I'm having a laparoscopy to remove my Ovarian Cyst on Monday. Advice?

Hi everybody,

I'm having this surgery, a laparoscopy to remove my Ovarian Cyst the Size of a Plum on Monday. I would be most grateful for advice on: what to take to hospital, how to address MRSA concerns, what the hospital will be like, and recovery from surgery.

I'm to be in hospital 2 or 3 days and have a fortnight off for convalescence.

I'm going to Ninewells Hospital here in Dundee.

Please tell me anything you think I should know! I'm an idiot and scared out of my wits.

There's the chance they may not be able to do the surgery via keyhole.  Twice they've tried this on me (once for ovarian cyst), and twice they've had to do traditional surgery.

As far as MRSA, etc: ensure that nurses/drs glove up.  Should be standard practice but I can't tell you the times I've had to tell them to glove up.  Use good had washing practices, particularly when touching door handles, toilet handles, etc.  Wouldn't hurt to use liquid anti bac supplied at hospitals after washing your hands.  Ask visitors to wash hands/use anti bac before touching you.  You don't know what they've touched in the hospital on the way to visit you.

There's the chance they may not be able to do the surgery via keyhole.  Twice they've tried this on me (once for ovarian cyst), and twice they've had to do traditional surgery.

This happened to me as well.  Recovery from the laproscopic should only take a few days.  If you are able to get up and walk around, do so it helps work all the nitric oxide out.  Try to relax and don't be scared.

Good Luck!

I had a laparoscopy about 2 weeks ago. They weren't taking anything out - just having a look at my ovaries, tubes, etc.

I took a bag with a nightgown, dressing gown, socks, pants, sanitary napkins, a book and a couple of magazines. I left all jewelry off, including my wedding ring. In hindsight I would have also packed a toothbrush and toothpaste, because even though it was supposed to be a day surgery I ended up staying the night. It appears I don't react too well to general anesthetic!

Be prepared to do lots of waiting around and answering a lot of questions (often the same ones asked by a number of different people). I spent the night in a ward with three other women and had no problems. I only hope I didn't snore, and I have no idea if the other women did because I was still so out of it. The nurses were very cheery and really did help to make me comfortable.

I was told to expect pain in my shoulders afterward. Apparently the gas used to expand your abdomen travels up to your shoulders - fortunately I didn't experience this. My surgery was on a Monday, I came home about midday on Tuesday, and went back to work on Friday. I probably should have stayed home Friday as well because by the afternoon I was totally wrecked. However, some people handle the whole thing better than others, so you might need less time.

I had two incisions - one through my belly button, and another really tiny one about two inches below it. The one in my belly button is still healing - the stitches are the dissolving kind and should be gone soon. I was pretty tender in that area for about a week and went around with my trousers unzipped as much as possible!

I did have some thoughts about MRSA, but I was so preoccupied with being nervous that I didn't really notice if the nurses and doctors were wearing gloves. I did though make sure to very thoroughly wash my hands every time I went to the toilet.

Overall, while it's not something I'd want to do regularly, it wasn't a bad experience. I was very nervous beforehand, but I didn't need to be (easy for me to say now!). Just remember that this is a very routine procedure and they'll have done thousands of them. It's good you're planning a fortnight for recovery - I wish I could have taken that much!

Feel free to PM me.

Lee

I hope everything goes smoothly...good luck!

I have no advice to give, but wanted to wish you good luck and a speedy recovery!