Please tell me your experience with a Laparoscopy [Archive]

amychris03

08-29-2005, 06:06 PM

I had a lap done in February. The day of the surgery, with the pain meds
that they had given me, I felt FINE. Hardly any soreness at all. I think
my dr gave me percocet? I can't remember. I took one when I got home,
and one before bed. The next two days I was really really sore,
especially when going from laying down to sitting up and vice versa.
I never took anymore percocet because I didn't want to feel too
drugged up and the pain seemed fairly manageable with 800mg of
Motrin. Like I said, the first two days after were quite sore, but it
got better each day after that. I just took it easy, and took a week
off of work to recouperate since I have a physically demanding job!
Let me know if you have any other questions! :)

scorpioanne

08-29-2005, 09:15 PM

I had one about 15 years ago and I don't remember any great pain at all after. I was just kind of groggy for a couple of days as I had a general anaesthetic. They did a D&C at the same time and that of course caused some bleeding and cramping. The thing that really stands out is that I had to take out my own stitch which grossed me out.

Scooter

08-29-2005, 09:34 PM

I had one last summer and it was fine. I was really worked up and scared about it, but afterward I felt like I shouldn't have made such a big deal out of it. (hard to believe beforehand though!!) One of the worst parts was the day before, because I wasn't allowed to eat that day and I had to drink this horrible drink to do an intestinal cleansing. That on top of generally feeling nervous wasn't a good day!

I went to the hospital, checked in, they put me in a bed and DH was allowed to sit there with me. The anasthesiologist came in and talked to me and gave me verocet (i think) in an IV which made me totally calm and relaxed. They wheeled me into the OR, added something else to my IV and next thing I knew I was in the recovery room feeling ok. I had a scratchy throat for a few days from the tube (they have to do that because part of the procedure is them putting gas into your abdomen so they can work easier). They also had put in a urinary catheter while I was out, so that can cause some discomfort when you go to the bathroom later. And for that same reason make sure you go to the bathroom before leaving the hospital. I went home within an hour or so of waking up.

Recovery: I felt nauseus and exhausted all that day from the IV, which lasted a bit into the 2nd day. That was the main physical memory. The Dr told me that the incisions are more like plastic surgery incisions, and she was right. They did the stitches somehow on the inside, so I never saw them. Then on the outside they put this glue stuff that sticks for quite a few days, and it's kind of like a plastic coating over the incisions. Very easy to care for, and very little pain, with only bandaids covering them! After the 2nd day I was just taking tylenol. I hadn't expected it, but my insides were all sore--like my organs. Weird feeling, but it makes sense. That went away in 2-3 days, and in about a week I didn't even feel like I'd had a surgery. The only times I was bothered were in the car (seatbelt) or when I was slouching. HTH, and good luck on your surgery!

Marie

08-30-2005, 05:34 AM

It is a relatively easy surgery and recovery. You'll probably have some dull ache type pain in your abdomen and sometimes the gas can settle near your shoulders and cause a bit of pain there. But it was nothing horrible or anything. After my first one I was out of work for a couple of days but I also had laser work done. My second one was much easier and I was feeling pretty fine by the next day.

lisapremiere

08-31-2005, 07:32 AM

Thanks ladies for all the information. It makes it a lot easier to face knowing what to expect. Scooter - thanks for being so detailed I am a little more relaxed now knowing what to expect.

:)

BrownEyedGirl

09-06-2005, 11:07 AM

I had a lap last November....piece of cake. Well, for the most part.

I got to the hospital in the morning talked to a bunch of different people. Got the happy juice pumped into the blood...started giggling. Got to the operating room chatted w/the nurse, breathed the knock out air, woke up in recovery. Once I was pretty much awake I was wheeled into the area where my family could sit with me. I was a little uncomfortable, but not in pain. The only problem I had was going to the potty...they won't let you leave until you urinate successfully. I have a very shy bladder and it took me almost four hours to pee!! But I did and I got to leave. I was walking the entire time with just a little stiffness.

When I got home I just walked around a lot. It felt better to walk around than to sit or lay down. if I was sitting or laying, the gas build up would start to hurt a bit (in my neck & shoulders) and I would just kneal on the floor with my head in dh's lap. That made it feel much better. The next day my mom and I were shopping, running errands, and planning a surprise party for dh. I was just a little slower than usual.

I was sent home with vicodin and only took one or two...felt better w/o meds.

Oh, and I'm a BIG baby when it comes to pain!!

CTs_Punkin

02-23-2006, 02:41 PM

Bumping up this thread - as I too have a blocked tube and may need to have one in the coming months. Would love if anyone else has experience with this!

Thanks

Katyanne

02-24-2006, 12:03 PM

I don't know if my experience fits in here but I'll post. I was supposed to have a lap done to remove cysts on my ovaries and to check my tubes I had no problem with the prep or anything they did before the procedure. But when I woke up they told me that they had to make an incision because they were unable to do it laproscopically because of something they'd found on my ovary. I never had any pain or discomfort from my pinpricks (that's what I call them) and the incision in my belly button.

But I ended up staying in the hospital overnight because of the complications from the other incision and tests they ran. But I never had any pain from the actual lap. My pain was related to the c-section type incision they gave me and the recovery.

