nearly back to normal, you might feel a bit tired & emotional, this is just the anaesthetic effects, drink lots of water to flush it out. Good luck.

I had a week off work and it probably took about two weeks to feel like myself. I had very little energy afterwards, so even going upstairs was exhausting for the first few days.
As others have said, loose waistband is a must as you feel really bloated for a few days.I also took peppermint oil tablets afterwards.
Hope it all goes ok for you.

I am 9 days post laparoscopy which was investigative but ultimately ended in the removal of both of my tubes and the cutting away of some adhesions.

I’m seeing a day by day improvement but I’m still sore / achy internally and experienced vaginal bleeding for the first 5 days post surgery too. Also got back ache whenever I walk for more than a few mins, I think this is probably over compensating for a lack of core strength post surgery!

For the surgery I had my GP advised 2-4 weeks for complete recovery. So depending on what they are doing during the laparoscopic surgery, don’t under estimate it (but also don’t worry - it’s veey routine!)

Take care

@Blankspace4 did you know that you needed tubes removing or there was any damage before laparoscopy? I just feel like because they said my tubes weren't blocked when they did hycosy do I really need this?

@Ilovewillow did this help before having ivf? I feel like I will end up needing ivf anyway after this.

I had had ultrasound and MRI scans (and pain) showing inflammation in one tube,but not the other. But when they did the lap they found both inflamed - hence I am now tube-less with only option IVF 😞

Have you had scans?

@Guio good luck with the ivf

I had a lap for endometriosis, and only had a small amount of endo cut off my ovaries and wasn't under long, but I still needed two weeks off work to recover, then a week working from home. I had another lap for appendicitis and that time I was off for a week, then worked from home for the secind week before going back to normal, but with hindsight that wasn't long enough as I still felt dizzy and tired the third week. Hope all goes well for you.

Maxi - it was exploratory and showed my infertility was unexplained (really useful)! I went on to have IUI and IVF which was successful repeated by FET some yrs later. I have a 10 yr old and 5yr old as a result so however you feel afterwards look to the future. It can be a long road and obviously not guaranteed but I'm grateful everyday! I hope recovery is good and it helps!!

@Blankspace4 I had an ultrasound and hycosy which didn't show any blockages but that I had polocystic overies. The conclusion was unexplained infertility and could have laparoscopy to double check for endo

@maximoo06 sounds like your tubes could be safe then!! Unsurprisingly I think the operation is tougher to recover from if they actually surgically remove / cut away at anything rather than just have a look.

Good luck and sending best wishes!

@Blankspace4 thank you!!

Have you began ivf?

No, we are on a waiting list to begin in January