Lap Surgery in 3 Weeks---scared...

Hi Kate, I have some advice. It is 1:55a.m. and I hate typing, If you don't mind please call me tomorrow.
###-###-####. A.

Hi Kate,

I don't have any experiences to share, however I will keep you in my prayers.

N.

Hi Kate,

I have been under complete anesthesia twice in my life and am still here to talk about it. It has it's risks, especially for the elderly, but for younger people it is much less risky. It's not a walk in the park, but in the hands of a competent anesthesiologist you should be okay. I'm sure you'll come out of it just fine, even better, without endometriosis. Best of luck.

-K.

Kate,
I have been under several times. It freaked me out only once. They did not give me the sedative before I was wheeled into the OR, so I was bright eyed and bushy tailed. The rest of the times all was fine. They will talk to you, ask the same questions, have you take some meds, and then start your IV. I had a partial hystorectomy, and it was a piece of cake. My only dissappointment was that I was hoping the organ to weigh more than it did, because I was looking forward to loosing some weight. Come to find out it only weighs ounces. I'm sure you will have every thing go just fine...and it will be on the top of your mind until it is over...no matter what you do. I would just focus on what the results will be in the end, and how much better you will feel. Good Luck, W.

Kate - Ask your doctor about just doing a "block" which only numbs the lower half of your body and doesn't require a genreal anesthesia. (Like they do for some moms delivering babies.) My 79-year old mom needed hernia surgery for a lower abdominal hernia and they used this method with her - much better than a general. Good luck and God bless you and the surgery team. -J.

I'm really healthy but I've had plenty of surgery, cosmetic and otherwise, and have been put under lots of times. You get a nice little high and then a few minutes later (it seems), they are waking you up. You will be FINE.

Kate,

I have been under several times and each time I ask my surgeon to pray with me. It is something that calms me and makes me feel better about the whole process. I would pray. That is the best way to feel comfortable before a surgery, knowing that God is with you. I will be praying for your surgery and positive outcome.

Good luck!

Molly

Hi Kate,

After all the fertility treatments you mentioned, I too ended up having laproscopic surgery, but to remove some scar tissue on my uterus. Physically, I'm not sure you can really do anything to prepare for it, but mentally you can. You really have to try to relax & think positively that this surgery may actually help you to get pregnant afterward. The anesthesia is also a time to try to relax - the doctors & staff will guide you through it, so just listen to them & you'll be "out", you'll have the surgery & then be awake again before you know it. For me it was an outpatient surgery, so after recovering & waking up fully from the anesthesia, my husband took me home where I was able to rest & fully recover over the next couple of days. I was a little sore & had a little bit of a hard time walking, but other than that it was okay. Hang in there!

I found that being put under was no big deal, just scarry because you think you won't wake up, but you do!! I've had a few surgeries and each time I was put under, I had a different experience. The first was no big deal, I woke up and was fine. The second I was really groggy when I woke up and in pain from my incisions and the surgery. The third, I got really sick after and couldn't pee. They gave me too much or it was the kind they used. The last time It was fine again. It all depends. In all of them I did wake up tired and went back to sleep. Remember millions of people do this everyday and the doctor's and nurses have experienced it all. You will be fine going under and waking up. You will probably wake up sore or in pain, just take the pain medication or ask for it. You may wake up and have no pain. I probably haven't helped with your fear, but know you will be fine, you will wake up, it is like going to bed at night and the next thing you know it is morning. Good luck, you will be fine, and, more than likely, will have a positive surgery experience. God bless.

Hi Kate,
I had it done a couple of years ago. It was a total piece of cake. The only yucky part was just after coming out of general anesthesia, I was nauseous. I felt no pain at all from the procedure, not even soreness afterward, and the incisions they made are so very small. Prepare yourself by trying not to worry, it really is not painful at all - hopefully it'll help you get pregnant!
Good luck!
S.

I had this out patient surgery done back in 1992. It was really easy. Anesthesia is a serious thing, but they are specialists in that area and are very good at what they do. The surgery itself is not bad. You'll have a little incision in your belly button and one by your hair line. Tiny little stitches. The worst for me was arm/shoulder pain after b/c the gas got trapped under my ribcage (doesn't happen to everyone) and affects the brachial nerve. I healed up n no time and never had bad periods again. I also did some homeopathy afterwards. I got pregnant 14 years later on my first try at age 38! Good Luck!

Ask for a spinal. They might say you need a twilight, but it's not full sedation, as you breath on your own.

I had a hysterectomy with a spinal and didn't have the anesthesia worries or trouble upon waking. In fact, the doc gave me two doses of caffeine because I couldn't have my morning coffee and was feeling irritable.

