Most likely after simple laparoscopic surgery, you will get to go home the same day as your laparoscopic surgery. There are some cases of major minimal access surgery, however, when you may have to spend the night in the hospital. This all depends on your type of surgery which your surgeon will explain to you.
Post-surgery meals:
After most of the laparoscopic surgery, you may not be very hungry for few hours. You may be nauseated from the effect of general anesthesia or medicines given to you during anaesthesia and surgery. Drink fluids as desired. As you will have IV fluid there you should take fluid according to desire only Water and ginger ale, both sipped very slowly through a straw, helped to get over nausea and pain abdomen.
If you feel hungry than only you should take light meal otherwise it should be avoided. You could try chicken broth or any light soup, toast, crackers and Popsicles. Jell-O, applesauce and very light sandwiches Be sure to stay away from anything that is spicy or acidic, and be careful of having dairy right away as it can distend the bowel may result to pain abdomen.
Fruits and vegetables along with pasta with a little olive oil were foods you will be able to start eating a few days after surgery.
What to expect during post-op:
After Laparoscopic Surgery for first few days will be tiring. You will still be coming off the trauma of surgery and anesthesia, so you really will not want to do anything tyring. You may be in pain from the CO2 insufflated into abdomen during surgery. Laying flat on back help relieve some of this pain on shoulder and abdomen. Keep your heating pad close by. You also may have a sore throat from the endotracheal tube in your throat to help you breathe. Throat lozenges helped clear this up quickly!
After Laparoscopic Surgery it also is crucial that you get up every once in a while and walk around slowly. This will help get the gas flowing and even help with your bloated belly. Being bed-ridden can prolong your recovery time, so it is important to make sure you move around with some support. Of course, this will depend on exactly what you had done. It is also important that you do not overdo it otherwise you may feel fainting attacks. Rest is just as important as movement, so be sure to follow your doctor’s post-op instructions.
Unless told otherwise, you should avoid walk up and down the multiple stairs. Be sure to go slow and have a helping hand nearby. Remember, you cannot drive right even after minimal access surgery and can only drive once you have stopped taking narcotics and you feel strong enough.
Depending on how your laparoscopic surgery went, you will not be able to have sex after two to six weeks. Your doctor will be able to tell you exactly how long. Your first period after surgery most likely will be horrendous. If you are taking pain meds, you will likely have constipation. Taking a stool softener with your pain medicine may help make this less painful and keep things flowing.