17cm ovarian cyst - laproscopic surgeon in LA?

I want to find a surgeon in LA who can/will do laproscopic surgery to remove my rather large ovarian cyst.

I'm 51, 20 months into menopause, no children. NO other risk factors. (lifestyle, diet, always been super healthy, no meat, v little dairy, no junk/fast food, etc) The cyst developed very quickly. But all the blood work (CA125, CEA, CA19.9) is really good, the CT scans show no ascites, or evidence of metastasis, or swelling of lymph nodes. It's mostly fluid-filled, but has some tissue.

I don't have insurance. The oncologist at the county hospital wants to do a v. invasive procedure to remove it (& whatever else the resulting pathology dictates.) No pun intended, but I had an intense gut reaction against that proposal. I want the less invasive, laproscopic procedure. Apparently, none of the surgeons at Olive View (county hospital) can/will do that.

Can anyone tell me where/how to find a good surgeon in Los Angeles that would do this procedure for me?

[Jan214]

I can't imagine a Dr anywhere doing key hole surgery for a 17cm cyst.  It just can't be done. What have they said about the possibility of cancer?  My onc knew by my scans that it was cancer even before he did the surgery. The CA's CEA's and CA19.9 (which is usually used for pancreatic cancer) are not very good indicators of whether you have cancer or not. They are better at monitoring your progress once you have been diagnosed. I know a woman whose CA is 10, but she has stage 4 ovca, so like I said it isn't always reliable.  If there is a chance that it is cancer you don't want a Dr to do keyhole surgery because it would be impossible to get a cyst that large out without rupturing it.  As I have told many others, call everyone you can and get some insurance. If it is a big problem the hospital should be able to push to get you insurance. Doesn't CA have a good state plan for uninsured people?  Listen to your Drs. They usually know what they are talking about.

[TrudieC]

Jan is so right.  Once a cyst is 10 cm it is borderline on whether they can take out laparoscopically.  At 17 cm it is a given that a laparotomy is required.  Better safe than sorry.

[Mycatsmom]

I would also like to find a surgeon in Los Angeles who specializes in minimally invasive surgeries for removal of ovarian cyst or ovary. If you find one let me know!!!!!!