Stephanie

Hi Kate, I had a lap to remove endometriosis before I had my kids. Being put under was kinda like taking dramamine, you try to stay awake but sleep overcomes you. Don't fight the sleep, and it will help you to not freak out. You will only be left with a little scar on the bottom ridge of your belly button. The only place that I had any pain was in my shoulders. This is normal, and is just the way the pain nerves act. Take simethicone and tylenol, and that will help. I had endometriosis removed from my tubes, colon and bladder. I started on Clomid when I got my next period, and was pregnant in 3 months. I ended up using Clomid 2 years after that and had my 2nd daughter. When she was 2 the Endo got so bad that I had a Hysterectomy at 33. I always wanted more kids, but I am greatful that I was at least able to have the two, and my life is so much better with out those horrid periods. Hope this helps. M

Don't be afraid of the anesthesia. It is a piece of cake and will be over before you know it. If this surgery can help you feel better and concieve as you have been trying to do then go for it.

if what you mean by "LAP" surgery si Laparoscopic surgery, it is a relatively low invasive procedure. The small size of the instruments and its minimal disturbance of other tissues other than the target ones makes for an easier recovery and helps minimize pain and discomfort.
There is no reason to be overly worried about anesthesia.
I have been put under twice, once for 5 hours and another for almost two and the most uncomfortable part was getting the IV going and feeling very cold at the recovery room after surgery. None of this was particularly bothersome.Other than that it was a walk in the park..
The recovery after my knee surgery was a difeent story...lol!
That took some time,work and effort.
If you are very nervous, be sure to read up a bit on breathing techniques,or do some yoga it helps calm you down and at worse talk to your doctor to see whether he could prescribe some pre-op medication for anxiety.
Good luck and hopefully I have brought you a bit of peace of mind

Kate, I can totally relate to being in fear of going under. I have a victorious situation to share. I was 3 weeks postpartum and had an acute gallbladder attack and subsequent pancreatitis--my blood levels were off the charts, so they admitted me to the hospital, put me on I.V. fluids, took me off of food and liquids and prepared me for surgery. about 48 hours after admission I was stable enough to be operated on, and I underwent laparascopic surgery to have my gallbladder removed. The significant part of this story, to you, however, is that going under the anasthesia was the part that had me in fear. What about my baby--3 weeks old and so dependent on ME? What about my other daughter: only three years old. What if I didn't wake up? This inevitable surgery really had me thinking about my life and my role in the lives of my children. I knew in my heart and in my mind that I was the most important human being to my children (especially during their early months and years). This is when I had to have a little 'talk' with God. I actually had to spend time in prayer telling God about my heart for my children. I asked God to guide the surgeons and staff whose hands I was placing my life in. I had to ask God to allow me to come through and wake up better equipped to be a good mother than I was before I came in. As I was wheeled on the gourney into the O.R., I remember being ever so slightly chilly and somewhat nervous. Then I went back to that place with God to remind Him that I was totally trusting Him with not only MY life, but the lives of these precious children that I had been given. I will tell you what happened next has changed me for the good-permanently. Before the anesthesiologist administered the I.V., I experienced an amazing moment of peace and calm, like I'd never known before. I know this was from God, not from any drugs. I was given such comfort, rest, and reassurance that I and my girls were in God's hands. Capable hands. Faithful, loving, and giant hands. I was released from worry and from the outcome of my life and theirs. Today, they are ages 11 an 14. Whenever I am tempted to TAKE back the outcome of either their lives or my own, I remind myself to get back to that place where I say, "Remember, God, how I released these things into your hands?" And when I remind God, He reminds me of the peace and says, "I know." Now trusting is hard. But when you get to that place where you are absolutely out of control of a given situation (like going into surgery) it is the golden opportunity to take that leap and pray that prayer. See what happens. I know that God wants to be there for YOU (and your family). Take care & God Bless You. K. T.

i had to have lap surgery just after my little guy was born and I was scared too. My advice

Be your own advocate but take some one with you that you trust. They will give you a lot of information at your preop appt. ask questions be informed and dont leave until you are completely comfortable. Also when you start coming out of it you are groggy and may not remember everything.

Be upfront with how you are feeling with you anestiologist. He can give you something to relax you when you go in. My husband joked asking if he can have some happy juice too. I think he was more nervous than I was at that point. you can talk to them if things are really stressing you before the hospital.

When they are getting ready to give you the coctail think about a yummy food that you can picture smell and taste ( like popcorn or something) you will wake up with a craving for it but no nausia. I got this advice and it worked great hope it helps for you.

My last advice may seem a buoff the wall but go do something that makes you laugh. Laughing helps the body relax, lowers blood pressure and over all changes our outlook.

I am sure you will do fine. good luck in surgery and on the infertility road. We have walked there and are there again.

I have been under general anesthesia a total of four times. Each time is about the same. Expect to be tired for about four or five days after. I have never had a bad experience, trust your doctors, if you didn't you wouldn't be there in the first place. Its ok to be scared, but keep reminding your self of the outcome. I had, out of control, 75 days in row period, now I have nothing from a hydro threm ablation. Some times its better not seeing or hearing the tools/machines they have to use during surgeries. Good luck and try to relax and enjoy the rest and pampering you will get after.

