My Laparoscopy and tube removal: Post Op advice

Well, it is now Monday and a whole week since my Laparosocopy and tube removal and what the consultant called 'an MOT'  at Cheltenham General Hospital. And you will have worked out by now that I survived and IT WAS FINE! I know, I can't quite believe that I have just said that but it honestly was.

I wanted to share some advice now that I have actually had the procedure done as I know that online advice really helped me to feel prepared for the day.

Here is a breakdown of the timings of the day: 

6am:  woke up, had a sip of water with my morning meds as had to be nil-by-mouth from midnight
6am-7am: had a bath and washed my hair, listened to some of my favourite meditation tracks
7am: left for the hospital. Feeling positive.
7.45am: arrived at the hospital, feeling a bit nervous now
8am: booked into the ward and waited with four other ladies and their partners
8am-11am: taken to my bed, told that my op would be at 11.30am as third on the list so had ages to wait. Hubs stayed with me all day and we played games, read the paper and chatted. Feeling relaxed.
11am: asked for numbing cream, had this on the back of both hands. Would recommend even if you are not scared of needles as had the Cannula in for 11 hours! I would say I am very scared of needles and this didn't bother me at all. Also, give 2x paracetamol. Get changed into gown and DVT stockings.
11.30am: Wheeled on bed to the theatre. This was my first operation and didn't know what to expect. Went into the anaesthetic room. Lovely anaesthetist chatted to me while Cannula was put into my hand, mask over my mouth and WHOOSSH that was it!
12.30am: Woke up, operation all done and wheeled back to the ward where hubs was waiting. Felt fine, a bit woozy but no pain.
7.45pm: Leave the hospital. A bit delayed as I was a dehydrated and needed to wait to pee!
8.30pm: Arrive back home. Eat Tomato soup and toast and drink lots. Lay on sofa all night under duvet. Sister arrived to look after me as Hubs had to work next day.
11pm: Good night's sleep. Zzzzzzzzz


My additional recommendations: 

1, Take plenty of things to do; magazines, cards, music.
2. Take plenty of things for your partner/friend to do. They will be waiting for a long time.
3. Take a pillow for the drive home to help bumps in the road and seat belt.
4. Pack an overnight bag just in case
5. Take Peppermint Tea bags. Nurses were very impressed as this apparently helps!
6. Pack warm slippers and a dressing gown. Some other women didn't and had their bums on show!
7. Take some food. My only criticism would be that they didn't give us food. Make sure it's soft as your throat will be sore.
8. Drink plenty, and I mean plenty, after the op and they won't let you go home until you've had a wee.
9. Wear loose clothes and shoes. My feet swelled up and could hardly get my trainers on.
10. Take a hot water bottle or ask for a heat pack for the gas pain. It was a wonderful relief.
11. Try and get someone to be with you after the op for a couple of days. Walking around the house is a bit difficult so great if someone can wait on you!
12. Book at least a week off work if you can.
13. You may be uncomfortable sleeping so use a pillow to prop yourself and your legs up.
14. Codeine will probably be given to you as a painkiller. They make you constipated so drink lots.
15. I stopped painkillers after a week or so and plan to do a detox in a few weeks!
16. I have had light bleeding, like pinky water, since the op so have some light pads ready.

I really hope this helps anyone preparing for this procedure. Feel free to add comments
xx

Preparing for my Laparoscopy

The day draws nearer. And it has dawned on me that I have lead a lucky life up until now; I have had no previous trips to the hospital other than visiting people. However, a few years ago I visited my mum in hospital and while she was having an injection I passed out and had to be put on the bed in the next bay. So, my relationship with hospitals is minimal, and somewhat negative, to say the least.

Next Monday is the date for my Laparoscopy and tube removal and I have been preparing for this for months and I thought I'd share my slightly, some may think, over-the-top, preparation list.

I have divided my plan into pre-op, on the day and a packing list as you will see!

Preparation:

Write down a list of questions to ask the doctor at the pre-op appointment

Arrange numbing cream, can I wear contacts? Can I take rescue remedy and windease? Ask about pain relief after the op. Shoulder pain from gas, what can I do? How long will op last? Ask about GA injection. What about ovaries? How do I ovulate from the side with no tube!?

Order herbs for pre and post op

Research and download meditation tracks to listen to on the day

Check out Paul Mckenna’s Confidence Hypnotherapy tracks

Research and download music to listen to on the day

Transfer music tracks onto Ipod/MP3

Get books ready

Get DVDs ready

Clean house and do all washing

Food shop arranged to collect from Tesco

Buy some new Pjs

Buy new knickers /

Buy painkillers

Buy throat lozenges

Buy fruit juices

Check first aid kit – thermometer, antibac wipes etc

On the day 

Get up early

Have a bath and wash hair

Yoga practice and meditation

Put clothes on, jogging bottoms and slip on shoes, warm socks

Check packing lists (overnight case packed just in case, which will be kept in the car) 

Listen to meditation tracks and my favourite music  on my Ipod

Packing List

(my hospital will only allow limited bag space so overnight things will be left in the car. * indicates that I will be taking it with me for the day op)

Ipod/MP3 with music, meditation tracks*

Book/magazine*

Dressing gown and slippers*

Rescue remedy*

Nice PJs

Socks, with loose elastic and slippers*

Overnight bits – underwear, Pjs, eye mask, ear plugs, toothbrush and paste, contact lense stuff, face wipes.

Pillow

Peppermint tea and windease tablets *

Sanitary towels*

Spare knickers

Phone and charger*

Pad and pen (for hubby to write down anything the doctor says)

Food

Water *

Boiled sweets

Lip balm

Mints

Medical paperwork*

Hope this helps someone and feel free to leave a comment with any other ideas you might have x 

Edit: Please see the post operation advice for more useful information xx