Katie

Lizard

02-24-2006, 01:28 PM

Mine isn't female health related, but I had a lap done about 4 years ago to remove my gallbladder and the adhesions around it. I was very worried about it, since it's removal of an organ and all, but it turned out to be way easier than I had thought. I went in on a Friday morning, had my surgery and went home, and was ready to be back to work by the following Wednesday. I ended up waiting a full week though, because the swelling and small incisions were really irritated when wearing pants or anything with a wasteband. :(

The biggest issue I had post-surgery were a reaction to the anesthesia and subsequent pain meds that caused a LOT of vomiting for a couple days. I have a very low tolerance for pain meds, so I think it was just my body trying to purge all of it. Also, I had a weird breathing thing for a couple weeks afterwards - it felt like something was sitting on my chest and I couldn't take a full breath. I asked the doc about it, and he thought that they might have touched my diaphragm during surgery and caused some irritation and/or swelling. All in all though, my recovery was quick and easy - I think a lot of that was because my gallbladder hadn't been working for a LONG time, so my body didn't really have to go through any kind of adjustment period.

stevesbabygirl

02-24-2006, 08:43 PM

I had a lap for endometriosis a few years ago. I'm a HUGE wuss when it comes to pain, and honestly, it wasn't that bad. My throat was scratchy from the endotracheal tube, and my bladder was a little irritated from the catheter. The pain from the actual procedure was pretty minimal, just a little cramping. The most uncomfortable part for me was the shoulder and rib pain. When they inflate your abdomen, some of the gas remains in the body, and pushes up on everything, so you can get some rib/shoulder pain.

j*east

03-22-2006, 07:06 AM

I had a lap done 2 1/2 years ago to remove an ovarian cyst. It was so much easier than I feared--really not that big a deal at all! :)

I went in on a Friday, really early--6 a.m.? Surgery took a few hours...can't remember. I was nervous before it started, but it was no big deal. They start an IV before surgery, and wheeled me in to the OR. Then the anesthesiologist came, and gave me the anesthesia. That hurt like fire in my arm, but that was the last thing I felt. They do everything while you're knocked out, so I felt nothing until I woke up in recovery.

I was sick from the anesthesia, but that's totally normal and not bad--I just threw up once and the nurses expect it, so there wasn't even a mess. Basically you have one nurse (in my hospital anyway) who watches you for an hour and helps you dress, which is really nice. Wear something that's easy to put on. I stayed in recovery for a while and then went home. I was really shaky and weak and spent the rest of the day and most of the next one in bed. The pain killers made me dizzy and sick, so I didn't take them. I just slept a lot. The only bad thing was I had a cold at the same time and coughing hurt. If this happens to you, hold a pillow to your stomach--it helps a lot. Also, if it's pelvic, you'll have some bleeding, like a light period, and you can't use tampons. My mom helped me comb my hair and stuff because I was really weak for the first day. I was up and around by late Sunday (two days later). I was dying to get out by then and went out to dinner.

I stayed home from work Monday, but could probably have gone back. The pain at my ovary was bad on and off for the next week, but not terrible. Pressing on it with my hand helped when I stood up or moved around a lot. I had some pain over the next month or so at times, apparently from scar tissue. I took Aleve or some over the counter meds for that, and it never lasted long.

2+ years later I can't see two of my scars at all. The biggest one was over my ovary and is less than half an inch long. There was also an incision at my belly button, but you can only see that if you really look.

So, that's my book on lap surgery. I can't tell you enough--it was so much easier than I feared. I thought I'd feel something, and I was worried that they'd have to shave me (they did a little, but I was under anesthesia and thus felt nothing, so who cares?), or that the pain would be bad, but it's not that bad at all and you heal fast. Oh, and I was worried about all this gas pain that people talk about in your shoulder or wherever, but I didn't have any at all.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do great. :)

Katie1

03-26-2006, 01:06 PM

My doctor is ecommending that I have a lap to remove some ovarian cysts. Does anyone know if there are risks involved? Is there any possibility that something could go wrong and affect my ability to have another child? As of now, the cysts aren't dangerous and she's only taking them out as a precaution, so I'm wondering if I should hold off until I'm done having children.

Scooter

03-26-2006, 11:50 PM

KAtie, with any surgery there are definitely risks. Has your Dr given you any information about them? The most common ones that I seem to remember are perforation of the uterus (which can actually heal itself) and therefore damge to any organs on the other side, and perforation of the bowels. The bowel risk is why they usually like you to go through "bowel prep" the day before so that everything is empty--so in case they do puncture the intestines there is minimal contamination from there to the rest of the abdominal cavity. In that case they would then actually make a larger incision and repair the intestines right away. And of course there are risks of having general anesthesia. Are you getting the cysts drained or actually taken out? IIRC, draining them has far less risk than removing them. Since they are attached to the ovary, it becomes a more delicate thing to actually remove them. So if you're worried about harm to the uterus, chances are very slim you'd have permanent damage. If you're worried about damage to the ovaries, it will depend on what the Dr is doing. These are things your Dr should go into detail about so that you have enough info to make the best decision for you, but I hope this gives you at least a starting point for further research. :)

Katie1

05-23-2006, 07:13 AM

Can anyone give me some quick advice? My lap is scheduled for Friday and I am starting to freak out. I am fine with having the surgery (to remove a cyst), but the doctor says they will be removing my entire right ovary! The cyst is 5 centimeters which she says is quite large. She thinks that the cyst may have already taken over the ovary and it (the ovary) is probably not functioning.

I just want to know if this is normal? I know I can still have babies with only one ovary, but what if something happens to the other one? Or, what if the right ovary actually is functioning, and we find out later that the left one has something wrong with it? I told my doctor how important it is to me that this surgery not affect my ability to have more children, and she doesn't seem worried. But I would really like some other opinions.

j*east

05-23-2006, 12:00 PM

I had a golf ball sized cyst removed, but kept my ovary. (See my story earlier in this thread.) It all depends on where your cyst is and whether it's choking the ovary or just attached to it.

My mom had all but a sliver of an ovary removed in the 1960's and was told she'd never have kids. She had 7 kids and one m/c.

My SIL has only half a uterus and one ovary...she has a healthy one year old and another on the way.

You have two ovaries just in case something happens to one. You can definitely still conceive with just one. Good luck! :)

jenahdawn

05-30-2006, 08:11 AM

Katie,

By now you've had it. Mine was in January (my dad's birthday, actually)

My cyst was about that size. Until they got in there, they weren't sure if they would have to do a ovectomy or not.

