ok COTHers, I am having laparoscopy surgery next week. Who’s had it? what can I expect? and when did you start riding again? my doctor is saying 3 weeks…thanks!
Well, it really depends on what you are having done. If it’s major surgery that could also be done through an open incision, I’d say 6 weeks. Don’t forget, the stuff inside still needs to heal. If it’s something more minor (getting your tubes tied, etc), I think 3 weeks is fine.
I had it in July. Are they going through your belly button area alone, or multiple spots?
Mine was 1 incision right beneath the belly button (kinda in the button).
The worse things about the surgery-
The bruising. It was UGLY.
My sides hurt from the CO2 gas they expand your abdomin with.
My surgical site was sore, but not painful per se.
My throat killed from the breathing tube. It was scratchy and dry for 2 days, everyone is differant in that respect.
I was told i could ride after 2 weeks, but no heavy lifting (over 15lbs) for 6. I was pretty tired the first week, went back to work 3 days after surgery (but should not have, I was exhausted). I rode at the beginning of the 3rd week, but I did not “feel” up to it with in the 2 weeks. I was not in any pain, just still a bit tired.
The only time I needed to take pain pill was at night when it was bed time. I took them every 4 hours for the first day and a half-2 days after. I took half a percoset at bedtime after that, no other times. Needed to do that for about a week after surgery.
Really, the sides being sore was the worst part. People say you get super constipated from the anestethia (sp?) and pain pills. I did not, I actually ate tons of ice cream for the sore throat and I was in heaven…I’m lactose intolerate and it was the first time I ate REAL ice cream with out getting ill.
[QUOTE=WishIWereRiding;5168578]
Well, it really depends on what you are having done. If it’s major surgery that could also be done through an open incision, I’d say 6 weeks. Don’t forget, the stuff inside still needs to heal. If it’s something more minor (getting your tubes tied, etc), I think 3 weeks is fine.[/QUOTE]
This is major surgery. Laproscopy means it is minimally invasive with the use of cameras. Incision, like the variety, is just surgery.
It definatly depends on what you are having done/removed etc.
I have had 4 Laps and they were all differant as far as recovery goes. The first one - to diagnose and remove Endo - was fairly easy, but not much was removed. The second one was much worse though, since I did run a fever for a few days, and just felt pretty yucky for several weeks. However, my third Lap - also for Endo - was horrendous, recovery wise. I had to be on a Morphine pain pump for 24 hours, and had a Foly Cathater in for about 2 weeks. That surgery was much more involved though - the Endo was everywhere - so much so, that the Dr had to make 6 “holes” instead of the normal 3. The recovery from THAT surgery took MUCH longer, but part of that was due to the fact that I started having Gall Bladder issues. Because of that, I had to have it removed about 8 weeks after my previous Lap. Thankfully the Gall Bladder surgery was a piece of cake, and I was Trick Or Treating with my son, just 3 days after surgery.
So, all that said, I would ask your Dr. and just really listen to your body, since every one is different, as is every surgery.
Here’s a good link that may help in preparing for your surgery:
http://www.magma.ca/~bkssmith/endo/surgery.html
Good luck!
I am five days postop from a laparscopic complete hysterectomy. Below the ribs, I feel GREAT. Above the ribs, not so much. My phrenic nerve is severely irritated and my entire upper body is in nerve pain off/on as the nerve is pinched/released. My neck is hypermobile and at this point My doctor is assuming that I desperately need to get my neck adjusted and will have to begin the process of tightening/realigning it as soon as possible. Last night a big dose of Valium relieved some of it but of course that can only be a three or four night event, as addictive as it is. So. My advice is, consider all your medical issues and be sure to tell everyone involved about them. I did not think to tell the lovely anathesiologist (I may have been dazzled by his good looks and sweet demeanor, wow) that my neck is hypermobile, but in all honesty it probably would not have mattered.
Having said all that… I would do it again in a hot minute and expect to be riding in three weeks tops and riding as an athletic event soon after. Trimming will take longer as that involves lifting and I have a lot of internal stitches. Best luck to you and PM if you have any questions.
