Having your first laparoscopy is scary. For one, this is going to be where you find out if you have endo or not. And two, if you haven't had surgery before it can be nerve-wracking. I mean hell, even if you have had surgery it's always scary. I'll be having my 3rd lap on May 31st, 2019 so I've started mentally preparing what I need to do and bring. I've also been asked by a few girls from my online support group for tips.
Anyways, this has given me time to think about the essentials that you should bring with you to the hospital. My list is based on a regular outpatient laparoscopy, you may want to bring more items if you know you are staying at the hospital for the night or more. But if you are just going to be there for the day, bring a small purse or bag for your belongings. I personally love using my No, Thanks Pad + Tampon pouch for all these items on surgery day.
1. Your ID and Insurance Card
First things first, you must have your ID (or any form of identification) to get admitted into surgery. Once you get to the hospital, you go through registration where they need to make a copy of it. You will also be asked for your insurance card if you are using insurance for the procedure.
2. Someone to Take You Home
Another very important item to bring to the hospital isn't even an item. It is a human being. Make sure to bring a friend, family member, or spouse with you for support but mainly to take you home. The hospital will not let you leave if you don't have someone picking you up. They will also not let you take an Uber/Lyft/Rideshare, it needs to be someone you know.
If you can't find someone to actually come and stay for the surgery but they can pick you up, then that's fine. If so, make sure to bring a small purse like I mentioned up above and make sure everything is in it when you go into surgery. Your nurse should be able to keep it with your clothes. I mentioned this since you won't have someone around to hold your stuff for you and hospitals don't like being responsible for a whole bunch of valuables/belongings. So keep it small and compact.
3. Pads
After surgery you will most likely be bleeding. The first time I had my lap, I remember being in recovery and having to use the bathroom. The nurse helped my very-drugged-up self get out of bed and then just a stream of blood starts rushing down my leg and onto the floor. I just looked up at my nurse and he said "You may have some bleeding..." Yes Brian, I just might. Anyways, they will give you pads but I'm not the biggest fan of pads that are so thick it feels like you're wearing a diaper and I'm sure you feel the same way. So I would bring your favorite pads. 1-2 should be fine, but if there's a chance you are staying the night then bring a few more.
P.S. This means you should wear some "period" underwear to put on after surgery. This is not time to bring out the sexy lace or g-strings.
4. Fuzzy Socks and/or Comfy Clothes
I wouldn't say that hospital socks are the best socks in the world and have the best reviews. They often slide down your feet since they're XL and very thin. So if you get cold like I do, bring a pair of fuzzy socks and you can put them on after your surgery. You should also wear very comfy clothing to your surgery so you can change into them afterwards or when you're going home. When I say comfy I mean endo-belly-proof sweatpants and either a big t-shirt or big hoodie. You are going to be very bloated after the surgery. Why? Because they pump your abdomen with gas in order to see and use their tools better. So big belly calls for big sweatpants right? Which brings me to my last item.
5. Gas X
At the hospital you're going to be given a range of medications before, during, and after surgery. You will first get a "cocktail", "happy juice", or whatever they call it. This is usually Versed but it can also be other medications. This medication basically makes you feel high as a kite and forget everything. It's basically used to calm you down and (hopefully if they do it before they take you to the operating room) forget going into the operating room. There they will give you General Anesthesia which will knock you out for the entire surgery. Great, now that's over with. But now it's time for you to wake up and your recovery nurse will probably tell you that you may feel "a slight cramp". Just so you know, there is nothing "slight" about these cramps. I right away told her my pain was a 10/10. So if you have pain, you can expect to be given pain medicine in order to control the discomfort.
Now that you know the process, I can tell you what all these medications have in common: They constipate you. So having a full belly filled with gas and being constipated for a few days it very, very uncomfortable. Therefore, I would bring Gas X (found at any local drug store) with you so you can take it as soon as you leave and to start getting it out. Nurses usually say to walk around and get it out, but let's be honest, none of us want to do that on the day we had surgery. But try to incorporate walking within the next few days to help it pass as well.
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