My only problems with the surgery is that I react TOO well to the anesthesia. (I had this problem with my wisdon teeth, too) It knocks me out. Makes me nauseous when I finally DO wake up, but if there isn't someone there to keep talking to me, I would have continued sleeping for hours.

And my pain wasn't in control, so I had to stay overnight. And I hate morphine.

I have small scars. And my resident sewed my belly button up a little funny.

Hope your's went well!

pocahontas

06-20-2006, 10:11 AM

Reviving the thread since my lap and hysteroscopy is scheduled for late July. Just trying to find out what type of pre-op stuff is required. My RE has me coming in to give blood. But I heard something about not being able to eat? How long is that before the surgery? Just the night before? A whole 24 hours? Also, are there issues with trying to eat afterwards? What is the requirement for how long afterwards you should wait before sex? (I realize it has been years for many of you since you had yours, but some of you I'm sure have a good memory. ;) )

stevesbabygirl

06-20-2006, 10:28 AM

Eating and drinking is typically not allowed after midnight, the night before your surgery. Food and drink need to be out of your system for at least 8 hours.

You can pretty much eat and drink right away if you want to. Your throat will be sore from being intubated, and your mouth will be dry. When I had my lap, they made me eat before I went home. They usually tell you to avoid sex for about 2 weeks, because your cervix will be open, and you run the risk of getting an infection.

Katie1

06-20-2006, 11:06 AM

Ditto what the PP said. I just wanted to add that if you are given pain medications afterwards you will have to eat something so you don't get nauseous. This was a problem for me because my mouth was so dry that I couldn't swallow anything. I took the pain meds then tried some crackers but I couldn't get them down, so I ended up getting sick since I took the meds on an empty stomach.

Scooter

06-20-2006, 11:37 AM

Pocahontas, it varies by the Dr abut how ong you have to fast ahead of time. I mentioned it in my post (4th post on the 1st page), but some Drs prefer for you to do a "bowel prep" before the surgery. For mine I was on clear liquids only after noon the day before the surgery, and had to drink this thing to help out the process, too. The idea is that since it's possible to rupture your intestines especially during the hysteroscopy (accidentally poking through the uterus into the intestines), they want your intestines empty. If they are accidentally poked, the area will be easier to keep clean & sew back up quickly than if there are contaminants in there. That's a very cautious way to go about it, and many Drs feel fine with you just doing the regular 8hr fast before the general anesthesia. When I got home I wanted to eat because I was starving, but also because eating helps get that anesthesia out of your system! ;)

karlatta

06-20-2006, 11:47 AM

Pocahontas - I couldn't eat or drink after midnight the night before my surgery. I knew I'd be starving before the time for my lap came around (it was at 1:00pm), so I did have dinner at around 11:30. As far as eating afterwards, I ate immediately in the hospital - they brought me food just before I was discharged.

I was given the okay to BD again at my two-week checkup.

pocahontas

06-21-2006, 06:55 PM

stevesbabygirl

06-21-2006, 06:58 PM

Chances of perforation are rare though; doctors know what they are doing, trust in them :).

Scooter

06-21-2006, 08:45 PM

Yeah, perforation is really rare! Look at this whole thread, no one had that experience & some Drs don't even worry about it, if that tells you how rare it is. I just think it's important to understand the risks of a surgery, however remote, and also mention the routine the day befor ethe surgery. Because that was worse for me than the actual surgery, which wasn't a big deal at all (afterwards!). :D

pocahontas

06-22-2006, 07:23 AM

Yes, I am going to be stressing I know. LOL :rolleyes: And it will probably be a perfectly fine procedure, but this is my FIRST EVER experiencing "going under the knife". I have spent all 36 of my years never having been cut...so the thought of surgery is like--->:eek: The only kind I ever thought I might have to have someday is a C-section! hehehe Thanks for all the reassurance.

kazata

07-03-2006, 09:36 AM

I have a lap scheduled on July 27 at 2 p.m. My doctor didn't mention the not eating (but I'm scheduled for "pre op" on July 26 - so I'm wondering if he would just tell me then.) I'm worried about the time - I could handle not eating or drinking overnight, but I think if I can't eat or drink that entire day, by the time of surgery in the afternoon I will have a raging headache and be nauseated. I tend to get migraines if I don't eat or drink regularly. Especially the no fluids part. Do most people have the surgery in the morning? I see Karlatta mentioned she had it at 1p.m., anyone else have it in the afternoon? Were you ok without food or drink that whole morning?

pocahontas

07-03-2006, 07:01 PM

Yep...mine is morning (though barely) at 11:30. So I figure I can just sleep late so as not to worry about food and by the time I wake up at 9:30 or 10 I will go straight to the hospital.

taffers

01-02-2007, 11:00 AM

I finally found a great RE, who is taking me seriously and wants to schedule a lap.

Does it matter when in your cycle you do it? I've heard of a lot of people that had the surgery and got pregnant right after. I imagine you can't BD for some amount of time afterwards.

Also, does it mess with ovulation? I always O on day 14 or 15 so I'm wondering if the surgery will delay it or anything.

Thanks!

pocahontas

01-02-2007, 12:00 PM

HEY TAFFERS! YAY for starting off the new year with a new RE (believe it or not last month I "fired" mine and got me a better one also. LOL :D ) Since I went through a Lap in July, here are my answers:

I was told I had to do it BEFORE ovulation. It could not be done in my cycle after I o'ed because they feared if I was pregnant that would be a problem. So we did it around CD 12 or so (with my normal O date being CD 15 or 16). I am sure it messed with my O and based on the rest of the cycle, I think it would be safe to call that one annovulatory. I doubt I released an egg. But 14 days after surgery AF showed. So that was the highlight because it didn't take forever to get on to the next cycle...which brings me to your last comment. I was on sex restriction for only a week (which surprised me because most people said 2 weeks). I waited 10 days before DTD though just because I was still spotting slightly even a week later from the healing process. HTH!

