Huge cyst

[mnt7]

I recently had a CT scan and ultrasound done to find out that I have a huge cyst 18cm X 18cm X 10cm on my right ovary.  I'm not sure how long this developed, but I did recall throughout last year, I kept having severe lower abdominal pain, and my family doctor kept telling me I'm stressed and have severe constipation and prescribing me medications just to relieve that pain....  My advice, always take second opinion from another doctor...
My OB/gyn said that they would have to cut vertically below my belly button to remove that large cyst.  Is this the only option??  If you had other methods of cyst removal, or heard of any other, please advice.  Since this method of removal would put me in 6 weeks of recovery...  I think my company might as well terminate my employment as they are during their downtime.  I'm scheduled for my surgery this Thu. 2/22.  Hopefully I can at least work from home w/ my laptop the last 3 weeks of my recovery....  

[HeleneSG7]

Hi!  I just had the surgery last week and they removed not only a huge cyst on my right ovary, but also my appendix.  My incision starts about an inch below my bellybutton and runs straight down for about 6 inches.  Surprisingly it has not been very painful - except for the first few hours after surgery.  Since then I have been able to control the pain with ibuprofen, though the whole area is tender and bloated.  My staples were removed 2 days ago and I can move around with ease.  Personally, I am only taking 3 weeks off work (and could probably go back earlier, but I'd rather not.)  Just judging from my experience I think you would be fine to be working from home within 2 weeks from your surgery and could return to work within 3-5 weeks.  Good luck!  

[Barcelona]

I had a tumor just a little bit larger than yours removed in September.  At the time I was 3 months pregnant.  I have a vertical incision from the top of my bellybutton to my pubic bone.  There really is no other way to remove this large of a cyst/tumor.  It COULD be morcellated in a bag and then removed through a smaller opening, but you never know exactly what type of cells the cyst is comprised of until after pathology has completed their diagnosis, and you wouldn't want any cells to leak into your body cavity while either trying to squeeze a large cyst through a small opening or while trying to put it into a bag to remove,etc.  Everyone is different, but I think you may be surprised at how quickly you can recover from this procedure.  To me what is extremely important is that you have confidence in your surgeon and a positive outlook on the procedure.  Goodluck!!!!