Your Care at Home After Laparoscopy For Women

What Is a Laparoscopy?

 

Laparoscopy is surgery that allows the doctor to look at your reproductive organs and other structures in your abdomen.  It is done with a slender scope that is put in through a small incision just below the navel.  It requires anesthesia and can be used to find or treat disease.

 

What You Can Expect After Surgery

 

You will stay from 2 to 4 hours after the surgery.  This time is used to observe you to ensure your safety and to prepare you for your trip home.  You will most often go home the same day.

 

You may have pain or other symptoms that often go away in 24 to 48 hours.  You may feel:

 

1. Pain at the sites where the scope is passed through the wall of the abdomen.

 

2. Mild nausea from medicines you were given.

 

3. Cramps similar to menstrual cramps.

 

4. Bloody discharge like a light menstrual flow for up to a week.

 

5. Aching in your neck and shoulders from the gas put in your abdomen.  For relief, lie on your side or put a few pillows under your buttocks so they are raised higher than your chest. Stay in this position for 5 to 15 minutes.  The pain should slowly subside.

 

6. A swollen abdomen for a few days.

 

7. Bruising at the site.

 

8. Fatigue or muscle aches for a day or two.

Diet

 

If you feel sick to your stomach the night you get home, drink slowly and in small amounts.  Bland liquids such as broth, tea or jello are best if you feel this way.  Add solid foods to your diet when you feel better.

 

Incision Care

 

1. The night of your surgery, wash the brown soap stain on your stomach using plain soap and water.  Do not remove or get water under the band-aids.

 

2. The day after, remove the Band-Aids® and gently wash the sites with soap and water.  Replace the used band-aids with fresh ones.  Keep the sites covered with band-aids until they are well healed, in one to two weeks.  The stitches will be absorbed by the body so they do not need to be removed.  Do not apply any powders, ointments, or creams to the site until it is well healed.

 

Activity Guidelines

• It is safe to resume normal activities when you feel able.
• You may shower the next day.  You may take a bath or swim after one week.
• You can resume sexual activity in 4-7 days or per your doctor’s advice.
• You may use pads or tampons.
• Do not drive for 24 hours or until after you have stopped your narcotic pain medicine since you will be drowsy.  If your stomach is sore enough to limit motion of your legs, wait to drive until the soreness subsides.

Pain Relief Measures

 

If you have pain, take your prescribed medicine or take one to two tablets of Motrin®, Aleve®, Advil®, or acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 3-4 hours.

 

Contraception

 

If you had a tubal sterilization done, keep using your present birth control for one week after the laparoscopy.  If you are taking birth control pills, finish your present cycle or follow your doctor’s advice.

 

When to Call Your Doctor

• Any major drainage, increased redness, swelling, or soreness around the sites.
• Fever over 101° F. (Check temperature two times per day for first three days).
• Bleeding more than a menstrual period.
• Problems with vomiting or increased stomach pain.  You should feel better each day.

Follow-Up Care

 

Your first follow-up visit with your doctor will be in about 4 weeks.

 

Phone Numbers

 

 

UW Health- Managed OB Clinics
UW Health West OB/GYN Clinic 451 Junction Rd Madison WI 53717 (608) 265-7601	UW Health East OB/GYN Clinic 5249 E Terrace Pkwy Madison WI 53718 (608) 265-1230		UW Health Benign Gynecology Clinic 600 Highland Ave Madison WI 53792 (608) 263-6240	UW Health Gynecology/Oncology Clinic 600 Highland Ave Madison WI 53792 (608) 263-1548
UWMF- Managed OB Clinics
OB/GYN Clinic 20 S. Park, Suite 307 Madison, WI 53715 (608) 287-2830	East Towne 4122 East Towne Blvd. Madison, WI 53704 (608) 242-6840	West Towne 7102 Mineral Point Rd. Madison, WI 53717 (608) 828-7610		Fitchburg 5543 East Cheryl Parkway Fitchburg, WI 53711 (608) 274-5300

 

If you live out of the area, please call 1-800-323-8942.

 

 

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 11/22/2010

Copyright © 09/03/2008 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #4364

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