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Post by takecontrol on Feb 5, 2007 12:01:08 GMT -5
OK here goes... I have my lap this morning, in about 3 hours actually, just thought Id post what Im feeling right now and do an update later. I was told not to do any pre op appointments. Easy enough, however, I did have to go out and buy my own sterile sponges to wash with last night and again this morning, I was also told not to shave the 'incision area'. No food after midnight, but I was aloud to have my morning coffee (ah bliss) as long as I was finished by 7 am. No water since then either, and wouldnt you know it, I never have breakfast but this morning I am craving pancakes like its no ones business. I'm going in by myself so I bought a gossip magasine to keep myself occupid but when I called this morning to ask about my MP3 player, I was told to leave it at home, fair enough. One thing I was concerned about was my new peircing, I had my tragus (the little nub in your ear) done about a month ago and seeing as how theres no jewelry aloud in the OR I was worried it'd grow over. I took my hoop out last night, and the hole looks great, no worries there. I live alone so I cleaned my house really well and did all my laundry before hand as well as made a whole bunch of meals for myself, shepards pie, lasagna etc and froze them so I dont need to cook. Yeah Im rambling, but Im nervous and hyped on caffeine ;D I guess I'll post again tonite or tomorrow depending how I feel, wish me luck ladies
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Post by kb on Feb 15, 2007 23:29:07 GMT -5
I just wanna say first up in response to takecontrol about the piercing, i dont think this is standard, but i had a navel piercing before my lap, the skin died on the piercing within a month of the sugery, i cannot explain why this happened, as it was an established piercing. My lap was i think Nov 2005, i consider my lap a mistake, but possibly only because nothing was found, it did prove that my fertility shouldnt be a problem, although despite being told that i believe i have since been pregnant twice, and lost both before it could even show on a test. My surgery itself was uneventful, i was in and out within a matter of 4hrs, i did discover the wonders of fentanyl as it is one of the few times when i was post-op that i have been painfree I am a registered nurse, so the surgery itself was something i felt very little concern about, i was actually fascinated by the experience, but despite my knowledge, having spent a good deal of time in day surgery and with lap patients, i was nervous about the anasthetic, unsure what to expect, never having had surgery before then. I found it a bizarre experience, to lose time, and i now know i ramble when i come out of anasthetic, the poor student nurse who was there with me as i woke up copped 20questions about if she liked nursing, where she thought she would work. In my opinion (and it is purely that) i would only get a lap when all other options are exhausted, it is a diagnositic tool, and can be beneficial to some women. But the 'tip of the iceberg' theory is a fair call, it is very unlikely that what is burnt off is all thats there, for all that can be seen, there is likely alot more. In saying that if it is raging out of control, a lap and a bit diathermy can be enough to get control back even if only temporary. However, dont get a lap just for a diagnosis, it is unnecessary, my original gynea, a very clever man, did not believe in laps unless all other options had first been explored, as he believed what can be seen was not all that was there, and sometimes nothing could be seen when it was there, he considered it a deceptive tool. As a bit of advice too, for any having one in the future, i have seen many women after the procedure, we are all different, we all respond different, and it is not unusual for a women to need alot of time to sleep off the surgery. It is a painful procedure, accept the pain relief, and if none is offered, dont stand for it, push for it. Nausea is common and expected, and do not let any nurse push you out the door and home until you are ready.
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Post by ouchy on Feb 16, 2007 1:00:17 GMT -5
Note to all posters: Please don't post opinions about procedures done on other people, give advice, or make off-topic posts, etc. This thread is for stories regarding your own laparoscopy so that other women might find a wonderfully compiled wealth of info regarding peoples' experiences with having a lap--and only that. Thanks.
