It’s always important to prepare right for any surgery, especially, laparoscopic endometriosis excision surgery. Here’s how I prepared for it.
I believe preparation needs to begin as early as possible, because I’ve found that doctors don’t give us patients enough of a plan so I have tried to put together a list of tips that worked for me.
Please note that I’m not a medical professional and it’s always best to consult your doctor before you apply any of the following. O’ and please also note that I don’t just have endometriosis, I also have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, fibromyalgia, adenomyosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis and painful bladder syndrome all to consider. You may have other medical concerns that may need addressing, so again, please seek your doctor’s advice.
Now with all those disclaimers and very important cautions out the way, here is…
If you prefer to watch a video version of this post, then you can right here but if you’d like to continue reading then scroll down a bit…
My Guide: How To Prepare For Endometriosis Laparoscopic Excision Surgery
My excision surgery took place in September 2019, New York.
When I started my preparation, I didn’t have a date or a surgeon in mind, but I knew that I desperately needed to get the surgery done – a decision I took two years before my surgery.
My endo pains were horrendous and my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) pains weren’t too kind either so I needed to address at least one painful condition and my only option was surgery.
If you would like to know the cost of my endometriosis excision surgery then you can here:
How Much Does Laparoscopic Endometriosis Excision Surgery Cost?
If you would like to know which doctors treat me, then this link will be helpful:
The Doctors Who Treat My Endometriosis & Adenomyosis
Now here are the changes I made:
Change No. 1: Adopting an Endometriosis & Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Friendly Diet
Knowing that I needed surgery and I didn’t at that time know when this would happen, I decided to make six changes to my diet.
I’ve written about this in detail here, but just to give you a gist of what I did – I managed to work towards a more anti-inflammatory diet which meant going gluten free, dairy free and a few other changes.
To know more I would suggest you read that post – a lot of thought and effort has gone into explaining the reasoning behind each of the six changes.
Change No. 2: Strengthening the Abdomen
As mentioned before, I have EDS which keeps my exercising limited because even the slightest error can cause a flareup which sets me back needing me to rest.
For example, an error could cost me rib slippage making it uncomfortable to sit or sleep. And I faced many such roadblocks along the way.
So here is what I did figure out under the guidance of my physiotherapist (please take the assistance of a physiotherapist for yourself as well).
I did aqua therapy, pelvic floor therapy, resistance band work and timed walking.
Aqua Therapy
– Exercising in water not just relaxes the muscles but your endurance improves, so does your range of motion, joint stability and most importantly, you only feel 20% of your body weight – that way you’re not adding your body load to your joints and are able to carry out your exercises for longer.
The same movements outside the water would tire me out, cause me pain and set me back a week at a time so aqua therapy was a much needed addition.
Plus with EDS and my POTS episodes (which would cause me to feel dizzy and fall), water was a safer place as the aqua cubicle had handle bars to hold on to and my therapist to make sure I was carrying out the exercises correctly.
The drawback at the time was – I had been bleeding way too often and doing aqua therapy on periods isn’t a great idea and isn’t allowed. So I wish I could have done this more regularly but it wasn’t to be.
But I would recommend it.
Read Here For:
- Endometriosis & Adenomyosis Natural Pain Relief – My Journey
- How Much Does Laparoscopic Endometriosis Excision Surgery Cost?
Pelvic Floor Therapy
– It’s a form of strengthening exercise in which I was made to isolate specific muscles by applying focus in order to move and hold specific muscles.
This therapy is to help those with pelvic muscles that are weak, tight, have gone through trauma, surgery and even those that endure pelvic pain, pain during intercourse or issues with incontinence of urine or faeces.
I started pelvic floor therapy a little late but it aided in slowly strengthening my abdomen muscles without any aggressive movements. This has also been recommended as post-surgery therapy too.
Resistance Bands
– These bands are used for strength training and stretching.
I mainly used these bands for upper body strength under the guidance of my physiotherapist.
We worked out my problem areas and I was given a specific exercise program.
Plus I feel once an expert teaches you about form and positioning while using this band, you’re giving yourself a better chance to improve your strength and a lesser chance of injuring yourself.
Timed Walking
– On days when I wasn’t well enough or was not scheduled to do the above three things, I made sure I walked.
I have EDS which affects my legs greatly so my easiest flareup area has to be my legs.
I use walking sticks to aid my balance and improve my footing, but when I do my walks, I prefer to do them at home in a controlled environment.
Why is my walking timed? After experiencing a wheelchair (because of EDS), every minute that I walk (even if it is with help of walking sticks), I find it to be an achievement.
Timing my walk allowed me to see the growth in the length of time that I could walk and importantly, it made me watchful enough that I don’t over-do it. Walking more than I should only leads to flareups and me not being able to do any exercises for a few days.
For someone who doesn’t have issues with their legs, walking is supposed to be a good way to reduce muscle stiffness, burn calories and improve blood circulation.
Change No. 3: A Few Weeks Before Surgery
Shopping is an absolute necessity.
I realised that after surgery my abdomen would be sore and bloated yet I was told by the doctors that I would need to start moving around and walk the day after surgery, so I shopped/organised the following:
1. Loose Clothes
– I shopped for loose t-shirts, track pants, pyjamas.
