LAPAROSCOPY VLOG | Endometriosis diagnosis journey (NHS)

I'm sharing my laparoscopy vlog. In this video, I'm real and honest about my endometriosis diagnosis journey. I received my surgery on the NHS on the 21st December 2022 and this documents everything from the before to 12 days post op. I hope that this video can help just one person.
Please support Endometriosis UK - www.endometriosis-uk.org
Timestamps:
0:00 Disclaimer
0:08 Intro/Background
2:12 Pre-op appointment
3:54 Plans for surgery (6 days before)
5:41 The day before
7:06 Surgery day
8:18 Hometime
8:39 The diagnosis
11:36 Home
12:39 Incisions
13:01 Food
13:14 Day 1 post op
19:41 Day 2
22:51 Day 3
23:12 Day 4
25:14 Day 5
26:42 Day 6
29:08 Day 7
30:06 Day 8
30:50 Day 9
31:47 Day 12
32:37 Outro
Links:
www.kendalmint.co.uk/?atid=45 and use discount code Sophiedodd10
www.mentalhealthinsportcic.com
My Insta:
@dodsterswim
@mentalhealthinsportcic

[@SaritaAgerman]

I love that you drink hot vimto - it's the best! Thank you so much for recording your experience. It's really reassuring to hear other people's experiences and so I'm very grateful. I hope that you are feeling well now.

[@TheNicolls]

Thank you so much!

[@Christine1998x]

Thank you so much for this! I’m having the same surgery in two days and I’m so anxious! You were so genuine and realistic, I’ve watched some videos where they over do the recovery and make it seem awful! So thank you for easing my anxiety a little ❤

[@TheNicolls]

You will be absolutely grand. I hope you get the answers you deserve. Just make sure you move little and often because it really does help with the gas pain. Praying for a speedy recovery ❤️‍🩹

[@Christine1998x]

@@TheNicolls hello update! They sent me home a little early, I’m really surprised with how smooth it went to be honest. I almost feel like a fraud that I’m not in the most unbearable pain, others have been in! I think the worst part for me was feeling sick and faint afterwards, due to not eating much, but other than that the surgery went well and the surgeon was very impressed! I have no more endometriosis xxx

[@TheNicolls]

I’m so happy your recovery is going well so far. Don’t ever feel guilty for being pain free. Take each day as a blessing whenever you are pain free. I’m so happy it went well

[@Christine1998x]

@@TheNicolls Thank you! Xx

[@Christine1998x]

@@TheNicolls I was wondering if you could help me with something, how long did you wear your compression socks after the surgery? My nurse said 48 hours, I’ve taken mine off after two/ three days and my legs feel so funny and weird. How did you find this? X

[@kaylan154]

Thank you for this, i'm having a diagnostic lap on thursday and this has put my mind at ease in terms of what to expect!

[@TheNicolls]

Hope it goes well!

[@peterrobinson876]

Glad the op went well & journey home was ok praying all will come good Your video over 12 days so professional t

[@TheNicolls]

Thanks so much Pete

[@NilamTrades]

Your video helped me mentally prep so much. Had my cystectomy yesterday and things werent as straightforward as I had to stay the night as one of my cysts burst! Your video and experience was so useful even though different diagnosis. Thank youuu x

[@TheNicolls]

I’m so sorry things didn’t go to plan. Hope you have a speedy recovery!! Thanks for your kind words xx

[@NilamTrades]

Quick question, when did you remove the dressings?

[@TheNicolls]

@@NilamTrades I think it was day 2/3 but I did it after my first shower. I felt very dizzy in my first shower though so would recommend having someone to help. Also change them lying down will help

[@nicolepauly7283]

Ahh I used to go to the college group and church John Mark Comer used to lead!! In Beaverton, Oregon USA. Love that you read his book! My name is hope and loveology also highly recommend. ❤

[@TheNicolls]

I loved loveology… and anything JMC tbh!