Just had that surgery for gallbladder removal three weeks ago, after ending at the ER with an attack.
Took four little holes, all went picture perfect, according to the surgeon.
I didn’t have any pain, so no pain killers, but then, I tend not to have any pain anyway from surgeries.
I was getting around the next day fine, just a little sore, no problems from the gas blowing you up either and barely minimal bruising.
I had an extremely good surgeon that does several of those surgeries a day, has for many years now.
I did have a complication from the anesthesia, I tend to get those, this one gastric stasis, so by the third day, I was nauseated and vomiting for several hours.
Thankfully, that righted itself after that and all went to working fine again.
Then at two weeks, as the internal stitches were dissolving, I got a terrible rash from being allergic to them and that itching was torture, until I got it stopped with cortisone cream.
That is just now going away and two days ago, at the post surgery visit, the surgeon told me two holes needed a little more time to heal, because of the reaction to the stitches, so to take it easy for another two weeks.
Do get loose clothes, underwear too, because you will need those, nothing tight is what they recommend for a few weeks.
I can’t ride yet for two weeks, but that is because I have some other problems, like a shoulder that needs surgery as soon as I get over this one.
If it was not for that, I would have been back on a horse already, just taking it easy, of course.
Some times, you just have to be patient for a while about what you can or can’t do.:yes:
[QUOTE=LittleblackMorgan;5168591]
This is major surgery. Laproscopy means it is minimally invasive with the use of cameras. Incision, like the variety, is just surgery.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I know what laparoscopy is. I am a surgeon and I perform them! But it really depends on what is being done. If she is having a diagnostic laparoscopy and the surgeon uses a 5 mm umbilical incision and nothing else, then 3 weeks is reasonable. If she is having a laparscopic hyst, myomectomy, cystectomy, gallbladder, etc, the recovery time would be longer. so I know what I’m talking about.
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Good advice!! There are so many variables you just never know how things will go and how you will feel after. You may be 100% in a few weeks, or it may take a bit longer. Regardless I think it is really important to listen to your gut…
And I’m with EqT in terms of making sure they know your whole medical history, as you never know what else may flair up as a result of the surgery. (PS EqT hope you are back in action soon, sounds like you’re doing well…)
[QUOTE=EqTrainer;5168642]
My advice is, consider all your medical issues and be sure to tell everyone involved about them. I did not think to tell the lovely anathesiologist (I may have been dazzled by his good looks and sweet demeanor, wow) that my neck is hypermobile, but in all honesty it probably would not have mattered.[/QUOTE]
Certainly hope your neck recovers soon…It would amaze some people what has to be done to get an airway. Your neck may be hypermobile, but you may have a “difficult” airway. I wonder if they really had to manipulate your neck/jaw to get the airway in place. I know I am easy, but other folks are down right difficult.
I returned to work from my LAVH in two weeks. I wasn’t “allowed” to ride for 6 weeks, but I was back in the saddle at 4 weeks. I started riding hard again at 6 weeks.
Every patient is different as is every surgery. Each surgeon has different return to activities criteria for patients. Each anesthetist/anesthesiologist is different in airways as is each patient in their anatomy.
At the end of the day, it depends on you, but you should return to full riding in or about 6 weeks without any restrictions if all goes according to plan.
Thanks MTR… I’m sure not blaming anyone, it’s just one of those things. I mostly feel blessed to have woken up afterwards (hey, you never know!) and to be able to afford good medical care. My friends are flawlessly running my farm and life is good. No regrets, that’s for sure.
I had a Lathroscopic supracervical hysterectomy a year ago. Thankfully my doctor is a rider, so I had permission to start riding 2 weeks post surgery.
I was a bit sore and worried, so I did wait a total of 18 days before I actually swung a leg over a horse.
Pain wise the first week was the worst, not horrible and I kept up with vicodin and advil per my surgeons recommendation.
About 2 weeks post surgery my husband had to go out of town and leave me alone with a barn full of horses. Chores were hard, but I managed albeit very slowly.
good luck with your surgery. I hope you are back in the saddle soon.
