HOW IS ENDOMETRIOSIS DIAGNOSED: WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER MY LAPAROSCOPY
Immediately after the operation you will probably feel drowsy and have some abdominal pain or discomfort and you may experience some nausea and/or vomiting. You may require an injection for the pain or nausea.
When you are awake enough to comprehend and remember what is said, your gynaecologist should come and discuss the results of your laparoscopy with you. The severity, location and likely impact of your endometriosis should be explained, as well as the nature of any surgical treatment that was done. Sometimes, the gynaecologist will leave you a diagram showing the location of your endometrial implants and cysts.
For the first 24 to 48 hours after your laparoscopy you will probably experience some generalised abdominal discomfort and bloating due to the manipulation of the internal organs and vagina during the operation. You may also experience mild to severe pain in the shoulder region due to leftover carbon dioxide gas accumulating under the diaphragm and irritating it, causing pain to be felt in the shoulder region (this is known as referred pain). The tube that was placed in your throat may give you a sore throat for the first day or so. Usually, painkilling tablets such as Panadeine or Panadol will be sufficient to relieve the pain. You may also have some bleeding from the vagina, especially if a D&C was performed, and your stitches may bleed a little.
Even though a laparoscopy is said to be only a minor operation many women feel pretty terrible afterwards. Some women say that they feel like they have had ten rounds in the boxing ring or have been run over by a truck! So in most cases you will need a day of bed rest after your operation and you will be able to return to work in two to five days. However, it will usually take five to seven days or more before you get back to your normal level of activity. It is advisable to avoid heavy lifting for a week or so and to avoid strenuous exercise, such as running, jogging, swimming or brisk walking, for one to two weeks.
If you develop a fever, a vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odour, heavy bleeding, swelling of the lower leg or severe abdominal cramps you should notify your doctor immediately.
Risks and complications of a laparoscopy
In general, the risks associated with a laparoscopy are minimal and the rate of complications is low. Since a laparoscopy involves the use of a general anaesthetic it has the usual risks associated with undergoing a general anaesthetic, including an allergic reaction and chest infection, especially if you are a smoker. The more common, but still unusual, possible complications are wound infection, accidental injury to an internal organ such as the bowel or bladder, and internal bleeding during or after the operation.
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