Scooter

01-02-2007, 01:53 PM

I started BCP on cd7, took them for 10 days, the next day had the lap & stopped the pills, and two days later got AF. They put me on the pills to be able to control my cycle & ovulation so that they could schedule the surgery. We were TTC on that very next cycle, and O wasn't affected.

Jess71903

01-02-2007, 02:06 PM

Here's an edited down version of what I posted in my journal the day after my lap. I can't believe I didn't come back here and post about it, because this thread was great when I was thinking about having it.:

My doc said that she likes to do them on Thurs, have you take off work Friday, and take it easy for the weekend and go back to work Monday. I guess everyone is different, but it really hasn't been bad at all. I had a little cramping when I first woke up and the blue dye on the pad was a little weird. I went out for pizza last night (the day of surgery). If you do get it done, I would suggest asking for the tube dye thing too. I had the option of doing just the HSG, just the lap, or the lap with dye test. I was good with killing 2 birds with one stone, and now I am glad I did, since I didn't have endo, but my one of my tubes was blocked.
I was sleepy yesterday, not a whole lot of pain. I felt bloated a little and had some shoulder pain, which I hear is from the gas they pump in your belly so they can see. That's gone today. My tummy is swolen up a little and the incision in my belly button hurts. I don't even notice the one down in my panty line. It's tiny. I have only taken one pain pill, and that was just to prevent any for last night. It hasn't been bad enough to worry about. I peed like crazy all day yesterday, from the IV fluids and all the water I was drinking to try to ward off the dry mouth that DH(a nurse) says is from the meds they gave me. I was kind of regretting the decision to do it before the appointment yesterday because I had started hearing so many stories about people that got pg after trying a lot longer than us, but after, I was glad I did it because it really wasn't that big a deal. It made it worth it to find out something WAS wrong instead of putting it off for another 6 months or whatever and THEN finding out I could have had something done about it.

The day after surgery I went and shagged softballs while DH and friends practiced hitting, 5 days later, this was in my journal: I am healing wonderfully. I feel fine today, except for the few times I leaned up against something that hit my incisions or something. I cleaned house, washed my car, and pulled weeds yesterday. While I was a little more sore than before I did all that, it was all fine.

We did TTA that cycle because it was on CD 17 or so, I think, because my stupid dr's office wouldn't call me back to schedule it. It's best to have it the first part of your cycle if you can. I can't remember any sex restrictions...maybe a week?

taffers

01-02-2007, 06:10 PM

pocahontas

01-03-2007, 06:51 AM

Thanks ladies! I'm only on CD1 today so I wonder if I could squeeze it in before I O this cycle. That would be great. :)

Pocahontas: Congrats on your new RE too! I loooooove this new one...well, I should say I love the nurse practioner because I actually haven't even met the RE yet. He had already reviewed my chart though and agreed that a lap was probably the best way to go. I'm so annoyed that I didn't go to them from the beginning...I had to get a whole set of new blood tests done b/c the old RE didn't do all the right ones. Not to mention that she didn't even bother to tell me that I was non-immune to Rubella. Nice, huh?Yeah, ummm...that would be why this AM I was up at my new RE with a needle in my arm and a wand in my hoo-haa (sorry, TMI ;) ) because I had to have CD3 (which is actually CD4 since I couldn't go yesterday) b/w and vaginal u/s since my old RE was a quack and didn't send the old CD3 b/w she did. :rolleyes: I soooo feel your pain.

More questions:
--Did you have a lot of pelvic pain before the surgery, and did the surgery make it subside or go away completely?
--If you did get pg after having the lap, how long did it take?
--Do you think having the lap was what enabled you to get pg?
--If you haven't gotten pg since your lap, is there some other reason preventing pg?I didn't have pelvic pain (other than menstral cramps) before surgery and the surgery didn't take those away. (HA! I wish...) I still get cramps during my cycle. I am willing to bet that may have more to do with my fibroids than anything, but who knows. :confused: I haven't gotten pg post lap (and this is going on month 6 after surgery for me). I have no clue why but maybe I'll know more with this RE. Right now we are "unexplained".

j*east

01-03-2007, 07:51 AM

--Did you have a lot of pelvic pain before the surgery, and did the surgery make it subside or go away completely?
--If you did get pg after having the lap, how long did it take?
--Do you think having the lap was what enabled you to get pg?
--If you haven't gotten pg since your lap, is there some other reason preventing pg?

I actually didn't have much pain pre-surgery. My lap was to remove an ovarian cyst that turned out to be endo. It was kind of a nagging ache before surgery. After, I actually had more pain for a while, very sharp pain in the weeks after the lap, and that area is still sore at times, 4 years later (especially during ultrasounds). I'm told this is probably normal scar tissue, but won't know for sure unless I get another lap.

Haven't gotten PG yet, but we didn't start TTC until last spring, 3 1/2 years after the lap.

I don't have a diagnosis yet, b/c we're still testing (HSG next week), but so far everything seems okay (b/w, etc). There is possibly some blockage on the left side, where the original cyst was removed.

I think you're in OC? I'm not, anymore, but I got my lap done at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. They were great, but it did take about 6 weeks to schedule because mine wasn't an emergency. I hope you can get yours done sooner. :)

ETA: My full lap story is earlier in this thread.

pocahontas

01-03-2007, 08:24 AM

but it did take about 6 weeks to schedule because mine wasn't an emergency. I hope you can get yours done sooner. :)
Ditto on this...mine took 6 weeks to schedule also. And I think unless you are in a rural not as populated area, you may not get in right away. With docs that see a lot of patients or hospitals in high traffic areas, booking a surgical suite takes a few weeks because it generally is shared by more than one surgeon and everyone is trying to get their patients on the books. Good luck though!

