Laparoscopy For Endometriosis: 25 Questions To Ask Your Surgeon
So you’re at a point where you’ve received your scheduled surgery date for your laparoscopy (the surgical procedure that uses a long, thin instrument called a laparoscope that’s inserted through a small abdominal incision to examine, biopsy, and possible even remove cysts, scar tissue, or implants cause be endometriosis). You’re probably feeling nervous as well as excited given that a definitive endometriosis diagnosis may be on the horizon. Let me tell you — the relief I felt knowing I wasn’t crazy after 15 years living in debilitating pain was priceless.
Although laparoscopic surgery isn’t a cure for endometriosis, the reality is that anyone who wants or needs a definitive endometriosis diagnosis will require a laparoscopy. Additionally, surgery is also one possible pain management option for endo (although it’s hit or miss). Truthfully, it’s not uncommon for endobabes to undergo upwards of three endo surgeries in their lifetime because of endometrial tissue regrowth.
Unfortunately, I have heard far too many stories from my patients about botched ablation surgeries, or incomplete excision surgeries, leaving them in more pain and discomfort than before the surgery that was meant to (and that they hoped would) give them their lives back!
While the information in this blog post won’t fix any negative surgery experiences from the past, I am hopeful that it will help arm endowarriors with more information to better prepare them in getting the right answers, finding the right surgeon, and of course having a well-done endo excision surgery.
“ALTHOUGH LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY ISN’T A CURE FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS, THE REALITY IS THAT ANYONE WHO WANTS OR NEEDS A DEFINITIVE ENDOMETRIOSIS DIAGNOSIS WILL REQUIRE A LAPAROSCOPY. ADDITIONALLY, SURGERY IS ALSO ONE POSSIBLE PAIN MANAGEMENT OPTION FOR ENDO (ALTHOUGH IT’S HIT OR MISS). ”
What are the right questions to ask prior to endometriosis laparoscopic surgery?
How long have you been doing endometriosis surgeries?
How frequently do you do these surgeries?
What techniques and instruments do you use?
Are you able to perform my surgery laparoscopically?
How many incision sites will be used?
Do you foresee the need to create more incisions?
Are you able to tell me WHAT TYPE of adhesions I have? (there are several types — some more metabolically active contributing to estrogen dominance, some more structural, binding organs together.)
Do you treat both superficial and infiltrating endometriosis?
Who exactly will be performing the surgery? (Although my surgeon was in the room, his colleague did the bulk of my surgery so this is important to know if that person is less experienced.)
Will you be filming or taking photos of my surgery? If so can you provide me with copies for my own records?
Can you remove disease from delicate structures (like my bowels, ureters, bladder, or diaphragm)?
If you leave adhesions untouched, can you provide photo or video documentation so that I have a record of where this tissue is located?
If other organs are involved, will other surgeons be available to step in and support the surgery (I have bowel endo, and my surgeon had to call in a specialist surgeon to advise on my case.)
Will my organs be preserved or under what circumstances would an organ be removed? (Make sure you are well informed in the case of a compromised organ. Prior to my surgery I had really bad right sided pain and I gave my surgeon the go ahead, even prior to going under, to remove my appendix if needed).
How will you limit the risk of scar tissue forming?
Will all areas of disease removed be sent to a pathologist for confirmed diagnosis? (My endometriosis was quite invasive, but much of what was removed from the left abdominal wall was just scar tissue, not endometrial adhesions.)
What are your expected surgical outcomes and what information can I provide to help make this easier for you to answer?
How long can I expect recovery to take in my case?
How long should I be off work following surgery, and what exactly can or can I not do?
What is your clinic policy on post-op care and follow-up?
If pain continues after surgery what other treatments do you have to offer?
What stage of endometriosis would you classify me as and can you explain WHY you feel I am that stage?
Can you provide me with a detailed summary of WHERE my adhesions were found?
What can I do to support myself following surgery to prevent regrowth? If you know of other healthcare practitioners that can help can you provide a referral?
How do I prepare for the surgery?
When it comes to your health, healing, and wellbeing when both searching for an endometriosis diagnosis and managing your pain and symptoms, the list of questions is endless. Print this list out and bring it with you to your pre-surgical consult, that way you can go into surgery with your mind at ease.
Of course, when it comes to endo surgery, there’s plenty more to talk about, like whether or not you should a laparoscopy, what to expect after surgery with respect to the recovery process, how quickly your endometrial tissue may grow back, how best to support your body through nutrition and supplementation before and after surgery, and so much more. As always, I strive to be a knowledgable and reliable resource when it comes to endometriosis, and I’m always sharing information over on my instagram (@endo.fertility.dietitian) so please give me a follow!
In the meantime, if you’re looking for additional customized nutrition, lifestyle, or supplement support to help better manage your symptoms of endometriosis, feel free to reach out at cindy@endometriosisdietitian.ca. PS: I’m launching a special little freebie in the coming weeks so if you’d like to make sure that you’re notified when it goes live, send me an email to get on my subscriber list!