You will be taken to the operating room and assisted on the operating table. An anesthesiologist (a specialist or nurse who will give you anesthesia) will insert an intravenous (IV) line into a vein, usually in your arm or hand. You will be given fluids and anesthesia using an IV line during the procedure. The anesthesiologist will also monitor your heart rate and breathing throughout the procedure.

After you fall asleep, a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) will be placed in your bladder to drain urine. A tube can also be inserted through your nose or mouth into your stomach to drain its contents. It is usually removed in the operating room before you wake up.

Then, we will first make a small incision near your belly button. They will place a tapered tube through this incision in your abdomen. Next, they will inject carbon dioxide gas into your abdomen through this tube. The gas pushes your abdominal wall and causes your organs to move away from each other. This provides extra space in your belly to view and moves surgical instruments.

Next, we will make another small incision and place a small video camera through the incision in your abdomen. The camera is located at the end of the long, thin surgical instrument. It will show a large picture of your organs on the TV screen so we can see the inside of your abdomen.

We will make more small incisions if you need a biopsy or other procedure during laparoscopy. Each slit is about 5 mm, or between the size of a pencil eraser and the end of a AAA battery.

Additionally, we may use a robotic device to perform your surgery. This is called robotic-assisted endoscopy. Furthermore, robotic equipment holds cameras and other surgical tools. However, we control this to help with precise surgical movements.

After the laparoscopy is done, carbon dioxide is released from your abdomen. We will close your incision with sutures (sutures), Dermabond (skin glue), or Steri-Strips (surgical tape).

When you wake up after surgery, you will be in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). The nurse will keep an eye on you and check on you frequently. You will be taken to the ward or discharged home when fully awake.

Before you leave the hospital, your nurse will give you instructions on pain management, diet, activities, and how to care for your incision.

The following are general instructions to follow after laparoscopy. Follow the complete directions if given to you anything other than the following.

• You may feel sleepy from the anesthesia for a whole day.
• Avoid drinking alcoholic drinks, driving, shower.
• Starting 24 hours after surgery, you can slowly return to your daily activities as you feel.
• Avoid strenuous activity (for example, lifting objects heavier than 10 pounds (4.5 kg)) for at least a week after surgery.
• If you have not scheduled a follow-up appointment, please call our clinic to schedule an appointment.