Newbie....was wondering about Laparoscopic only recovery

New here...people told me about this site because I have all sorts of questions/concerns.

I am scheduled for my procedure on Dec. 29th and according to my doc, she thinks she can do the entire procedure laparoscopically. I never gave birth, so my cervix never "dropped" and I'm kinda small and tilted.

I know about the 3 little incisions (2 plus belly button) and I know she told me no driving for 2 weeks. Other than that, I'm kinda clueless about what to expect my recovery to be like.

I had 2 endometrial ablations this year, and they weren't that big a deal. They didn't work, but they weren't a real bad recovery...back to work after a day or 2. The worst problem I had was a rash (a bad one) from the pads.

I'm afraid that I'm not really "ready" for this procedure and I don't have a clue what to expect. Will I bleed? Do I need those darn pads again? Is there alot of pain.

I'm only approved from the insurance company for a 23 hour stay. Is that enough?? Will I have alot of gas, like the abdominal surgeries? Can I bend and lift or is that like the abdominals too?

Can someone enlighten me who has had the laparoscopic only version. I am keeping ovaries...if that matters.

Hey GaKitty,
I had a Laparascopic Hyst. It was sooo easy... I came home the same day as my surgery. Yes there was pain for about 4 or 5 days and I think most of it was gas. Yes they do gas you up and you need to walk it off. I was allowed to drive 3 days after and at my 2 week checkup my Doc gave me the go ahead for normal activity.... with some lifting restrictions. The whole hyst and recovery was such a breeze, I feel very fortunate that my doc was able to do the surgery like this. Oh and I have 4 incisions one just above my pubic bone, one in my belly button, and one on each side of my belly. My doc left my cervix and removed my ovaries. I also had no bleeding at all. Just a very little spotting. Hope everything goes well for you..
Krista

I had a LAVH almost 11 weeks ago. I have the typical 3 incisions - belly button, pubic bone and one to the right of my button. I had a lot of back/shoulder pain the first night and could not sleep. The shoulder pain was from the gas and the back pain from the way they had me laying on the OR table. I went home the next day and my DH was really surprised by how well I was doing and how coherent I was (compared to my lap. gallbladder surgery 2 years ago). I took myself off the meds a couple of days later and just took 800 mg ibuprofen. My biggest "pain" was from gas and walking around the house helped with that a lot!

I did have some swollen lymph nodes show up in my vaginal area some time after my surgery. My ob/gyn said that is not uncommon and was most likely a result of the trauma of the surgery (they did eventually go away on their own!). My incision on the right side was bruised a few days after I got home but that is where they "put in the crowbar" as my mom jokingly told me! I don't want to know! My uterus was the size of a 12-15 week pregnancy so I think I was lucky to have the LAVH - my ob/gyn said it was "close". WHEW!!

Oh yeah, and on the bleeding afterwards? I bought a box of pads just in case and only used one. And that was in anticipation after I left the hospital. For about a week afterwards when I would wipe it would just be a stain of pink - nothing after that!!

Good luck with your trip! I send you many, many
and please let me know if I can help you with anything else!

(We had the Christmas party last night for my work...the hospital where I had my LAVH...and I danced and danced and never had once ounce of pain today! Whoo-Hoo!)

Wow...you guys are great!! Thanks for the quick responses. I have got to tell you that II am starting to feel much better about about this thing done. It sounds like it's not that BIG of a deal...I just hope she (doc) can get it all laparoscopically.

	Quote:
I had a lot of back/shoulder pain the first night and could not sleep.

I remember now the doctor telling me about the should/joint pain from the gases. I had forgotten that part.

Thanks alot...I'm a little less stressed.

GaKitty,

I had very little bleeding, I had pads but I think panty shields would have done the job. My surgery was outpatient, started around 7:00am and was out by 6:30pm, no problem. I took the advice of a friend and rocked in a chair alot the day after the surgery, did not want to get the gas up in shoulders and didn't. I was shocked how good I felt and how fast recovery was. I was encouraged to walk alot and drink lots of water. Was back at work in two weeks. Follow dr. orders, don't overdo. Everything will go great, good luck.

hmmm mine wasnt that easy so I'm wondering if we are talking about the same thing? Mine was a lap assist hysterectomy. I have the 3 incisions on my stomich. I spent 2 nights in the hospital. I also had a ablation a few months befor that didnt work. mine was done vaginally and the doctor removed all (even the cervix) and left the left overy. I wasnt cleared for normal activity untill 6 weeks cause of the vaginal cuff. maybe thats where it is different in the recovery. As far as pain I was on oxycodon for allmost 2 weeks. I am great now though. And so glad its over!!!!!!

Hi, I have had 6 laps for endometriosis and cysts on ovaries--also a tubal ligation, but had my hysterectomy TAH. For one lap I stayed in the hospital 3 days, and the others were done as day surgery... but on one I should have stayed overnight at least. If you don't feel ready to go, please don't let them pressure you. Arrangements CAN be made with insurance so you get the care you need. (With doctor's orders.) And just because you go home doesn't mean you should start leaping over tall buildings and such... there's still a LOT of internal trauma. Gas pains can be pretty fierce, even up into your chest area. Hot tea with lemon and/or peppermint can be a big help with that. Best of luck. I hope others will post so you'll have more info before you go to the castle.

GaKitty,
Do you know if you are having a LAVH (Lap assisted Vaginal Hyst) or a LSH (Lap Supracervical Hyst)???? Mine personally was the LSH. He did not go into my vagina or any where near it.... I guess that is why mine was easier then some others.... My doc also said that it was pretty close for doing it abdominally. Thank God he didn't have to. I had it all removed (12-14 week uterus, many large fibroids, poly ovaries and lots of endo and aheshions attached to everything) So I guess it depends on which hyst you are having. I don't think the LSH could have been any easier...
Kristalee

As of right now..I am slated for the entire procedure to be laparoscopic (LSH?). Doc thinks she can get it all this way. Since I never gave birth, and after an exam, she thought a vaginal approach might not be all that easy since apparently I'm small, tilted back, and my cervix didn't "drop". Doing this abdominally would really put a hardship on my life, and she (doc) knows that. I own my own business and can't be out of work that long.

I am doing this procedure to improve the quality of my life...but if the only way to go was abdominal, I would continue to suffer through my periods and not go through with the surgery. The only reason I am doing this now is that I can probably get by with 2 weeks recovery.

I have fears that I'll wake up and she'll tell me....oh, we tried, but couldn't help but cut you. I know that there is a little chance of that and it freaks me out.

Hi!
I had LAVH 6 days ago. I feel great. (although I'm still cautious) My only pain is my lower back and where my left ovary is. (my Dr. did some "clean up" on it) In regards to the bleeding, I used a pad while in the hospital,very light bleeding. Used 1 panty liner my first day home. I stayed 2 days because of low grade fever.
I have 2 children which I gave birth to vaginally so that may be why I'm not in too much pain.
My incisions are in my belly button,bikini line and lower left pelvic area.
And they're very small.
Hope this helps! Be sure to voice any concerns no matter how small, to your Dr.
All the Best,
Laurie