Laparotomy Recovery, Please Help!!

[evollive]

Hi my name is Anna. I'm 18 years old. I'm graduating from high school in about a week.
I have a benign abdominal cyst. It's huge, 15.4 by 11.3 cm. I just found out yesterday and Thursday I schedule my surgery. Luckily I still get to go to my high school prom which is this coming saturday, but unfortunately I won't be able to attend my Graduation or Grad Night. I'm not really bummed about that, but the thing that worries me the most is I am supposed to leave for London with my family on June 30th and if my operation is June 12th, or so, that only gives me a little bit more that 2 weeks to recover. The worst though, after London, I am supposed to go to Spain by myself for 5 weeks to endulge in Spanish Culture. I am completely devastated and scared and i need some support. If you know anything about this surgery, recovery time, stories to share, please please please let me know. I appreciate it very much. Thank you.

[ticked]

Im sure there will be some people coming along shortly to answer your questions.  Good luck! and congratulations on your graduation :)

Angela

[evollive]

Thank you Angela.

[sbell_lpn]

Thank you for that mom, I am worried that Anna is not being completely realistic about this surgery! It is hard!  Good luck to you!

[Linda J]

I took a trip to Las Vegas 2 weeks after my laparoscopy and ovarian removal. I am 50 years old, which is much different than 18. But, I really wasn't feeling my best on the trip. I was still very tired and sore and the change in pressure on the plane gave me terrible gas, just like right after the surgery. I think you may just have to wait and see how you feel and then decide if you are up to travelling.

Linda J.

[sbell_lpn]

I had a very similar surgery for a very large dermoid cyst on my left ovary.  It was the size of a soccer ball.  The surgery was in December of 2005.  The recovery was hard, the incision was hard because it was a midline (up and down) rather than horizonal (just above the pubic bone).  The air trapped in my abdomen was probably the worst, and it took about a week for it to clear.  It was probably 3 weeks before I felt anywhere close to good, but after 2 weeks I was definately feeling better.  I won't lie to you, removing a mass that big from your abdomen is major, and your body is going to need time to heal, and get back to normal.  Make sure they remove the cyst WHOLE!  I thought my cyst was benign, and it turned out to be cancer.  I just finished my chemo.  I am not trying to scare you, but better safe then sorry.  I wish you the very best for a smooth surgery and a speedy recovery!  Take Care.

[evollive]

it is benign. we did an mri, ct scan and an ultra sound. its pure liquid.
it's not cancer. i'm sorry yours turned out to be malignant.

but im young, and i have more energy and probably a better ability to heal faster. I JUST TURNED 18 MAY 13th.

i'm strong physically and mentally, i work out, i am trying to keep a POSITIVE outlook on this situation and hopefully i will recover in time.

i can do this.

[sbell_lpn]

I am not trying to make you feel bad, or more scared.  I am just reminding you to keep a realistic view on this.  I am only 29 years old, and according to healing, recovery, ect. we are not that different.  As I said I was feeling better after about 2-3 weeks, however, I am a nurse and I have observed in the O.R on major abdominal surgery! Your body will need time to heal and readjust.  In fact you will not even be able to lift anything over 10 pounds for 6 full weeks, if you work your doctor will not let you go to work.  You should talk to your doctor about your plans for the summer and get his perspective. I pray that you will be able to take full advantage of your summer.  You asked for opinion and I am giving you mine.  This is from first hand experience, with the exception of the malignacy, your current situation is very similar to what mine was.

[mom2maddie32503]

No offense but it doesn't matter how old you are. You are basically getting the equivalent of a c-section, if not worse and it is going to take more then 10 days to recover from it, regardless of age. I would skip the family vacation so that you will be well enough to go to Spain. Also, I don't think that your dr can say for sure that something is benign until they open you up and biopsy it.
I have a 20 cm simple cyst which I am having a laparotomy to remove on Friday. The dr says mine is all fluid as well but cancer cannot be ruled out until surgery is done.
Good luck with everything!

[RavenLady]

Happy belated Birthday!  Your right, more than likely you can do it!  I had a laparotomy in Nov. for two benign cysts and given I am 30 years your senior, I could have traveled after two weeks.  Don't plan any footraces when you get to London because although the whole pain thing is generally over by two weeks with no complications, the fatigue is not.  Will your incision be horizontal (bikini) or vertical?  Mine was bikini cut and the incision healed fine but I was strict with myself on the lifting, you have to be!  The travel at five weeks would be doable but without the bag drag.  So do you have friends in Spain?  Make your plans and adjust as necessay Evollive.  Welcome to the forum!  Mary V

[fungirl]