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Post by AussieBird on Mar 15, 2007 0:05:25 GMT -5
My laparoscopy story has good news and bad news. The good news was my experience of the procedure & my care. The bad news was the state my body was/is in. From the beginning… I went to a women’s clinic complaining about my bad periods. I was booked in for an ultrasound, which was more than I had ever been offered before – the GPs I had seen in the past only gave me blood tests. The ultrasound showed multiple blood-filled cysts on both of my ovaries, as well as limited mobility of my ovaries that was suggestive of my ovaries, uterus and bowel all being fused together in the pouch of douglas (that tricky bit near the bowel). I was told that it looked very much like endometriosis and when I went home I began reading up on it and becoming a bit of a net junkie. It was then that I discovered a private specialist and made an appointment with him instead of persevering on a waiting list in the public system. I was able to see him very quickly and he spent a good hour explaining things to my husband and I and we felt very safe in his hands. He was able to book my surgery for just over a week later. I had to do a bowel preparation because of the bowel aspect of my endo. So on Monday I was only able to eat and drink from a short list of options. However the worst thing was that I was only allowed to take paracetamol for pain relief and I was menstruating at the time. Tuesday was much worse – I had horrible pain that morning. I was meant to eat a big breakfast and start taking my laxative but on account of the pain I was late eating and could only manage a very light breakfast before taking my first dose. Later my pain improved but I was still very tender. I was not allowed to eat, only drink, for the rest of the day. On Wednesday, the day of my surgery, I had a glass of water just before 6am and wasn’t allowed to have anything to eat OR drink after that. My tummy was still very tender from yesterday’s pain but there was no new pain and I was feeling bright and chirpy after a really good sleep. I was admitted into the hospital around 12 midday and had to wait for quite a while before going in for my surgery. My doctor and anaesthetist visited while I was waiting. I had a bit of a headache which I think was from lack of food, which made it hard for me to kick back and catch some Z’s while I waited. I was allowed the use of an aromatherapy burner and I brought some lavender oil with me. My hubby and I snuggled up on the bed for a while. Around 4pm I robed up and was wheeled away on my ward bed. I was allowed my undies because I needed a menstrual pad. I was allowed my knee high socks, yay. I was taken to a pre-op area where I was given a warm air-filled blanket, it was really nice. I had more hellos from my doctor, his assistant and the anaesthetist. Of course, there were also lots of nice nurses along the way. There was another little wait and then I was wheeled into the theatre. There were lots of nurses around. They moved me from my ward bed to an operating bed. They put a couple of stickers on my chest for electrical monitoring. The anaesthetist gave me a local in my hand and then put another thing in my hand; it was through this that he administered my anaesthetic. He said it would take about 20-30 seconds for me to fall asleep. I felt a funny cold feeling in my hand/wrist and it wouldn’t have been any longer than 5 seconds before I said “oooh” in a cheerful way and heard a nurse or two giggle and that was it for me. The nurses woke me up afterwards in a recovery unit and I felt groggy and my vision was blurry but other than that I felt pretty “with it”. I tried really hard to make out the time and it was 6:15pm. My doctor told me that he had been able to remove cysts and stuff but that there was direct bowel involvement (as he feared) and I would have to have another operation with the involvement of a bowel specialist. In his 10-15yrs of experience he said mine was one of the worst cases he has seen and he said it was stage 5. When the nurses were changing my draining bottle I felt some pain and they gave me more than one shot of morphine which helped a lot. They were very responsive and got on top of the pain before it got a chance to get bad. Before long I was being wheeled back to my ward where my husband was waiting for me. We smiled at each other a lot and I was busy trying to focus my eyes. After he left at around 9pm I woke up more and I think that was when I was changed into my nightie, then I was offered dry biscuits and I asked for fruit salad instead – and boy did that go down nicely! I think that was when I started pain tablets. I wasn’t in pain, just little pangs that would come and go and were really very tolerable, yet I had a sleepless night. Every time I nodded off I would make a loud breathing noise like some kind of snore and I startled myself awake. I felt some pain when I first started to need to pee, but once I was there I couldn’t go. I was really annoyed. I got nauseous in there and by the time I walked back to my bed and sat down, I really felt like I was going to throw up (but didn’t). I’m pretty sure I was given some maxillon through the IV hand-thingy. The next time the I’m-so-busting pain came, I was thankfully able to go, although it sure was shy and tentative. I got another chance through the night and the pain was less and the peeing easier. In all successful cases, the pain left as soon as I’d been. Isn’t it funny – I’d just been cut open and the only pain that was bothering me was a busting-to-pee feeling – and who hasn’t felt that? Nonetheless, I kept up with my pain tablets regularly because I was worried about pain creeping up on me quickly. This was avoided very nicely. Either that, or I really didn’t have any significant pain. There was a young lady about my age in the bed next to mine and she was lovely. We had a few chats throughout the night and in the morning. It made the experience so much better. In the morning (today) I had breakfast, a wash, saw some happy snaps & a report from my operation, had the drain taken out of my navel and the IV thing taken out of my hand (they had disconnected it through the night), etc, and I was out at about 10:30/11:00. The ride home was fairly comfortable and the first thing I did was jump on the computer. I am an hour away from taking my next good painkiller and my incision sites are getting a bit sore but it’s nothing I can’t handle – especially after what Tuesday threw at me! No shoulder pain at all and my throat is only slightly sore. Overall I had a really positive experience and I am very grateful.
