What takes place during a laparoscopy?
A laparoscopy is usually an outpatient procedure meaning you will go home the same day. Usually, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, so you will be asked not to eat or drink anything for at least 8 hours before the surgery. Sometimes a regional anesthesia can be used. The surgeon will make a one inch incision just below or inside the navel, and then will insert a needle and inject carbon dioxide gas into the abdomen. This harmless gas inflates the inside of your abdominal cavity and lifts the abdominal wall away from the internal organs, creating a space to allow the surgeon to see the organs. The needle will be removed and the laparoscope will be inserted into the incision. Other incisions may be made above the pubic area to allow other instruments or a laser to be inserted. Usually, the laparoscope projects the images onto a television screen. This makes the images larger and easier for the surgeon to see. Sometime, pictures are taken during the surgery or a video is
