Lap Surgery in 3 Weeks---scared...

Hi K., no need to worry. I had the surgery. I just kept telling myself the only thing I had to do, was show up, and sleep! When I thought of it as merey going to sleep, it wasn;t as scary. That, and I prayed A LOT! God is faithful and cares for you!

Dear K.,

I had a laparoscopy for removal of endometriosis about 15 years ago. It was an amazingly easy surgery. Do everything that is relaxing to you before the surgery and keep in mind that this is a step toward having your own baby. Go in with a strong and positive attitude.

Being put under is interesting...my doc said "OK now your vision will get blurry" and immediately it was. I said "wow, that happened fast!" Then he asked me to count and I was out. I recommend having someone brought to right away when you wake in recovery because I kept falling back asleep and everytime I woke up I had to go to the bathroom soooo bad and they wouldn't let me go until my blood pressure got up (you get it up by staying awake and wiggling your feet and legs). Anyway, once someone was there with me I stayed awake and finally talked a nurse into letting me get up. And that was basically it! I went home about a half hour later. I was tired and slept most of the day and was mildly sore a few days afterwards but that was all. The only other thing I will say is when they tell you not to vacuum for 2 weeks, listen to them. I was feeling so good 4 days after my surgery I tried it because the carpet was getting dirty and boy was I sore afterwards!

Keep a good attitude, and everything will go great! Good luck to you~

K. N

Sorry for the slow response, just found this in my spam folder. I had a hysterectomy just over a year ago and I have never been so scared. This site helped me.... Hysterectomy Support Discussions, Before Hysterectomy, After Hysterectomy, Recovery - HysterSisters ......
Before I went into the surgery room I had previously written a note to the nurses, doctors, etc. that I didn't want to see the double doors, cuz I knew that would freak me out. This helped alot and I also got something to take the night before to keep me calm. They will work with you and the requests that you make. Put it in writing because you might not remember everything if your nervous. Good Luck,,,you will be fine. Medicine has come a long way, it's amazing what they can do.
J.

Hi K. -

I've been under many, many times for all sorts of surgeries. You just go to sleep. And then you just wake up. A little groggy, but that's about it. It's not a big deal at all.

The surgery itself is also not a big deal, and will make a world of difference. Definitely worth it. Take a deep breath, enjoy the holidays, and get that silly ol' procedure over with!

big hugs!

J.

When I had to have surgery for Endometriosis I found a WONDERFULLY helpful website/forum. It is called hystersisters.com

There is a forum on the site specifically for women with endo.

Please don't be scared. You will feel so much better once the endo. is gone. And for everyone else reading... the fertility treatments were not likely the cause of the endo, but rather the endo may have been the reason the fertility treatments didn't work.

K. - My thoughts and prayers are with you. I had to have surgery last year when I was 12 weeks pregnant to remove an ovary b/c they were worried I might have ovarian cancer (they didn't say as much but I could read between the lines). Turned out to just be a fibroid but the worst part was the waiting - 5 weeks of anticipating and wondering if the baby would make it and if I'd have cancer, etc, etc. It is scary but it sounds like you've already been through a lot and I guess you can think of it as one more thing to do to get pregnant. Ask the nurses/doctors to explain everything they're doing the day of the surgery - "ok, K., now we're going to start your IV..."
Plan to do something enjoyable once you're up to it - massage, mani/pedi, huge bowl of ice cream! You're obviously strong and have a great hubby/support system - lean on them.
Take care!

Hi K.-
Anesthesia is not bad, just make sure if you feel nauseous when you wake up to tell the nurses ASAP and they can give you something that will counter the effect. I had large fibroid tumors preventing me from getting pregnant 3 years ago. I had an abdominal myomectomy (in which I was cut 7 incheds across my abdomen). It was a painful recovery process, but I got preganant 4 months after that & have a beautiful little 22 month old girl. It is totally worth the pain! And Lap surgery is not difficult- you'll sail through it!