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Post by NikkiB on Apr 30, 2007 0:09:46 GMT -5
I am FINALLY back to normal! well... normal enough to actually take the time to sit and write this lol. My first Laparoscopy was on April 24th at 8:50 am... I had to be there at 6:50 (2 hours before surgery). I didn't have any really strict rules before surgery, the only thing they told me was no eating 24 hours before surgery so I guess it wasn't as bad as what I have heared from some of you! I woke up early so I could take a shower and have a little time before going to the hospital (I hate being rushed!). My boyfriend drove me there and right away they took me back and did the whole blood pressure and medical history question check lol. They then took me to my little 'area'. The hospital I was at was renovating, and the day surgery department was a HUGE area with tons of beds and curtains for privacy--you were with everyone. I got changed into the gown and layed on the bed... I was really starting to wish I had my own room because there was an 8 year old getting dental surgery and she was screaming bloody murder! She would not get an IV, wouldn't drink the 'apple juice' the anisthesia guy gave her to make her sleepy... she was basically crying and screaming and it sounding like they were performing an exorcism! You really have no idea how horrible it was listening to this whole thing before surgery. Her mom was screaming at her and everything! AHHHH! Well I guess after an hour they pinned her down and put the IV in and gave her the 'loopy calming shot' because she quieted down. I was just laying there with my boyfriend... I wasn't really too scared or nervous (surprisingly) I guess it is becasue I knew that I was getting the surgery about a month before it was going to happen, so I got most of my jitters out. The nurse came in and attempted to put my IV in... but I gues my veins are stubborn because she tried twice times and had to call a specialist to do it. She came in and finally got in in. My hand is black and blue! lol. But it was fine--needles don't bother me! I waited and waited... the nurse came in to give me the calming medicine and I told her to start me off with a low amount and then increase it because medicine makes me REALLY nauseas if it hits me all at once (besides I hate the feeling of being out of controll of my body and feeling all 'floaty') So after a while I started to feel the medicine and me and nick fell asleep. I woke up 15 minutes before my surgery and woke nick up. I gave him a kiss and he layed in my bed and I waited some more. The people came to get me and I wasn't even scared. I was too oblivious to even understand what was going on! They wheeled me to the room and put an oxygen mask up to my mouth and told me to take deep breaths. I asked what it was and they said it was pure oxygen... and this is so silly but there is this spa place in town where you can get flavored oxygen--it's called the relaxation station... and I go "OOOoohhh like the oxygen at the relaxation station!" and they go "yeah... but this is the skagit valley hospital oxygen bar!" (I feel like such a dork now! Stupid drugs!)... so then I kept breathing that and all of a sudden I knew they changed it to the sleepy gas because my brain felt tingly and my heart felt heavy... I took my mouth away from the mask and said "you changed it! I don't like that!" and that is the LAST thing I remember. I woke up 2 and a half hours later! I was so scared of being put to sleep (it was my first time!) but it was like no time went by at all.... I said 'you changed it, I don't like that'... and then *BAM* all of a sudden it was 11:30! It was so weird... but way better and almost cooler than I expected! I woke up and the doctor came up to me... I said "please tell me you found something..." and he told me that even though all my pain is in my right side, that the right looked healthy and normal, but that they found patches of endo on my left ovary and they removed it and that everything went great. And then... (another silly drug moment) I put my hand on the doctors arm and said "Doctor Bynum... I just want you to know that you are the best doctor ever..." and then I fell back asleep LOL. They took me to the recovery room and I asked for nick... they brought him in and I kept dosing in and out of sleep. My belly hurt... but the pain meds helped. It wasn't an excruciating pain... like unbearable or anything... just sore. So nick came and I kept asking him to find a phone to call my mom. He went up to go find one and right at that second I heared her voice acrossed the room and she was there (weird...) She stayed with me and I slept a while. I kept waking up to another kid screaming and crying and I realized that I could rest better at home! I told the nurse I wanted to leave... and she made me go to the bathroom. Nick helped me up... it was hard standing and getting out of bed... for one I was dizzy from the meds... and two it hurt to use my stomache muscles. Nick helped me into the bathroom... and I could pee fine lol. And I know this is may be too much information... but he is so sweet and I love him so much because he helped me wipe my bloody crotch and helped me put on these weird mesh undies the hospital gives you... oh, and not to mention the MONSTER PAD! lol... I went into surgery towards the end of my period, and the lap made me have it again... a little heavier, but not bad at all. Almost like a normal period. So when I got back to my bed I got nauseas... and I was mad because I wanted to go home but at the same time I had to lay down again and get anti nausea medicine or else I knew I would get sick. After A while I seriously had enough of that place and a nurse wheel chaired me to the car... I got in and nick started to drive us home... but I really wanted my mom so we ended up staying at my parents house. Sometimes you just need your mom! She and Nick took really good care of me. I slept most of the first day home... mom had to help me get up and sit back down... it hurt to walk. Thank god for the percocet! I learned to adapt... like I leared to bend with my knees and not with my belly to sit on the toilet lol. The second day was better... still sore... the third day I was walking around more! I went to the grocery store with mom and visited my work. That night I left my parents and went to my house. By the fourth day my back hurt worse than my belly because it hurt to sleep on my side so I had to sleep on my back the whole time! AND IT HURT! My back aches soooo bad. Today (5th day) I feel SOOO good... my belly only hurts when something presses on it.... or when doing extreme bending. My lap was GREAT! And for those of you scared... I know it seems scary... but take it from me (who is a serious wuss) it was a piece of cake! Hehe... as long as you have someone to take care of you! Anyways... I have written SOOO much... I hope this helps someone! Thanks for everything ENDO-RESOLVED! I LOVE YOU!
