Laparoscopy & hysteroscopy experience
I typed this up for the Ovusoft forum's Endo FAQ, so I thought I'd put a copy here. There's lots of TMI here, so be warned. :)
I had my only lap (so far) in December of 2006, and the surgery included a hysteroscopy. The doctor Rxed Cytotec for me to use vaginally the night before; it's an ulcer med, I believe, but it also dilates the cervix. So I took that and had spotting leading up to surgery, including cramping. I honestly thought my period was starting. No one seemed to care, and afterwards I realized it was just from the dilation. I also had to do HalfLytely as bowel prep. Disgusting, but at least it wasn't as much as the GoLytely or NuLytely. I ended up going all night long and even some the next day, though how there was anything left is BEYOND me.
I got to the hospital on time and removed my contacts. My mom was with me and she didn't know how to get there, so I had to drive. I got checked in and received a pad for the spotting (whew!). Then I got hooked up with the whole IV thing and some glucose (is that what it is?).
The pastor of the church we were attending at the time came by to pray with and for me, and that helped, but time seemed to CRAWL until I went down for surgery. Once I was there, the anesthesiologist came for me to sign the release for him to give me the good stuff. I couldn't see w/out my glasses (and I had forgotten to read it the night before), so I had to really squint and work hard to see it so I could sign it. Then I found out the doctor was running late (doing a transfer or IUI in his office, I believe). The nurse was so sweet, and since I was cramping & nervous, she asked the anesthesiologist to give me something to relax me. Wheee! :)
Once the doctor came, they wheeled me into the OR. I scootched myself over onto the operating table, and they strapped my arms out to the side. Not sure why, unless women under anesthesia tend to swat at people messing with their privates. Just as I did the only other time I've been under general anesthesia (when my wisdom teeth were removed), I went out very quickly after the meds started through the IV.
When I woke up in recovery, I was incredibly thirsty. The nurse would give me ice chips, but then she got busy. A different nurse gave me the cup so I could spoon them up myself. I've never been that thirsty! I assume it was from the breathing tube. I was in recovery for probably 10 minutes before being taken back to the room.
The day before, the nurse going through the check-in process had told me I needed to drink clear liquid, pee, and be able to stand before I'd be able to go home. So I made those my priorities. Of course I was willing to drink, as I was so thirsty, and I managed to squeeze out some drops of urine. I ached in my neck (I was expecting shoulder pain), but it was from the gas used for the lap. The nurse brought me drugs for that, and then I felt ok. My mom signed the necessary forms, and then we left.
I didn't really experience a lot of pain that day except for an excruciating need to pee. I was drinking so much b/c of thirst, but I wasn't really able to pee effectively. Finally, that evening, I was able to get a normal flow of urine. That was honestly the worst part. The doc gave me generic Demerol that has an anti-nausea component (prometh); I took it faithfully every four hours, and I didn't feel much pain or any nausea. I also took some Gas-X, and the gas discomfort was gone within a few hours.
When I went back in the next day for follow-up (he was leaving town for the rest of the month!), he told me he'd found Stage I endo, a wide septum, and uterine polyps. He'd lasered the endo, resectioned my uterus, and removed the polyps. He also drilled my polycystic ovaries.
It took me two weeks to recover to about 95%. By the end of those two weeks, I was starting to have trouble sleeping b/c of lack of exercise. My surgery was Dec. 1, and by Christmas I was 100% again.
The last of my stitches (in my belly button) were gone by Sunday, January 21.
(Edited 1/25/07 to remove Ovusoft smileys and to add the stitches info.)
