Have you had a Lap and/or Hysteroscopy? Come in!

happilyeverafterxo

Hi girls!

I just realized today that my Lap and Hysteroscopy is exactly four weeks away. I'm really nervous.

If you've had either, could you tell me about your experience? Were you in a lot of pain afterwards? How long did it take you to recover? How many cycles did you take off afterwards?

Any information at all will be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

DMCKnox

Hello - I just had my lap a little over 3 weeks ago.  It really isn't that bad, the worst part for me was the anesthesia making me nauseated.  After that, the pain was minimal although I did take the prescribed pain medication for two days and then was fine with just aleve after that.  The gas pain for me wasn't bad - they warn you that you could have some discomfort from the gas they inflate you with to get a good luck and it seems people have different experiences with it. 

It was SO worth it to have it done as they found several issues by going in.  My understanding is that it depends on what they find as to when you can start again. My RE talked to MH afterward and gave him a summary of what they found and then we just went in today for more details and a plan of action to start treatments again.  I would advise to plan for 3-4 days of rest - I found I really needed that.  I had mine done on a Friday and began work again Tuesday and was so glad that I had scheduled to be out Monday.  

I wish you best of luck, you'll do great and you'll be glad you did it.  PM me if you have any more questions/concerns!

ellephunt

I did not have the greatest experience with my lap. I was terrified while they were prepping me so they gave me something to relax and suddenly I didn't care if they cut into me right there. So definitely ask for something if you are really nervous. Post surgery I was in a lot of pain. But they removed a lot of endo and had to peel into my ovary. I was in recovery a lot longer than normal but i got all the good stuff while there . Fortunately every day post surgery got better. I went from feeling as though I'd never be able to sit up again to walking around. Also a little post surgery tip. My throat was extremely dry. So have DH hold on to some cough drops or something to suck on. 

Eta: I forgot to add that you will need ice packs. The hospital let me take two home and I literally used it every second for four days. They really helped a lot. 

ukcats27

My experience - It was my first surgery ever so I was very nervous.  It really wasn't that bad.  The worst part was trying to pee after the surgery.  They won't let you go home until you pee.

Pain - The worst pain is the gas pain.  It gets in your shoulders and they will hurt for a few days.  I highly recommend getting two heating pads and keeping them on your shoulders. 

Recovery - I was up moving around within 2 days.  I felt like myself again and went shopping exactly a week after.

Cycles off - We ttc the cycle of our lap but then I went straight into 4 months of Lupron so I didn't really get to try again.

You know I'm always here for you if you have questions.  The best advice I got was to 1. Wear warm socks and 2. take a pillow in the car to put between your incisions and seat belt.

Edit because I hit enter too soon

Shayliz

I had a lap 11/28. I was in a lot of pain after and it took them a bit to get my oxygen levels stable, but I was able to go home same day. 

I was given vicodin and for the first 5 days, was on a Vicodin/Advil rotation pretty regularly to deal with the pain. I couldn't walk comfortably for about a week (but I'm also overweight and carry my weight where my incisions were)  

We were asked to take 6-8 weeks off from trying. 

tatercater

Hi there   I'm happy to share my experience because I was nervous before mine, and it turned out to not be so bad!  I had an operative hysteroscopy and D&C to remove an endometrial polyp and intrauterine adhesions.  I was under general anesthesia for the whole thing, and I am pretty grateful for that! 

I had some bleeding for several days afterwards and very few cramps following the procedure.  I didn't even end up using the painkillers I was prescribed.

I hope your experience is just as smooth!  Good luck!!

jessican08

I was pretty nervous before my lap too. As my RE says, surgery is only minor when it's not happening to you!

Honestly, mine wasn't bad at all. I had no issues from the anesthesia. I had some cramping when I got home but the pain meds really helped. I would say my cramping post-lap was not any worse than my normal periods (which aren't fun b/c of my endo, but really, it wasn't bad at all). My RE must've done a good job getting all of the gas out b/c I never had any shoulder pain.

I had the lap on a Thursday and was back to work on Tuesday (I worked from home Monday but could've probably gone in). I would say it was a good week before I started feeling like my old self again. 