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Post by angelas on May 7, 2007 9:33:59 GMT -5
I still don't have much energy to type a huge long story here... but I will give the basics as far as I know! : )
I think I mentioned in another post that the endo was 'everwhere'. She mentioned the worse parts being my rear pelvic wall and the backside of the uterus. Thats as far as the details have gotten - I see her again on May 22nd. I got a call from her secretary though saying that she is requesting a hystersonogram?? (I don't even know if thats what its called forsure) but that I have to make the appointment the first day of my next period since it has to be done between the 6 and 12 day of the cycle. No idea what thats about. The dye test prooved that my tubes are clear though which is fantastic news!!! But that stuff was leakin out of me for over a week!! It was kinda funny to see turqoise fluid on my pads! ahhaa! When I actually woke up from the surgery I was balling... the nurse (who was rude) told me to try breathing instead of crying from across the room - that didn't last long and I ended up getting 2 shots of morphine. Even then I still couldn't sleep. By the time we got home I had spent 8 hours at the hospital, and couldn't sleep at all that night no matter how much tylenol 3's with codine I had - that seemed really werid to me. Also - they apparently gave me 3 different anti nausiants while I was under - and a shot of gravol when I woke up. They also had a seperate IV bag for antibiotics going. That was also weird since none of these things happened during my last 3 laps. One of my incisions is still painful... and I still have pain during bowel movments and sometimes when I pee.... but my lower back is still killing me just as bad as before the surgery - not sure whats up with that...so I can't really tell if I have relief or not. She had me start on birtcontrol pills too right away - and I am to continue to take them for 2 months straight - then have a period. Needless to say - lots of questions for her on the 22nd!!!
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Post by ouchy on May 7, 2007 15:34:57 GMT -5
Notice again to all posters: This thread is for Laparoscopy stories only. It's so that people visiting the site, etc. can have a great thread with story after story about experiences with laparoscopies. This thread is NOT to chit-chat about what you think should/shouldn't have happened with someone else's lap. It's supposed to be a straight-forward account by the person who actually went through the surgery. Also, don't post a 2-liner saying that you have had a couple laps and they both hurt and now you're using another treatment. This gives nothing to the reader contemplating surgery. Detailed accounts of laps are welcome. Nothing else. I think the stories we currently have on here are great, and I'd love to see more. But this isn't a chit-chat thread.
Side-note: Non-topic posts will be (& have been) deleted to provide consistency.
