Feel free to email me if you have any other questions, I had a lap done
last year.
--
Mandy
SO YOU'RE HAVING A LAPAROSCOPY!
Anne's Laparoscopy Tips Can Help You Through It.
By Anne De Perty
"This is a document I put together in August 1997, while recovering from
my second laparoscopy. I've compiled a list of things a lap patient can
do to make the experience a little less unpleasant, both before and
after the surgery. This is based on my personal experience, some tips
I've picked up from the newsgroups and some really terrific recovery
room nurses, and doctor's orders. Any additional, helpful hints and
suggestions would be welcomed.
Many of these hints can apply to other minor (!) abdominal surgeries
done on an outpatient basis.
If your doctor's orders conflict with these hints, by all means,
follow what your doctor says! I'm not a medical professional, just a
patient with some experience.
Advance planning.
To minimize time missed from work, try to schedule your surgery for a
Thursday or Friday so you have the weekend to recover. Clear your
calendar of any major engagements for at least two weeks afterward to
allow lots of relaxing and napping. Your doctor will determine what
time in your cycle is appropriate for your lap, depending on its
purpose, and whether other procedures (hysteroscopy, HSG, tubal ligation
or reversal, etc.) are to be performed at the same time.
Engage a responsible adult(s) to drive you to and from the hospital on
the day of the surgery, and to spend 24 hours with you after your return
home.
Your Pre-op Appointment.
Discuss with your doctor exactly what is to be done. This is the time
to ask all your questions, including if and how endometriosis is to be
treated, whether diseased organs are to be removed, etc. Put your
wishes in writing, and be very clear! You don't want to wake up and find
that your DH has authorized a hysterectomy if you want to bear children
in the
future! Indicate your preference in drugs also; if you want to start
trying to get pregnant immediately, you won't want a shot of Lupron
before you wake up!
Discuss all medications you are currently using, and whether they will
have any effect on the anesthesia. Ask for a prescription for post-op
painkillers so you can fill it in advance.
Ask if you can get a videotape of the procedure (if you want one).
This can be pretty gross or pretty fascinating depending on your
viewpoint, but it really helps you to visualize and document what's
going on inside your body, and it can be invaluable if you end up
changing doctors in the future.
Confirm with your doctor's office that insurance pre-approval
requirements, if any, have been met.
If you think you'll need a sleeping pill for the night before
surgery, request one now. The doctor will prescribe something that
won't conflict with your anesthesia.
The Day Before
Eat light and healthy, and drink lots of fluids. You won't be
allowed any food or liquids after midnight, so you may want an evening
snack to prevent that starved feeling in the morning,
especially if your surgery is scheduled later in the day. Your
doctor may ask you to do an enema in the evening to clean out your
bowel. If more severe endometriosis is suspected, a full bowel prep may
be required. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Go grocery shopping for "instant food" so you won't need to cook for at
least three days. Microwave dinners, cold cuts, fruit, juices, and
canned soups are all good. Avoid anything too spicy or greasy. Your
stomach may not tolerate it. Be sure to have saltine crackers and
gingerale in case you have nausea after the anesthetic.
Buy maxi pads and panty liners; all they have in the hospital is the
old-fashioned maternity pads with the belts, and you'll probably be more
comfortable with your favorite brand.
Pick up some Chloraseptic or other throat lozenges. Intubation will
leave you with a terrible sore throat. (Clear this with your doctor
first!)
Fill your painkiller prescription and leave it in a safe place.
Rent a few videos to keep your mind occupied while your body heals.
Nothing too funny, though - you don't want to be laughing hard the first
day or so!
Clean your house - you won't be doing that for the next few days. Put
fresh sheets on your bed or sofa, wherever you think you'll be spending
time. Make sure you have two or three clean, loose fitting outfits (no
snug waistbands!) ready to wear when you get home. Satin pajamas or
nightshirts are especially good, because you can just s-l-i-d-e right
out of bed with minimal effort.
Choose a soft, loose fitting garment to wear tomorrow that's easy to put
on and take off. Wear comfortable flat shoes that slip on.
Bikini or low rise panties are better because the waistband won't rub on
your belly button after the surgery.
Pack a "hospital bag." Include: your insurance card, a blank
videotape, a pair of clean socks to keep your feet warm during the
surgery, a maxi pad, reading material, in case you're stuck in pre-op
for a while; a paper lunch bag and tissues, in case you feel ill on the
ride home; a small pillow, to hug against your belly in the car; a case
for your eyeglasses, if you wear them and anything else you'll need that
day. Plan to leave your wallet and valuables at home.
Remove all nail polish. Remove and secure jewelry and contact lenses.
Go to bed early and get a good night's sleep.
Surgery Day
Wake up early and take your time bathing and dressing, so you
won't feel rushed. Don't bother doing anything fancy with your hair-
you're only going to stuff it into a shower cap anyway! Don't wear any
makeup, lotion, perfume, hair spray, or deodorant.
Arrive at the hospital or surgery center at least an hour before
your scheduled surgery time. You'll need to fill out more forms and
consents before you go into pre-op.
In pre-op, you'll be offered a tranquilizer; they can add it to your IV.
To minimize drug interactions, you can refuse meds at this point. It's
all personal preference. Your anesthesiologist may order something to
prevent nausea. Again, it's your choice. (Warning! Liquid Zantac is a
taste sensation I never want to repeat. Think bug spray.)
