Laparoscopy Postoperative Care

Anesthetics

You should be able to leave hospital shortly after the operation.

You will need to be driven home by your partner or other companion.

It is not unusual to experience nausea or vomiting on the day of surgery or even the next day to some degree.

Although you will probably feel fine, judgement is impaired after an anesthetic, therefore do not drive or drink alcohol or make any important decisions during this time.

You may experience aches in your shoulders or chest due to the carbon dioxide gas placed inside your abdomen. This gas is harmless and will disappear in one to three days. The shoulder and chest discomfort can be relieved by lying flat in bed.

If the laparoscopy was done for infertility, you may experience a bluish vaginal discharge or a blue-green color to your urine after tubal dye studies.

Diet

On your first day at home, have light liquids and foods to help prevent stomach upset.

Avoid citrus juices such as orange juice and tomato juice. You may gradually add foods.

By the second day after surgery, As soon as you feel like it, you may eat any food or drink that you desire in moderation

Incision care

Laparoscopy incisions are typically very small and rarely have complications. 
The stitches are “hidden” beneath the skin and will dissolve with time. Dressing should be left on for a few days and changed every day. Small Steri-Strips on the incision can be removed in the shower after one week. The dissolving sutures will sometimes be seen coming out of the incisions. You should not pull on them, and they will just dissolve in a week or two on their own. You may shower, swim, or tub bathe as you like. Do not be afraid to wash the wounds with soap and water; however, do not rub them. Most incisions look red at first but fade over time so the scar is hardly noticeable.  Call Dr Elzeiny if you have any signs of infection such as pus, marked swelling, or increasing redness.

Activity

With a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure you will recover much more quickly than with a standard open procedure. Women will vary as to when they can resume full activity. Some women have put in a full day’s work the day after surgery; other women may not be ready to resume normal activities for four to five days.It is normal to tire easily after surgery and you should maintain a flexible schedule and get adequate rest. Avoid strenuous exercise or weight lifting for two weeks after surgery. You can resume sexual intercourse when you are comfortable or wait at least 5 days .


Important signs of problems for which you should contact the rooms right away include:

Severe pain not controlled with panadeine forte
Nausea and vomiting where you are unable to hold down any food or fluid Episodes of unconsciousness/ fainting
High fevers (over 38 degrees) or uncontrollable shivering.
An inability to urinate despite a very full bladder.

Follow Up

Dr Elzeiny will call the following day after the laparoscopy to briefly discuss how everything went and to make sure you are OK.  You will be reviewed by Dr Elzeiny at 7 days or 2 weeks to check your progress and discuss the recent procedure including laparoscopic pictures and pathology results. He will also outline all of your follow up management in full