Before Laparoscopic Surgery
Admission Form
Your surgery admission form and consent form must be handed to the hospital admission office on the day of your admission.
Surgical Fees
You will be given a quote for the estimated surgical fee. We claim from the medical aid but any shortfalls are for you to settle. Apply for gap cover before the procedure. Anaesthetist fees can be obtained directly from the anaesthetist, and our staff will provide you with their contact details. You should contact your medical aid fund to confirm your eligibility and to receive an authorisation code. Additional pathology costs may also apply.
Preoperative Tests
You may require preoperative blood tests, and some patients may need a preoperative chest X-ray and ECG. Bowel preparation may also be necessary, in which case you will receive a separate information sheet on “Bowel Preparation.”
What to Do with Regular Medications
Most of your regular medications can be continued, except those that thin your blood, which could increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Some of these medications, such as Aspirin, Warfarin, Xarelto, Eliquis, and Pradaxa, need to be stopped up to a week before surgery. It is recommended that you speak to the doctor who prescribed the medication to determine whether it is safe to stop before surgery. Occasionally, an alternative medication may be prescribed for use before surgery and switched back after surgery.
On the Day of Surgery
You will already have been informed of your fasting time and when to arrive at the hospital for admission, usually a few hours before the scheduled surgery. At the hospital, staff will complete all necessary paperwork, and the nursing team will admit you and carry out the required preoperative checks. Dr Bvuma will see you before the surgery to discuss the planned operation and answer any remaining questions. Your anaesthetist will also meet you before you are sedated.
After Laparoscopic Surgery
What to Expect After Surgery
After your operation, you will wake up in the recovery ward. You may feel drowsy from the anaesthesia and experience some mild pain. The nursing staff in the recovery ward can provide painkillers if needed. You will have an intravenous (IV) drip in your arm for fluids and medications, and you may also have a urinary catheter to drain your bladder. Both the IV drip and the catheter will be removed the morning after surgery. The nursing staff will ensure you have adequate pain relief.
Pain management is a crucial part of recovery, so please ask the nursing staff for pain relief when necessary. The goal is to maintain a pain score of “5/10” or lower. Pain relief can be provided as an oral tablet, suppository, or by intramuscular or intravenous injection. It is important to note what pain medication you are given in the hospital so that you can continue using the same medications after discharge. Over the next few days, your pain should gradually decrease, along with the amount of pain medication required. Regular use of painkillers is encouraged to not only ease discomfort but also to support early mobilisation. Physical activity plays a key role in reducing postoperative complications such as blood clots and chest infections. Early mobilisation also speeds up recovery.
Pain is commonly experienced around the pelvis, at the incision sites, near the ribcage, and in the right shoulder tip. This shoulder pain is caused by residual carbon dioxide gas used during the operation, which will subside as your body absorbs the gas over the next 72 hours. You can start eating as soon as you feel ready. After surgery, the bowels may slow down temporarily due to pain medication and reduced physical activity. To prevent constipation, maintain a high-fibre diet and stay well hydrated. Mild laxatives may be helpful.
As mentioned earlier, early mobilisation after the removal of the IV drip and urinary catheter is encouraged to promote faster recovery. Dr Bvuma will check on you after surgery and the following day to discuss your progress and provide postoperative care instructions, including when to schedule your follow-up appointment. Patients are typically discharged after one night in the hospital but can go home earlier if all is well.
The dressings over your small keyhole incisions are water-resistant, so you can shower with them the day after your operation. These dressings can be removed 3–4 days after surgery, and no further coverings are needed. The skin sutures are placed under the skin and are absorbable, so no visible sutures will remain once the dressings are removed.
Discharge from Hospital
By the time of your discharge, you will have recovered from the anaesthesia, and your pain should be adequately managed with oral medication. You will be provided with a few days’ supply of painkillers or given a prescription for them.
If you experience any postoperative issues, please contact our office. For urgent queries outside of business hours, you can reach out to your hospital ward for advice.
You will be asked to schedule a postoperative check-up appointment for 6 weeks after your surgery to discuss the operation, pathology results, and any other questions you may have.
The recovery period following laparoscopic endometriosis surgery or ovarian surgery varies but typically lasts 1–2 weeks.
As your body heals from internal wounds, it is common to feel tired and fatigued during this period. You will regain your energy and stamina over the following weeks.
You may experience some vaginal bleeding after surgery, which should settle within a few days. If your Fallopian tubes were tested, you might notice some blue-tinged vaginal discharge for a few days due to the blue dye used in the procedure. To minimise the risk of infection, avoid using tampons after surgery. Your menstrual cycle may or may not be affected.
Strenuous physical activities, heavy lifting, and sexual intercourse should be avoided for 2 weeks after surgery. Avoid driving for at least a week, and do not drive while taking stronger painkillers that cause drowsiness.
Abdominal bloating is common after laparoscopic surgery due to swelling and inflammation in the abdominal wall, and it may take a few weeks to resolve. Most patients can return to office work within 1–2 weeks, while more physical jobs may require 3–4 weeks for recovery.
