Laparoscopy Patient Guide

Every hospital and every operation is a little different. Use this as background, and follow the specific instructions your surgical team gives you.

Preparing for surgery

• Consultation and consent. Make sure you understand the diagnosis, the planned procedure, the alternatives and the main risks before signing consent.
• Tests. Blood tests, ECG, imaging and a pre-anaesthetic check-up are common.
• Medicines. Tell the team about everything you take, including blood thinners, diabetes medicines, blood pressure tablets, inhalers, herbal or ayurvedic preparations and supplements. Some may need to be stopped or adjusted — only on medical advice.
• Health conditions. Mention diabetes, heart or lung disease, thyroid problems, allergies, previous surgery and any previous anaesthetic problems.
• Fasting. You will be told when to stop food and fluids. Follow the timing exactly; eating too close to surgery can cause postponement.
• Smoking and alcohol. Stopping smoking before surgery is generally advised; ask your doctor for guidance.
• Practical planning. Arrange someone to accompany you, plan transport home, keep documents, reports and insurance details together, and prepare loose comfortable clothes.

What to ask your surgeon

• What is my diagnosis, and why is surgery recommended now?
• What are the alternatives, including waiting or medical treatment?
• Will the surgery be laparoscopic, and how likely is conversion to open surgery?
• What are the main risks for someone with my medical history?
• What type of anaesthesia will be used?
• How long is the operation, and how long will I stay in hospital?
• What will recovery look like week by week?
• When can I return to work, drive, lift weight and exercise?
• Will tissue be sent for testing, and when will results be available?
• Who do I contact after discharge if I have a problem?
• What does the cost estimate include? (See our cost page.)

On the day of surgery

1. Admission and paperwork, including consent confirmation.
2. Changing into hospital clothing; jewellery, dentures and contact lenses removed.
3. Checks by nursing staff, the surgeon and the anaesthetist; the surgical site may be marked and hair clipped.
4. An intravenous line is placed and, in many cases, antibiotics are given.
5. Anaesthesia in the operating theatre — you will be asleep for most laparoscopies.
6. Recovery area monitoring as the anaesthetic wears off, then transfer to the ward or, for day-care cases, preparation for discharge.

Recovery

First few days

• Pain at the small wounds, bloating and shoulder-tip pain from the gas are common.
• Take pain relief as prescribed rather than waiting for pain to become severe.
• Short, gentle walks are usually encouraged and help with gas discomfort.
• Follow instructions about diet, wound care and bathing.

First few weeks

• Energy often returns gradually; tiredness is normal at first.
• Attend the follow-up appointment even if you feel well.
• Ask before restarting heavy lifting, gym workouts, driving or long travel.

Returning to normal activities

Timelines depend on the operation, your work and your recovery. Desk work is usually resumed earlier than physically demanding work. For driving, you generally need to be free of sedating medicines and able to perform an emergency stop comfortably — confirm with your surgeon and check your insurer's requirements.

Warning signs that need medical attention

Contact your surgical team promptly, or seek emergency care, if you have:

• Fever or chills
• Pain that is getting worse rather than better, or is not controlled by medicines
• A wound that becomes red, swollen, hot, or leaks pus or blood
• Persistent vomiting, or inability to keep fluids down
• A hard, swollen abdomen, or no passage of stool or gas with pain
• Yellowing of the eyes or skin
• Difficulty breathing, chest pain, or coughing up blood
• Calf pain or swelling in one leg
• Difficulty passing urine
• Heavy or unusual bleeding

In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital rather than waiting for a call back. Read more about risks and complications, or browse specific procedures.