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Post by angelicadawn on May 18, 2007 14:03:26 GMT -5
I am still in recovery of my lap on the 8th, I learned a lot from others stories, so here's mine... I was sceduled to show up to same day surgery at 10:50 on may 8th. I had very few instructions before surgery; not to eat after midnight, no asprin for two weeks before, have my labs (boold, urine so on and so forth) completed the day before, loose clothes, bring someone with me to be there durring surgery and to take me home. Once I arrived they weighed me, had me sign all the papers necessary, gave me my wrist band, took my blood pressure, hooked me up to my iv with antibiotics and water solutions due to my dehydration from not being able to drink for a day ( I dehydrate easily) , gave me my gown and slipper socks (they told me if I wantd to put the shorts on I could, but they would cut them off durring surgery. I felt much more comfertalbe with them not cutting shorts off of me). Once I was on the bed they hooked me to a little air machine on my legs a pump sort of thing that rotated on each leg...they said it was to help with blood clots. Then I sat and sat and sat while my husband and good friend ate I continued to wait in my room for them to come get me. I was waiting for about 3 hours apperently I came after a set of triplets that had a hard labor...I was very understanding. I was in surgery for just over two hours and awoke in recovery shaking uncoltrolable and not able to breath...I later found I had a warmer over me, on my feet and on my head. I also had a breathing mask on with oxygen. I was in recovery for just over three hours and finally was able to go back to my same day recovery room with my husband. I was still on oxygen and had a large stack of blankets on me. Then the fun part came They tried t get me to pee so I could go home, on the way, the very short way I passed out two times and it took three people to help me walk there I sat on the toilet for about 45 minutes (I slept most of the time) and nothing...I then went back to bed. At this time the same day surgery was closed and my nurse of the day stayed with me and refused to pass me off with hope I would be able to go to the bathroom soon. about two hours later We tried again this time I did not pass out and it only took one person to make it to the bathroom besides me. I still didn't pee, she even tried having me blow out of a straw since it uses the same muscles and them she put anomia product in the toilet to help loosen what ever it was I didn't really understand. Still no luck. Just after one in the morning I was moved to he same day recovery room (the one right after surgery) since the hospital was full and there was no rooms to accomidate me, I was at this time pretty awake with no entertainment and a new nurse who would not give me the pain meds that I had recieved all day and I felt it. In the recovery room which I stayed in all night I had to hear two deliveriers and hear all the joy of one woman and her family for her up coming c section at 5 in the morning At this time I fully demanded more pain pills and got them as well as some finagren (I had been taking since the first pain pills they had made me throw up the first time). Since I had a cathater in I didn't have to try to go to the bathroom until about 11 in the morning the next day they took it out and I got to try again, still nothing...then my nurse from the day before had said that I might have some swelling and gave me an ice pack and I tried it and one hour later It worked I peed and I could go home. I couldn't sit up by myself nor really move...I later found that the endo was mainly on my left side (I could and can still tell) and it had gotten on and under my left ovary and had it tacked down, so the dr had to disconnect it and they cleaned me all out, he's pretty sure he got all of it. My tubes looked great he said and the PCOS you wouldn't believe my left ovary was bigger than my uterus, I had overian drilling done at the same time...I am doing good and don't have to return untill monday, that gives me just under two weeks to recover...there's my long and detailed story
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Post by camille on May 29, 2007 11:34:32 GMT -5
I had my second Laparoscopic surgery on the 18th of May. Today is my first day back to work. My first lap was just over 6 months ago. I was diagnosed at that time and my surgeon burned off endo from my tubes and ovaries. She left what was on my intestines and bladder. I got little relief after my first lap (I refused lupron or birth control) and went back to my Primary Care Physician when my ovaries began throbbing again and sex had become altogether too painful. I was also having daily pain. An ultrasound showed ovarian cysts again so I set out to find a new Gyne who could remove all of the endo. I was able to get in with an OBGYN who specializes in lap with the use of a new instrument called the DaVinci. It is a robot that is manipulated from a remote location by the surgeon. It has more "fingers" than traditional tools and a better range of motion than the human hand. Even better, the endo was "cut" out rather than burned off so he was able to get "all that he could see" including my bladder, intestines, cul de sac and ovaries. The night before I had to drink a gallon of colace to prep my bowels. It was not as bad as I had anticipated. I also prepared myself for two days before surgery - eating small amounts, not eating a lot of starch or sugar, cutting out the morning coffee - this really helped me the morning of my surgery because I was not terribly hungry and I didn't have a caffeine withdrawal headache. I highly recommend this... I was given the gown the cap and the socks and the IV that apparently put a smile on my face because when I got into the OR everyone said "she must be feeling good..." Frankly I was quite scared. My legs began trembling terribly so they put those massage things on each leg (for circulation) and two warm blankets - thats the best part of the hospital. Then came the mask... I woke up in recovery - in excruciating pain. They asked my level and I told them ten. I have never been able to judge pain on a scale of one to ten because I have always been told that my pain was "just