Questions re: Post Laparoscopic Surgery

Just a couple questions for those of you that have had laparascopic surgery in the past ...and how to deal with littlies after the op!

Where they pulled the 'drain' out of you, did they bother to stitch that up or just put a plaster on it, and it healed on its own accord? (My plaster fell off before and the incision started bleeding so i had to do a home job and stick a new one on, just can't see how its meant to heal over when they had a cord going right into my gut through that hole?

How did you cope with having a little one in that 'recovery period' of 4-6 weeks? I was told no driving or heavy lifting ...and especially no picking up Lucas. Already I've been caught out a few times where I've forgotten and gone to pick him up or have lifted him from say the ground to the bed etc. Bloody hurts afterwards and I'm sure i'll learn eventually, definitely know not to pick him up and put him on my hip etc. But how can I keep him entertained and avoid having to lift him? He's 23 months now...

How long did he pain carry on for post op, what were your bowel movements like (regular, not regular, hard ...etc?)

How long did they leave your stitches in before making an appt. to remove them? (I've been booked in for a week exactly post op to get mine removed, sounds so soon ...but what would i know?)

And just in general any advice, or heads up on anything i should keep in mind or be aware of? I think the main thing thats bugging me at this point is that incision from the drain bursting open and me fearing i'll bleed to death. Silly i know, but blood and gore isn't my fortay.

I had a big "plaster" over my drain hole, I made them put a new one on before I went home as it looked bloody, which they begrudgingly did. It was fine in the shower etc and came off about a week after and now only have a neat litle scar, there were tape stiches over the site.
MY sitches has plater over them too, and they disolved on their own, but I did go for a check up 7 days post op. I had a 4 month old baby and a 2.2 year old, and it was hard going, but after about 3 or 4 days I didn't need pain releif anymore and was back driving, lifting etc about 2 weeks later, well, maybe more like ten days, but I had been told 2 weeks,,,,
Bowels were fine, but I had been told to keep my fluid intake high.
Good luck, you will be fine, I promise!!!

Im not too sure what the drain is (I never saw one, so was probably removed before I woke) and also didnt have children at the time so cant help with that.

How long did he pain carry on for post op, what were your bowel movements like (regular, not regular, hard ...etc?)

The worse of the pain for both times was the first week! I was very slow to move and slept alot of the time. I didnt have the energy to do anything else. I did have on and off pain after that but was managable with Paradex.


How long did they leave your stitches in before making an appt. to remove them?

The first time I had them removed a week later, the second time they were dissolvable so didnt need them removed.

And generally just take care of you. After the first week I would forget not to lift heavy things esp the laundry. If you are concerned at any time, go and see your specialist or GP.

I hope your feeling better soo

Oh and ETA bowel motions, I didnt have any movements for about 5 days afte the surgery. I think mainly it was cos I was scared it would hurt too much if I tried to do number 2's.

Edited by rianna08