Scooter

01-03-2007, 10:12 AM

More questions[/B]:
--Did you have a lot of pelvic pain before the surgery, and did the surgery make it subside or go away completely?
--If you did get pg after having the lap, how long did it take?
--Do you think having the lap was what enabled you to get pg?
--If you haven't gotten pg since your lap, is there some other reason preventing pg?
--I had really bad menstrual cramps since I was a teenager, like totally nauseating, debilitating cramps. That's why we were thinking it may be endo. Turned out it wasn't endo, and the lap didn't change that symptom.
--I got pg 14 months after my lap.
--definitely helped us know how to treat me, and the hysteroscopy that went with it was absolutely a contributing factor.

taffers

01-03-2007, 03:27 PM

pocahontas: Ooh, I'm interested to see if the new RE finds anything to make you "explained" as opposed to "unexplained". ;) You're lucky that you don't have a lot of pelvic pain...I get it on and off all month. :(

j*east: Yup, I'm in OC, but my RE does the surgery at the surgery center in his office in Irvine, so I'm hoping that it won't take that long to schedule. I'm sure he's super busy though so it may be a long wait anyway. I'm waiting for the nurse to email me back!

Scooter: I used to get cramps like that but not since high school. I have pelvic pain on and off all month, and then my menstrual cramps are just 2 days of worse pain (and back pain) but not debilitating. I'm hoping that they'll remove something that will at least stop the pelvic pain throughout the month!

taffers

01-17-2007, 05:05 PM

So my surgery is scheduled for February 8th! I'm nervous but excited.

Here is my question: my close friend's bridal shower is February 10th...will I be able to make it, or will I be out of it/ in pain? :confused: That only gives me one day to recover, but I feel so bad for missing her shower.

pocahontas

01-17-2007, 09:58 PM

I think you may be pushing it. I know 2 days after surgery I went to a workshop for my job (was only planning to stay for the AM session), but it was kinda rough. But you may be okay if you have good pain meds. (I didn't.)

stevesbabygirl

01-17-2007, 10:49 PM

Two days after my surgery, I was dying to get out of the house, so I asked DH (then BF) to take me to the mall. I did okay walking around, but I wouldn't overdo it.

scorpioanne

01-18-2007, 06:04 AM

I was back at work within 2 days of my laparoscopy and didn't need pain meds at all. You should be just fine.

taffers

01-18-2007, 10:08 AM

Thanks, girls, for your responses! I think I may rsvp "yes" and then if I don't feel well, I'll cancel at the last minute...the only reason I feel really bad about it is because her sister is having it at the Four Seasons, so I'm sure she needs an exact head count. Hopefully one person won't make too big of a difference!

wonderousglance

01-31-2007, 05:56 AM

I did well with my lap. I had surgery on Friday and was back at work on Monday. I was still pretty sore, but I had a desk job so it wasn't too bad.

Byrd's Boogie

02-17-2007, 10:41 AM

I had my lap done on Thursday Feb 1. It wasnt bad, I mostly slept the first day and I returned to work the following Tuesday. It was a little uncomfortable with my pants around my belly button area, but other than that I was fine. I probably could have gone back on Monday, but I didnt want to.;)

j*east

05-31-2007, 07:23 PM

Just bumping for any other thoughts/experiences, especially positive ones. I'm going in for my 2nd lap on June 12. I had one in 2002 to remove a cyst that turned out the be endo. Since I've had severe pelvic pain lately and have been TTC for over a year without any other apparent issues, we're hoping a lap will give us more info and the chance to remove any endo.

Anyone get a BFP after a lap?

stevesbabygirl

05-31-2007, 11:21 PM

I had a lap done in 2002, and I'm currently 37w4d pregnant. We got pregnant on our second cycle :).

mcgwigan

06-01-2007, 06:40 AM

j*east My co-worker got pregnant the third cycle after her lap.

j*east

06-06-2007, 05:23 AM

Thanks, stevesbabygirl and mcgwigan!

Here's another story (or two):

I told one of my colleagues, a woman in her late 40s/early 50s, about the lap, but I didn't mention we're TTC--I just said it was for endo. She said, "Well, it really makes you fertile--I don't know if you want to get pregnant or not--but be careful because that's how I had my fourth child." I thought that was pretty funny, b/c she wasn't trying to make me feel better--she was warning me!

Also, my mom reminded me that back in her day (40+ years ago), after three years of TTC (that's how long she had to wait to get treatment--and I thought a year was tough!) she had a laparotomy during which they removed her endo and most of both ovaries. The dr told her she'd never have kids...she's now the mother of seven. (A laparotomy is what they did before laparoscopy--instead of tiny incisions, she had one incision from hip to hip.)

Mine is on Tuesday...wish me luck!

mcgwigan

06-06-2007, 05:44 AM

j*east Good luck Tuesday! Can I ask ~ What led to you having this done? Is it because you know you have endo or did your RE suggest it because of family history?

j*east

06-06-2007, 05:55 AM

j*east Good luck Tuesday! Can I ask ~ What led to you having this done? Is it because you know you have endo or did your RE suggest it because of family history?

I had one in 2002 to remove a cyst that turned out to be endo. All of our tests are fine, we've been TTC over a year, and (most of all) I have had some extreme pelvic pain lately. I don't think family history gets into it that much--a lot of women have endo (I think something like 40%?) and it doesn't get in the way of their getting pregnant. But the pain is something else. Plus, this will be covered by insurance, but IF treatment and drugs are not.

mcgwigan

06-06-2007, 06:05 AM

j*east Thanks, I went back & read the whole thread. I'm thinking that maybe I should ask my RE to have this done. We just had IUI#5 & each month the nurse always says they see pregnancy with lower numbers so I just feel that it's worth investigating to see if I have anything going on too!

FallingforPhil

10-16-2007, 03:26 PM

Bumping this up...

My doctor just recommended a lap for ovarian cysts. The cysts are complex (not just fluid filled) and on both ovaries. One is 5 cm and one is 6 cm. (hmm..cm? mm? Now I'm not sure which is right...)

