What to Expect After Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery is a technique that can be used to perform a wide range of different operations. It is often used for gynaecological procedures, but it is also commonly used for hernia repair operations and in bariatric surgery. The type of operation you have had will affect how you feel afterwards, but many of the effects of laparoscopic surgery will be the same, for all procedures.
One of the key benefits of laparoscopic techniques is that your recovery will be much quicker and easier, but you will still feel the effects of the surgery.
1. The Incision: After laparoscopic surgery, you will have several small incisions, rather than one large one. The incisions will feel a little bit sore for a few days and they will leave some small scars, but the discomfort and scarring will be much less than you would expect after open surgery. The incisions will need to be kept clean and protected with a dressing for a few days, and you will need to avoid strenuous physical activity for a few weeks, until your doctor gives you the all clear.
2. Bloating: One of the effects that will only happen after a laparoscopic procedure is that you might experience some bloating or stomach cramps. This is because your abdomen had to be inflated slightly with carbon dioxide so that the surgeon could get a good view of your insides during the procedure. Some of the gas can remain behind after the operation, but it won’t cause you any harm and any bloating will go away in a few days as your body will absorb it.
3. Recovering from Anaesthesia: You will also feel some of the same effects as you would with an open procedure. Your throat might feel a little dry and sore when you wake up, as you will have had a breathing tube inserted while you were under the anaesthetic. You will probably also feel a little sleepy and disorientated when you wake up, and you might feel a bit nauseous. Anaesthetic affects everyone differently, but you should feel back to normal by the time you are discharged from hospital.
One of the key benefits of laparoscopic techniques is that your recovery will be much quicker and easier, but you will still feel the effects of the surgery.
1. The Incision: After laparoscopic surgery, you will have several small incisions, rather than one large one. The incisions will feel a little bit sore for a few days and they will leave some small scars, but the discomfort and scarring will be much less than you would expect after open surgery. The incisions will need to be kept clean and protected with a dressing for a few days, and you will need to avoid strenuous physical activity for a few weeks, until your doctor gives you the all clear.
2. Bloating: One of the effects that will only happen after a laparoscopic procedure is that you might experience some bloating or stomach cramps. This is because your abdomen had to be inflated slightly with carbon dioxide so that the surgeon could get a good view of your insides during the procedure. Some of the gas can remain behind after the operation, but it won’t cause you any harm and any bloating will go away in a few days as your body will absorb it.
3. Recovering from Anaesthesia: You will also feel some of the same effects as you would with an open procedure. Your throat might feel a little dry and sore when you wake up, as you will have had a breathing tube inserted while you were under the anaesthetic. You will probably also feel a little sleepy and disorientated when you wake up, and you might feel a bit nauseous. Anaesthetic affects everyone differently, but you should feel back to normal by the time you are discharged from hospital.