When you wake up in recovery, the nurses will offer you something to
help you wake up, and once again you can accept or refuse it. (I
accepted it once, and the only way I can describe the sensation was like
cold water pouring on my brain - NOT pleasant!) You have the option to
just sleep it off. One member of ASE had a great suggestion: bring a
tape of your favorite relaxation music and record your voice telling you
gently to "start waking up". At the appropriate time after the surgery,
the recovery room staff turned on the tape (she was wearing earphones)
and started the music. She woke up to her favorite classical and new
age tunes that she plays when she's feeling a lot of stress. She said,
"I had an amazingly easy wake-up, no sickness at all." Great idea!
You won't be discharged until you have urinated, so you may be in
recovery awhile. This may be difficult if you were catheterized during
the surgery. When you do go into the bathroom, let the nurse help you.
You may think you can walk, but your knees can turn to Jell-O without
warning.
If you feel nauseous, waving an alcohol pad under your nose can help.
Ask the recovery nurses for a few to take home with you.
For the ride home, recline your seat part way. Hug the pillow
gently against your belly to soften road bumps. Your surgeon may offer
you an abdominal binder, which is even better for easing the pain of
movement in the car. Have your paper bag and tissues nearby in case you
need to vomit.
Recovery at Home
A laparoscopy usually involves two to four tiny (less than an inch)
incisions: one through the navel, where the scope is inserted, and one
to three on the lower abdomen near the pubic hairline, to insert the
tools used to manipulate your organs.
The lower abdominal incisions usually heal quickly, and they cause very
little discomfort. My experience has been that they itch more than they
hurt. Your navel area will be tender and swollen for a week or so.
Avoid clothing that may rub. Follow your doctor's instructions on
cleaning and dressing the incisions and watch for signs of infection.
For the first 24 hours, spend as much time as possible lying down or
sleeping. Lie in whatever position is most comfortable. If it helps to
keep your knees bent upward, prop your legs with pillows. Ask for
assistance sitting up at first - those stomach muscles are very shaky
right now. Keep a full glass of water with a flexible straw within
reach so you won't have get up or call for help every time you're
thirsty. Leave the TV remote control within arm's length.
Ask your DH to rub your shoulders, brush your hair, paint your
toenails! Feel pampered!
You'll probably bleed (like a period) for a couple of days, then spot
for several more days.
Your pillow will become your best friend. Hugging it helps support the
incisions if you prefer to lie on your side. It also helps if you cough
(if you've been intubated), sneeze, laugh, or get the dry heaves.
The amount of surgical pain and cramping you have depends
greatly on how extensive your surgery was. Use your painkillers and/or
a heating pad as needed. You may also have rib and shoulder pain from
the gas used to inflate your abdomen. The gas will also make you belch
A LOT. It will take a few days for the bloated tummy to go back to
normal.
If you feel up to it, walk around the house a little bit. Try not to
overdo it, or you may end up exhausted or lightheaded. The best way is
just a little at a time.
Start with liquids and slowly work up to a normal diet, as your
stomach will accept it. Room temperature foods are tolerated more
easily than hot or cold foods at first. Chewing gum or sucking on hard
candies can help control nausea. To prevent dehydration and
constipation (common side effects of both general anesthesia and
narcotic painkillers), be sure to drink lots of non-caffeinated liquids
and include some high fiber fruits and vegetables like prunes and
spinach.
You can usually shower the day after surgery. Have someone stay in the
bathroom with you in case you need help.
If you need to be out in public, carrying a cane can be a visual
clue to other people that you need special treatment. It may
convince them to hold doors for you, or be less annoyed that
you're walking slowly.
Returning to Work.
It's up to you and your doctor when you return to work. If you
have a sedentary job and you're feeling well, you may be able to return
within 3 or 4 days. A more physically demanding job or more complicated
surgery may require longer recovery time. Your first few days back,
take it easy. If you start feeling bilious, leave early.
If your job requires professional attire, try to avoid pantyhose for at
least a week. The waistband can be irritating on your navel. Wear
long, loose dresses without waistbands and knee highs if possible.
They'll also help conceal your bloated tummy.
The most important thing is to take it easy, and don't push too
hard. A laparoscopy is a major surgery, and it can knock your feetout
from under you. Your recovery will go smoother if you take care of
yourself and don't try to rush it."
_1997, 1998 Anne DePerty and contributing members of ASE. All rights
reserved. Information in this document may be duplicated and
distributed with permission, as long as copyright information is
attached and use is not for profit.
I want to add that I never go to hospital without my own pillow and its
a great comfort to sleep with it and its a great support for my abdomen
when I am coughing (which is important after any surgery to get your
lungs clear and prevent complications) or even sneezing after surgery
can be painful
and a stomach support helps a great deal and also for the car ride home
it is a must.
Never use a hot water bottle after surgery as it can create problems
post surgery and can encourage bleeding, wait at least 14 days before
using any thing too hot on your abdomen.
**Disclaimer**
This information should not replace seeing your doctor or checking with
your surgeon for anything that he has not approved. IN FACT DO NOT do
anything your doctor has not approved. These are just guide lines to
help you cope
after surgery but we all must remember that each person is an
individual, with their own chemical makeup and each person will react
differently to different drugs and treatments, we are all unique. Never
do anything after
surgery without your doctors permission, this especially includes
driving a car after surgery , even vacuuming.
![[ endo@obgyn.net ]](../../images/endo_at_obgyn.gif)