Intro & Lap/Hysteroscopy Question

RunCC37 · July 2013

Hi Ladies! I'm usually on the 3T board, but I started lurking here a few days ago. I wanted to get some advice on a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, and wouldn't it be rude if I didn't introduce myself first? Wink

My name is Cici, I am a marathon runner, music teacher, and dog enthusiast. DH and I met in college, started dating in 2001 and tied the knot in 2008. We have been TTC #1 officially since March 2012 (though I came off the pill in September 2011). We are unexplained IF and I was diagnosed with an arcuate uterus after all of our initial testing with the RE. We are on IUI#3 right now with clomid and ovidrel. Pleased to meet you all!

I am wondering if there is anyone out there who had a laparoscopy and/or hysteroscopy who wouldn't mind sharing their experience. We have decided to do the lap/hyst in the next cycle. I present a lot of the symptoms of endo, and I just have a gut feeling that these medicated IUI's aren't going to do it for us.

Thanks for having me here and TIA for words of wisdom Smile

solisilou · July 2013

Hi Cici,

I'm sorry you have to be here but, still, welcome to the IF board!

I've had 2 laps and 2 hysteroscopies. The 1st time I had them together and it was when they diagnosed me with endometriosis grade II. The procedure lasted about 45 minutes and they looked for adhesions, whether the tubes were blocked, etc. It's done under full anesthesia and I had to stay for 2 days in the hospital because I had a drain left in place. I know some ladies do this on an outpatient basis but they didn't even give me that choice. I had a bit of pain the first week after the procedure but you can get painkillers so that doesn't have to be a problem. The whole thing wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be.

GL with your surgery! I hope you can get some answers to help you decide what to do next.

krdesi · July 2013

Hey!

Sorry you have to be here but I wanted to wish you luck and welcome you!

**No experience with lap/hysteroscopy though.

RunCC37 · July 2013

Thanks for sharing, solisilou! And hi Kdresi!!

RunCC37 · July 2013

Oh! A question: how'd your incision heal up? Is it at all noticeable?

twistsandturnsto2 · July 2013

Welcome over here :]

I had my lap/hysteroscopy last summer and it was pretty easy on me. I did not have any endo, my issue was scar tissue, so you may have some more pain/discomfort than I did. That being said.....

The surgery itself was good. They do have to fill up your abdomen with gas so you will wake up bloated. The day of surgery I went home and slept all afternoon. I did have some pain all day, meds are your friend!, and take a small pillow to hold on to your abdomen. If you hug it to you went you have to cough/sneeze/use your abs to sit up etc, the pain won't be nearly as bad. I didn't have much of any bleeding, and the cramping lasted a day or two. Make sure to get some prune juice/ Colace and/or your preferred method of bowel softener. The anesthesia can make you constipated and the last thing you want is to have to deal with that!

My surgery was on a Tuesday, and by Saturday I was up and moving around with very little problem, no more pain meds but as I said, endo removal can end up having a more painful recovery. Getting up and walking around a little helps disperse the gas, it will move up into your shoulders as it dissipates.

As for my scars, they went in through my belly button and there was two more incisions near my hip bones. You can hardly see them now.

I really hope that you can get some answers with this surgery! Let me know if you have anymore questions!

MrsSJE2011 · July 2013

krdesi:
Hey!
Sorry you have to be here but I wanted to wish you luck and welcome you!
**No experience with lap/hysteroscopy though.

This!

beachy6 · July 2013

Hi and welcome! I'm sorry you are having symptoms of endo. It really is horrible! I was dx 7 years ago, even though I have had symptoms since age 12. I've now had 4 laps and two hyst. The lap is done through 3-4, 1-2" incisions. One is in your belly button and the other two are below the bikini line. My first two healed great, but they just keep going in through the same incisions for my other surgeries and they're starting to get thick, but nothing that anyone can see except for me. They're hidden in my bathing suit bottom even.

