Laparoscopy
The following information has been arranged to assist you in planning your surgery.  This is an outpatient procedure and you can expect to return to work in less than one week (with some soreness).

1.     A pre-op visit will be scheduled 1-2 days prior to surgery to review, answer questions and prepare necessary paperwork.  Please bring all medications and medical history.

2.     Your surgery will usually take place on Wednesday or Friday.

3.     After the procedure you will be immediately taken to the Recovery Room where you will be under constant observation for approximately one hour, during which visitors are not allowed.  If you are not having problems, you will then be allowed to rest in the outpatient area for a few hours until you are able to walk and take liquids without difficulty.  Medication for pain and nausea will be available upon request.

4.     When you are recovered well enough, you can have somebody take you home.  Do not plan to drive yourself.  Plan to take it easy the rest of the day.

5.     At home, bed rest is advised, with plain Tylenol or Tylenol #3 as needed.  During the first twenty-four hour period, the following are typical:  A. low abdominal cramps. B. shoulder pain as a result of intra-abdominal gas; this is generally greatly relieved while lying flat. C. incisional discomfort. D. nausea, which you can take Dramamine or Benadryl, chewed with a small amount of water.

6.      You can expect to be sleepy for the first twenty-four hours.  Take mostly liquids and light meals. You may be as active as tolerated.

7.     You may shower.  It is generally best to keep your back to the flow.

8.     You may remove the Band-Aid the following morning. Don’t be alarmed if the incision appears discolored, keeping it clean and dry (uncovered) is all that is required.

9.      Expect a small amount of vaginal bleeding, which should be less than a period.

10.  Call for an appointment so that you will be seen 2 weeks after the date of your surgery.

11.   Please notify me if you experience severe abdominal  pain, fever greater than 100.0, redness, swelling, or drainage from the incision.

12. I welcome hearing from you with any questions. Your common sense is your best guide. You may contact me by calling 669-6242 (this will automatically call forward to the answering service if the office is closed.)

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 28th, 2008 at 2:39 am and is filed under Gynecology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.