Discharge Instructions for Laparoscopic surgery
You and your doctor decided on laparoscopic treatment for you. During your procedure, the doctor made small incisions in your abdomen and used surgical instruments to remove or treat the diseased tissue. Your incisions and the area around them may be sore or tender. You may also feel pain in your upper back or shoulders. This is from the gas used to enlarge your abdomen to allow your doctor to see and treat the endometriosis. This pain usually goes away within a day or two.
Here’s what you can do at home to help with your recovery.
Activity
- Plan to rest for a week after your surgery, although you may feel okay within a few days.
- While you recover, have friends or family help you with chores and errands.
- Walk as often as you feel able.
- Don’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds to avoid straining your incisions.
- Don’t push a vacuum or do other strenuous housework until the doctor says it’s okay.
- Climb stairs slowly and pause after every few steps.
- Don’t drive for a few days after the surgery. You may drive as soon as you are able to move comfortably from side to side.
Other Home Care
- Take your medication exactly as directed. Don’t skip doses.
- Continue with the coughing and deep breathing exercises that you learned in the hospital.
- Avoid constipation.
- Eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water every day unless directed otherwise.
- Use a laxative or a mild stool softener if your doctor says it’s OK.
- Shower as usual.
- Wash your incision with mild soap and water. Pat it dry. Don’t use oils, powders, or lotions on your incision.
- Don’t have sexual intercourse or use tampons or douches until your doctor says it’s safe to do so.
- Report hot flashes, mood swings, and irritability to your doctor. There may be medications that can help you.
Follow-Up
Make a follow-up appointment with your doctor in 4 weeks, or as directed by our staff.
When to call your doctor
Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:
- Redness, swelling, or drainage at your incision site
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Pain that is not relieved by your medication
- Any unusual bleeding
- Dizziness or fainting
- Abdominal pain and swelling that get worse
- Nausea and vomiting
How to prepare for office GYN surgery
- Discuss your pain tolerance with your doctor before surgery date
- Get a good night’s sleep the night before your surgery
- Unless allergic, or have a contraindication to taking these medications- take
- Ibuprofen 600 mg by mouth every 6 hours starting 24 hours before the procedure
- Take Tylenol 1000 mg every 8 hours starting 24 hours before the surgery
- Bring any medications you are asked to fill and bring from the pharmacy.