[@arijana6524]

Girl i feel you 😢 that's the stupidest feeling not knowing what's worse, having diagnosis or not knowing what's wrong if they don't find it We are going so blind in this surgery and i hate it But I've tried everything so far and i feel very bad,every day in pain So in few weeks i hope , i am going to have surgery Thanks for this vlog 🤗🍀🤞🏻

[@TheNicolls]

I hope your surgery goes well and that you get the answers you deserve and that it eases your pain! Hopefully one day surgery won’t be the only way to diagnose endo 🙏🏽

[@emilyjames3110]

@@TheNicolls always ❤amazing

[@TheNicolls]

Timestamps: 0.00 Disclaimer 0.08 Intro/Background 2.12 Pre-op appointment 3.54 Plans for surgery (6 days before) 5.41 The day before 7.06 Surgery day 8.18 Hometime 8.39 The diagnosis 11.36 Home 12.39 Incisions 13.01 Food 13.14 Day 1 post op 19.41 Day 2 22.51 Day 3 23.12 Day 4 25.14 Day 5 26.42 Day 6 29.08 Day 7 30.06 Day 8 30.50 Day 9 31.47 Day 12 32.37 Outro

[@emilyjean9225]

Thank you for this. I have just been sobbing as i just had a call saying i can have surgery next friday i am so scared. Wuat i am most scared about is being sick i am absolutely terrified of sick and if the recovery sfter will make me. They didnt find endo in my scans so this is why i am hsving key hole x

[@TheNicolls]

Hi 👋🏽 Thanks for the comment. I was so scared for my surgery too. Nothing came up on scans or bloods but they definitely found it in my surgery so I don’t regret it at all! I wasn’t sick after because they gave me anti-nausea while I was under because I said I was driving a long way after. So maybe say you’re nervous about that and they could maybe do the same for you! I hope and pray you get the answers you deserve x

[@emilyjean9225]

@@TheNicolls thank you so much lovely I'm so nervous🥹 and now I keep seeing people say with there lap if they had the excision at the same time they weren't allowed to go home until the day after. I'm like babes I wanna get out soon as😅

[@emilyjean9225]

I mean the burning one I don't know the name of it sorry x

[@TheNicolls]

@@emilyjean9225 I had ablation and was discharged same day. I think it really depends on how your body reacts though because I have heard of some people who’ve been discharged same day with excision. Hope it goes well!

[@DatingDisaster]

I just binged all your videos and you honestly gave me a scare. I’m not originally from the UK, however I live here now so I gotten diagnosed here. I was gonna do surgery in the next few months but now you really made me question if I’d be able to do the recovery alone, without my family. i definitely need to do some more planning now!!

[@TheNicolls]

Sorry I’ve only just seen this. Do you have friends around you who could help?

[@ctinarene]

Thank you for sharing your story and your experience! I am 3 days post op from my lap surgery and the bloating and gas pain is real 😢 has your swelling or bloating gone down??

[@TheNicolls]

First of all I hope your recovery goes well. My swelling and bloating has nearly completely gone and I’m on week 7 post op. The gas pain I found was relieved by moving as much as possible so getting up and wandering a little every hour helped. Hope this helps x

[@emmaturner9844]

this video is so helpful! currently waiting for my first laparoscopy. Just received my pre-op date. How long were you waiting between the pre-op and your actual surgery date please? Just trying to get a rough idea! xx

[@TheNicolls]

I hope your surgery goes well!! Thanks for the lovely comments 🥰 My surgery was a few weeks after my pre op so not long at all! It may be different where you are though.

[@ivysmamache]

Mine was done in October and they told me it could be 18 months before surgery. Since then my symptoms worsened they did a mri scan and it was so bad :( it has gone tonmy bowels and bladder and have put me in for urgent surgery in 2 weeks time. And they are redoing the pre op Wednesday. Call the surgeons secretary sweetheart and ask them

[@TheNicolls]

@@ivysmamache I’m so sorry things have gotten so bad! Wishing you a speedy recovery

[@AmyJaneSmith90]

How are you doing a year on? I heard ablation/burning off not as good as excision but curious

[@TheNicolls]

I have symptoms but I do have more of a quality of life than I used to. Ablation is really poor compared to excision so I know I’ll have to go again in the near future but for now I just manage my symptoms.