I had my lap a week before AF was supposed to show. We had to take that next cycle off but could cycle the following month. 

GL! 

pulga131

Okay hope I don't scare you more in reading about my experience! Keep in mind that my GYN said I had the worst case she has EVER seen and pre-surgery I was in severe daily pain (DH and I couldn't even have sex b/c the cramps were so bad I would throw up)...I laid on the couch and cried daily and bled all the freaking time.

So my lap/d&c/hysteroscopy lasted 4 hours (most are only 1 hour). I was in super severe pain (and yes I took my pain meds and even doubled up per dr.'s orders some days). It took me a good month to recover. I took 3 days off from work and really should have taken a full week. I did not experience the gas pain that others experienced but just very severe cramping and was bleeding (but again I was doing this pre- surgery). You will be pretty swollen for a week or 2 so plan on wearing jersey dresses or very loose fitting clothes. I could not wear pants (anything with button/zipper) for a month.  We were put on lupron immediately so technically I took 9 months off from ttc, but we took about a month to resume sex (due to cramping and bleeding). Drs usually recommend 2 weeks to avoid infections.  As others have mentioned ice packs are your best friend and take a pillow for the car ride to protect your incisions from seat belt.  I'll be glad to talk to you more if you would like- feel free to pm me. GL! Oh- and I second the asking for a relaxer (versed or  valium or anything)

Citygirl1015

I was not in severe pain after my lap, but I did have to take it easy for atleast a week. The pain meds definately helped. I can't say that I felt fully 100% normal for about a month. Although they did make an unplanned abdominal incision too, which increased my recovery time.

My surgery was on a Tuesday, so I took off for 2 days then worked from home for 2 days, and this worked well for me.

I definately recommend getting a heating pad to help recover from the surgery. I think the reasoning had something to do with discomfort caused by anesthesia. 

I was told that I wouldn't need to take any time off TTC, but we ended up sitting out one cycle anyways since I had my lap on CD 11.

steff13914

I had both a year ago. My recovery went pretty quick. I was out for a couple of days, and just lounged around. The only real pain I had were the gas pains in my shoulders. It was uncomfortable, but I slept so much, that most of the time I didn't notice it. I also had very little bleeding, but everyone is different. You'll want to avoid clothing with zippers for at least a week, especially if you have a desk job! That was the worst part about the whole thing to me.

And I was able to cycle the very next month. My RE only required that I sit out the rest of the cycle we did the lap. Good luck with your surgery!

kellygksu

Hi there!  I was really nervous about my lap too, but it really wasn't that bad for me.  I was in surgery for about two hours and had endo removed from all over the place, including my ovaries.  I did have pretty bad pain from the gas; a heating pad helped with that.  I only took the good pain meds for 24 hours and after that, Advil was good enough for me.  I did have a LOT of bloating and it took awhile for things to "get moving," and that was pretty uncomfortable for about a week and a half to two weeks.  I had my lap on a Friday and was back at work on Tuesday, then left for Key West on Thursday!  I was moving a little slow, but otherwise fine.  Good luck to you!

DoubleBubble08

Things you want to bring with you:

Pillow for the car ride, it will be nice to have something between your sutures and the seat belt and one for your head to rest. I slept the whole ride home

Socks just in case they don't give you any, your feet will be cold afterwards

Water for the car ride home, your throat may be dry!

Comfy pants with a draw string waste because you'll feel bloated

Have a spot where you will be hanging out for the next few days ready. If you have a recliner I recommend spending your time there. I slept there for two, maybe three nights. It helped with the gas.  A heating pad also helps out with that.   Have books, magazines and water on a nearby table. having all of that ready made it so much easier to come home and just plop down.