Does this seem like normal protocol? The cysts are causing no symptoms. They were only discovered after a follicle ultrasound to check for ovulation. The Dr. is concerned that they are removed before I get PG (not sure why he'd be so worried, as it hasn't happened the last 14 months :rolleyes:) and so he's suggesting that we do the lap now instead of waiting a few months to make see if they go away on their own. They were first detected in September, and again on a more detailed ultrasound this month.

Ugh. I'm just terrified of surgery, especially the anesthesia. And, he said that I'd need to be out of work for 2 weeks, which just cannot happen right now. I *might* be able to manage 1 week off, but more than that is impossible.

Anyone else had a lap for cysts?

jenahdawn

10-16-2007, 03:52 PM

Phil, yep. "Complex" ones (two of them on one ovary) at that! I was scared, but it's really not as bad. (But, mine was almost 2 years ago, so I'm way okay)

Mine were twisting and causing me big time pain. If I were you, I'd get them taken care of before that starts because that SUCKS!

j*east

10-16-2007, 05:31 PM

Yup, my first lap was for a cyst that didn't change over a few months. It was about 4 months from the time it was first found until they scheduled surgery. I had no symptoms either--that's not really a deciding factor, more their size, type, and whether or not they seem likely to resolve on their own.

If your cysts twist, they can kill your ovaries....the lap is really, really not bad at all. Fear not! It will be OK. BTW, your cysts probably are 5-6 cm, not mm. They can interfere with you actually getting pregnant, so that's a factor to consider as well. Also, if you've been doing any medicated cycles, you can't keep those up with cysts.

I'm not sure why you'd need to be out for two weeks though, so ask about that. The most I would say is 4-5 days, with most people fine for work in 2-3.

What scares you about anesthesia? Can you ask your dr about your fears?

Bottom line--it probably is a good idea to get the lap, but make sure your dr answers all of your questions first. You absolutely need to trust the person who is going into your body.

Good luck!

FallingforPhil

10-16-2007, 07:47 PM

jeast and jenahdawn,

Thanks for your words of wisdom. I guess I'm just feeling a little uncomfortable b/c it's not my regular doc. Due to scheduling problems, the ultrasound that originally detected the cysts was with another dr in the practice, so now I'm stuck with him through the diagnosis and treatment. I'm sure he's fine, I just don't know him as well.

Anesthesia has always made me nervous, though I can't say exactly why. Fear of being out of control, I guess. :o

laura

10-17-2007, 12:08 PM

I've had 3 laps. Ditto what others have said about cysts affecting fertility, so I would definitely get them taken care of.

However, I would definitely question why he thinks you need to be out of work for 2 weeks, though. I could see *maybe* longer than normal if your job is intensely physical, but I could have a lap on Thurs and be back at work on Monday if I had to. If I were having a lap right now, I would probably schedule it for Wed and go back to work the following Monday.

jenahdawn

10-17-2007, 12:11 PM

Can you get a second opinion? Either that or just have a sit down with him and explain your concerns?

And even I, being the complete wimp, think 2 weeks is a bit much.

Katie1

10-17-2007, 01:45 PM

I had a lap last year (removed a large cyst as well as my entire right ovary), and I was back to work in under a week (lap on Friday, back to work on Tuesday.) At the time I was waitressing and it was very physically demanding, but I had no problem working at that point. I think if I had a desk job I probably would have felt ready to return even sooner.

FallingforPhil

10-17-2007, 02:52 PM

Wow! Thanks for all the replies. I scheduled an appointment with my normal doctor tomorrow, just to go over the results of the last ultrasound, and to get his take on everything. I think it's obvious I need to go through with the lap, but I know I'll feel a lot better after I talk it over with my normal doc.

The scheduling nurse was so, so, so nice--I got a bit teary on the phone, and she immediately said, "Let's get you in to talk to Dr. W. This is all moving very fast for you, given that Dr. K isn't your normal doc." She was able to get me an appt. for tomorrow afternoon. The lap is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 1. I got the distinct impression that my first reaction to this doctor (very short on the phone, not a very good bedside manner) wasn't abnormal.

I will definitely talk to the dr. about time off work. I'm glad to hear others say that 2 weeks is too much. I don't have a desk job, but what I do (high school band director) isn't physically demanding enough to warrant 2 weeks, IMO.

j*east

10-17-2007, 04:07 PM

I hope talking with your dr. helps you feel better. For my first lap, I was far more scared than the situation warranted--it was much, much easier than I expected. You will probably get a chance to meet your anesthesiologist in the hospital before your surgery, so you can ask him/her any last questions too. I'm sure they've heard it all.

I teach HS also and had my first lap Fri and was back Tues, but could have gone back Monday. Definitely talk about the two week thing.

Good luck! :)

FallingforPhil

11-03-2007, 03:38 PM

Thought I'd come back and update, now that it's over...

My lap was scheduled for Thursday at 3:50 PM. The worst part, by far, was the bowel prep the day before. :o Ugh. That is not an experience I would wish on my worst enemy. Also, I felt bad for all the trick-or-treaters that were ringing my doorbell. No way was I answering that! :)

Turns out that what the doctors though were dermoid cysts were actually endometriosis, so that was a surprise to wake up to. I didn't actually speak to the doctor (it was after 8 PM when I woke up) but he met with my DH and said that he thought the surgery went very well, and that based on where he found the endo, he would guess that that's been the source of our infertility problems. I'll be interested to see if he's right, since there's such a mixed opinion on endo and its effects on fertility. They also did something similar to an HSG during the course of the surgery, and the dye spilled as it was supposed to, so no problems there.

Right now, I'm doing ok pain-wise. Actually, the incisions themselves barely hurt at all--it's the gas pain that's getting me. It's hard to get a full breath, and my shoulders are so, so, painful. I know it will pass, though, and all things considered, I think it's going pretty well. At this point, I'm glad I'm not expected back at work till Thursday, but I'd imagine I'll feel much better in the next day or so.

j*east

11-03-2007, 06:56 PM

FallingforPhil, I hope you feel better very soon...followed by some TTC success! :)

FallingforPhil

11-04-2007, 11:53 AM

thanks, jeast!

allison

11-04-2007, 07:15 PM

FallingforPhil hope you feel better soon, too!
I have to call tomorrow to schedule my lap for later this month. I'm very nervous about it!

