I just had my second laparoscopy this past Friday, and I've compiled a list of things a patient can do to make the experience a little less unpleasant, both before and after the surgery. This is based on my personal experience, some tips I've picked up from the newsgroups, and doctor's orders. Any additional helpful hints and suggestions would be appreciated. To minimize time missed from work, try to schedule your surgery for a Thursday or Friday so you have the weekend to recover.

Laparoscopy is direct visualization of the peritoneal cavity, and organ inside peritoneal cavity. The laparoscope is an instrument somewhat like a miniature telescope with a fiber optic system which brings light into the abdomen. It is about as big around as a fountain pen and twice as long. instrument to move the uterus during surgery will be placed in the vagina. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is put into the abdomen through a special needle that is inserted just below the navel. See similar questions...

A diagnostic laparoscopy is a procedure in which the laparoscopic surgeon uses a laparoscope, to look at the organs and tissues inside abdominal cavity. See similar questions...

It is the laparoscopic operation which should be performed without any delay in life threatening situations. The gynaecologists were the first to start laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment, but since 1990s a lot of general surgeons have started to use this technique in the abdominal urgency, especially: abdominal trauma, acute cholecystitis, acute appendicitis, perforated peptic ulcer or intestinal obstruction. See similar questions...

It’s a surgical technique in which the abdominal cavity (belly) is inflated with carbon dioxide gas (CO2) and distended. A small (3-11mm thick) telescope (resembling a long and thin tube) is then inserted through the belly button, inside the abdominal cavity. This telescope called laparoscope has a light source at its end and a camera that allows the surgical team to watch on TV monitors, what is inside the belly under magnification and in great detail. See similar questions...

Excellent visualization (exposure) of organs, minimal trauma to organs, Small incisions with less chances of wound infection or/and breakdown. Significantly less adhesion formation (scar tissue inside the abdomen that may cause pain, infertility or bowel obstruction). In addition shorter hospital stay and significantly faster recovery. This means faster mobilization of the patient, that hopefully minimizes postoperative complications. See similar questions...

My only real suggestion is practice! When making a 'maki,' or cut roll, using half a sheet of nori is the right way to go. I remember using a whole sheet the first time I made maki and I had a really big lip. Very strange. I recently added a large section to this website on how to make sushi at home. This includes instructions as to how to make each different type of sushi as well as a preparation guide and tips to make all your sushi come out just right. See similar questions...

Wander Wear developed a comprehensive “Away from Home” checklist that describes best practices that every parent can do without spending a lot of money or time. You can find these “lost saving” tips on our website at: The tips were complied by researching agencies and surveying hundreds of parents to understand the most practical and effective ways to prevent a child from getting lost and then what to do if they do get lost. See similar questions...

A laparoscopy is done to look for endometriosis, adhesions and organ malformations. The patient is usually under general anesthesia for this. First, carbon dioxide gas is used to expand the abdominal cavity to provide better viewing. The doctor will then insert a scope through a small incision inside the navel or just below it to view the outside of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. See similar questions...

Laparoscopy is most commonly done to find and treat the cause of abdominal pain in children when other investigations have not been helpful. Appendicitis can be diagnosed and appendicectomy done laparoscopically. It may be equally easy and safe to do an open appendicectomy. Other common indications are for treatment of benign ovarian cysts and when lower intestinal bleeding is suspected to be from a Meckel's diverticulum. See similar questions...

Acute abdominal emergencies are diagnosed incorrectly or too late in 5 to 20% of cases. The delay in appropriate treatment, improper surgical access route and repeat surgery causes higher morbidity and mortality. Hospital stay and time of recovery are longer, resulting in higher costs for the community. In spite of rising accuracy of non-invasive methods there remain limitations which sometimes cannot be overcome by these investigations. In these condition only useful option is laparoscopy. See similar questions...

The general anaesthesia and the pneumoperitoneum required as part of the laparoscopic procedure may increase risk in certain patient groups. Most surgeons would not recommend emergency laparoscopy in: Those with diminished cardio-pulmonary reserve are also at risk because of the adverse effects of the pneumoperitoneum on the CVS and a longer operative time. See similar questions...

Following any laparoscopic procedure, some discomfort is normal and to be expected. Patients commonly report pain in the shoulders, neck and abdomen. This may occur because gas used during the procedure to expand the abdomen cannot be fully removed. These symptoms usually resolve within 12-24 hours with bedrest. Nausea may occur and can be related to abdominal distention and/or manipulation of the bowel during the procedure. Some patients develop post-surgical nausea from anesthesia. See similar questions...

As with any medical/ surgical intervention or procedure there could be some risk associated with it. These risks are similar to those encountered with conventional open surgery (bleeding, infection trauma to adjacent organs etc...) Extensive operative laparoscopic procedures are technically more demanding and require additional training and surgical skills from the surgeon. See similar questions...

This is a minimally invasive operation, performed under general anesthesia, where small incisions in the abdomen allow special instruments access to view the pelvic organs and to correct problems in the pelvis. Laparoscopy is used for assessing the state of health of the fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes are not blocked if there is spillage of methylene-blue dye tinted water flushed into the uterus from below. See similar questions...