bad cramps" by my doctors. My scale has always been off. So I told them ten when it was probably more like twelve but I didn't want them to think I was exaggerating . They gave me plenty of drugs and was told I could go home in a little while. I started to come around but was having horrible cramps - I had the Mirena inserted while I was under - so they gave me Tylenol -3. I can't stomach Vicodin. T-3 doesn't touch pain. It just put me into a fog. So I laid there in pain for what seemed like hours. Finally the nurse came in and told me I can go home if I feel up to it. I could barely speak. I just kept shaking my head. So they admitted me. If at all possible, I recommend staying over night after surgery. The difference between my two laps was amazing! I needed to be re-hydrated with the IV and given constant strong pain killers. I was so relaxed and comfortable! I woke up with the sun on my face, a view of Lake Michigan, an IV drip, and a smile. This, I thought, is what we endo sufferers deserve. A room with a view, a morphine drip, and 24 hour nursing care. That has been my level of pain for 15 years. It was incredible. I went home in the afternoon, after the nurses were comfortable with my blood pressure (I have very low BP). I convinced them to give me an extra cup of coffee and then I was fine! My follow up appointment is in two days. I will post results after that. My recovery time has been great. I have four incisions (in addition to my old three!) They are healing really well. I have less bruising than last time and I am much more flexible. I believe I was properly re-hydrated and cared for in my overnight stay. I was even given a breathing apparatus to help me to breathe deep and cough up phlegm! I was sent home with Motrin and T-3 and an anti-biotic. All have run out. I was feeling great until a few days ago when the cramps started. I called my doc and he gave me Vico-profen. It worked wonders on me yesterday, but I am sick to my stomach today. My lap advice - 1. prepare for fasting, esp if you are a coffee drinker! 2. clean the house before surgery 3. let your loved ones know ahead of time when you are scheduled for surgery so they can send healing energy to you and to Whomever (getting cards and messages afterward is lovely) 4. Pudding is really good for an upset stomach 5. stay overnight at the hospital if you can 6. if they won't keep you - rehydrate and move!! the less I moved, the longer it took the pain to go away! 7. gas in the shoulder - heating pad and back rub in a downward motion. Also, walking - the nurse told me to "walk the gas out"
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Post by sequin on Jul 3, 2007 19:38:42 GMT -5
I had my first laparoscopy and hysteroscopy on Monday, June 25th.
A week before the surgery, I got a call from the surgery center to schedule my pre-op, which was the Friday before. At the pre-op, I filled out a bunch of paperwork and they drew some blood. After the surgery center, I walked over to my doctor's office, since she was doing the lap. She did another ultrasound, and found something else near my ovary that she wasn't sure about. So she reassured me it was just precautionary, and she thought it would be okay, but she sent me in for another blood test for cancer. Yay, more things to worry about.
At 4 pm the day before the surgery, I had to drink a laxative, and then give myself two enemas, one the night before and one the morning of the surgery. I knew it was important but it felt so humiliating.
The day of, I was a complete and total wreck. I was so nervous, I couldn't stop trembling, and I was so thirsty. I had to sign some papers and then they took me in the back room to get ready about 8:30. Changed into a gown and comfy socks (which I kept) and the nurse took my vitals. I was shaking so hard that the bed was moving, but then she gave me a warm blanket. That really helped. She tried to put in the IV but my veins weren't acting right because I was dehydrated. Then she gave me another warm blanket and Hubby was able to come back and sit by me. The anesthesiologist came over and put in the IV so I got saline and antibiotics. Another nurse came over and did stuff and then my doctor came over and talked to us. They kept asking me to verify who I was and why I was there.
Finally, at 10:30 (an hour late) they were ready for me. Hubby took my glasses and they wheeled me down narrow corridors to what looked like a typical surgery room (at least it looked like the ones on TV, as far as I could tell.) They had me scootch over onto the operating bed - there was a hole in the middle and I had to put my rump right above the hole. The anesthesiologist said in my right ear, "Okay, I'm going to give you the good stuff now," and that's all I remember.
The rest is all nightmare-fuzzy. I remember my doctor saying, "You won't remember this, but your fallopian tubes are both blocked." I remember them taking out the catheter - it was a pinch. I remember them taking an oxygen tube out of my nose, and then, oh, it was awful. It was like there were two of me, a big me and a little me. The big me was so, so tired. Just exhausted. And all she wanted to do was sleep. The little me knew what was going on, but had no control over anything because big me was so tired. I heard them saying that my blood had really low oxygen, and that I had to keep breathing. So Hubby and the nurse kept telling me I had to take deep breaths. And I was trying so hard, but I just couldn't because I was so tired. And all I wanted to do was sleep, but stupid Hubby and the stupid nurse kept saying, "Deep breaths. You have to take deep breaths."
And I thought, why not just leave the stupid oxygen tube in my nose then, and let me sleep! Sheesh! Then they decided it would help if I sat up. So they tried to help me sit up, and that's when I started puking. First I puked up the apple juice I vaguely remember drinking, and then it was bile. They gave me one kind of anti-nausea medicine, and that didn't work, so I guess they gave me another kind, but I don't remember that. The nurse wanted me to walk across the room to sit in a chair. Standing up made me puke even more ("It was like 'The Exorcist'" said Hubby afterwards) and that's when I noticed that I'd bled all over the bed, my gown, and myself. (The pad had shifted.)
