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Laparoscopy in 3 weeks. I'm scared! Any advice?

Posted , 5 users are following.

bettybetter
bettybetter

I'm 37, no children and I have been round the houses trying to get to the bottom of my health problems (extreme fatigue, extreme bloating, rashes and lots of abdominal pain). The most recent suggestion has been endometriosis and so I am having a laporoscopy in 3 weeks to determine if this is the cause. I have never had any surgery and despite this being relatively minor and keyhole etc, I'm still scared. 

I have my pre op appointment on Mon which will hopefully reduce some of my anxiety and answer a few questions I have. I would really love to hear what other people's experiences have been and if anyone has any advice that could help with the whole experience. 

I also have a bit of a weird aversion to belly buttons (weird I know!) and was wondering, do they always do in directly through the belly button? Do we then have to clean this wound inside the belly button? It's weird the things you think of! 

Any help would be much appreciated! 

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • emmyr
    emmyr bettybetter

    Posted

    Just a couple of questions..

    Where are your rashes? And where exactly is your abdominal pain? What time of day / night do you get pain? Do u have painful periods? Pain after intercourse? I have endometriosis and I have had laparoscopy. It's really minor. There are certain things I can share to help you be more prepared etc.

    • bettybetter
      bettybetter emmyr

      Posted

      Just now, the main place I get the rashes is on my chest above my breasts and if it's bad also under my breasts and on my abdomen, sometimes also on my belly.  When I was struggling more earlier in the year they were on my neck too. 

      My periods have been progressively more painful each month, with the last one being excrutiating, leaving me in tears. They don't last very long though- one or 2 days. 

      I don't actually have sex at the moment as I am so uncomfortable- I constantly feel constipated even when I'm not. I'm pretty sure it would hurt if I tried. 

      Thanks for taking the time!

    • emmyr
      emmyr bettybetter

      Posted

      Both my sister and I have endometriosis. She has it worse in that her insides were all stuck together but then she went on to have a little boy, had left ovary removed then went into have a little girl

      We are both pretty much symptom free with the odd pain and incredibly painful period pains but we both get zero and I mean zero period pains when we change diet to exclude wheat dairy and sugar. Ive never heard of the rashes being connected to endoms but I believe food intolerances are connected to endoms and I get rashly and spotty on chest back and face when eating certain foods. After the op you can really painful trapped wind from them blowing up your tummy. My advice would be make sure you walk around in the hospital as difficult as it feels, you'll feel as though you can't get up but walk and walk no matter how slow you go. And peppermint for the wind as the wind can be painful. You wouldn't know I've had lap as no scars at all. Wish you luck I'm sure you will be fine

      Let us know.

  • froggy28
    froggy28 bettybetter

    Posted

    Hi. This takes me back to my first ever op that was laparoscopy to remove ovary due to large cyst. Turns out it was endo and I was riddled with everything fused. I was terrified but it really is fine. Waiting around beforehand was worse but once anaesthetic goes in you are out and a few seconds later waking up. Yes it's sore but you soon get pain killers before they wheel you out let you rest then cup of tea and toast and make sure you've had a wee before you home. Take things easy for a few weeks. I ended up with hysterectomy but that's because I was 39 and was the right thing for me but if surgeon is specialist in endo they can clear as much as possible especially if you want children. There were a number of girls in having endo removed from tubes to get better odds of conceiving whilst I had mine. You will be really surprised in how small the incisions are and yes although in belly button you won't notice. I've had more than one lap. Last one 8 months ago and can't see any marks now. I wish you all the best and please ask if you have any questions
    • bettybetter
      bettybetter froggy28

      Posted

      thank you so much for taking the time to reply, it really helps to hear normal experiences. I think I can't imagine going to sleep and waking up to it all being over! I am such a light and tense sleeper so I guess it's hard to imagine being that kncocked out! 

      I hope all your treatment has eased the effects of the endo. I knew nothing about it until a few months ago- it's a terrible disease. 

    • froggy28
      froggy28 bettybetter

      Posted

      I've had it all removed now but even after first lap I had no endo pain for quite a while and if it is endo there are treatments with injections to ease symptoms. You really won't know anything about it it's not like being asleep when you know you have been asleep a few hours. You don't realise time has passed. Strange feeling as you drift but not at all unpleasant in fact if not too weird to say quite enjoyable.
  • aitarg35939
    aitarg35939 bettybetter

    Posted

    Hi Betty

    Here in the States the incision is a small area somewhere around the edge of the navel. They don't try to go straight down through the navel. The incisions are so small that tho I've had 2 of them tthere's still room for another 1 or 2 before the scars would meet. I've had one closed with stitches and one closed with glue and a bandaid.

    I had a lot of anxiety before my 1st lap too, for a different reason. Now's the time to stay as busy as you can. Be good to yourself. Even if you don't like gum, take some along and start chewing it as soon as they'll let you. The chewing action gets your stomach acids going and that's the quickest solution to the gas they put inside you (which makes it easier for the doc to work. I've had 5 abdominal surgeries and more than 20 colonoscopies, and the gum trick works better than anything else for me. I don't always get up & start walking ASAP to avoid issues with my (crappy) lungs

    I hope all goes well for you.

  • louise65215
    louise65215 bettybetter

    Posted

    @bettybetter hi, I've just stumbled upon this thread. Your symptoms were incredibly similar to mine- rashes, abdominal pain, etc. I'm undergoing investigations to find the cause and am starting to also now think endometriosis. I'm 33, really want to start a family and may be put on the waiting list for a laparoscopy. Did you ever get to the bottom of your issues? I hope you are well and I hope you dont mind me asking. I just havent seen anyone mention rashes too! Thanks.

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