|
Post by cass on Jan 20, 2009 23:56:07 GMT -5
That excited you posted twice!!
|
|
|
Post by roobee on Jan 29, 2009 14:12:00 GMT -5
hey guys I'm due to have a laparoscopy done anytime in the next few months and I'm petrified . Although I'm really excited that the pain and sickness may go away I'm also so scared of going into hospital and being put to sleep and actually cut open. I've had a colonoscopy and endoscopy done in the last year and that was horrible , other than that I've never had to have a procedure done . Can anyone tell me does it hurt? Will I need up to a week off like my consultant said? He also told me my womb was tilted backwards and I've got cysts on my ovaries so he's going to have a look at that as well. I'm due to have a urodynamic study done on it bladder in 3 weeks because of it not working and an MRI scan next week because they've discovered I'm missing a kidney oh joy LOL . Although I'm really happy to get sorted and finally be diagnosed I'm so scared and really need some advice from people who've been there xxxxx
|
|
|
Post by rach on Jan 29, 2009 19:34:09 GMT -5
Hi roobee, I found the thought of a lap scary too, and i'm sure if i had to have another one i would be just as scared even knowing what it is like. But in reality, it is not that scary. Make sure you let your nurse or anasthesiologist know that you are scared when you go in, they will do everything they can to make you feel comfy and might give you a pre-med to calm you down.
You should expect some amount of pain - after all, it is surgery. However the pain levels seem to differ alot between people. The majority, from what i have read here, is no agonizing, so when you wake up you will be able to feel it but it shouldn't be unbearable. The scars will be very small, and while it can look kins of gross while healing, once it is all healed nicely you can hardly see them. I still wear a bikini to the beach/pool, and noone notices, so thats one thing you don't really need to worry about.
If you can get a week off from work i would definately recommend taking it. The more time off the better. You can always go back to work early if you find you are feeling ok, but its good to have the extra time just in case. I found that i was tired and exhausted for quite a while aftewards, just part of the healing process i guess.
When you have a surgery date set, try to read all of the stuff on here about preparing for a lap, i found it very helpful.
Goodluck with all your upcoming testings!
|
|
|
Post by cherry on Jan 30, 2009 2:45:54 GMT -5
Roobee if you read through this topic and the laparoscopy stories topic you'll find tons of advice and tips!
|
|
|
Post by JC on Jun 4, 2009 9:18:07 GMT -5
I had my lap yesterday and I feel awesome! I was freaked out too! I was terrified I wouldn't wake up or I was gonna die or something. Everything went well!
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on Jun 4, 2009 10:14:29 GMT -5
Oh yay!!! Be sure to post your story in the "Laparoscopy Stories" thread! Can't wait to hear! Glad it went well!
|
|
|
Post by JC on Jun 4, 2009 19:25:10 GMT -5
lol I will. I'm still kinda loopy from taking all these drugs. Can you believe it that the one thing I forgot to buy to prepare for this was pads!! HAHA! I came home and was like, OH CRAP where am I gonna bleed!? One of my husband's co-workers was kind enough to bring some over. HAHA!
|
|
|
Post by JC on Jun 11, 2009 11:27:14 GMT -5
Oh and my own advice to anyone having a lap..... I read through all this stuff and was extremely prepared. The only things I would add, that I either missed reading here or it's not on here, is to be prepared with pads at home!! I got home and was stranded without pads! I don't keep a stock of them because I don't use them. I hate them. Oh and the other thing is I wish I had some of those bendy straws to make it easier to drink stuff. It's really hard to sit up the first couple of days and if I had some bendy straws it would have made life a lot easier.
|
|
|
Post by omaklackey on Jun 11, 2009 11:41:47 GMT -5
oh and bending down isn't very good and if you don't have a big table or chair by your bed fit one in there so you can set stuff on it within easy reach
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on Jun 24, 2009 12:52:24 GMT -5
Posted by member "sistawoman" in another thread. Just a couple of questions: After the surgery how long did you spend in recovery before being allowed to go home? Will the nurses actually call your spouse when you are done or do i really need a friend there with me?
|
|
|
Post by cherry on Jun 24, 2009 15:47:01 GMT -5
Sistawoman, the recover is usually such that they let you go home a couple of hours after. However, if you are not able to pee, are still very wobbly, or have later surgery, they will keep you in at least overnight for the sake of your wellbeing. I never had anyone call my bf or sister when I woke, but I think they would have been happy to, had I asked for that. I just called them to come visit as soon as I could keep my eyes open long enough to find my phone. I kid you not that anaesthetic can make you fall asleep standing up!
|
|
|
Post by rach on Jun 24, 2009 23:25:56 GMT -5
Hi sistawoman,
You'll have to ask your nurse when you get admitted if they will called someone for you, i guess it varies from hospital to hospital. At the one i went to, after a couple of hours i was awake enough and had eaten something (they will probably make you eat before you can go home) and peed so i tol them i wanted to go home. They called someone to pick me up and then start on all your release stuff, so its not like you get to leave straight away but they start the process. All up, i arrived at the hospital at 7am, went into the pre-surgery room around 10:30 and was home around 4pm.
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Jun 25, 2009 6:27:48 GMT -5
I'm sure if you don't have someone there with you, they'd call someone for you. It's not like they'd just say "No one here? Well then, you're on your own!" Perhaps be sure to tell them the number to call BEFORE you go in for your lap. I was quite out of it afterward and wouldn't have even been able to communicate something like that!
And as for how long after I was allowed to go home, I think I was at the hospital by 6, in surgery by 7:30, and home by 2:30. My dad was there with me and if he hadn't been so impatient to get me home (and him out of the hospital, watching me sleep!), I would have stayed at least a few more hours as I was so out of it!
|
|
|
Post by sistawoman on Jun 25, 2009 12:53:52 GMT -5
thanks everyone
Do you think a glass of red wine will hurt tonight?
I dont recall the dr saying no drinking before just none after midnight.
I think i need something to settle me because the pain is here today and I am so ready to get this over and done with.
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Jun 25, 2009 13:36:42 GMT -5
Now, I'm a firm believer that red wine or beer can help just about any problem, but I'd probably steer away from it tonight. Your body will be under quite a bit of stress tomorrow, no sense in dehydrating it or making things even marginally more difficult if you can help it! I'd suggest eating small, healthy meals today and drinking lots of fluids to stay hydrated!!
In the end, though, do what you feel is best!
|
|