J's Tips for Surviving a LAP Surgery

When I began this blog, I was motivated by the blogs that I have found helpful as we've travelled the road to baby. One blog in particular gave tips for getting through laparoscopic surgery. I know this isn't a very scintillating topic for some of you who read my blog, but seriously--this is some of the most helpful information I've found. I don't take credit for all of the tips and none of them are "doctor approved," but they're "patient approved," and probably "husband approved," too. 

With my laparoscopy (Lap), I had 2 incisions: one in my belly button and one right at my right hip bone. Some doctors will do 3 incisions depending on the procedure. My scars are small but noticeable. Fortunately, I now have a scar on my right hip to match the bike accident scar on my left hip.  They're quite a symmetrical pair!  The prep for my lap was just like any surgical prep.  Tip 1: If you're having a lap for infertility reasons, be aware of the possibility of the dr getting in there and having to remove "stuff." Dr. Arrogant told me right before my surgery that he may have to remove my left tube, and I wasn't prepared for that at all.  I told him to consult DH before he did that, though I did have complete trust in Dr. Arrogant that he wouldn't do anything that wasn't "medically necessary." Like I've said before, he's an arrogant man but a brilliantly thorough doctor.

I will say I have had the BEST experience with my surgery center. It's pretty sad, but the nurses and anesthesiologists knew me by name; I guess 4 surgeries in 4 months makes you pretty memorable!  Everyone was so nice and I never had any problems with my anesthesia or my IVs.  I also liked that I could get a hold of the recovery nurse immediately by phone once I left.  Tip 2: Check to see if your surgery center is "In Network" for your insurance before you go in for surgery. Mine wasn't.  Tip 3: Know the surgery center billing staff. If it weren't for their compassion, there's no way we could have afforded all of these procedures.  I called and emailed incessantly and learned that it never hurts to ask for free stuff.

Before the lap: Prepare yourself.

• Shower, do your laundry, because you won't be able to do these things for at least 2 days.
• Make a "nest" of things you think you will want as you recover. You're not going to be able to get up on a whim to get anything for yourself
• Buy GasX and have some prune juice or a stool softener on hand. Straining your muscles down there is painful, so do what you can to make it easier on yourself. The pain meds make you all stopped up.
• Have carbonated beverages ready to go (this helps with the gas pains)

After the lap:

• Wear LOOSE clothing to your surgery. You won't want to feel anything on your scars or on your belly. I stayed in sweats/pajamas for 4 days, and even then, I wore dresses for 2 weeks after my surgery. It's just not comfortable to have anything pressing against you.
• Bring a pillow to cushion your belly from the seat belt on the way home. This was one of the best tips I got--it was a lifesaver! DH is a very careful driver, but even so, I loved having my pillow there.
• Take your pain meds. I'm a fairly small person and I was taking 2 vicodin every 4 hours. Don't let the pain get ahead of you. Dr. Arrogant also told me to take 2 IBs with every meal to lessen my cramping.
• Have someone there to help you for at least 24 hours. You won't be able to pull yourself out of bed or even get out of a chair by yourself. Tummy muscles were VERY, very sore.

Be Aware That...

• You may have the worst gas pains you've ever felt During a lap, they blow your belly up with gas.  Most of the gas is taken out, but the residual gas is horrid. I had gas pains from my belly through my right hip/ribs and in my shoulders.  Two days after my surgery, I couldn't even lay on my back the pain was so bad.  I called the nurse and she said to walk around and drink something carbonated. This really, really helped.  The more gas you can circulate, the better.  It felt like someone was stabbing my rib cage. The pain was so bad I couldn't breathe--I don't want to scare you, but be prepared. Honestly, all I wanted to do was pass gas. This is NOT a lady-like thing, I know!  DH would clap every time I pooted just because I felt so much better. And really, it's not icky gas; it's the gas they pump in to you during surgery!
• You will bleed, a lot.  I bled heavily for 6 days afterwards. Have pads ready.
• I had to have a balloon put in my uterus to keep the septum from reattaching. If you have to have something like this, be aware that the string will come out. It's similar to a tampon, but rubber. SO WEIRD! DH asked Dr. Arrogant if the balloon would have to be blown up; I just asked what color it was :) The balloon was removed 5 days after the procedure--this didn't hurt at all.

Overall, the gas pain was the worst part. I was up and around 5 days after my surgery, feeling well enough to meet my friend for drinks.  To me, this was all worth it to make my uterus a fluffy place for my future lil embryo!