Hi!
Todays post is going to be advice for people who are underogoing surgery for endometriosis. A couple of days ago I had to have an operation called a laparoscopy to remove endometriosis tissue on my womb, and I hope this article helps anyone who might be having the same thing.
For a few years since my mid teens I have suffered from endometriosis, and also PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome). Endometriosis is a long-term condition where the tissue that usually lines your womb every month before your period grows outside of your womb. Commonly, endometriosis grows on the womb, ovaries and fallopian tubes although it can also grow anywhere in the abdomen. It can cause alot of problems such as painful, heavy and irregular periods, severe pain and fertility problems. Unlike the lining in the womb that sheds during a period, the endometriosis has nowhere to go so it builds up and can become serious if not treated.
The only way for endometriosis to be officially diagnosed is with a laparoscopy, as unfortunately a scan may not always pick it up. A laparoscopic investigation is performed under a general anaesthetic. The surgeon makes a small cut in your belly button then fills your abdominal cavity with co2 gas to separate your organs so they can get a better veiw. Then they insert a small camera called a laparoscope to look for the cause of the problem. If you do have endometriosis, then as long as there isn't a huge amount or it isn't too risky to remove then often the doctor will remove it there and then by using a small device to burn it off.
Now for my personal experience-
After being admitted to the day surgery ward at 7am I was shown to a cubicle by a lovely nurse who helped me change into a gown and handed me a very stylish pair or disposable surgical knickers (horrid things that look a bit like white fishnet boxers lol). I was then shown to the surgical waiting lounge where there were other ladies waiting. After being called into the office many times (I have a complicated medical history so they had to be extra thorough with the questions) I had my obs done, urine test, paracetamol and was given some surgical stockings (they had to have a good look in the supply closet as I needed extra small ones). Then after a good natter with the aneasthatist and the theatre nurses as they did their final checks, we walked down to the operating theatres.
In the preparation room I laid down and two nurses chatted to me whilst a cannula was put in my hand. I was hooked up to a heart monitor and oxygen then given anti sickness and something to steady my heart rate (high blood pressure is not fun). Then I was given the anaesthetic and drifted off.
Waking up was horrid. I was so cold and shivering and the pain was pretty bad. The recovery nurse told me that they were going to put an elecric blanket on me to warm me up. She then gave me a nice dose of morphine. I had to keep the oxygen on for a couple of hours after as my blood oxygen levels were too low. They did my obs every 10 minutes and kept having to check that I wasn't bleeding 'down there'. The recovery nurse told me that I had gone into surgery at half 8 and didn't get out until half 10 (they told me I would only need to be in for 45 minutes). Apparently there were some complications- the doctor had to make 3 incisions and could only remove a tiny bit of endometriosis from my uterus for biopsy- I had alot on my bowels & in my abdominal cavity that was too dangerous to remove and would need specialist surgery for.
After coughing up alot of blood I was told the tube had caught the inside of my throat so it would be sore for a few days. At around 12 I was taken back to the ward, still on the oxygen. I had a nap then the nurse bought me some more morphine and a cup of tea and biscuits. When the doctor came to see me she explained that if they had of tried to remove the endometriosis on my bowels I could have bled to death and would need a major op called a laparotomy to remove it and this would be discussed at the follow up.
A couple of hours later I was discharged with painkillers. When I got home my fiancee helped me to bed as I was so tired and sore. I slept for the rest of the day, waking up to have drinks and go to the loo. I had alot of shoulder pain from the gas and it was agony to move. That night I slept but woke up in alot of pain.
Yesterday I woke up very sore and cranky. I slept most of the day and my throat was sore. By evening I had become worried as I was having some bad smelling yellow discharge and my wounds were a bit weepy. After speaking to the GP he ordered me an emergency prescription of antibiotics and told me if it got worse to dial 999. Luckily by this morning things hadn't got worse. Today I was still very sore and tired, and it still hurts very much to move but hopefully tomorrow things may start to improve.
I'll post some updates in a few days time. In the meantime I hope this helped for anyone who might be having a laparoscopy in terms of what to expect, and if you have any questions then let me know. Thanks for reading! X
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For questions, comments, suggestions or opinions email me at:
dollytrolley1994@gmail.com
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