Hi K.,
I had 10 lap surgeries to remove endometriosis in my life. I understand you being scared, nervous and terrified. Being put under anesthesia is not bad at all, I thought the hardest part was comming out of surgery and the body trying to get rid of the gas used to pump up your stomach for the surgery. Just try to relax and trust your doctors they have your best intrest at heart. I have a beautiful daughter (now 14)even after all of my surgeries and doctors telling me they have done everything possible to remove the endometriosis. You can prepare yourself by eating right, exercising and talking openly about your fears, hopes and dreams with you husband...just be ready for anything but please don't expect the worse you will get through this I KNOW you can!
My prayers are with you and your family! If there is anything you'd like to talk about privately email me at ____@____.com and I will give you my phone number.

i had to have lap surgery just after my little guy was born and I was scared too. My advice

Be your own advocate but take some one with you that you trust. They will give you a lot of information at your preop appt. ask questions be informed and dont leave until you are completely comfortable. Also when you start coming out of it you are groggy and may not remember everything.

Be upfront with how you are feeling with you anestiologist. He can give you something to relax you when you go in. My husband joked asking if he can have some happy juice too. I think he was more nervous than I was at that point. you can talk to them if things are really stressing you before the hospital.

When they are getting ready to give you the coctail think about a yummy food that you can picture smell and taste ( like popcorn or something) you will wake up with a craving for it but no nausia. I got this advice and it worked great hope it helps for you.

My last advice may seem a buoff the wall but go do something that makes you laugh. Laughing helps the body relax, lowers blood pressure and over all changes our outlook.

I am sure you will do fine. good luck in surgery and on the infertility road. We have walked there and are there again.

Don't be afraid of the anesthesia. It is a piece of cake and will be over before you know it. If this surgery can help you feel better and concieve as you have been trying to do then go for it.

Ask for a spinal. They might say you need a twilight, but it's not full sedation, as you breath on your own.

I had a hysterectomy with a spinal and didn't have the anesthesia worries or trouble upon waking. In fact, the doc gave me two doses of caffeine because I couldn't have my morning coffee and was feeling irritable.

Stephanie

Hi K.,
I had it done a couple of years ago. It was a total piece of cake. The only yucky part was just after coming out of general anesthesia, I was nauseous. I felt no pain at all from the procedure, not even soreness afterward, and the incisions they made are so very small. Prepare yourself by trying not to worry, it really is not painful at all - hopefully it'll help you get pregnant!
Good luck!
S.

I found that being put under was no big deal, just scarry because you think you won't wake up, but you do!! I've had a few surgeries and each time I was put under, I had a different experience. The first was no big deal, I woke up and was fine. The second I was really groggy when I woke up and in pain from my incisions and the surgery. The third, I got really sick after and couldn't pee. They gave me too much or it was the kind they used. The last time It was fine again. It all depends. In all of them I did wake up tired and went back to sleep. Remember millions of people do this everyday and the doctor's and nurses have experienced it all. You will be fine going under and waking up. You will probably wake up sore or in pain, just take the pain medication or ask for it. You may wake up and have no pain. I probably haven't helped with your fear, but know you will be fine, you will wake up, it is like going to bed at night and the next thing you know it is morning. Good luck, you will be fine, and, more than likely, will have a positive surgery experience. God bless.

K.,

I have been under several times and each time I ask my surgeon to pray with me. It is something that calms me and makes me feel better about the whole process. I would pray. That is the best way to feel comfortable before a surgery, knowing that God is with you. I will be praying for your surgery and positive outcome.

Good luck!

M.

I'm really healthy but I've had plenty of surgery, cosmetic and otherwise, and have been put under lots of times. You get a nice little high and then a few minutes later (it seems), they are waking you up. You will be FINE.

K. - Ask your doctor about just doing a "block" which only numbs the lower half of your body and doesn't require a genreal anesthesia. (Like they do for some moms delivering babies.) My 79-year old mom needed hernia surgery for a lower abdominal hernia and they used this method with her - much better than a general. Good luck and God bless you and the surgery team. -J.

K.,
I have been under several times. It freaked me out only once. They did not give me the sedative before I was wheeled into the OR, so I was bright eyed and bushy tailed. The rest of the times all was fine. They will talk to you, ask the same questions, have you take some meds, and then start your IV. I had a partial hystorectomy, and it was a piece of cake. My only dissappointment was that I was hoping the organ to weigh more than it did, because I was looking forward to loosing some weight. Come to find out it only weighs ounces. I'm sure you will have every thing go just fine...and it will be on the top of your mind until it is over...no matter what you do. I would just focus on what the results will be in the end, and how much better you will feel. Good Luck, W.

Hi K., I have some advice. It is 1:55a.m. and I hate typing, If you don't mind please call me tomorrow.
###-###-####. A.

Hi K.,

I don't have any experiences to share, however I will keep you in my prayers.

N.