2. Sanitary Products
– I bought period underwear (this is great for light bleeding post surgery) and night sanitary pads.
If you wish to know more about eco-friendly sanitary products that work for me and why I the menstrual cup isn’t the best for my health, then you can read more here:
3. Extra Pillows
– These ended up being placed near/under my sides to help me prop myself up after surgery. To sit up, you need to use your core strength and it is mighty painful after surgery so the extra pillows help.
4. Stock Up On Foods
– I wanted to make sure that I follow my endo-friendly anti-inflammatory diet post-surgery so I made a list of all meals I would like to have and the vegetables I would need for it.
5. Medicines
– Your doctor will give you a list of medicines that you will need before surgery for your bowel and uterus prep and also some meds for post surgery too.
It’s always best to buy these beforehand so that you don’t rush for these things last minute.
Change No. 4: A Few Days Before Surgery
There are somethings that can only be done a few days before surgery and I created a checklist for myself for this – and here it is:
1. Re-Organising My Wardrobe
– All my loose clothing needed post surgery was placed as the first thing you see when you’d open my wardrobe so that anyone at home trying to help me will be able to understand where and how the clothes are kept.
2. Side Table
– I organised the table next to my bed which had my medication, some nuts to munch on, my ear phones, laptop, a book and my phone charger was set in the plug point near my bed.
3. Meal Prepping
– Some of my meals needed preparation and with the help of family, we were able to have certain meals in place, such as soups and lentils.
4. Hospital Bag
– I carried an extra change of clothes (especially something to keep me warm in) and my doctor’s notes.
5. Keeping Everything Charged
– I didn’t want to struggle to charge my phone and laptop with stitches hurting, so I made sure everything was charged.
6. Taking Time Out
– Before my bowel prep, which happens a day before surgery I took time out with my family. We walked around, visited cafés, went for drives and just chatted around the dinning table.
This surgery is major and overwhelming. Your surgeon won’t really know what will be found until the actually surgery is happening – you’re diving into the unknown in the hope you will be relieved of endometriosis pain that you have faced for possibly decades like me, so please take time out to feel normal with those you love.
I’m extremely grateful to my family who have been immensely supportive about everything I have been through – they’ve helped to keep my humour alive.
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7. Bowel & Uterus Prep (a day before surgery)
– It’s important that the bowels are clear for surgery, therefore you should be advised a drink that will help do this.
I was given a tablet to insert in the uterus that is supposed relax the uterus for surgery.
8. Self Care
– My surgeon didn’t allow any nail varnish, so that was removed.
After surgery, you are advised to not bend for at least six weeks, so I made sure I cut my nails, especially my toe nails beforehand.
A day before surgery I applied a face pack, had a nice long shower where I washed my hair, did a nice long body scrub and just spent time relaxing under some warm water to help ease any stresses.
My room was cleaned up and the bedsheets got changed so that when I got back from surgery everything was nice and fresh.
9. Cushion & Footstool in the Car
– I had read that after discharge, the ride back home will hurt.
It was advised to keep a cushion on the stomach and then put the seat belt on top. This reduces the impact and helps to avoid unnecessary pain.
So, please keep a cushion in the car beforehand.
Another good tip was a footstool.
I travelled in an SUV and climbing into it despite making the car lower would’ve been too much for me, so we kept a footstool to reduce the pressure the abdomen would go through.
All these may seem like small things, but after surgery you will realise what a difference these small things will make and I am glad that with all the family help, I managed to get this done.
Overall, everything mentioned here made a difference to how I felt going into surgery – I felt mentally and physically well focused and well prepared.
If you believe any other forms of preparation helped you, please do share in the comments below.
If you know someone that would find this post helpful then please do forward this to that someone.
Thank you for reading 🙂
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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I am a patient and have created this platform to share my experiences. This is all purely informative and in no way am I providing medical advice. Please consult a medical professional.
I have some surgeries next year, and will be doing so many of these things! I really like to do food prep and freeze meals beforehand so I have some easy meals such as soups on hand to just heat up when I’m feeling tired. It’s a weight off my mind to know that I won’t have to stand preparing meals.
Thanks for sharing so comprehensively. Some of these exercises and tips can be applied to everyday chronic illness life, too!
What a thorough and helpful set of steps. Even though I shouldn’t need this surgery, I appreciate the abdomen strengthening exercises.
This is a fantastically thorough post. I’ve not had this surgery but I’ve had 7 other types, and never has there been much at all in the way of information, advice or support. You don’t really know what to expect, let alone what to keep in mind before or after the surgery. It’s only through blog posts that many patients get a feel for whatever procedure or health issue and the process post-op. Thanks for this as it’ll be priceless for those looking at lap excision surgery for endometriosis.
Caz
xx
Thank you for taking the time out to read and drop in a comment Caz.
I’m really glad you found it helpful. And yes, I agree, there is so much we get to learn from fellow patients and carers that we wouldn’t through medical professionals. Experience trumps theory – especially in such cases. I just wish there wasn’t such a gap between patients and doctors.
Also, I wish that Google would give some priority to patient-experience-blogs rather than the generic blogs with repetitive information.
Thank you once again 🙂