Anyone Have Laparoscopic Surgery?

Yes. Twice.
They give you pain medicine like Tylenol or Hydrocodone, depending on the level of cutting that is done.

Recovery was pretty good. Had a lot of gas that had to work it's way out. Stomach was sore for a few days.
Couldn't lift more than 4 lbs for 2 weeks.

I think the most uncomfortable part of laparoscopic surgery is the left over gas, after surgery. The best thing is to get up & moving as soon as possible , to get rid of all the remaining gas.

I had my gallbladder out that way. I didn't have any problems with the gas but it can cause some shoulder pain. Crazy, I know.

It did leave me with a distorted belly button surrounding. I have stretchy skin.

I had tubal this way. gas and all ............was down 3 days. Pretty simple. amazing what they can do laparopscpicly

When I had my tubes tied, that is what they did, also..... just a couple of small incisions... one was in my navel, and I think the other was somewhere else? Easily covered with a band-aid.

There was some bruising from the procedure, and some discomfort, but it was all out-patient surgery. I went home an hour later, probably. I may have been uncomfortable for a couple of days, maybe? I really don't remember all of that... it was 15 years or so ago.....

I had it for endometriosis and for gall bladder removal. Not a lot of pain after - I think they gave me Tylenol 3 and I only took it for a couple of days and took half the dose they gave me.

I had laproscopic gastric bypass almost a year ago. The recovery was very easy and relatively easy pain wise. If I had an open incision, it would have been ten times worse. Gas pain wasn't fun, but I knew that from my two previous c-sections.

As long as you can eat and drink afterwards to build your strength back up, I would think you'd be back to normal within a week or so :).

I agree, the gas they fill you up with doesn't escape when they're done so you have to rid your body of it slowly. It can be the most uncomfortable part of the whole thing.

Laproscopic is very easy. I had my gallbladder out that way and went back to work a couple of days later. I took half a pain pill just because I didn't like the feeling of the left over anesthesia and I wanted to go to sleep. Not because of any pain.

Had this type of surgery for endometriosis...was up and around the next day and totally back to normal within the week. Not a big deal at all.

I had a couple of cysts removed this way, but my surgery was complicated by multiple adhesions that the surgeon separated (after-effects of a burst appendix when I was 12), and also a tubal ligation.

The first 4 post-surgical days are usually difficult, and that was my experience. But I was able to get up, care for my daughter, and go back to bed. After 4 days the pain diminished quite a bit. I was able to be more active every day, and at 6 weeks or so, felt better than before.

I wish you a perfect outcome.

Biggest complaint was gas the first 24 hours. Other than that it is a pretty
Easy surgery. Maybe pain meds for first 48 hours. Then Tylenol if needed.

Had laparoscopy years ago to check for Endometriosis. Recovery was less than a week, as I recall. Worst part was nagging referred pain in my shoulder from gas they put in abdomen. Ask Dr for some tips to help you get the gas out of your system as soon as possible afterwards. Am thinking Simethicone might have helped had I known about it (Gas X). Make a list of questions and try to see your Dr or call his nurse to get your questions answered before surgery so you are not so nervous. Prayers that all goes great for you.

I had my gall bladder removed that way. I didn't have any trouble then or afterward. I know you get gassy afterward, but I'd assume you wouldn't have too bad a time. You will be fine. Sending you some good vibes!!

So sorry you have to go through this.

They'll probably give you some heavy duty tylenol - no aspirin products because they don't want you to have bleeding. (You'll be told not to take any of those products for 24-48 hours before surgery too. That's routine.)

Your recovery will vary based on how long the surgeon is in there and how much he/she has to do. More surgery and more manipulation of everything in there causes more inflammation and scar tissue. But they will adjust your meds in the hospital and have you let them know your pain level on a scale of 1-10, and they will want you to tell them how you are doing. They will most likely give you medication through the IV at first, so it will take effect quickly. Exactly what they give you will depend on any allergies you have, but there are a number of choices available that are very effective.

However, since it is laparoscopic, the 2 incisions will be very small and not require a whole lot of healing.

The gas is used to inflate the abdomen so the abdominal wall is lifted and the organs are separated a bit so the surgeon can see how big that cyst is, what it's touching, and how best to remove it. When the laparoscope is removed, most of the gas escapes. However, there's always some residual gas that stays for a few days. It's harmless but you may find you are a little bloated feeling and that your belly is distended. The gas is absorbed and eliminated, or expelled. So you are likely to be more flatulent than usual. For the first few days, eat small meals or snacks several times a day, and don't let yourself get constipated. Avoid gassy foods like beans and broccoli, and anything else that triggers that for you, just for a couple of days. It will make it much easier for you.

The phrenic nerve goes from the abdomen to the shoulder area, so it is very common to have some shoulder pain when you start sitting up. The gas rises, presses on the diaphragm and you feel discomfort. You'll think it's something else because it's such a weird place to get pain after abdominal surgery. It's totally harmless, so don't worry. It's also easy to get rid of. The key to getting rid of this pain almost immediately is to lie down, flat, no pillow. If possible, have your head lower than your abdomen - put a folded blanket or a pillow under your rear end to raise it higher. The pain will go away right away because the gas rises - you'll redirect it into the abdomen. As you are able, try to move around a bit, either getting up for short periods of time, walking, or changing position from side to side. That helps move the gas around, increasing the speed of it being eliminated from your body.

Good luck! I'm sure it's not going to be as bad as what you imagine in your fears. Just line up a lot of help at home so you don't have to do anything - have someone help you get up off the couch, do your meals, and everything else. Let them spoil you. Start up your activities gradually rather than trying to do too much too soon. Your hospital team should be able to give you a better prediction once they know how your surgery went. But overall, laparoscopic surgery is done whenever possible for the very reason that the recovery time is so much faster and easier than invasive abdominal surgery.

Good luck!