8 cm Ovarian Cyst Questions and Worries. Please Advise!

Hello all, they found a 5.6cm cyst on my ovary back in August and it has steadily grown to a little over 8 cm, even with BC treatment. Yesterday my Doctor decided there was nothing else for it but to operate. He explained that my ovary is barely even there with such a large cyst and that he will try his best to save at least some of my ovary, but that it will never return to its previous shape or functionality. I just turned 22 back in September; I have no children, but would love to have some later in life. My family is trying to play it down, and ignore it somewhat, (probably because they too are scared and do not want to alarm me) but I need to talk about it, hear advice, something! Can someone tell me about the surgery, recovery, and if they have lost an ovary and still been able to conceive? Sorry for the almost essay length of this, just a little frantic I guess. ;) Thank you and take care!

[shewrites]

I'm sure the doctor will try to preserve your ovary.  Keep in mind that you have two ovaries.  As I understand it, the remaining one will take over the duties of both.  Ask the doctor to reassure you on this point.  

Cysts over 5 cm are usually removed by surgery.  Leaving them in can cause "twisting" and complications.  The doctor should be able to explain that to you also.    

I hope the doctor is a gyn/oncologist.  It's not necessary to have a malignancy to have a gyn/onc do your surgery.  They have three years extra training and more experience, which leads to better results.  

Good luck and God bless ...