Operative Laparoscopy
Some patients will have bowel prep (Pico-Prep) for this surgery.
When procedures are carried out within the abdominal cavity via the laparoscopic technique, recovery time is dependent on the nature of the surgery. Any biopsy, division adhesions or more extensive surgery will be associated with some blood loss and this may irritate the peritoneal lining resulting in some inflammation and associated pain.
Extended surgery time will lead to the trapping of gas under the diaphragm and this will give rise to pain in one or both shoulders. This gas will be reabsorbed within 24-48 hours. In addition to this, it is common for the bowel to become distended and so patients may experience abdominal bloating for several days following surgery. As with all surgery, pain at the site of all incisions is common, as will be some bruising.
An Operative Laparoscopy can be divided into 3 categories.
We did a bit -- Removing an ectopic pregnancy can fall into this group and the amount of pain and post-op recovery will be similar to a Diagnostic Laparoscopy.
We did a lot, but this did not leave a lot of ‘raw areas' --The more ‘raw' areas, the more likelihood there will be discomfort. Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH) falls into this group. It is a big operation but there is only a small ‘raw' area.
We did a lot and we left a lot of raw areas. -- Endometriosis surgery, when extensive, will fall into this group. The surgery can be difficult and you should expect recovery to be a little slower, even if you get to go home the same day.
For major Laparoscopic procedures like TLH, patients have a drip which administers pain relief on-demand. This is called a patient-controlled analgesia because you just press a button and a defined amount of drug is administered. The drip and catheter (in the bladder) are removed the next morning. The drain (if any) is also removed at this time. This allows you to mobilise.
Further pain relief is in the form of tablets or suppositories (bottom bullets) because pain is usually easily controlled at this time. Assuming all is well; patients are discharged the next day.
Post-op: There may well be a catheter left in the bladder as post-op pain can prevent you from voiding properly. It also means that you don't have to get out of bed too quickly. The catheter will come out after a few hours, or the next morning if you are staying overnight.