Laparoscopy

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2003
Laparoscopy
6
Wed, 10-08-2003 - 1:12pm
I have been TTC for over 15 months and have been on clomid for three months, but still no good news. My OB/GYN is going to perform a procedure callled laparoscopy next month. I have received some information about this procedure from the Internet, but am very nervous about this procedure. Did anyone have this procedure done before? What was your experience? (i.e. pain, discomfort, the day after the procedure...?) Thank you!!

Elaine



iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2003
In reply to: ymariverfalls
Wed, 10-08-2003 - 1:43pm
Elaine,

I had a laparoscopy done earlier this year to remove a cyst that was 12cm X 14cm (yeah, I know!). I was also very scared but since it had to come out, I really did not have any choice. There was fear I would loose an ovary (or worst - infertility) if it burst so the doc really recommended it since I hadn't even had babies yet.

They put you to sleep and make three little incisions (sometimes two are enough) one in your belly button (so it does not show as much) and one (or two) very small one's were your ovaries are located.

When I awoke, I felt some light cramps but it was more like bad AF cramps. The doctor said that the stitches might hurt (if you cough or sneeze you feel it more) so he gave me codeine pills which were very helpful the days following the procedure (if your doc gives you pain killers, take them! you'll need them to sleep). I was in bed for about a week but felt better after a few days. When the bandages came off I was relieved to see that the scars were very small and that the pain (cramps) were gone.

I was hosting AF during the procedure (just my luck) so that entire area might have been more sensitive but usually they recommend you stay home at least for a few days and rest (DH stayed with me and made my meals, brought me water, helped me change, gave me baths etc...).

After the operation, I went to see the doctor a few days later and was really happy I had gone threw with it. The pain is nothing compared to the relief I felt once he told me that he did not only remove the cyst but that he checked the ovaries, tubes, etc... and that everything looked excellent! He gave me the thumbs up to TTC and it relieved me to know that everything was in great working order (if you know what I mean).

If there had been anything wrong with me he would of taken care of it and it would only have made conception a lot easier.

The pain is obviously different for everyone (I am a real baby when it comes to it, trust me, still call my mommy when I am sick (I am 30 years old btw!)) so don't worry, if I survived threw it, you will too with flying colors! :)

Good luck!

Patricia

TTC #1

C3 CD2


Edited 10/8/2003 1:46:01 PM ET by patita_fofinha

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2003
In reply to: ymariverfalls
Wed, 10-08-2003 - 4:54pm
Patricia,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I am 31 and also TTC for my first one. My OB/GYN is going to put me in clomid for another cycle (starting tomorrow). If it still doesn't work, then he will perform the procedure next month. Hopefully things happen later this month so I don't have to worry about it anymore!

Good luck to you!!

Elaine

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-02-2003
In reply to: ymariverfalls
Wed, 10-08-2003 - 6:41pm
Elaine,

I too am scheduled for a laparoscopy Nov. 3, yet mine is for pelivc pain that I have been having for about the past 6 months. My OB said that he was also going to check my ovaries, tubes, and do a procedure where they check your uterus. He said that if he finds any problems he will fix the minor ones ( scar tissue and cysts ) but if it is something major ( blocked tubes ) that he will discuss it with me before he does anything b/c he doesn't want to do anything I would not want him to do and that there are other ways of fixing problems ( I know that sometimes they can unblock your tubes with dye .) Being scared of the procedure I asked him about the risk, etc... ( I had done my research before b/c a previous OB suggested it but I did not trust him ) and he said that he had been in practice for 7 years and did his residency 4 years before that at Duke and that he had only seen 3 complications, 2 bowel punctures and 1 bladder puncture but they were in patients that had had previous surgeries and scar tissue and things were in places they were not suppose to be, but they do fix any complications right then. He also told me he did 5 or 6 laps. a week which reassured me even more. Now the only thing I am scared of is the anesthesia but I go in Oct. 31 to talk about that. So hopefully things will work out for the best and this will find and fix any problems that will keep me from conceiving ( TTC 1 month, Sept. AF started today. ) Oh mine also told me that if he finds nothing and we try for just 3 - 6 months ( more like 3 ) he will put me on clomid he says they usually wait a year to intervene b/c I am only 23 and have age on my side.

(But I don't want to TTC for a year so if nothing after 3 months I'll go through the whole evaluation. ) Okay I've ran my mouth enough. Good luck.

De'

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2003
In reply to: ymariverfalls
Wed, 10-08-2003 - 7:07pm
I had a laparoscopy done a few years ago when I was only 23. It's considered a minor outpatient surgery. The reason I had it done was for pelvic pain. Anyway, the procedure itself doesn't take very long, unless there's something to remove like scar tissue from endometriosis or something. But I had 2 very small incisions, one small on almost in my belly button (but not quite) and another small one in the pelvic area where they actually shave you some "down there" to make the incision. After the procedure I was neasueated from being put under, but I was still fine and was able to go home. I'd say for the first few nights it was VERY hard to sleep and get comfortable in bed because it did hurt to move from the incisions, even though they're so small. I just took my pain meds. and was fine then. However I one thing I didn't expect was to be so bloated for as long as I was. When they do this procedure they fill your stomach with gas so they can see better and then that gas makes you feel bloated and bigger for what I thought would only be a few days, but it turns out I was like this for about 1.5 weeks! Overall the procedure wasn't bad and the worst of it is waking up feeling sick from being under. I hope this helps! If you have any more questions just email me at vhsmith@sssnet.com

Heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2003
In reply to: ymariverfalls
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 5:20pm
Thank you for sharing! I actually don't worry about the procedure itself because I was told that I will be put into sleep and won't feel a thing. But I do worry about all the side effects (i.e. pain, feeling sick, etc.) after the procedure. I had the procedure (I forgot the name of the procedure) done where the OB inserted dye into my tubes and check to see if there is any blockage (and they said everything looks good). It's a 20-minute procedure and I had VERY severe cramping during the procedure and felt very sick for about one hour afterwards. I remember when I felt pain during the procedure I was asking myself whether I would be able to go through the labor pain given that it's probably hundred times more painful!!

Anyway, thanks again.

Elaine

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-10-2003
In reply to: ymariverfalls
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 6:47pm
Hi,

I had a laparoscopy in '97 to diagnose endometriosis. I was nauseous from the anesthesia and stayed in the hospital from the time of the procedure at 8:30 a.m. to about 5:00 p.m. It took me that long to be able to get up and walk around but everyone is different. When I went home that night, the only pain I had was extreme shoulder pain...I guess it's called "referred pain" from the procedure. I had to call the doctor for stronger pain killers but still couldn't sleep the first night. By the nextd day I was much better. I rested over the weekend and went back to work on Monday no worse for the wear. Good luck!