How do you feel after leep

A LEEP procedure is performed using a wire loop that is heated by an electric current to remove abnormal tissue in the cervix. You may feel somewhat dizzy or sleepy after surgery due to the side effects of the anesthesia. General or Intravenous anesthesia agents can remain in your body for up to 24 hours. It is advised not to operate heavy machinery, drive a motor vehicle, consume alcohol, or make any important business decisions for the next 24 hours.

Try to rest for the remainder of the day. Light spotting and staining is expected for roughly 10 to 14 days after surgery. Use a sanitary pad during this time. DO NOT use tampons. If you experience heavy bleeding with large clots, call your doctor's office. You may also experience a dark colored discharge for several days. Important Phone Numbers. Topic Contents Your Recovery How can you care for yourself at home? When should you call for help?

Where can you learn more? Top of the page. How can you care for yourself at home? You should be able to go back to your normal activities in 1 to 3 days. Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. He or she will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.

If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if and when to start taking it again. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen Tylenol , ibuprofen Advil, Motrin , or naproxen Aleve. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to.

Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen Tylenol can be harmful. Items to bring with you on the day of your LEEP include:. Your healthcare provider will advise you to not have sex, douche, or use tampons or any vaginal creams or medicines 24 hours before the procedure. While a LEEP is a short procedure, it's natural to feel uneasy about it. It may help you to know what to expect, from start to finish. Upon arrival at your healthcare provider's office for a LEEP, you will be asked to use the bathroom to empty your bladder.

In the exam room, you will then undress from the waist down and put on a gown. When it's time to begin the procedure, you will be asked to get on the exam table, put your feet in the stirrups at its end, and lie on your back. Your healthcare provider will then proceed with the following steps:. There will be slight variations in what occurs at each step if the procedure is done in a hospital or surgicenter, but the general process is the same.

You may feel a deep, dull pain after the procedure due to the small wound created in the cervix. You will have some time to rest, use the restroom, and place a sanitary pad.

After you discuss any questions or concerns that you have about your procedure or recovery, you can leave your healthcare provider's office. After a LEEP, your healthcare provider will give you various instructions to follow at home. These instructions generally include:. You will have a follow-up appointment about two weeks after your LEEP to review the cervical tissue results from the laboratory.

Don't assume that no news is good news. If the cervical dysplasia has been adequately treated i. The purpose of these tests is to ensure that the dysplasia does not return. If all the follow-up test results are normal, you may be able to return to screenings every three years.

If the margins are positive meaning the edges of the tissue sample contain abnormal cells , the treatment and follow-up may vary. Sometimes a repeat procedure may be recommended. Strategies for follow-up after a LEEP vary slightly among healthcare providers. That said, the overall goal of these tests is to maximize the prevention of cervical cancer while minimizing the harm of overtesting and overtreating.

If any of the follow-up tests show cervical dysplasia, a LEEP or other excisional or ablative procedure for example, laser conization or cryosurgery, respectively may be required. In some cases, if the abnormal cells persist, a hysterectomy may be recommended. If cancer cells are ever found, imaging tests will be ordered to determine if and how far the cancer has spread.

You will also be referred to an oncologist. The following lifestyle practices can help prevent cervical cancer:. Even though a LEEP is a safe, straightforward procedure that treats pre-cancerous cell changes on the cervix well, it's normal to feel a bit nervous about having one done.

If your healthcare provider has recommended a LEEP, try to remain calm and focus your thoughts on how this procedure will help you stay healthy and cancer-free. It may cause a tingling sensation in the area, but it should not be painful. Following this preparation, the doctor will insert the loop device through the vagina to reach the cervix. They will extract abnormal cells by gently scraping the surface of the cervix.

One or two passes of the loop should be sufficient to extract a sample. It is possible for the procedure to cause feelings of faintness. If this happens, it is crucial to inform the doctor and remain calm and still.

Sudden movements may cause further complications. Once the procedure is complete, a person should rest for 10—15 minutes. The doctor will send the samples to a laboratory for testing. It can take several weeks to fully recover from a LEEP. During this time, a person may experience some bleeding, discolored discharge, and mild abdominal cramping.

Over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen, can help reduce abdominal discomfort. If the cramping becomes severe, contact a doctor immediately. There may be some bleeding during a LEEP, but the doctor will cauterize the area to seal any broken blood vessels and reduce the chance of substantial bleeding. They may also apply a paste to help prevent bleeding. Some bleeding can, however, occur for up to 2 weeks after the procedure. If a person experiences heavy bleeding, they should contact a doctor immediately.

The doctor will usually advise against putting anything into the vagina, including tampons, for the first few weeks after surgery. Also, avoid strenuous activity during recovery.