Hi Kate,
I had 10 lap surgeries to remove endometriosis in my life. I understand you being scared, nervous and terrified. Being put under anesthesia is not bad at all, I thought the hardest part was comming out of surgery and the body trying to get rid of the gas used to pump up your stomach for the surgery. Just try to relax and trust your doctors they have your best intrest at heart. I have a beautiful daughter (now 14)even after all of my surgeries and doctors telling me they have done everything possible to remove the endometriosis. You can prepare yourself by eating right, exercising and talking openly about your fears, hopes and dreams with you husband...just be ready for anything but please don't expect the worse you will get through this I KNOW you can!
My prayers are with you and your family! If there is anything you'd like to talk about privately email me at ____@____.com and I will give you my phone number.

Hi Kate-
Anesthesia is not bad, just make sure if you feel nauseous when you wake up to tell the nurses ASAP and they can give you something that will counter the effect. I had large fibroid tumors preventing me from getting pregnant 3 years ago. I had an abdominal myomectomy (in which I was cut 7 incheds across my abdomen). It was a painful recovery process, but I got preganant 4 months after that & have a beautiful little 22 month old girl. It is totally worth the pain! And Lap surgery is not difficult- you'll sail through it!

Kate - My thoughts and prayers are with you. I had to have surgery last year when I was 12 weeks pregnant to remove an ovary b/c they were worried I might have ovarian cancer (they didn't say as much but I could read between the lines). Turned out to just be a fibroid but the worst part was the waiting - 5 weeks of anticipating and wondering if the baby would make it and if I'd have cancer, etc, etc. It is scary but it sounds like you've already been through a lot and I guess you can think of it as one more thing to do to get pregnant. Ask the nurses/doctors to explain everything they're doing the day of the surgery - "ok, Kate, now we're going to start your IV..."
Plan to do something enjoyable once you're up to it - massage, mani/pedi, huge bowl of ice cream! You're obviously strong and have a great hubby/support system - lean on them.
Take care!

Ask your doctor about preparing yourself for surgery with the use of guided relaxation techniques.. Kaiser has a CD and Book entitled Prepare for Surgery and they also have someone take you through the process. You spend two weeks (you still have time) practicing with the tape twice a day and then when you go in for your surgery you have your little walkman with you and thee tape or cd and listen while you go under. I woke up feeling just fine and relaxed as I went under the anesthesia ( which I had been terrified to contemplate) and had very little pain and no anxiety when I had my gall bladder operated on laparascopicaly (sp) Good luck!!

When I had to have surgery for Endometriosis I found a WONDERFULLY helpful website/forum. It is called hystersisters.com

There is a forum on the site specifically for women with endo.

Please don't be scared. You will feel so much better once the endo. is gone. And for everyone else reading... the fertility treatments were not likely the cause of the endo, but rather the endo may have been the reason the fertility treatments didn't work.

Hi Kate -

I've been under many, many times for all sorts of surgeries. You just go to sleep. And then you just wake up. A little groggy, but that's about it. It's not a big deal at all.

The surgery itself is also not a big deal, and will make a world of difference. Definitely worth it. Take a deep breath, enjoy the holidays, and get that silly ol' procedure over with!

big hugs!

J.

Sorry for the slow response, just found this in my spam folder. I had a hysterectomy just over a year ago and I have never been so scared. This site helped me.... Hysterectomy Support Discussions, Before Hysterectomy, After Hysterectomy, Recovery - HysterSisters ......
Before I went into the surgery room I had previously written a note to the nurses, doctors, etc. that I didn't want to see the double doors, cuz I knew that would freak me out. This helped alot and I also got something to take the night before to keep me calm. They will work with you and the requests that you make. Put it in writing because you might not remember everything if your nervous. Good Luck,,,you will be fine. Medicine has come a long way, it's amazing what they can do.
J.

Dear Kate,

I had a laparoscopy for removal of endometriosis about 15 years ago. It was an amazingly easy surgery. Do everything that is relaxing to you before the surgery and keep in mind that this is a step toward having your own baby. Go in with a strong and positive attitude.

Being put under is interesting...my doc said "OK now your vision will get blurry" and immediately it was. I said "wow, that happened fast!" Then he asked me to count and I was out. I recommend having someone brought to right away when you wake in recovery because I kept falling back asleep and everytime I woke up I had to go to the bathroom soooo bad and they wouldn't let me go until my blood pressure got up (you get it up by staying awake and wiggling your feet and legs). Anyway, once someone was there with me I stayed awake and finally talked a nurse into letting me get up. And that was basically it! I went home about a half hour later. I was tired and slept most of the day and was mildly sore a few days afterwards but that was all. The only other thing I will say is when they tell you not to vacuum for 2 weeks, listen to them. I was feeling so good 4 days after my surgery I tried it because the carpet was getting dirty and boy was I sore afterwards!

Keep a good attitude, and everything will go great! Good luck to you~

K. N

Hi Kate, no need to worry. I had the surgery. I just kept telling myself the only thing I had to do, was show up, and sleep! When I thought of it as merey going to sleep, it wasn;t as scary. That, and I prayed A LOT! God is faithful and cares for you!