As for recovery, it really depends what all they do in there. My first two surgeries, I was still only a stage 1-2 and they just excised the adhesions. The worst part of that recovery was the pain in your shoulders from the gas they put in your belly to expand it from surgery. They try to push all of it out, but it's nearly impossible I think. My last 2 surgeries I had organs stuck to each other and my abdomen wall and bowels, so recovery was a little harder. But, with the pain meds, I was fine. I am also a teacher and like an idiot, I had my last surgery the Friday before school started last year. Stupid! I should have been off work for a week, but there's no way I could have taken the first week off of work. Luckily, my kids were great and I just wheeled myself around in my chair You should have a great amount of pain relief from the surgery once you're healed! That makes the week after surgery well worth the pain!! And, if you really do have endo pain, the pain after surgery isn't anything like that kind of pain! I always tell my DH that endo gets you ready for surgery recovery If you have any questions at all, let me know! I'd be happy to help you!

RunCC37 · July 2013

Wow, ladies, I'm so glad I asked! I'm making a list of your suggestions to help get through this. I'm also making a list of questions for my RE. I plan to put a call in on Monday morning. Do you have any suggestions of questions for the doctor?

solisilou · July 2013

RunCC37:
Oh! A question: how'd your incision heal up? Is it at all noticeable?

Although I tend to get ugly scars, I actually healed really well and only I can see where the scars are. I have 4 scars: 1 in my belly button (1/2 inch) + 3 just under the bikini (1/4 inch). I would definitely recommend using some strong sun screen over the scars if you go sunbathing, as sun exposure can make them more noticeable.

The colace advice is great! The last thing you want is to increase abdominal pressure after surgery

beachy6 · July 2013

solisilou:
RunCC37:
Oh! A question: how'd your incision heal up? Is it at all noticeable?

The colace advice is great! The last thing you want is to increase abdominal pressure after surgery

Yes on the Colace! My RE even suggested starting it the day before. You'll be glad you did!

As for questions, if you ask your RE about recovery time, take it worth a grain of salt. I've always been told 2-3 days, but have never ever felt better by then. Also, I'd definitely ask if he/she will be burning the endo sites or excising them. Excision is the gold standard. If the endo spot is only burned off at the surface, what is under that still remains and will grow back. Endo sites are like glaciers. You only see 1/3 of the endo. The rest is below the surface. Excision leads to a longer recovery, but it'll be worth it in the long run. Also, ask about what the plan is if endo is found in places where your RE isn't comfortable getting it. For example, I had endo on my bowels and my RE just left it because he wasn't comfortable excising it himself. I wish I would have asked this first because now I know I'll need another surgery someday from a more skilled endo surgeon. Also, ask about bcp for after the surgery if endo is found. For me, I was put on 12 weeks of Femara/Aygestin (bcp) to put the endo that was left into remission. Then, I stayed on the Aygestin until we were ready for our IVF cycle so the endo didn't start to grow back. And, take your own pad for after surgery. Usually, the hospital has the really HUGE ones or the off brand ones and I'm picky about my pads

RunCC37 · July 2013

Great questions! Thanks beachy!

monimu13 · July 2013

::waves:: Don't have any experience, and I'm sorry you find yourself here. Good luck with your surgery

Aurora1181 · July 2013

Hi there! I had a lap and hysteroscopy last september. I'm also a teacher! I had the procedure on a Friday and went back to work the next Friday. I was still VERY sore at that point (word to the wise- don't wear pants that have to button at the waist for a bit!) and was glad that I had the weekend to fully recover. I took pain meds the day of the surgery and the next day, but by the third day I just took tylenol as needed.

kyoun009 · July 2013

Welcome Cici, I had my lap in January and it really wasn't bad, but the didn't have to remove much endo so not much was manipulated. I took 5 days off, had some shoulder pain from the gas but it wasn't unbearable. I thought for sure I had endo as I was unexplained and have had very painful periods since I can remember. The found a very little bit on my bowel but nothing causing infertility, go figure. Hope you get some answers!