I just found out that I have a hernia in my belly button and I have to have surgery on it next week! I have decided to have a lap done at the same time since both surgeries are in the same place. I was never planning on doing the lap because I did not want to go through the surgery, but now I feel like this is all happening so I could have the strength to get it done? Anyways, my questions to you all, how bad is the surgery, the recovery, what info did you all find out from the surgery, and do you think it was worth it? Sorry so many questions, I just want to gather as much info as possible on the surgery before I get it done! Any input would be greatly appreciated. cmarie

cmarie -
what an opportunity! sounds like a great idea. I was nervous about going under anesthesia like that but am so glad I had the lap done. It was very uncomfortable afterwards. I was bloated for a week, I think, from the air they put in it to help view the organs. I took some painkillers for a couple of days, and took it easy!! I had the surgery on a Thursday, and went back to work on Monday (for part of a day). I walked slowly and had some minor pain for about 2 wks altogether.

the worst part: Post-Op!!! I guess I'm very sensitive to the amount of anesthesia they used on me. I threw up for a good 24 hours.

All in all, not a pleasant experience, but well worth it to know how everything looks in there!! I had some endo on my left ovary and pelvic floor that she "obliterated." She cleaned off my uterus (stringy things left from 24 yrs of periods), and could see that everything looked healthy and normal!! I felt so much better knowing that.

Feel free to ask any more questions or PM me privately.

~A~

Thank you so much for the info. I am so nervous for it, but I know that I should do it because we can get valuable info from it. So if they see things that are not "normal" such as endo or other stuff, they will take care of it right there? What is this whole "air thing", I have heard of it before but don't really understand it? How long after the lap did you have to wait till you started ttc again? Is the scares bad?
Sorry I just shot a million questions at you, my head is just spinning with nerves right now:dizzy:
Thanks again for the support!
cmarie

Hi there, I just wanted you to know that I was OK too a few days after my lap surgery. They pump your belly fully of air to bloat it/move everything out of the way and that was really the only uncomfortable part I had when I woke up.....takes a few days to sort itself out again so be prepared for a big belly and a bit of wind! :) I had a few light pain killers and generally could walk around, although slowly the same day.....walking up stairs was a bit tricky as you don't realise how many of your stomach muscles you use to get up a flight of stairs. This surgery will be a great thing for you investigation wise so well done for going ahead with it. Relax, take is easy, and you will be just fine. Best of luck to you!

I would hope your doc treats any endo that might be there. The scar at the naval is hardly noticeable. I have one small scar above my pubic area and one to the left side of my abdomen, just above my hip bone there. But, how many and where your doc cuts depends what the lap turns out (which is done thru the naval incision).

I hope the information at least prepares you for the procedure, even if the fears don't really go away! :dizzy:

~A~

Hiya Cmarie :wave:
When is your lap scheduled for? I have one scheduled for 6/27. It definitely won't be pleasant, but I think it is a really important procedure to make sure everything is okay. I'm not sure how long you have to wait before TTC, but my dr gave me a pamphlet which said to ask your dr about how long you should wait before having sex. It also said that you can get back to your regular activities as soon as you are feeling better. I had a tubal pregnancy in a previous relationship, and I had to have a lap and a D&C all at once, so I am not that nervous about this procedure. I was incredibly sore the next day, but as long as I took it easy, the pain subsided. It got a little better each day, and within a week, I was feeling much better. I didn't really notice any bloating from the gas either. I hope this helps. When all is said and done, I'm sure you will be glad you went through with it!
Take care!
Holly~

Holly~ I did not realize that your lap is tomorrow...I thought it was July 27th. Anyway, good luck to both of you!!!! Keep us updated on your results.

Koukla

cmarie - I have had 3 laps and am scheduled for another in July. It really is NOT THAT BAD. For me the worst pain was the gas from the air that they pump into your abdomen. Also, if you have ever had surgery before and you know how you react to the anesthesia, TELL THEM IF IT HAS MADE YOU SICK IN THE PAST. There is medicine that they can give you in your IV to help you from getting sick when you wake up. It has helped with the last 2 of my laps. This surgery will help you more than anything. It's a great thing to have done just to know what is inside and if there is anything keeping you from getting pregnant, it's great to know. If you have mild to moderate endo, they will probably get rid of it or at least whatever they can get to. Sometimes, if the endo is more severe or in places where they cannot reach with the instruments they are using, they will schedule a more in depth surgery to remove whatever is causing a problem. The important thing is, when the surgery is over, you will know if there is anything there causing issues.

Best of luck to you!!! Oh, and I was able to begin TTC with my next cycle - as long as there was no pain - my doc didn't give me a waiting period, just whenever it was comfortable for me.

Again, good luck and you are in my prayers!!

~ravae

Oops~Good call Koukla, my lap is scheduled for July 27, not tomorrow :confused: I'm not at my best on Monday mornings!!

Thanks ladies for all your support and input it really means alot to have all of you to turn to! I am meeting with my RE tomorrow (Tues) to discuss and set a date with the hernia surgeon. I know that it will be the best to have the surgery done, I just am nervous. Next month will be one year since we had the miscarriage and have been unable to get pregnant again, so I feel like I need some answers as to why this is not working. After 2 years of ttc, it is just all taking a toll on me so I think this will be good for me. I have such mixed feelings because I almost wish there is something inside that is causing us to not get pregnant because this "unexplained infertility" is killing me! I feel like if there is a problem, maybe we can fix it and we will have a baby??? I know that probably sounds crazy???? So, I will let you all know what the RE says tomorrow and when the surgery is scheduled for. Thanks again.
cmarie

Hi. Just thought I would toss my experiences in. I've had a few laps and they aren't too bad. One of the worst parts for me was the anesthesia. I come out of it badly. I've never thrown up or anything, I just have a really hard time waking up. I had more pain with the first than the second just because I wasn't expecting my muscles to be so sore so it seemed worse. Muscle soreness was really the only pain I had. You will really be surprised at how tender all the muscles are that your dr. just kinda smacked around. :) I know you'll be nervous but try to relax. You'll be great and hopefully you'll find some answers! I will give you a little advise though... if you have trouble coming out of the anesthesia, even though you're not going to want to, try your hardest to stay awake long enough to eat, drink, and pee 'cause the sooner you do those the sooner you get to go home and sleep all you want!