What can I expect after abdominal surgery?

Anonymous — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:49:58 -0800

I just found out I need major surgery, and I've got some questions... So I just found out I need to have abdominal surgery. Basically, I need to have a few inches (they think about 3, but won't know for sure till they're in there) of my terminal ileum resected. The issue is that I'd previously been told they could do it laparoscopically, which would mean two days in the hospital, teeny scar, and a week's recuperation time. But now, based on some new tests, they're saying that it'll have to be full-on surgery, using something called a "hand helper", I think. It'll mean about 3-4 hours under anesthesia, a 4+ inch incision, and up to three weeks of recovery time. So I'm freaking out.

My concern is this: my surgeon is painting a pretty rosy picture of what I can expect in terms of postop pain, both immediately after and over the next couple of weeks. He keeps saying "it won't be that bad"- I think he is attempting to be reassuring and he doesn't seem to believe that I'd prefer honesty, and also his English isn't spectacular. When I search online for firsthand accounts of what to expect, all I'm seeing is horror stories, and long lists of complications and things that have caused people horrible discomfort.

I don't want this to be chatfilter, but can anyone with experience of a similar operation let me know how it was for them? To all of a sudden find out that they're going to be slicing my guts open rather than making a tiny incision is really creeping me out, and I don't feel mentally prepared for this. Any information would be hugely appreciated.

Thank you!

Laparoscopy Surgery

octomato — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:12:35 -0800

What to expect from a laparoscopy? I have been diagnosed with endometriosis and on Tuesday I have my first and hopefully last laparoscopy. My doctor is sort of erratic lately, though an expert in the field. He believes he can cure stage 1 and 2. In his patients there is only a 3% chance of it coming back in these stages. He does not believe in hormone therapy, but in extracting the disease.

They pushed my appointment to this Tuesday and my mom can't come up, so my can't-see-blood-or-i-puke dad is. I think she's trying t make it on Wednesday.

OK, here's my question. What should I expect? Should I have someone stay over the first night (i live by myself)? I am in my early 20's.

Can you notice I'm a bit nervous! And did I tell you I have a severe belly button phobia....

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What can I expect after abdominal surgery?

Laparoscopy Surgery