Info on laparoscopy

[picklepants]

Has anyone out there had one? I'm due to have one in a couple of weeks time to investigate fertility and I'm really nervous about it - NOT what they might find, but the actual procedure. Also, I thought they went in through your belly button - if so, why do I have to shave the top inch of pubic hair?? any information would be gratefully received...

[birdwoman]

yes I've had 2 - nothing to get particularly nervous about it's a pretty simple procedure but I can understand getting nervous before any surgery.

They go in just below your belly button but also make a small incision further down (I think it's because they fill your abdomen with air to assist the procedure). You'll have a couple of stitches under your belly button and a stitch further down - they will probably be dissolvable stitches so you shouldn't need them removing but rememer to ask about this before you leave the hospital because they sometimes forget to tell you.

Are you having a lap & dye which is where they pump dye through your fallopian tubes to see if there's a blockage? If so you will have a blue 'period' afterwards as the dye comes out (not for long though).

There is a small risk that when they go in with the camera they can nick your bladder (I mean scratch it not steal it!) which can cause problems but this is very rare and they will go through all the associated risks with you before the op and you will probably have to sign a disclaimer.

Hope everything goes alright for you and that they don't find any fertility problems - I've been having IVF and it's not the most fun thing in the world!!

If you have any more questions I'd be happy to answer them.

[willa]

I had laproscopic surgery to remove my gall bladder in 1996. It went swimmingly. There were three very small inciscions around the belly button. Recovery time was short and it didn't hurt, it was just sore. The only disconcerting bit was that I was a bit gassy afterward from whatever gas they pumped in me to expand the surgery site.

Good luck!

[barb1314]

Hi there,I've also had 2 of these and suffered no problems after.There is an incision made just above your pubic bone to put air in so the surgeon can see properly on the camera. I had to shave all the hair I could see in the mirror!I got quite bad pain in my shoulders after (why??) This is because of the air,bizarrely that's where it can hurt. Good to know cos I panicked! My wounds were glued and they have totally gone now. Birdwoman...we sound like we've had the same life........but I can't face the IVF.Good luck with it. And Picklepants,please don't worry...you'll be fine.xxx

[Jugglering]

I've had two laparoscopies done - both in day surgery and absolutely no problems whatsoever, apart from a bit of wind from the air pumped in ! No pain really, just a lbit of discomfort which was easily sorted out with a couple of paracetamol and I was back in work after a few days ! The surgeons do so many of these procedures these days that they are highly expert now, so you really have nothing to worry about at all.