Laparoscopy/Ovarian Drilling Experiences? 😶

[Nattx]

Abit of background info..

We are currently under going fertility treatment at our local ACU clinic. We have both done initial tests and the better half was in the clear. I unfortunately have PCOS with cysts in both ovaries but on the plus side had an HSG and no tubal blockages.
I got started on metformin to try and kick start ovulation for the first 3 months with no luck to be then set off on 6 cycles of clomid, 3 50mg and the last 3 100mg along side the metformin (5/6 unmonitored) and still no luck. Apparently I only ovulated well on my first cycle which was the only cyle that was monitored.
Anyway the consultant doesn't understand why I haven't ovulated as well as he expected I would on the clomid and has made an appointment for me to be admitted to the day ward for a laparoscopy/ovarian drilling.

To be honest I am absolutely bricking it! I have never had any kind of surgery or anaesthesia before and haven't got the slightest of idea of what to expect so I'm hoping some of you lovely people would just give me abit of an insight and share your procedure/experience with me whether it's good or bad! The consultant did say it is usually a in and out kind of surgery but said there is no guarantees to how long I could actually be in there, anyone else had to stay in? If so, why?

• Thank you in advance! 😊

I’ve had both and absolutely fine. No pain after. WSnt even tender or tired. Had read a couple of threads on here and had had a tonsillectomy so was expecting that awful feeling coming round but nothing like that.

The nurse told me they don’t sedate you as much for a lap or ovarian drilling as a tonsillectomy,

I had made a big fuss, Told work I was off for 4 weeks. I was back 4 days later

Holnestly don’t worry

My daughter had this. She is very tiny - maybe that made it a bit worse? She did experience some pain, but she came and stayed with me for a couple of days of being looked after by her mum, and she was soon completely recovered. Good luck with your procedure and with future results.

I had this due to PCOS and tablets not working. Was fine - bit of a sore tummy. Got pregnant really quickly after nearly 4 years trying. Definitely worth a try.

I'm so thankfully for all your responses! ☺ I don't think it's about the pain afterwards it's more of being sedated for the first time and not knowing what to expect from that. I have heard the trapped gas can hurt your shoulders and peppermint helps so I've been about bought some tea and oil capsules just incase, I'm prepared for once 😂
4 weeks off work sounds like a dream to me but I don't think my boss would be too impressed lol.
@converseandjeans how amazing is that! I know I'm abit nervous but I couldn't turn the opportunity down, if all works out as well as you then it will be so worth it! How long after did you conceive?

nattx I think I had a week off work. It wasn't especially painful or anything. I would guess three months later? I honestly had almost given up. I hope it works for you.

Have had this surgery and was advised to have two days off post operation. Was glad of those two days. I conceived a month post op.

I had not been at all operated on prior to this surgery and felt similarly to how you did. However, in my case the fear was far worse than the reality. I remember counting backwards from 10 just after being given the anaesthesia, think I got to 7. I was in and out in a day but they wanted to ensure beforehand that I could eat, drink, pee and poo without problems.

Do ensure that you have a follow up appointment a week or so post op to discuss the op. You do not want to be talked to about this whilst you are in the recovery room because it is poor practice.

It's so lovely to read that others have had such great results with it! I'm not building my hopes up or anything but I pray for the same end results of this surgery. Thank you all again for sharing this with me I very much appreciate it and you lot have helped calmed my nerves of the unknown abit 🤩🤩

I'm 15 days post op, lap and endometriosis zap. The next day I was walking around the supermarket and a few days after that I did a 5k! I think 5-7days to feel back to normal.

My question is How long did everyone wait to DTD? Was it sore? (sorry for lowering the tone!)

@chuktuk009 Well I'm in for mime Valentine's day so the consultant had abit of a laugh with the other half about this but on a serious note he did say to refrain until all bleeding had stopped and whenever you feel comfortable in yourself. I have looked on other forums and alot of people say a week or two post op but everyone is different. Good luck! 🤞🙏

@Nattx I could have written the exact post 13 years ago! I had never had surgery and then I was told that I needed to have a laparoscopy to find out why I hadn’t been conceiving.

Tell your anaesthetist that you are nervous and they will talk you through it, mine even moved me up the order list so I wasn’t getting worked up waiting on the ward (I was also given a relaxant tablet). I went into theatre about 10am and was home by teatime. The pain was mainly in the abdomen where the stitches are and it hurt for a good few days to get up and down from the sofa. You will need to take it easy but by a week you will be fine.

My ovarian drilling worked a treat. I bled straight after the procedure. Once that had stopped, we started trying. Then, unlike ever before, I got ovulation pain so we dtd and low behold, I fell pregnant! So the drilling definitely worked for us.

When we tried to conceive a second child, my pcos had returned so after endless clomid, metformin and weight loss, it was decided that I’d have a repeat drilling done. This worked, I ended up ovulating for at least 4 cycles but unfortunately, the dr hadn’t thought to check my dh sperm and it turned out there was no way they were good enough so we ended up having ivf. But I’m sure the drilling did help me to respond to the ivf, as we had success first time.

So, all I’m trying to say is, don’t be scared and it could be the best thing you do! Good luck.

Just a quick update and a thank you again to everyone who commented. 😊
Had my pre-op assessment yesterday and I'm all fit and healthy for my surgery on the 14th (happy Valentine's day to me) 😂.. Found out that I'm also having lap and dye test aswell as the ovarian drilling, I've already had a HSG and from what the consultant said my tubes were clear so abit unsure why he is doing another tube test?
Also I'm due at work the next day which the nurse at my assessment said was a massive no and that I should rest for atleast a week and more if needs be but I'm just wondering if the hospital will give me a sick note after my op or will I have to go to my GP and get one? I'm abit worried as I won't be able to drive there and get one and if I ring up I have to wait days for a telephone consultation just to tell them I need a sick note and work will no doubt want a sick note as soon as.. I know I'm self certified for atleast a week but my line manager isn't exactly the sympathetic type and you could literally be on your death bed and still want you in.. 🤔😂

Quick question! What was everyone's belly buttons like after removing the dressing? I was told to remove dressings and let air dry and no mention of reapplying any dressings so I have left them off. I'm not concerned about any of my incisions it's just my belly button it's got some old blood in there but it's really shiney and hard, feels like glue and it's stuck all my belly button together and pulls on my skin if that makes sense. They never said about any glue being used but then I'm also scared to start gently pulling at it and trying to separate my skin from it incase it's stuck to my stitches and pulls them out..

I've got my First AF since the drilling really heavy! I'm just wondering if anyone who had drilling done was put straight onto clomid for the first cycle after the procedure and if so what dosage?

Hello @Nattx, I am a bit late on this thread but only recently had LOD procedure. I’m reading through old threads and fascinated to know if it worked for you? I hope it did 🤞