12 Things that Will Happen Before and After Your Laparotomy

Laparotomies are quite a common procedure, as they are used to diagnose such a wide variety of conditions, including fibroids and the answer to infertility questions. Complications are quite rare -- but it is still very normal to feel worried about being cut open with scalpels and having your insides looked at! We know that feeling of unease, and we believe that forewarned is forearmed. If you want to ease your mind about an upcoming laparotomy, read our partial list of what may happen before and after your laparotomy surgery. Always remember to ask your gynecologist for the full list of things that will happen in your particular case.

Before your laparotomy

1. Your doctor will discuss why they need to do a laparotomy to help with your condition, and tell you about the risks and benefits. They should also tell you about what you should do to prepare for the surgery, and how you can expect the treatment plan to proceed once they have information from the procedure. They may decide to do the treatment at the time of surgery, depending on your wishes.
2. You'll most likely have to have x-rays and/or blood tests that could add to the information from the surgery to build a complete picture of your health issues.
3. You'll be asked about your medical history and lifestyle factors that could affect the operation.
4. You will need to have nothing by mouth for a certain time beforehand -- your doctor will tell you how long you should avoid eating and drinking.
   
5. You might need to take a bowel preparation to help empty your bowels completely, or you could be given an enema for this purpose.
6. You'll have your pubic area shaved, and will need to use a surgical scrub lotion as preparation and put on a theater gown.
7. The anesthetist will check up on your and ask about known allergies.

After your laparotomy

8. You will have tubes sticking out of various parts of you -- this worries some people immensely, but is definitely one of the best ways to help rest your body as it heals. You will most likely have a urinary catheter inserted, have an IV drip in your arm to provide nutrients while your gut is healing, have a drain inserted at the wound site to let fluids out, and you may have a drain from your stomach out through your nose to help rest the digestive tract by removing stomach secretions.
9. You will have pain relief at regular intervals -- don't be afraid to ask for more if you feel you need it. The doctors or nurses will let you know if you can’t have more because of the risk of toxicity.
10. You can expect to be told about what happened during the operation! Ask your doctor what happened, and whether any further surgery is needed to correct your problem. You might finally have the answer to your infertility questions, or know the cause of your pelvic pain.
11. You will be encouraged to do your deep breathing and leg exercises to encourage healing
12. You will be told about what you can and can't do in the period following the operation. For example, there is no heavy lifting allowed for at least two weeks, and it may take 12 weeks before you can resume your normal activities.