Laparascopy Surgery...Endometriosis

[nokaoibeachgirl]

Hi All,
So I am scheduled for a laparascopy in 6 weeks and scared out of my mind. I don't want to have my belly puffed up with gas and I certainly don't want to be cut open. Has anyone else ever had a laparascopy? They are going in through my belly button and I am scared of a scar too, I am dieting down to hopefully do some modelling.

The doctor thinks I may have endometriosis and says the only way to know for sure is to do the surgery. Then he said if he finds any out of place uterine lining he will cut it out while he is in there. Only problem is my symptoms are not unbearable so I think why bother? My only fear is that if I don't get it and then later find out I am infertile due to endometriosis, that could have been cut out. My onyl symptoms are moderate cramps and deep penetration being painful.

What do you guys think is my doc just cutting into me for fin or is it important I have this surgery?

Thanks for all the info. and opinions

 

[Sassy69]

Endometriosis is not something to take lightly - its been an issue for my brother & his wife - they have 2 beautiful little boys, but I think it took several attempts w/ the fertility programs to conceive. (I dont' know all the details - but I understand they've spent a LOT of money to make those two little munchkins possible.)

Laproscopy is basically exploratory surgery isnt' it? If they go in thru your belly button the whole point is to keep the incision / marks to an absolute minimum. I would venture that you might experience some edema from the surgery itself just from the small trauma to your body, but it shouldn't be a dramatic impact beyond a few days.

I would really talk further w/ your doc about what to expect. You can even ask how critical it is to do the surgery now, are there other options? And there's always the option to get a 2nd & 3rd opinion so you understand what is goign on. I would hate to think that you made a decision based on stuff people say on a chat board (even if we are all great & very supportive ) -- we don't know all the details - that's something you should discuss in detail w/ your doc and make him explain it until you understand it yourself.

I personally feel that spending your life fearing something but choosing to remain ignorant really limits your choices in dealing w/ the issue.

 

[nokaoibeachgirl]

Thanks Sassy! Yeah I guess it looks a bit dumb using the board to make medical decisions, I was just hoping someone had had a personal experience with it. As for my doc. he is not helpful and I'd get other opinions but he is pretty much the only well known ob/gyn in my area and it will take a year to get in to see someone else since we have so few in such a big city.

 

[Sassy69]

Thanks Sassy! Yeah I guess it looks a bit dumb using the board to make medical decisions, I was just hoping someone had had a personal experience with it. As for my doc. he is not helpful and I'd get other opinions but he is pretty much the only well known ob/gyn in my area and it will take a year to get in to see someone else since we have so few in such a big city.

Damn that sucks. It should still be fair to ask him if he can refer you to someone who can give a 2nd opinion or explain the procedure more to you. Even if you frame it as wanting to educate yourself more. What sux is that unless you are lucky enough to find a fantastic doc, they are so overworked / stressed / whatever that they really do treat people like shit & the only way to get things done is if you take the lead.

 

[HOTMoMMa]

Hey girl! About 2 months ago I posted something just like this. I had my laparoscopy March 21...and it was a total breeze. You have a couple of down days afterwards, but it didn;t even take me a week to get back to the gym. If your doc recommends it...it is for a reason. I have had problems for the past few years but after my 2nd baby (who was almost 3 months premature) I went totally downhill. Sex was unbareable, I had a period for 5 months straight, then no period for 3 months. Plus pain ALL the time. I had my surgery and he just lazered off the endometriosis and within 2 weeks my husband & I were making love like never before PAIN FREE!

My point is that it may seem like it's something that you can bear now, but it gets worse over time. And if you plan to have children...you definately need to find out for sure what is going on.

I have NO scars, and unlike many horror stories you will hear, I had no gas pains afterwards. No pain at all really. A million times better than childbirth.

 

[Gymgurl]

I have heard that it is not as bad as you think it will be....you will be much better off in the long run to have it done!

 

[ck2006]

Been there, had it done and a major operation after to clear up the scar tissue. Best thing I could of ever done for myself. I was in constant pain until the operation. I have had four kids now, I was lucky no fertility clinics involved. Get it done, if you have it the scar tissue it can spread to other organs damaging them.