Thanks everyone! I think I was feeling really uneasy after having my pre-op with the hospital. I guess they have to tell you everything just in case, which is a little mental overload! I had my pre-op with my OBGYN yesterday and she seemed confident that it would be fine. I have a fairly large and angry cyst that has made a home on my ovary. Pretty sure they will have to take the ovary with the cyst. But my OBGYN said no running, riding, going to the gym, or lifting anything heavy for 3 weeks. (I was like well you obviously don’t know me very well cause I am not one to sit still!) She said the CO2 would probably make me feel ill the day after the surgery. Someone else suggested ice cream or mashed potatoes for sore throat after the breathing tube. Thanks for all the advice and suggestions - I reallly appreciate it. I’ve never had any surgery, so this is a little overwhelming! I’ve planned to have trusty steed taken care for 3 weeks, just in case.
I just needed to talk to actual horse people! haha!
That doesn;t sound picture perfect to me. I’d hate to see what your doctor calls “complications” !!!
[QUOTE=Dispatcher;5172625]
That doesn;t sound picture perfect to me. I’d hate to see what your doctor calls “complications” !!![/QUOTE]
:lol:
Sorry, he meant the operation was picture perfect, as he told those with me right after it was over, with me still in the recovery room.
There was doubt he may have had to cut me open after all, that gallbladder was sick for long time and on it’s last legs, according to pathology’s report later, but was obvious on ultrasound, which made it tricky to take out thru the little hole.
OP, no surgery is without risks, but surgeons are doing several of those a day and are very, very good, don’t worry unnecessarily.
You don’t sound like me, in my mid 60’s and with a tricky heart, which makes any surgery, well, tricky.
As the nurses kept telling me, “you will feel like a new woman!”
I didn’t ask if the surgery would also make me a little bit taller and younger.
In the big scheme of things, not being able to ride for a few weeks will seem like nothing, once you get back on the saddle.:yes:
For him, maybe!!! You gotta love doctors and their explanations.
Seriously, it’s amazing what they can pull out of you with the laparoscope!!!
Jingles for you to be feeling “better” soon and back in the saddle ~
[QUOTE=Zu Zu;5173380]
Jingles for you to be feeling “better” soon and back in the saddle ~[/QUOTE]
How about your rotator cuff surgery?:yes:
Better get it done before winter sets in and being one armed makes doing chores so much harder in the cold and snow and all that.
Running to get All Done before I become an one armed Bandit ~
Hey :eek: How about YOUR rotator cuff surgery ??? Perhaps we could go together ~ I have a new iphone for my upcoming “vacay” = that’s what I’m calling my surgery & rehab :lol:
Hopefully the iphone and my “shuffle” and my exercise bike will help keep me occupied and “happy” ~~~ any way “help” has been set up for stalls for two months at the least probably 12 weeks = before I can “shovel” again ~ and the Hackneys “let down” and many many winterizing routines completed !! :yes: and I am headed for a “knife party” early November ~ still must vote early and get not one :eek: not two :eek: BUT THREE :eek: cavities filled !!! and no I have not been eating sweets as I am on WW and down 87.8 # Hooray ~~~~:D So Bluey fill me in on your next hospital visit ~ catch me up or pm me… I have not been reading coth as much :no: as I have been trying to get EVERYTHING that must be done in the next three months done before November 1st. OH MY !!!:eek::eek: If I live through the preparation 
I then hope to live through the surgery & rehab ~ :lol::yes:
—"OH MY !!! If I live through the preparation I then hope to live through the surgery & rehab ~ "—
Relax, it is not going to be so bad after all, not like it was a broken leg, then you could NOT be walking around for months!
Mine was postponed when the gallbladder had to come out, but I am hoping he will wait to do the shoulder until next spring, I don’t want to be climbing snowdrifts to get to the barn and breaking ice with one arm only thru this winter.
I hope the OP by now has enough information, no sense in scaring her any more with surgery war stories, is there.
Really, our horses will wait for us, they don’t care, as long as someone, anyone, is feeding and taking care of them.:yes:
