Hey,
I haven't been here for ages, but back in April i found out i had PCOS, i had my Gyno appt on Tuesday and my DF has to have a Semen Sample and i have to get a Laproscopy done.
What exactly is it? What do they do? Am i able to go back to work after its all done?
I'm getting worried... i even screamed when i had a blood test (i have a phobia to needles)

What else should i expect during this whole process? Please help!

Many thanks

Mel

It sounds as though your lap will be exploratory? I have had quite a few laps (9) for endometriosis. Basically they use small incisions usually one in the middle of the pubic hair line and one in the belly button, they basically use a scope with a camera on/in it to have a look around. They can make additional incisions if they need to do any further work while they are in there such as removing endo etc. Depending on the problem (if any) you can have anywhere from 2 to 4 incisions.

After all my waffle I found this useful site http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/surgery/a/laparoscopy.htm

I always take one week off work, I usually get a bit sick from the anesthetic and have had severe endo so they do a fair bit while they are actually in there IYKWIM.

If you find you have a needle phobia you should mention this to your surgeon as you will need an IV in your hand for the anesthetic so hopefully they can give you something to calm you down before any needles.

Gook luck, I hope my explanation helps, even though I have had so many they are hard to describe but nothing to be scared of, although it is perfectly normal to feel anxious about it.

Good luck with it.

Hi

I highly recommend you get a tube of EMLA cream (or even better, patches) from the chemist. It is not cheap, at around $80 a tube, but it is fantastic. It numbs the area so you cannot feel the needle. Ask the hospital to apply a patch for your drip (about an hour before).

I have a lot of problems with blood tests and thay can jab me up to 5 times before they get blood , however, with the emla, I cant feel a thing. .

Unfortunately. lots of BTs if you have to go gown the IVF road.

I had a lap about a year ago, but I had a lot done too, IYKWIM. I needed a week to recover. If it is fairly traight forward, you probably wont need that long.

best wishes
L

For the drip for the lap, tell the anaesthetisitc that you are terrified, and ask for a local before the drip.

The drip on its own feels nasty and needle-like, but if you have the local first you can't feel it. The local stings and burns but doesn't feel like a needle.

I had a needle phobia before IVF. I don't anymore - how cool is that?

I am going to find out about it more on my next visit at the end of this week, I am pretty sure the gyno told me i'll be knocked out.... i don't know when i'll get any needles or a drip etc (if i do get any, i don't know) but i will for sure tell them i am terrified to needles.. Will i sound like a idiot if i said something though? i'd rather feel confortable and calm not scared and shaking while this is happening..
I dont know many shortcuts but whats IVF stand for?
Thanks again

Mel

IVF = Invitro fertilisation.

If you get a lap you will be knocked out, so you'll have a drip inserted just before they start the proceedure. I wouldn't worry about sounding silly, cause alot of people are scared of needles. So it won't be anything new for your gyn, but make sure you tell them first no good telling them on the day.

I was only nervous when I had my first ever drip, my FS had to hold my hand to calm me down. Needles now don't bother me (thanks to AC) but I have to watch them put it in.

A lap is always done under general so you won't need to worry about that. Usually they do a Hysteroscopy and D&C at the same time...

You'll be in hospital for a few hours and I recommend taking a week off for recovery. It can be painful for a few days after (I got really bad shoulder tip pain) but tolerable enough.

If you have problems with needles you just need to tell them about it and hopefully they can gas you a bit first...

Thanks everyone for your positive messages.. I don't really understand half of whats going on, but i guess i'll find out when i go in again on Thursday.

I'm glad to hear that i get knocked out while i have a drip stuck in me, i'm starting to get scared just thinking about it let alone having it done when it happens...
Anyways i'll keep you all updated & thanks