The nurse helped me to the chair, and at some point the drama changed from the oxygen in my blood to my blood pressure. It kept going down and they couldn't stop it. I had an automatic blood pressure cuff on and I would feel it swell up and then an alarm would go off. It was so scary. All this stuff was happening and I had no control over anything, I was still just so freaking tired. Hubby said at one point my blood pressure was 87 over 34. I remember the nurse telling me they were going to give me saline with sugar in it, and that seemed to work. Hubby said I also got a shot of something but I don't remember that.
I was there so long that my nurse's shift ended. I was the last person left in recovery. They'd said I would be about an hour and a half in recovery, and I think I was there about 5 hours. Even though I wasn't able to pee yet, they just sent us home at 5 and said to call urgent care if I hadn't gone by 10 pm. (I was able to go just fine soon after we got home, although it took about 10 minutes, since I couldn't quite read my body's signals. I assumed the anesthesia and catheter confused my bladder.)
The night after I got home I slept and used the bathroom many, many times. I was pretty out of it. But the morning after (Tuesday), my cats woke me up at 6 am for their breakfast, and I felt okay. Later on Tuesday afternoon, I started to develop pains in my right shoulder. That was pretty bad, since walking was the only thing that helped, but walking wasn't easy for me. Lying down was particularly painful. Hubby also rubbed my shoulder, which helped. The pain didn't really respond to my painkillers either. I had the shoulder pain from about noon to 9 pm on Tuesday, and then a tiny twinge or two on Wednesday.
I'm only just now starting to feel like my old self. So most of the last week has been spent taking drugs, watching TV, reading, sleeping, and crying. I'm slowly coming to terms with the physical and emotional trauma of that day. I had acupuncture yesterday and that seemed to help. My abdomen is somewhat itchy and pretty tender - a few days ago I bumped up against the kitchen counter and was surprised at how much it hurt. Sleeping is okay, since Hubby wakes me up at midnight to give me a Vicodin (I take my drugs on the 6s and 12s, ibuprofen during the day, Vicodin at night.) The other night I tried to take an ibuprofen at night, but then had too much pain to sleep well.
We have a follow-up visit next week (where we'll get to see a DVD of the surgery) and the week after that, an appointment with a reproductive endocrinologist. All I know right now is that I do have endometriosis, and it's severe, and both of my fallopian tubes are completely closed. So I kind of dread the follow-up, but at least then I'll learn more about my situation.
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Post by 36 in Nashville on Aug 6, 2007 16:16:36 GMT -5
I've been reading these stories to get an idea of what I'm feeling after my first laparoscopy. I had my surgery on July 27, 2007...3 incisions. They found and removed quite a bit of endometriosis (uterus, ovaries, bladder) and removed a fibroid off the back of my uterus as well. It's been just over a week, and I'm still pretty sore at my incision sites, especially the ones at the belly button and just to the left of my lower abdomen. The one at my bikini line is barely noticeable at all.
I'm still hurting, though, and this is so frustrating. I have returned to work, but find it very difficult to even concentrate because of the level of pain...it's the exact same pain I was feeling before the surgery. I've placed a call to my ob/gyn, but they haven't called me back yet (it's a typical Monday...hoping to hear from them soon).
Is this normal? Does it just take a while for the pain to go away? Your posts have helped me so much, if only just to find information. I knew exactly what to expect going in, and you have no idea how much I appreciate that! My doctor told me a lot, but having read posts from women who had actually been there was most beneficial.
Thanks ladies! Nashville, TN
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Post by ouchy on Aug 6, 2007 16:29:07 GMT -5
Reminder: Experiences ONLY. No asking for advice or opinions.
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Post by gallop on Oct 18, 2007 10:34:10 GMT -5
I have had 3 laps in the past 5 years. All have gone pretty much the same:
Arrive early in the morning, about 6:30. Nothing to eat or drink after 10 the night before. Took me in back to change into gown, get into bed, start IV, put those boot things on my legs. Once all that was done, mom/dad/bf came back to sit with me while I waited. My dr stops by about 20 mins before surgery to check in with me. Eventually a bunch of people in scrubs came to get me, put a sedative in my IV, and wheeled me away. The first 2 times I was knocked out almost immediately, but this last time I was awake all the way into the surgical room, which is freaky--it is SUPER bright in there!
