
There’s an increasing demand for laparoscopic surgery in Navi Mumbai lately. The reason is its minimally invasive nature. With smaller incisions, it’s obvious that the recovery period will be much shorter than that in traditional surgery.
It’s performed as a diagnostic procedure (to look into your stomach and the pelvic floor for a detailed image of your internal organs) or as a surgical procedure (to fix the underlying issue). A commonly asked question among women undergoing laparoscopic surgery is, “Is the procedure painful?” Let’s find out.
Understanding Laparoscopic Surgery
The surgery is performed using a laparoscope, a rod-like tool with a camera at the end. The tool is inserted into your abdomen with a small cut, around half to one inch in length. The video camera attached to the laparoscope creates a clear picture of your internal organs on the monitor.
With real-time monitoring, the surgeon can move the laparoscope and execute the surgery precisely. The procedure is highly recommended when other non-invasive tests, such as ultrasounds, MRIs, blood tests, and CT scans, have failed to show accurate results. It’s also performed to collect tissues for biopsy.
Pain Levels During and After Surgery
You won’t feel anything during the surgery, as anesthesia (general or local) is used to numb the area. Despite being a minimally invasive procedure, laparoscopy can cause mild pain and discomfort after surgery. The pain can be managed with medication. Shoulder pain after surgery is also pretty normal.
It occurs because of the carbon dioxide used to inflate your belly to get a clear view of the organs. Apart from pain, you might notice bloating, which is another common side effect. It should resolve within a few days, though.
Here’s what affects your pain perception after laparoscopy:
- Your Pain Tolerance: Everyone has a different pain tolerance level. Some have the ability to cope with extreme pain, while others might not be able to handle mild pain. It varies from person to person.
- Surgery Type: Laparoscopy performed for a simple diagnostic procedure will be far less painful than the surgery for endometriosis, fibroid removal, and other complex surgical procedures.
- Surgeon’s Performance: Pain level after laparoscopy also depends on your surgeon’s performance. A qualified and experienced general surgeon in Navi Mumbai can execute the surgery without damaging the surrounding tissues. This can reduce postoperative pain.
- Psychological Triggers: Patients with anxiety, fear, stress, and other mental issues might have a lower threshold for pain than people who are calm.
Managing Pain Post-Surgery
Mild pain after laparoscopy is usually not a cause for concern. Here are a few tips you must follow to ensure less operative pain and faster recovery:
- Get adequate rest
- Eat nourishing foods and drink plenty of water
- Get pain medication
- Practice gentle movement and go for a walk every day to stay fit and prevent blood clotting.
Make sure you follow up with your surgeon for 2-3 weeks following the surgery. They will assess your incision site and overall health. See your doctor immediately if you have bleeding from the incision site, excessive pain that doesn’t respond to medication, fever, and other signs of infection.