You can read about my experience here: https://livingourlifeincycles.blogspot.com/2011/08/endometriosis-stage-iii.html

peafowl88

I suppose I'm another that may scare you. Before my surgery I was in so much pain, they had to black me out for the night. The next day I was not nervous at all because I just wanted answers and something done. The surgery itself went well. After I woke up I did not feel much pain. After a few hours the pain hit me, as well as alot of bleeding. When I went home (gear up for a bumpy car ride) I felt like there was a bowling ball in my stomach weighing me down. The gas pain in my shoulders was not as bad. I did not recover fully from my surgery for about 6 months, with many trips back to the ER in horrible pain. But my endo was really bad, even told by Doctors: "it was a complete mess in there". I brought extra blankets and magazines to read. Good luck!!!

lovekatespade

DoubleBubble08:

Things you want to bring with you:

Pillow for the car ride, it will be nice to have something between your sutures and the seat belt and one for your head to rest. I slept the whole ride home

Socks just in case they don't give you any, your feet will be cold afterwards

Water for the car ride home, your throat may be dry!

Comfy pants with a draw string waste because you'll feel bloated

Have a spot where you will be hanging out for the next few days ready. If you have a recliner I recommend spending your time there. I slept there for two, maybe three nights. It helped with the gas.  A heating pad also helps out with that.   Have books, magazines and water on a nearby table. having all of that ready made it so much easier to come home and just plop down.

All of this!  Also, the first post-lap poop was some of the worst pain I have ever felt in my life.  DH found me doubled up crying on the kitchen floor because I couldn't even walk to the bathroom from the abdominal pain.  Stool softeners will be your BFF.

I was up and moving again about 5 days after the surgery.  I did feel a little delicate for about 2 weeks after that, but I am a really active person and I work outside, so I moved around all day long which may have been too much too soon.  My gas pain was tolerable when in the recliner, but pretty awful if I tried to stand or lay flat.  Everyone's is different.

Good luck!  I hope all goes well for you!

buckeyebaby814

I know I've already shared my words of wisdom with you, I'm just here to give my girl ::HUGS::  Hope you're feeling better hon!

brideonjuly8

Mine wasn't bad at all.  I was sore and bloated (my doc lasered away all my stage III endo, adhesions, and I had a tumor removed, so I had quite a bit done).  I didn't have any pain from the gas, but my doc is an awesome surgeon.    I would say I was 99% two weeks later, the only thing bugging me at that point was my belly button incision and my pants rubbing it.  I had mine on a thursday, and by tuesday I was home alone with my son again.  I had three incisions, not just two.  By a week I was 90%. I stay home with my son, but if I had to go back to work I could have gone back that tuesday.  I was still sore and moving gingerly, but I would have been okay just sitting at a desk. 

We didn't take any months off.  I had it done at the beginning of my cycle (also had an HSG done while he was in there) and was just told nothing in the vagina for 2 weeks.  

It really was no big deal.  I went home and slept pretty much the rest of the day and took it easy all weekend.  

melisnic

Hello,

I had a Lap and Hyst last August. It's normal to be nervous. It wasn't that bad though. The anesthesia is the worst part. It took me about a full week to recover. I had my mom stay with me while my husband was at work which was extremely helpful. You are going to feel bubbles in your shoulder. Walking around will help that. I also took Gas-x. My doctor had us take one month off and after an ultrasound and dye test she cleared us to starting trying again.

melisnic

Hello,

I had a Lap and Hyst last August. It's normal to be nervous. It wasn't that bad though. The anesthesia is the worst part. It took me about a full week to recover. I had my mom stay with me while my husband was at work which was extremely helpful. You are going to feel bubbles in your shoulder. Walking around will help that. I also took Gas-x. My doctor had us take one month off and after an ultrasound and dye test she cleared us to starting trying again. Good Luck!

Temp423319000008365

You read about my experience on my blog, but just to recap....

My experience was not as easy as most people's. I had some negative reactions to anesthesia, leaving me with short-term memory loss, numbness in my face, legs and arms & frequent "out of body" sensations. Awesome!

Aside from that, I was in considerable pain for about 10 days, there is no way I could go to work after 3 or 4 days like many ladies here do. I couldn't really even walk well for the first 5 days. That being said, it could have been because of all the stuff I had done: lap w/ removal of endo & scar tissue, operative hysterscopy, D&C for biopsy and removal of a polyp.

I'm praying yours goes well...better than mine at least!