Fretting about Surgery Results

BunnyBerry

Luckily the thoughts of being put under, intubated, cut open, etc. aren't actually too bothersome (although I had a nice cry fest about how I will miss my bellybutton the way it's been since I was born, since a laparoscopy slices through it). 

But I've suddenly started freaking out about what the RE will find in there. I'm starting to feel really hopeful that they'll find and remove some endo (not too much in there I hope!) and it will make a difference for both IF and period pain. So tired of missing a half or full day of work most months, the pain is so extreme when combined with Crohn's I guess but I always feel guilty for not handling a period like other women!

I have/had HPV (the kind that causes cancer, not warts) since college. Pap smears were always perfectly negative, but I did a viral load count test in 2009ish and found out it hadn't cleared my system. I assumed I was fine, but now I'm freaking out.

The part of my cervix near the uteris is stenotic, which means it's closing up so much that period blood has a hard time getting out, and they couldn't get an IUI or HSG catheter more than halfway into the cervix, so never got into my ute. RE says that increases risk for retrograde menstruation (bleeding through the tubes), which can put endo all over and cause period pain. 

Here's my worry, this stenotic cervix can be congenital, but it can also be caused by HPV. I am freaking out that if I have dysplasia in the part of my cervix near the uterus, I won't be able to carry a child after they remove/treat it.

It never occurred to me before yesterday that this could be a problem. I am just dying to get this surgery over with and find out the results! I really pray that the surgery just perfectly opens up the cervix and fixes any endo so we can just get KU already.

My other worry is that this surgery will mess with my Crohn's. The RE said he is really aware of how delicate the bowel will be and will gently remove any adhesions I already have (stuff in the abdomen sticking together with scar tissue), and will do his best to prevent new adhesions. But I feel like this is just the start of so many surgeries in that area, including (hopefully) C-sections, and surgeries for future Crohn's adhesions or strictures, and it's scary to start messing around with things down there.

Thank you for listening, clearly I am wallowing in my own very self-focused issues this morning!!

BethKate2

I'm sorry you're nervous.   I don't know anything about the stenotic cervix or Crohn's, but I didn't have a laparoscopic surgery, and I can tell you not to worry about your belly button! (I know, probably the least of your concerns) The scar in my belly button is not even visible unless I go looking for it. It doesn't look any different than it did before.

Best of luck to you!:

ETA: fixed spelling mistakes

BunnyBerry

@bethkate2 Thank you so much, my belly button feels better lol!

BethKate2

BunnyBerry said:

@bethkate2 Thank you so much, my belly button feels better lol!

haha....good!

Seriously, it's a tiny scar at the bottom of my belly button and it just looks like a crease unless I pull at it to specifically look at the scar.

Do you know how many incisions you'll have total? Mine was an emergency surgery, so I didn't know much of anything about it before-hand. I was told they were going in through my belly button, but was surprised to wake up and find two additional incisions as well (one near my hip, and one lower on my abdomen).

Pintobean39

No advise, but I want to wish you good luck for surgery.

MrsLolaSky

BunnyBerry! I hope the surgery goes smoothly and brings you some period relief at the very least. 

Sha259

(((HUGS))) to you @BunnyBerry. I'm sorry you are so nervous. But in the end I hope that your recovery is smooth and you get the best outcome from your lap.

It may be of little consolation, but my first lap also went through my belly button. And I've thought it actually looks better now than pre surgery.

BunnyBerry

Thank you for all the great advice and well wishes!!

@bethkate2 I was told the belly button and at least one abdominal incision so they can use the tools, and maybe 1-2+ more as needed to get whatever they need to get to. That's a weird feeling too, not knowing how many it will be, but I keep reminding myself that this is for my future child and I have already promised myself I will try not to regret how pregnancy affects my body at all!!

@rumbera28 Thank you, I will definitely stay off Google. Happily I didn't start fretting until yesterday so now it seems like too much of an uphill battle to get Dr. Google to relinquish any of his secret info that may apply to my situation. I will ask about the disintegrating mesh, well it will go on the written list of questions.

@pintobean39 @mrslolasky Thank you so much!

@kikimo327 Yikes so sorry for your bowel prep! Uhoh now I'm worried about endo on the bowel...lol. Yes, got to focus on those awesome meds. Looking forward to hearing what weird things I say. Hopefully not too embarrassing...I think the RE is super cute and wish he was single because I think he's perfect for my little sis!

@sha259 Wow awesome, congrats on your improved belly button! Realistically I can hardly see mine since gaining weight on steroids, but maybe the dream of an even cuter one will motivate some weight loss...

@buttmonkey34 Yes ma'am, you are so right. I think I would naturally be a worrier buy DH is so anxious, that I have definitely taken on a relaxed persona to counteract that, and now I don't know what to do with anxious feelings! One day at a time is perfect. I hate the idea of throwing away great days by worrying. 

@iputketchuponketchup I promise, no Dr. Google! Love that our RE quotes research to us all the time. I'm so confident that he keeps up and knows his stuff so I never feel like I need to figure anything out for him.

ETA: In the interest of full disclosure, I did Google exactly one thing: the Norco that I still need to fill, and boy am I glad I did. Don't want to disrespect the very real issue of prescription addictions, but I also want to say that I don't mind a little chemical support in getting through recovery and relaxing....

catlover790

I'm sorry you're nervous, but you'll do great!! Sending you lots of hugs!! I hope they are able to clear out the endo and that everything else turns out okay. Make sure to relax after and have your DH bring you breakfast/lunch/dessert in bed! Good luck!

