Re: LAPAROTOMY/ New to board - Thanks for the response
From: Denise (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat Jun 28 09:31:46 2003
At Fri, 27 Jun 2003, Susan wrote:
> Susan:
Yes you are correct, the main resason for the Laparotomy is due to the
size of the cyst. I was also referred to a fertility specialist and she
confirmed this was a laparotomy procedure. If they try and do it with a
laparoscopy they run the risk of spilling cells. Plus I am scheduled
for a colonoscopy on Wednesday and if it has gone inside my bowel I will
have to have that part of my colon removed. Thanks for being honest
with me. I want to know the possible worst that I will feel or to
expect. I figure if I am expecting the worst then I won't be
dissapointed when I feel like crap! I so hope they will give me
something when I first arrive. I was litteraly shaking before my
laparoscopy so I can't imagine how I will feel before this. How many
days were you in the hospital? Will I be ok by myself during the day
when I come home? Thanks in advance!
>To rg:
>Laparotomies are still performed for a couple of reasons, one being if there
>is a large cyst(s) involved that are too large to be removed by laparoscopy.
>An 8cm (3") cyst would qualify.
>
>To Denise:
>I have had two laparotomies. Be prepared to take off about a month. Take
>it easy but do try to get up and move around. It hurts like heck (sorry,
>but it's true) especially to stand up straight but try to anyway. If you
>give in and walk around bent over the muscles will not heal with the proper
>flexibility and you will take longer to recover. When you get up from a
>laying down position, get to the edge of the bed or sofa, roll onto your
>side, put your feet on the floor (or hang them over the edge) and then push
>yourself up with your arms to a sitting position. They will probably go
>over that with you after the surgery. It really helps. I am sure you will
>discover these things for yourself anyway. For the first week or two keep a
>soft pillow handy to hold over and put a little pressure on your incision
>when you sneeze or cough. It doesn't hurt as much when you apply a little
>pressure there.
>
>Absolutely follow their instructions. They have very good reasons for them
>even if you don't feel some of them may apply.
>
>Try not to worry or get yourself all worked up over it, that will just make
>it harder for you to recover in the first couple of days. Sometimes a
>doctor will prescribe something for a patient to help calm them prior to the
>surgery. You might want to talk to your doctor about that. I am sure you
>will be fine and we will all be here for you.
>
>Susan
>
>http://groups.msn.com/SusansEndometriosisStory
>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>From: "rg" <anonymous@obgyn.net>
>To: "Multiple recipients of list ENDO" <anonymous@obgyn.net>
>Sent: Friday, June 27, 2003 9:33 PM
>Subject: Re: LAPAROTOMY/ New to board
>
>> Why a laparotomy regardless there is almost never a reason to have a
>> laparatomy a good specialist will be able to do all you have listed via
>> laparscopy so you may want to research this.
>>
>> At Fri, 27 Jun 2003, Denise wrote:
>> >
>> >I am scheduled to have Laparotomy on Monday, July 14th at 5:00P.M. I
>> >have Stage IV Endometriosis attached to my bladder, bowel, and an 8cm
>> >cyst on my left ovary. I have had a Laparoscopy, which is what
>> >identified all this. I AM PETRIFIED!!! I was hoping some of you on this
>> >forum could tell me what to expect. I don't want to go into this with
>> >my blinders on. I want to honest feedback, good or bad please. Any
>> >info or advice would be greatly appreciated.
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