FallingforPhil

11-05-2007, 06:31 AM

Good luck, allison! I'm feeling lots better today--the recovery hasn't been terrible at all.

jenahdawn

11-05-2007, 03:42 PM

allison, as another veteran, it's not as bad. I've learned a lot, esp in the past year, and the anticipation is far worse than the event. Just look at FFP, she JUST had it done and she was pretty worried! You'll be fine!

allison

11-05-2007, 07:20 PM

Thank you ladies! I have my appointment for the week after Thanksgiving. It's definitely the anticipation that I have to deal with. Do they put you under?

Scooter

11-05-2007, 08:14 PM

The worst part, by far, was the bowel prep the day before. :o Ugh. That is not an experience I would wish on my worst enemy.

Actually, the incisions themselves barely hurt at all--it's the gas pain that's getting me. It's hard to get a full breath, and my shoulders are so, so, painful. I couldn't agree more, I remember thinking these exact same things afterwards! I built it up so much in my mind, but in reality it was easy, the recovery wasn't too bad (except the gas pains for a few days and the seatbelt was right on my incision).

Allison, they do have to put you under general anesthesia. In order to look around inside, they need to put a gas into your abdomen to give them some space and maneuver around in there. That's why FallingforPhil was mentioning the gas pains--after the surgery there are still some gas bubbles that went up to your chest and shoulders. It takes a few days for them to go away. My RE explained it to me this way: they don't want to put so much pressure on your organs, esp. lungs, without having you intubated and be watching your breathing carefully.

laura

11-06-2007, 10:18 AM

I'll be interested to see if he's right, since there's such a mixed opinion on endo and its effects on fertility.

What makes you say that?

FallingforPhil

11-06-2007, 11:32 AM

I guess that's the vibe I got from my (admittedly all online :o) reading in the last few days. I'm assuming that my case was mild/early stage, as I had no symptoms, other than painful (but very light) periods. Of course, this could be a huge misconception on my part.

At any rate, many articles stated that in cases of mild endo, many women were able to conceive naturally, and some even claimed little to no improvement in fertility after surgery for those mild cases. Here's one. (http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/endometriosis/EM_infertile.html)

I totally understand that my internet "research" is far from an expert opinion. Just keeping myself busy till I can actually talk to the dr. at the post-op. While I'm sure he gave my DH detailed info after the surgery, I'm pretty sure he was in a bit of a daze and didn't collect all the info he could have from the doctor. Of course, I'm choosing to think that it absolutely was affecting my fertility, and that I'll be PG in no time. A girl can hope, right?

laura

11-06-2007, 01:08 PM

Well I don't personally think it is a mixed opinion on whether endo affects fertility, but rather there is no definitive X amount of endo = X amount of infertility. Some women with severe endo have no (or very few) problems getting pregnant, and some women with very mild endo have lots of trouble - it's a spectrum, of the non-obvious variety. I guess I was just wondering about your statement because I view most infertility conditions as a spectrum, but I would never say, for example, that there is a mixed opinion of PCOS affecting fertility.

But maybe it's just semantics. I personally would not derive that opinion based on what you posted, or the article you linked to, but that's just me.

FallingforPhil

11-06-2007, 01:21 PM

but rather there is no definitive X amount of endo = X amount of infertility. Some women with severe endo have no (or very few) problems getting pregnant, and some women with very mild endo have lots of trouble - it's a spectrum, of the non-obvious variety.

Yes, I think it is semantics, because this is what I intended to get across. It wasn't necessarily *just* that article. That just happened to be the first one I could get to. I didn't intend for it to be an all-encompassing statement. Chalk it up to the vicodin, maybe.

laura

11-06-2007, 01:24 PM

Ha, no problem. I'm not trying to be bitchy, I'm just short of time so I'm trying to be quick. I was really just genuinely curious. I do have endo, but I have had it so long that I am long past reading about "current assessments", etc, so I was wondering if that is the new word. If that makes sense.

pocahontas

11-06-2007, 03:07 PM

and some women with very mild endo have lots of trouble.

HERE, HERE! That would definitely be my category.

allison

11-07-2007, 04:52 PM

Allison, they do have to put you under general anesthesia. In order to look around inside, they need to put a gas into your abdomen to give them some space and maneuver around in there. That's why FallingforPhil was mentioning the gas pains--after the surgery there are still some gas bubbles that went up to your chest and shoulders. It takes a few days for them to go away. My RE explained it to me this way: they don't want to put so much pressure on your organs, esp. lungs, without having you intubated and be watching your breathing carefully.

I don't mind being put under, I just forgot to ask my doctor about it. I also didn't know about the air bubbles, just the gas. My doctor did tell me about the gas and the pain that I would be in (as I expected). I am thankful that it's scheduled for after Thanksgiving!!! :D

dian_love

11-23-2007, 07:55 PM

I had a lap 11/22. Doctor found my right tube blocked and removed it. I had an ectopic back in March and they think it did the damage to my right tube. I am feeling pretty good today. I have not experienced a lot of pain at all. I have percocet that I am taking. I am just so excited that my left tube is in good shape and that once I feel up to it we can try again.

I would definitely tell women not to worry too much about the lap. I have low tolerance for pain and I am so glad that I did the procedure and have answers to all my questions regarding what is going on with my fertility.

udsweetpea

11-28-2007, 12:38 PM

j*east

11-28-2007, 01:46 PM

udsweetpea, hope it goes well tomorrow. I've had two laps and both were much easier than I feared (well, I had much less fear the second time, but YKWIM).

