What is pelvic laparoscopy?
Pelvic laparoscopy (say "lap-uh-ROSS-kuh-pee") is a type of surgery. It can help a doctor diagnose or treat a problem with your pelvic organs. These include the uterus, intestines, or bladder.
This kind of surgery uses very small cuts. These cuts are called incisions.
To do this surgery, a doctor puts a lighted tube through incisions in your belly. This tube is called a scope. It lets your doctor see your organs. Then the doctor inflates your belly with gas. The gas makes it easier and safer to see your organs. After putting special tools through the scope, the doctor can see or remove what is needed. Next, the doctor releases most of the gas from your belly and closes your incisions with stitches. These incisions leave scars that fade with time. You may also have some shoulder or back pain. This pain is caused by the gas your doctor used to inflate your belly to help see your organs better. The pain often lasts about 1 or 2 days.
You will probably be asleep during the surgery. But if you are awake, you may feel some stretching and discomfort in your belly. Either way, you will not feel any pain.
After the surgery, you will stay in the hospital for about 1 to 4 hours. You may be able to go back to work the next day. But some people need to rest for a few days to a few weeks before they can go back to work. It depends on the type of surgery you had, the type of work you do, and how you feel.
Some people need more surgeries or treatments after this surgery. It depends on what the doctor finds.
How do you prepare for surgery?
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
Preparing for surgery
- Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
- Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
- Tell your doctor ALL the medicines and natural health products you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
- If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if you should stop taking it before your surgery. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. These medicines increase the risk of bleeding.
- Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance care plan. If you don't have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It's a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
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