Re: 2 months since surgery
For more information on symptoms and treatment of endometriosis visit www.EndometriosisZONE.org.
From: Cindy (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue Dec 27 13:25:19 2005
Sure! It's similar to a laparoscopy, but more intense. The laparoscopy
involves 3 small incisions in which the dr inserts a camera to see
what's going on. Well, the laparotomy incision is one large one similar
to the incision you would have during a cesaerean birth. My scar is
about the length of my hand from wrist to the tip of my thumb. The
doctor is able to see inside more thoroughly and can really examine the
entire pelvic area. It's sort of like the difference between looking at
a video and actually being there. Hope that helps!
Tue, 27 Dec 2005, Rhonda wrote:
>
>Cindy can you tell me what is a laparotomy? thank-You Rhonda
>At Tue, 27 Dec 2005, Cindy wrote:
>>
>>Hi ladies! I haven't been writing in a while. Hope you are all having a
>>good holiday season. I wanted to give you a quick update on myself in
>>hopes it could brighten at least one person's feelings about endo. I
>>was feeling awful for about 3 years. I went through 2 laparoscopies,
>>hormone therapy including Lupron, and I tried to change my diet in hopes
>>that better nutrition would help. Nothing worked. My OBGYN finally
>>made the "big cut" and performed a laparotomy. He told me he was going
>>to clean up all the endo & adhesions he could find and take out my
>>appendix as a precautionary measure. I was a little leery, so I went to
>>my regular GP who assured me my doctor is a good one and he was doing
>>the right thing. My OBGYN also said he was going to put in an adhesion
>>barrier to help prevvent new adhesions from forming after the
>>laparotomy. Well, I had that surgery on 10/18. It turns out my
>>appendix had an adhesion around it that looked like a rubber band
>>choking it. It cause my appendix to curve up into my intestines which
>>was causing major bowel movement issues. Who knew?? It definitely took
>>a good month to heal, and I was worried for the first couple of weeks
>>because it hurt so bad I couldn't walk. I thought I had made a terrible
>>mistake and was so depressed that I cried nonstop. But then, I started
>>feeling better. And then better still. And then so much better that I
>>was actually happy. Now I feel SO great!! I really had no idea how bad
>>I was feeling until I started feeling better (if that makes sense). I've
>>been pain free for over a month now. I even had a real period at the
>>beginning of the month. It lasted 11 days, and I did have some cramps,
>>but nothing as unbearable as it used to be.
>>I really hope all you ladies can find something that works for you. And
>>I hope everyone shares their stories- good or bad- because they all
>>help. Knowledge is power. I wish you all the best, and please keep
>>your fingers crossed that this surgery keeps my endo away for good. My
>>husband and I are going to start trying for our second baby at the
>>beginning of the year.
>>Love to you all,
>>Cindy
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