Since this thread has been bumped, I should also report that I got my BFP, finally...but I'm only about 4.5 weeks pregnant, so it's early yet. :) (Oh, it's 4 months after my second lap, and 20 months since we started TTC.)

udsweetpea

11-28-2007, 01:48 PM

Congratulations, j*east!!!

FallingforPhil

11-28-2007, 02:56 PM

laura

11-28-2007, 03:03 PM

? - Endo is an ongoing/recurring condition, it isn't "removed" entirely with surgery. Did your doctor tell you that you would be "recovered" post-surgery?

PS - congrats, j*east!!

pocahontas

11-28-2007, 04:00 PM

I'm having a lap myomectomy and hysteroctomy tomorrow at 7:30am to remove a 6cm fibroid on my uterus. I'm scared of out my mind! I have a half hour until I take my first dose of the bowel prep medicine, and hearing all the horror stories has me terrified of that too!

It has helped to read this thread though :)UDSWEETPEA...please be sure to come back and tell me how the myomectomy was (don't think anyone in this thread has had one of those and reported back about it) because that is what is up ahead next on my plate since I have not one, not two, but THREE fibroids that have to get removed in the next 2-3 months (because one grew ridiculously while I was pregnant and my OB hasn't said it flat out but I know she is convinced that it contributed to my premature labor and loss of my baby.) So I want these suckers out like...YESTERDAY! But like you I am terrified of that surgery (although I had a lap and thought it was a piece of cake.) *sigh* :( Please let me know how it goes!

udsweetpea, hope it goes well tomorrow. I've had two laps and both were much easier than I feared (well, I had much less fear the second time, but YKWIM).

Since this thread has been bumped, I should also report that I got my BFP, finally...but I'm only about 4.5 weeks pregnant, so it's early yet. :) (Oh, it's 4 months after my second lap, and 20 months since we started TTC.)CONGRATS J*EAST!

udsweetpea

11-28-2007, 05:30 PM

pocahontas I am so sorry to hear your doctor may think the fibroid contributed to the loss of your baby. I've been reading along with your story, but I could never come up with the right words to say. I am so sorry for your loss. I will definitely come back and report how it went. I will be in bed for a few days, so I'll have plenty of time to CC!

Suzlywoozly

11-28-2007, 09:57 PM

Ugh..I guess I was deluded into thinking I'd be cramp-free after my lap, since the doctor found and removed endo. Today was CD 1 (finally! The lap really threw my body for a loop!) and I the cramps are awful. :(

After my two laps to remove endo, my first cycles were the worst ever!!

udsweetpea- Lots of good luck tomorrow! I had a myomectomy about a year and a half ago. They removed my tubes at the same time. Hope the bowel prep wasn't too bad on you... that is by far the worst part of the entire process.

j*east

11-29-2007, 05:19 AM

Thanks everyone!

My cycles were actually better after the lap, but I know it's different for everyone.

Poca, I hope your surgery goes well, when you have it. I'm thinking of you.

Katie1

11-29-2007, 07:56 AM

My cycles were actually better after the lap, but I know it's different for everyone.
Me too. I had maybe three or four cycles per year before my lap, and afterwards I went to approx 30 day cycles for the first time in my life.

Funny thing is, after about a year my cycles have started stretching farther and farther apart again. Hope that doesn't mean another cyst- anyone else have this happen to them?

udsweetpea

11-30-2007, 03:49 AM

Just wanted to let you all know my lap myo went very well yesterday. They removed the fibroid I knew about plus 4 cysts they didn't know about. They also found I was born with an extra wall in my uterus. I need to talk to my doctor about this and find out what he meant. He told Jeff, but he didn't understand. But they took that out. I'm thanking my lucky stars I had this surgery now and found out about this wall instead of going through miscarriages.

pocahontas I'll be writing up my story later and share it with you :)

j*east

11-30-2007, 11:50 AM

udsweetpea, I'm so glad it went well. Sounds like they cleared a LOT out. Good for you.

The "extra wall" is called, I think, a septum. The uterus originally starts (like when you're a fetus) as two halves that fuse and the wall between them dissolves in most people. When you still have it, it's called, I think, a bicornuate uterus. It's not a problem once you get it removed, but if you don't, it can prevent a successful pregnancy.

I'm sure your dr will tell you much more, and it will make more sense once you've recovered, which I hope is quick and easy. :)

udsweetpea

11-30-2007, 02:31 PM

j*east Thank you so much for explaining to me what the wall was. Now I'm even more thankful for this surgery!

pocahontas

12-01-2007, 06:24 AM

UDSWEETPEA! Happy to hear you sounding good. Looking forward to your story. (And thanks to J*EAST for that explanation because I never knew what a uterine septum was either. :confused: I always wondered if it was in some way related to when people have their "deviated septum" repaired in their nose/sinuses like my DH did. LOL :p I am sure now that they are probably not in any way similar. :rolleyes: )

udsweetpea

12-01-2007, 07:06 AM

Thanks pocahontas! Do you have an LJ? I'm going to put my story on there. Or I can PM it to you.

Suzlywoozly

12-01-2007, 07:30 AM

UD- I am so glad to hear that everything went well. Hope you have a speedy recovery!

pocahontas

12-01-2007, 06:53 PM

Thanks pocahontas! Do you have an LJ? I'm going to put my story on there. Or I can PM it to you.
No, sorry...although I really need one and keep saying I'm going to start one. I'm such a procrastinator. :rolleyes: But yes, feel free to PM me...as soon as I clean out my box (which is 96% full. LOL :p) It'll be empty by tomorrow AM...promise!

katiems118

12-04-2007, 10:51 AM

udsweetpea- I had my uterine septum removed in October, (Basically my RE told me that the reason I wasnt getting pg was the fact that the septum was taking up surface area inside the uterus and stopping implantation, the more surface area you have the better chances you have for a full term pregnancy) I just finished my first cycle ttc no luck, now on to #2 with the new uterus.

You can have either a uterine septum or bicournuate uterus. Most people just have the uterine septum. It a congenital uterine anomaly.