What to expect after laparoscopic surgery

Laparoscopic procedure

Laparoscopic surgery or operation is employed to deal with problems associated with abdominal
organs. A small equipment known as the laparoscope is used to locate and identify abdominal
organs that have defects. Small cuts or incision will be done on the abdomen and the instrument
inserted through the incisions, where it will view the insides of your abdomen. The laparoscope
has a front camera which enables it to transmit whatever it captures onto a video monitor. Your
doctor, therefore, sees the inside of your body in real time. Carbon (IV) oxide gas is then directed
into the incision for inflation purposes. Inflation, in turn, makes the organs that are being viewed
be observed clearly.

Expectations after the operation

After the surgery, however, different people will recover in their various ways and time.
Recovery will depend on what type of procedure you went through. If a major surgery is
performed, recovery might take up to weeks. Other patients might only need some few days to
get back to their normal routines.

After the surgery, you are most likely to experience pain for up to seven days. In the first 48
hours, various symptoms might be experienced. These might include among others;
lightheadedness, nausea, feeling of pain around the incision areas, bloated feeling, vaginal
bleeding or discharge just like menstrual flow, shoulder pain as a result of the carbon(iv) oxide,
uterine cramping, abdominal pains, a scratchy throat.

If the above symptoms become severe, contact your doctor or nurse for assistance. In most cases,
you will be given drugs that are solely responsible for countering pain. Ensure that you have the
prescription to the drugs before leaving the hospital or sooner. The drugs will assist you with
pain relieving when you are at home. Shoulder pains are the most common form pains
experienced subsequently after laparoscopy. It is very disconcerting. A shoulder pain is as a
result of the carbon (iv) oxide gas that is trapped in the diaphragm. To eliminate the pain,
analgesic and heat often help.

Immediately after the surgery, you are most likely to experience pain. A sore throat may be
experienced from the tube that is inserted into your throat during the surgery. Coming out of the
recovery room, your body will feel some cold. Always ensure that you have warm cover ups to
avoid these situations. You will also feel drowsiness. It is always due to the anaesthesia that was
used. It causes the feeling. However, the effects wear off after some time.

The feeling of nausea is also another common situation that occurs after a laparoscopic
operation. Most medications are however present to counter the feeling. Nausea medication
might be taken in all the stages of the process, that is, before, during and after surgery.
Occasionally, some people consider lying flat as a way of lessening the feeling. There also exist
natural remedies to the condition. For example, drinking of ginger tea helps minimise the feeling.
But you are however cautioned to always consult with medical practitioners before deciding to
consume any herbal related supplements or drugs.

At the incision site, you might experience the “pain and needles sensation”. The sensation is
usually as result of the nerves that have been cut. However, the feeling will wear off as the
nerves heal with time. When the symptoms such as swelling, redness, or a knot are experienced
in the areas where the cuts were made, immediately contact the surgeon for further assistance.

Activities to be taken after the surgery (as recommended by your doctor)

Home activities, diet and medication

Your doctors will expect of you do carry out the following activities after your operation. It is
highly suggested that you adhere to the said guidelines to the latter to avoid unnecessary
complications. These guidelines will include; taking enough rest, avoid driving due to the
drowsiness associated with the anaesthesia, avoid sporting activities while still taking pain
medications among others. Doctor’s prescriptions orders are also to be followed when obtaining
the right pain relieving drugs.

It is also expected of you to get quality nutrition and ensure that your body is always hydrated.
You are required to have light liquids and foods like ginger ale, ice pops. These foods help in
preventing stomach disorders. It is recommended that you avoid citrus juices. Citrus juices such
as tomato, orange are discouraged. Some days after the surgery, you will be in a position to get
back to your regular diet. All these foods are important if you are taking pain medications. It is
because most pain medication drugs cause constipation.

Bandage care/ dressing

Bandages are used to cover the cuts that are made in your abdomen. It is usually put on after the
incisions have been stitched. Bandages can be removed two days after the operation. The
piercings and jewellery that were removed during the surgery may be put back on after two days.
Your stitches, however, will not need to be removed. Self-absorbing stitches usually dissolve
after two to six weeks. If self-absorbing stitches are not used, then contact your physician for a
follow-up appointment. Here, the stitches will be removed.

Ensure that the cuts are clean and dry after you remove the bandages. No special oils will be
required. The incisions themselves will be administered with antibiotics after the surgery. If a
tape is used to cover the incisions, you will only need to leave for some few days and will fall
off. Wash the incision areas daily after removing the bandages. Use warm water and soap, the
pat the area dry using a clean cloth. Hydrogen peroxides or alcohols are to be avoided as they
slow down the healing process. Bandages should be changed every day after dressing the
incision areas.

Follow up care

Be punctual to go to all the doctor’s appointments for checkups. This enables the doctor to see
how you are recovering. If you still experience pains, alternative medication may be prescribed.
Appointments are a way your doctor will track your health status. Therefore, never skip an
appointment. These appointments are usually within two to six weeks window period.

What are some of the potential risks associated with laparoscopic surgery?

Minimal risks or complications arise from laparoscopy. However, if done by an expert, the
chances can be zero to none. Complications resulting from the surgery are commonly bleeding or
infections. Abdominal related pains, swellings at the points of incisions or redness of the incision
areas are the ones which are frequently reported. Another case is where a blood-related organ is
punctured during the operation. Bleeding follows, and if the damage occurs in a place like a
colon, all that is contained inside will be drained into the abdomen.

Always report these complications to your doctor for further assistance when you experience
them. You are always advised to be keen to know the various signs. When you fail to report
these complications to your doctor, you put yourself to risks which might lead to permanent
damaging of the abdominal organs.

When your doctor sees that the complications can be handled, he will deal with it right away. If
not possible, he will recommend further treatment from other experts.