[@mariahwhite9066]

How long after your pre op did you receive your operation date? I have my pre op very soon but no idea about my operation x

[@TheNicolls]

It wasn't long. Maybe a week! Hope you hear soon and wishing you a speedy recovery when it comes

[@lorenlolo723]

After being referred for the surgery how long did you have to wait ?. Iv been told the waiting list is a year & half

[@TheNicolls]

The waiting list varies in different parts of the country. I was a bit of a fluke because I got in touch with my MP who got me the surgery early. I also rang every week asking if there was cancellations or any way it could be sped up so it took me 9 months but this is completely abnormal. The woman in the bed next to me had waited over 2 years. It really varies. My advice is to do what I did. Contact everybody and anybody who might be able to help

[@georgiabeardsley4013]

No yeah I’ve been living with pain for a year and doctors think I have endo. Having surgery in a couple days to see. Hope it helps🙏🏻

[@TheNicolls]

Hope it goes well 🙏🏽

[@a.d.5037]

Hi how is your healing now? Are You able to do everything again? Like doing sports, sex etc? How is your scars?

[@TheNicolls]

Now, my incisions are fully healed. They’re super small scars so I’m quite happy. I am able to go about my day without experiencing any pain which is honestly a dream. I’m hoping it lasts. As for sports, I’ve started to reintroduce training slowly which I’m vlogging what I’m learning. I’m able to run, cycle, swim and lift weights pain free 💃🏽 As for sex, I can’t answer that one. I’m a Christian and am waiting for marriage so I can’t offer much advice on that side ☺️

[@a.d.5037]

@@TheNicolls that’s so good to hear! If I calculate right your are now around 5/6 weeks after your surgery? That’s great you are pain free now! I have also the choice of doing the surgery, for me the biggest thing is the nerve pain in my leg and bit of back pain. Did you by any chance also had nerve pain, if so did it go away? I’m curious for your vlog!

[@niiights]

hi, i’m writing this now from my sofa crying in agony bc of severe pain i’m 19 years old and i’ve been under gynae for years. they’ve said a lap is the best thing for me however i’ve told them i’ve avoided it bc im terrified of getting put to sleep and being under . and on the leaflet it says 1 in 1000 women face severe complications and that’s made me even more scared. i have ocd anxiety and im also autistic so i have no idea what to do but this pain is horrible. how was your experience?

[@TheNicolls]

I’m so sorry you’re in so much pain! It was my first ever surgery and I was terrified of the same thing but the chances are so so small that it’s really unlikely and the surgery is so worth it. If you tell them about your autism and anxiety maybe they would be able to help in recovery because I’m sure they’ll have come across it before. I hope this helps x

[@niiights]

@@TheNicolls xx tysm

[@dizzypancreaspump]

Isn't endo a full body issue (sometimes)

[@TheNicolls]

Absolutely!!

[@Crissie.]

Hey I've been diagnosed with endometriosis on Saturday i need to ask you some questions please

[@TheNicolls]

Hey sorry to hear you were diagnosed. More than happy to help

[@Crissie.]

@SophieLDodd is there anyway I could ask those questions pv?

[@madelineclitheroe1198]

Did mri or blood tests show anything or just this one. I had mri and blood test and nothing so having this surgery in 2 months to see and nervous there not gonna find nothing even though I got symptoms

[@TheNicolls]

I didn’t have an MRI but my bloods and ultrasounds all were normal. When I had my surgery they removed endo from my left and right side and there were adhesions too so don’t take a clear scan and bloods for nothing. The only way for it to be diagnosed is surgery. Praying for a smooth surgery 🙏🏽

[@madelineclitheroe1198]

Oh did you not I had a mri and blood and nothing showed but he let me have the surgery so I got that in December. I just found out my dad side the family few have endometriosis too. I'm more nervous that I have the surgery and they can't find it and I'm back to square one but it's been over 7 years for me with All this I think if the doctor tells me it's this ill probably cry my eyes out that someone finally taking me seriously

[@dizzypancreaspump]

How did you have to sleep(side,back, etc.)?

[@TheNicolls]

For the first 4 days I slept on my back because it was too uncomfortable to sleep on my side but that wasn’t for long. I don’t usually sleep on my back and was worried I’d struggle but the pain meds made me so drowsy it didn’t actually affect me

[@OlisaPrice-qq1wm]

I have ENDOMETRIOSIS

[@TheNicolls]

So sorry gal!

[@OlisaPrice-qq1wm]

@@TheNicolls I know right cause endomeioiss is very painful Everytime I walk Ong it's hurtful to get out of bed