Anyone had a Laparotomy

[JB3]

Hi Ladies

Im due to have a Laparotomy on 04/04 and I am just looking to see if anyone can give me some advise on how I am going to feel afterwards / recovery period / success rate.

Have searched the boards but cant seem to find any Laparotomy stories

I have googled it but google is the and I have put the fear of god into myself!!

Thanks

 

[jennifer28]

do you mean Laparscopy? Cause if so I am due to have a lap and dye on the 3rd of march. Basically to see if my tube are working properly and also open

 

[JB3]

Hi Jennifer
Thanks for the reply
I had a laparoscopy in january where they found dense adhesions and twisted fallopian tubes so I need a Laparotomy where they cut along my bikini line to operate rather than it been keyhole.
FS said it was major surgery so I was wanting to know recovery times and how long I could be off work for.
Im sure FS will let me know when I go for my pre op, was just trying to pre-emp it.

Thanks again


Oh and I hope all goes well with your laparoscopy xx

 

[BABYANGEL09]

Hi I had a laparotomy last year. Hospital stays are normally short i was only in for 3 days. They also have you out of bed after just one day, which a the time you will think is rediculous, you will feel like a new person after a shower. The first week is the worst and quite uncomfortable due to the wound and also that your tummy has been filled with gas. Every day will make a huge difference. I was back at work after 4 weeks which i think is the minimum they suggest. As i can see you have a LO and this will make it harder to rest. If you do too much you will suffer and will will take longer for your body to heal. Everyone is different you will no your limits and if you do too much your body will let you know!!! Ask for tramadol painkillers they were amazing

 

[Starbright]

Hi chick
I have had 2 laparotomies, so may be able to help!
Personally speaking, I found that the recovery time depends on what you're having done. My first laparotomy was really major emergency surgery which had a longer recovery period. The 2nd was fairly routine surgery to remove an ovarian cyst about the size of a large egg. With that one, I was out of hospital after a couple of days and was told to take about 6 weeks recovery.
They do like to get you moving around as soon as possible (meanies!). You may be given morphine to help with the pain - I was for the first but not the second.
Don't be surprised if you bleed afterwards. It happened to me and freaked me out a bit, but is normal. But... as always if it doesn't stop or is really heavy or if you're worried, talk to the doctor or the nurses.
Like babyangel09 has said, everyone is different. The best advice is to listen to your body. Don't push yourself more than your limits. Rest if you need, as you'll probably tire very easily at first.
I agree with babyangel09 - having a shower after the op is amazing. It can make you feel a bit funny to start with (because of the heat I think) but you feel sooo much better afterwards!
A few practical tips for coming home - on your journey home, bring a pillow to put over your tummy, so the seatbelt doesn't press too hard and make sure whoever takes you home drives nice and gently over all the speedbumps and potholes! Try to have someone with you if possible - If you are on your own, make sure you've got lightweight things that are easy to get to e.g. a small bottle of milk in the fridge that you don't need to bend down to lift. Don't do any housework for a while.
The hospital might give you some exercises to help you recover. They might feel awful at first, but it will help your recovery if you do them.
Can't think of anything else.
Hope your surgery goes well xxx

 

[JB3]

babyangel and starbright

Thank you both for sharing your experience's with me, you have put my mind at rest. I now know what to expect so thank you both

I guess I am really going to have to rest as from what you both said that seems to be the key to a quick recovery. (humm if DS lets me )

Defo going to ask for the painkillers I have such a low pain threshold

I wish you both all the luck for the future and blowing lots of your way

xx

 

[wannabamum]

Hi JB3

I am also hoping to have a laparotomy later this year as i have just found to have dense adhesions and hydrosalphinx but my local consultant is really against me having the procedure due to the risks involved as some of my organs are attached to the adhesions and my left tube. He hasnt said no but i got the impression he thought that i should leave well alone but i know that having fluid filled tubes can affect a growing embryo. Im a bit of a mess down there but i really want the procedure done so that I can put myself in the best possible state of health for icsi. Did you encounter any of these problems or was your consultant quite happy to do your op?

I see from your ticker that you are pregnant! That fills me with some hope as there is nothing on the internet with similar stories and yours is the first one I have come across so your thoughts would be much appreciated!

x

 

[sugarpuff]

i had a laparotomy in feb 2009, i stayed in hospital for 4 days and was off work for 8 weeks (was pregnant by the time i returned to work though !!)

tbh i felt bloody awful afterwards - i went in for a lap and dye and came out with a laparotomy so i was completely not expecting it which i don't think helped - by contrast i had an emergency caesarian two years ago and recovered extremely quickly, was happily up and about the following day, crawling under my bed looking for stuff, humping a car seat around, etc whereas after my laparotomy i was in so much pain and just cried and was sick constantly

i hope your surgery goes well for you xx

 

[sugarpuff]

although from a quick re-read i realise this is a year old and you are now pregnant ! huge congratulations !!