Colposcopy/LLETZ under Anesthetic - what happens after?

Hello GhostMinniecf9c66

Thank you for contacting Macmillan. My name is Helen; I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

There is no such thing as a silly question, and you know best how to manage your stress. I hope I can help answer your questions.

I was sorry to read that having the cervical screening (smears) has been difficult for the medical team and painful for you. I am glad the hospital has a practical solution.

Although I can’t say for sure, I would expect your experience will be the same as any patient undergoing a day case procedure.

You will be advised not to eat and drink anything from a certain time so that you have an empty tummy. If you are due to be on your period on the day of your appointment, you may need to reschedule, so do let the unit know if that's a possibility.

When you arrive at the day case unit, a nurse will check you in. They will make sure the consent paperwork is all in place and put a hospital wristband on your arm. Any questions you may still have can be asked of the nurse.

The nurse will ask you to change into a hospital gown. You can request a female nurse if you need any help. It's sensible to leave all jewellery at home, as you will need to remove any at this point.

You may then sit in a chair until it is your turn to go to theatre, or you may be in a hospital bed. That's depends on how your unit is set up.

If you are in a hospital bed, the porter will wheel you though to the anaesthetic room in the bed. Alternatively, you may be taken to the anaesthetic room on a theatre trolley.

You are likely to be accompanied by a theatre nurse who will hold your hand while the anaesthetist puts a small needle in the back of your hand to deliver the anaesthetic, and the theatre nurse will be present in the theatre with you.

Once the procedure is done, the gynaecology specialist will want to make sure that you leave the theatre wearing some sort of sanitary wear or that plenty of absorbent pads are placed under you.

At that point you will be moved (still in your gown and on a theatre trolley) to the recovery room to be cared for by recovery nurses.

You are quite right that as you have had an anaesthetic, you will have a breathing tube in your mouth which is removed as soon as you start to wake.

You will then return to the ward (still in your gown, back in the hospital bed or still on the theatre trolley) to wake fully. The nurses will ensure that you have eaten and drunk something and had a wee before going home can be considered. At that point, you will be able to put your own clothes back on.

Do make sure that you understand what to expect after the procedure, and who to call if you are worried BEFORE leaving the unit. I imagine that the unit has explained that you should have someone with you overnight.

After a colposcopy, you may have discomfort similar to period pain. Check what painkillers the team is happy for you to have. It would be useful to have paracetamol at home at the very least, and plenty of sanitary towels (not tampons).

You are likely to have vaginal bleeding and discharge if you have the LLETZ procedure, and that may continue up to 4 weeks afterwards.

It's also useful to know when you will receive any follow up communications and if you are likely to have a follow up check. All good to know before you leave. You will be fuzzy headed, so write things down rather than try to remember!

I hope this helps and wishing you all the best for the procedure.

Helen

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.
Ref: HM/

Hi Helen,

Thank you so much for your information and advise. It has really helped settle my mind and help me know what to expect. 

Again, thank you.