AngM123

I'm sorry you are having to go through this, you have every reason to be worried. I hope everything goes smoothly and you have a quick recovery! My advice: stay ahead of the constipation!!!! I took the prescribed amount of colace and it was NOT enough! It was the worst part. On a positive note, I feel a thousand times better after the surgery. My bowel/stomach issues have significantly decreased, and my periods are actually manageable now, for the first time in YEARS. I hope at the least you can get some symptom relief, and that the cervix thing will not hinder any future pregnancies. Good luck!!

TiffW2012

I don't have any experience with this surgery, but wanted to wish you luck!  It sounds like you have a good handle on everything and you plan to stay far away from Google.  Hugs! 

Emma61210

I don't have any advice for you but I am so sorry you're nervous! Keep us posted!! Lots of good vibes headed your way! 

shirleymaeby

I don't have any advice, just wanted to say GL to you.  You will be in my thoughts.

BunnyBerry

@catlover790 Thank you! Yes, I just made a grocery list for DH so he can keep the favorite meals-in-bed coming.

@angm123 Thank you for the advice! I didn't get a prescription for that yet, so I will make sure to ask the doctor before surgery. Got the baby food prunes ready to go, too! I'm so glad the surgery made such a difference for you, that's awesome. 

@tiffw2012 @emma61210 @kmdecoux Thank you so much for the well wishes!

kristyn831

Good luck with your surgery!  I can say I've taken care of many postoperative patients from lap surgery and haven't noticed a thing about their bellybuttons.

BunnyBerry

@kristyn831 Lol that's great to know.

Chasity08

Good luck on your surgery! Don't worry, I've had 4 laparoscopic surgeries over time (different things, but all involved my belly button) and I can still barely see my scar. Each surgery they've had to start the incision lower because of the scar tissue from the last, so mine is now a TINY bit visible, but after my first 3 surgeries, you'd never even know. It blends right in

But I wish you the best of luck and I hope you get some answers from your lap!

Waterlily234

That's a lot to worry about BunnyBerry...keeping my fingers crossed it all turns out well... [-O<

brazenbiblio

Good luck on your surgery! I hope they find exactly enough to fix and get you KU

wanderlust508

Big hugs and I hope the surgery goes well with nothing but good news for you! I know how you feel because I'm a little freaked out about my surgery coming up at the end of the month. Mostly about what they might find. But I'm just trying to breathe and remind myself not to imagine the worst. Good luck, I'll be thinking of you!

BunnyBerry

@chastity08 So sorry about all your surgeries. Hope you're done with them for quite some time!!

@awiley10 Yes, that sounds perfect!

@eastbaybride508 Thank you so much. I hope your fibroid stops growing until then and your surgery goes smoothly. 

@darcyhermione @waterlily234 @emilee871 Thank you so much.

It's weird that this is kind of a "secret" surgery instead of having family and church friends to rally around and care...so I can't even explain how much it means to have all of you friends who care and know what I'm going through and have even been there yourselves. Thank you! Just drinking tons of water before midnight, then keeping myself up a couple hours to hopefully sleep late and have less time to be hungry, lol!!

gsancho

Looks like you have a good game plan.  Good luck!

TTCBabyJ

Oh BunnyBerry I am so sorry that you are nervous. The unknown is the scariest part. You are entitled to be afraid, this is definitely not self pity at all. When I had my lap I had no idea that endo was even a possibility totally shocked I even had it, but my new RE said that with the later stages like 3/4 women don't have a lot of symptoms. So hopefully your symptoms mean there really isn't much endo there... Also my lap scar was really minimal just a little scar right above my belly button, I'd say no long than an inch. My old RE said it heals better if you leave in the little plug they put in there after surgery, until the plug just naturally falls out. Good luck with everything! (((Hugs))). You are always so supportive of others, so I really do wish you the best. Thoughts & prayers

BunnyBerry

@ttcbabyj I was just looking at everybody's advice again and I don't know if there is a plug of any kind in my belly button...could you describe what it is? I mean I can't really see anything way in my belly button except a bit of dark red color... And thank you for your very kind words!

TTCBabyJ

@BunnyBerry‌ not sure if everyone has this but I do know a couple of girlfriends that had a lap and they also had a plug..."plug" is definitely my word can't remember what the nurse called it. But it kind of looking like a plastic "flesh" colored thimble. It is stuck inside the belly button with a butterfly bandage. I thought it was a part of my belly button until DH reminded me that it was placed in there and to let it fall out naturally. I actually wanted to pick it out so bad, it didn't hurt but I just wanted it out.

Hollowvic

Sorry I don't have any advice either, but wanted to say good luck.

theholmanherd

I'm sorry you're worried. Have faith and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You GOT this! (((HUGS)))

Champs28

Rest assured! Your belly button will most likely be ok. Mine looks like it's 100% back to normal after my lap two months ago. If they find and can remove the endo, that isn't bad news. A lot of times endo can contribute badly to a lot of IF issues, so when it's zapped away by a laser, your fertility is greatly improved (according to all the stuff I read when I was freaking out over them finding endo). 

Best of luck to you! Stay strong