Maybe this list can be improved on. May I suggest that if you notice
something missing, copy it and repost it with your own additions? That
way it will get better and better.
--
Ellen
Tips for women who must undergo a laparoscopy
By Annie Plourde
I had to undergo laparascopy a few times, and several women suffering
from endometriosis as well as support groups on the Internet such as
alt.support.endometriosis and Witsendo generously offered me precious
advice that greatly helped me before, during and after the laparoscopy.
I would like to share them with you in the hope that they help you too.
Before the procedure You should stop taking all vitamins, natural
supplements and if possible, any analgesics that may contain aspirin
(salicylic acid) because these products tend to thin the blood,
increasing the risk of haemorrhage.
Make sure someone accompanies you on the day of the surgery and helps
you 24 hours after. This person must be someone with whom you are
comfortable because he/she may have to help you go to the bathroom, get
dressed, etc.
Buy or prepare several meals ahead of time since after surgery you will
not have the energy to cook. (See page 11 for eating habits that can
lessen endometriosis pain.)
Do your house cleaning and laundry.
Prepare comfortable clothing for your convalescence.
Silky underclothing such as satin will be less irritating to the wound
and allow you to slip out of bed more easily.
Decide in which part of the house you will recuperate during the first
few days. I chose my recliner in the living room.
Prepare the location with clean sheets, pillows, heating pad,
analgesics, reading material, remote control, telephone, etc.
Buy some good magazines and rent a few movies to distract you during
your convalescence.
If you have haemorrhoids, make sure to have a medicated cream on hand in
case you're constipated after the procedure.
Pre-op appointment
The pre-op appointment is the time to ask any questions you may have
concerning the surgery, anaesthesia, etc.
Ask your doctor for your analgesic prescription and fill it before the
procedure. This is much more practical than doing it when you leave the
hospital.
Ask if you will need an enema. An enema is sometimes used to clean out
the intestines to avoid intestinal waste from spreading in the abdomen
should the intestinal wall be perforated during the procedure.
Ask if you need to shave the area where the surgery will be performed.
If so, you can wax the area yourself. This will substantially reduce
itchiness during your convalescence.
Ask your physician if she would agree to videotape your laparoscopy.
This becomes an invaluable medical document and also reassures you about
what went on during the surgery.
What to pack
Lastly, prepare your hospital bag and go over its contents with the
person who will be accompanying you so that she knows what you packed
and where you placed the items. Make sure to pack the following:
* sanitary napkins
* health insurance and hospital cards
* blank videocassette
* a pair of socks
* glass case
* Walkman and cassettes with relaxing music
* reading material
* Kleenex
* lip balm
In the car place a large Ziploc bag in case you throw-up, as well as
Kleenex and a pillow.
The day of the surgery
Don't wear any makeup, hairspray, body lotion or deodorant. Remove nail
polish, jewellery and contact lenses.
Wear loose clothing such a dress without any elastic at the waist.
Wear bikini underwear so that no fabric rubs against your navel after
the procedure. Also, make sure your panties are a size larger than you
usually wear; they will be more comfortable if your abdomen is swollen.
Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off since you will find it hard
to bend after the procedure.
When you arrive at the hospital, try to relax. Listening to soothing
music on your Walkman will help.
After the surgery
In the car, recline the seat and place a pillow against your stomach to
absorb the shock of bumps in the road.
Once at home, lie down and sleep as much as possible for the first 24
hours. Your abdominal muscles will be very tender the first few days.
Hold a pillow against your stomach if you sneeze or cough to lessen the
pain. Your abdomen will be tender for about a week and some bruising is
normal.
Your shoulders will also hurt the first few days. Recline in your
armchair and place a heating pad on your shoulders. When you feel
better, walk a little around the house.
To get out of bed, roll onto your side, slip your feet out of bed, sit
up using your arms for support and then stand up.
If you feel nauseous, try the following: rub a pad moistened with
rubbing alcohol under your nose, lie down, breathe through the mouth,
suck on a mint candy, eat dry crackers or drink ginger ale.
Eat lightly, beginning with liquids and slowly moving up to solid food.
Eat foods high in fibre such as pears, prunes, asparagus, carrots and
whole-wheat bread to prevent constipation. The anaesthesia and
analgesics can cause severe constipation after surgery.
Make sure to drink at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water per day not only to
prevent constipation but also to help eliminate traces of the
anaesthesia.
After the laparoscopy, avoid wearing tampons and having sexual relations
until the bleeding stops.
You may shower 24 hours after the surgery but don't take baths for a
week, which would be difficult anyway since you would have trouble
getting out of the bath.
A few days after the procedure, you can apply vitamin E to the incision
if the scar looks normal and there are no signs of infection. Vitamin E
promotes healing.
It usually takes about a week to recover from a laparoscopy, a common
and minimally invasive procedure. If, however, you develop a fever,
have difficulty urinating or experience heavy bleeding, contact your
doctor immediately or go to the hospital.
When you return to work, wear loose clothing and avoid wearing nylon
pantyhose, which will irritate your navel.
The secret to a speedy recovery is to take the necessary time and means
to regain your energy.
Annie Plourde (endometriose@yahoo.ca) is webmistress of her own site:
http://www.geocities.com/endometriose
--
Ellen
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