All 3 times I have stayed overnight at a little "mini hospital" that is for outpatient surgeries. I LOVE it there. They hooked me up to a Demerol PCA right away. Mostly slept the first few hours afterwards--couldn't talk much because my throat was so scratchy from the breathing tube. Once I was more coherent and awake, they let me have juice and Italian ice. Of course, due to the fluids they were constantly running through me, I had to pee literally every 30 mins, which I'm sure annoyed the nurses!
Dr came in late afternoon to check on me all 3 times. First time he said they got a lot of endo out. Second time said they couldn't get much b/c a lot of it was under major arteries/attached to major organs and could not be ablated. Third time, said they took out a huge cervical polyp and some stage 1 endo.
Go home the next day around noon and mostly sleep/take pain meds/eat soup for the first 48 hours after coming home. Then slowly start weaning off the pain meds and trying to move around. The first 2 laps were a lot more painful than the third one--maybe I am just getting used to it by now. This last time I was out riding my horse 6 days after the surgery. HOWEVER--if you get a weight lifting restriction, FOLLOW IT! I was on a 10lb lifting restriction but wasn't thinking and picked up my 50 lb niece 5 days afterwards....OUCH. Plus the most disgusting pulling sensation around my incisions.
Overall my laps have been good experiences. The first two seemed to do quite a bit to relieve my pain, in combination with BC pills/Lupron. This third time....well, I am already having breakthrough bleeding and cramping again and my lap was just 2 weeks ago.
Advice:
1. Buy yourself a pretty nightgown or really comfy pants--you aren't going to want anything touching your incisions, especially the one in your belly button. Plus, if you stay overnight, you'll feel better in something nicer than a hospital gown that is 10 sizes too big (like I had a couple weeks ago).
2. Stay overnight if you can. It is so much better for pain management and rest, and easier on your caregivers too.
3. If you have pets at home, like dogs or cats that may inadvertently jump on your stomach, make prior arrangements for someone to help you take care of them. You will not appreciate it if your 15 lb kitty lands right on your incisions.
4. Stairs may be difficult the first day or two after you come home. Avoid them if you can.
Try to relax and not be too nervous. To be perfectly honest, in some ways I have enjoyed mine--I am usually the caretaker/"doer" in my house so it is nice to be taken care of for a few days, and especially this last time, it provided a break from a very stressful time at work. Not saying they are a barrel of fun--but there can be some hidden benefits.
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Post by jjuls22 on Nov 20, 2007 15:35:46 GMT -5
I had my last surgery about two weeks ago, its sooooo nice to be walking normally again I had two endo cysts, one in each ovary, one was 6cm the other 4, surgery went pretty smoothly, was in a lot of pain when i woke up, the nurse dumped 4 (yes i said 4) different types of pain killers into my IV and then had me take two percocets before i went home, needless to say, i dont remember much. I didnt have a lot of gas pains this time around like i did with the first lap, which was nice.. those are a killer!! I had a hard time dressing, lifting my legs, sitting up, the usual. I had a lot of bloating and a lot of pain on my right side due to a large incision. Also, I guess there is a fatty linning between your muscles and abs, which the doc accidently started to inflate between the fatty lining and my muscles, instead of inflating my abs... WHOOOOPS... needless to say it didnt cause many problems, which the doctor was worried about bowl movements. It hurt to pee for awhile, i took some stool softeners, those were a life saver!! Its very hard to go # 2 when your stomach muscles have been cut into and your afraid to use them I didnt take any treatment after surgery, i went on contin. BCP after my first lap which was about 2 years ago.. and decided to try the wait and see method.
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Post by canadian12 on Jan 22, 2008 18:42:37 GMT -5
Here is a recent experince
I had a lap done Jan.16 at a hospital in Canada. I have never had any kind of surgery so I was very nervous. I had to walk to the operating room and jump up onto the table myself ( this was a bit weird ) . Anyway they had a hard time puting in the IV for the anaesthia but once that was done I woke up in the recovery room. The pain was not that bad it just felt like the usual painful period cramps and the nurse gave me some pain meds. The next day at home the pain was managable only took a few tylenol 3s. It was hard for me to get up from a lying down position for the first day only. I had the lap to check for endo etc. They found Endo in behind the uterus I also had a penuclated ( on the outside of the uterus) fibroid removed, the doctor ground up the fibroid with a moreculator and vacuumed it out. I had 3 incisions one on the right and left lower abs and one in the navel. I haven't had my period yet after the surgery but I am keeping my fingers crossed it will be more pleasant
If I have to do this again in a few years I won't be scared at all it was not that bad an experience for me.
Good luck and health to those of you undergoing treatment
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