A laparoscopy is usually performed at a surgical center or hospital. It may be an outpatient procedure or involve a short inpatient stay, depending on the case. General anesthesia is used, and you will need to have someone else drive you home after your surgery.
You will be advised not to eat or drink for typically eight hours before your procedure. You will wear an examination gown and lie on your back on an examination table for the procedure. After you are anesthetized, a catheter will be gently inserted through your urethra and into your bladder to collect urine during your surgery. Your surgical area will be carefully cleaned.
Your doctor will make a small incision near your belly button. Carbon dioxide air will be administered through the incision to raise the abdominal wall and create a space for your surgeon to view your organs and work in. Additional small incisions will be made to insert the laparoscope.
After your examination or procedure, the incisions are closed with a few stitches and covered with bandages. The catheter is carefully removed. You will be taken to a recovery area where you will be observed until you wake up.
Following your procedure, your incision sites may throb or feel slightly painful. Your doctor will recommend or prescribe a pain reliever for you. You may feel an increase urge to urinate because the carbon dioxide may temporarily put pressure on your bladder. You may experience temporary irritation when you urinate because of the catheter. Your doctor will provide you with a written list of precautions, wound care directions, and temporary restrictions.
Your doctor may let you know the results of your examination, but may wait to thoroughly review the results of your laparoscopy during a follow-up appointment or phone call, when you are more alert. Your incision sites will be examined at your follow-up appointment. Your stitches will be removed.