My Laparoscopy Experience

I wanted to share my laparoscopy experience with other women who are about to undergo one and give you a bit of an idea of what happens during your time in the hospital. This procedure is mostly a day case as I got home later that night. I'm not ashamed to admit that I was so scared beforehand! That was okay to feel like that though. You'll get instructions from the hospital on what to do the night before so I was fasting from midnight and was aloud clear fluids up until 6am ( I just had a half cup of water because I had to take medication) It should be okay to take some medications you're prescribed but check with the hospital first!

Essential things to pack in your hospital bag:

- Comfy pyjamas or nightie (loose fitting is a must and nothing tight as it can irritate the incisions)

- Slippers 

- Medications that you are prescribed and are taking

- Book/IPad/iPhone ( something to keep you distracted while waiting!)

- Phone charger (to contact people after surgery)

- Sanitary Towels (you will have some light bleeding afterwards)

- Dressing Gown (To wear with the hospital gown made me feel a bit more comfy)

- Wipes 

I had to be in the ward at 07:30 in the morning. I was then shown to my bed and where everything was in the bay. I was asked to provide a urine sample into a bedpan this is just standard as you have to give a sample so they can make sure you're not pregnant. I had all my paperwork filled in it was really just the nurse going over information that was provided at my preop, any changes, how I was feeling about the surgery and she took my obs and charted them.

The nurse round started at about 8am. Each hospital/ward works differently but the ward I was in was one nurse was allocated to a bay so I had a named nurse who was going to be looking after me for the whole day. She started by getting us measured up for TED stockings (these are anti embolism stockings and these help to prevent blood clots) the nurse can show you different ways of getting them on as they can be a bit of a struggle! Then we had to get blood taken normally I hate getting it done but this time it was fine the nurse was really good at it (if you're a baby like me the best thing to do is just look away and close your eyes) I didn't feel a thing!

Next the anaesthetist and consultants do their rounds. First I met the anaesthetist he introduced himself, asked if I'd had an anaesthetic before and if so how did I react to it - (was I okay after? Any nausea?) Then asked if I had any questions and that I'd see him in theatre. The consultant was next to come and see me - He/She will ask if you understand what procedure you're having, any questions and checks if that is your signature again on the consent form.

The women in my bay were all lovely. I felt like the baby of the bay because I was only 19 whereas the three of them were in their early or late 40's. But it was good to actually chat to them and realise that we'd had the same or similar responses from consultants when we've tried to get them to take our pain seriously. I was fourth on the list so it felt like quite a long wait because I was getting tired and hungry. 

When it was my turn to go to theatre. The theatre nurse came up and she checks a few things like - have you taken underwear off, hospital gown on, name bands and allergy bands on, TED stockings on, all jewellery off and nail polish. I was then taken down to the main theatres and was transferred onto another bed which was uncomfortable but it was bearable. I was then taken into the anaesthetic room and in there was two anaesthetists and a theatre nurse. You can tell them if you have a fear of needles or anything because I did and they were really good about it. I was told to take some slow deep breaths and look away. Next thing I knew the cannula was in and I didn't feel a thing! Then they will place some little stickies on your chest and one down at your side (that's the coldest one!) to keep an eye on your blood pressure, heart rate and also put an oximeter on your finger so they can keep an eye on your oxygen saturation levels. When the anaesthetic gets injected through the cannula it does feel a bit cold and then your told to count back from 10 (your lucky if I got to 8 and then I was under!)

The next thing I woke in recovery. I wasn't in pain I was comfortable but very groggy. The recovery nurses kept an eye on me for a bit and when I was more responsive and they were satisfied I was transferred back to the ward. The nurse I met in the morning came to see how I was doing and checked my obs again to see if they were okay. I was still connected to the IV fluids so she left the bag running until it was finished. As soon as you get back from theatre you aren't expected to eat straight away you can wait until you feel ready. The thought of a sandwich just didn't seem appealing but the one thing I did want was a yoghurt. The nurse was nice enough to go and look for one for me. I managed a yoghurt and a cup of water before going back for a sleep. 

The incisions were covered with dressings. The only issue I had was blood had leaked through the dressing onto my skin and on the bed. The nurse just put a pressure dressing over the plaster after letting me use some of the baby wipes I had packed to clear the blood from my skin. I was told that for the first 24-48 hours to leave the dressing on and then I could change it over the next few days.

(Day 2 - Dressing change)

The consultant who performed my surgery came to see me to let me know how the operation went. I was told they found endo on my womb and on my bowel. They removed it from my womb but couldn't from my bowel as it was risky and would have to involve a more specialist surgeon. He then gave a time of when I'd see my consultant and what the next steps would be. 

I felt able to mobilise out of the bed and walk to the toilet to get changed into a clean nightie and get freshened up. I would say though take it easy when you first get out of the bed because I felt quite weak/unsteady. I also managed to pass urine after the operation which was positive as that indentified that I wasn't in retention. Retention is when your unable to pass urine freely this can happen sometimes if you have been catheterised during an operation.

I then contacted my parents to let them know how surgery had gone and that I was in the ward and okay. They were going to collect me when I was ready to be discharged. I had a cup of tea and a sandwich and it was honestly the best thing I'd had to eat and drink. The nurse kept coming in and out to check if we were okay and if we wanted more water. After surgery I was really thirsty so I went through about 4 jugs of water but this was due to the breathing tube they used during surgery. I got discharged that night at about 6:30pm. I found for the journey home if you wear a dressing gown and put a pillow to your abdomen the seatbelt won't irritate it and it will be a lot more comfortable and pain free going home. 

*** I hope this helps 😘 if anyone has any questions feel free to ask! Instagram: @endowarrior_x