I had a laparotomy for a 9cm dermoid cyst.  The incision was vertical and I healed pretty quickly.  The doctor let me go back to work after 2 weeks post-op.  You MUST be very diligent about the lifing!  Who knows, you may feel up to traveling, but just remember that your body will need lots of rest to heal, so plan plenty of napping time.  CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR GRADUATION!! AND HAPPY BELATED 18TH BIRTHDAY!  Kasie

[Gatsby]

Happy Birthday and Congradulations!  Yes, I think you can do this if you are carful and ease into things.  The surgery alone will be tough on your body.  Your insides will suffer severe tissue trauma, but if you take breaks and don't lift anything!! (not even your suitcase!)  You should be fine.  Just make sure that you are pampered and waited on.  You should not do anything strenuous.  Your body will let you know if you have done too much.  Pain and fatigue will set in.  I know you are determined and that is good, just don't push too hard or you could suffer.  I hope you and your family have a fantastic trip.  You are very fortunate.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Godspeed
~Tascha

[turtledovemom]

Belated HB and congratulations on your graduation!  My thoughts and prayers will be with you during all of this, that's for sure.  I've read through all of the above posts.  They definitely come with a lot of experience that I hope you will weight heavily.  Regardless of our ages, we tend to rush through our recoveries.  I think that comes with being a woman...our minds tend to will us to do things even when we are lacking energy, strength etc.  I agree that mindset has a great deal to do with feeling good.  However, I would caution you to allow yourself to recover completely.  I know that you're feeling confident in the outcome (that's a good thing), however there's really no way to predict how everything is going to go as far as incision etc.  If you rush the process, you'll put your long-term health and stamina in jeaopordy.  I'm not writing this to sound negatively.  You strike me as an intelligent young woman.  I just want to encourage you to be patient with the process.  I look forward to hearing good news from you.
peace,
Anne

[evollive]

Thanks to everyone who is in support and thinks I can do this.
Also thanks to the graduation and belated birthday wishes.

To all of you with NEGATIVE thoughts, i'm sorry. You've experienced alot more than me, and yes life is full of negative surprizes. but you know what i think? i've come to a conclusion with everyone's different results that alot of the recovery is mental. if you knew how much determination i have to get through this, you'd understand. this is a once in a lifetime opportunity i cannot miss out on, and dont tell me my expectations are unrealistic because if thats what you think, you shouldn't be here.

back to everyone else, thanks for sharing your experiences and please hope it goes well. i'll update as soon as i learn more.

ciao!

[Anna-maria74]

Well well well my birthday is May 13th and my name is Anna HAHAHAHHA you couldnt plan it could you.

My laparotomy is booked for July 3rd. My doc said to me the main problem is the healing of the muscles. If you try to do to much to soon you can give yourself a hernia. I dont think age had an awfull lot to do with it frankly. Furthermore they can not rule out cancer until after the op, if they could we wouldn't all be in here flapping like headless chickens.

Anna x

[Linda J]

Hi Anna, if you were referring to my post as being negative, it certainly wasn't meant to be. Yes, sometimes mental attitude can hinder recovery and sometimes the body just doesn't heal as fast as we would like. But, I hope your surgery is a breeze and you can enjoy your family trip :-)

Linda J

[dian07]

I'm sure your rude behavior makes your parents quite proud! You should be ashamed....I am disappointed in your lack of compassion, understanding and appreciation in the fact that these women who took the time to post here offered up their experience and concern just to help you.....you have no gratitude? Where do you get off being so disrespectful to women who offer their personal experiences to a young woman asking for help.....remember...you did post "Laparotomy recovery, please help".....foolish women....they thought  you really wanted their suggestions.
I would like to believe you just came across the wrong way and you didn't mean to sound so snooty....you do owe these women who shared their deepest and darkest hours an apology...they offered their experiences for you to review and take away whatever insight you might gain...you owe them respect as well as an apology.
Peace
dian

[Linda J]

Hi dian, I think sometimes when we are young, we feel invincible. Maybe Anna really only wanted to hear encouragement? But, when you ask a group like this for "help" you are going to get truthful answers from a variety of women and not all of it is going to be completely rosey.

You are a strong woman my friend and I have the utmost respect for you and what you have endured :-)

Linda J

[dian07]

Linda...it was not my intention to offend you. I do take exception to the excuses being made for an 18 year old adult female who asked for info about "recovery time" and information about the surgery as well as  "stories to share"...who turned around and slapped those offering their personal experiences. No excuses for this rude  behavior ...especially since she is 18...we all felt invinveable at some point in our lives, however, I doubt most of us used that as an excuse to be rude.  
Peace.
dian

[gah_70]

I just have to say, YOU RULE!  

Gail :)

[Linda J]

Hi dian, you didn't offend me. I think Anna was rather rude in her response too and it's good you spoke out. I was merely pointing out that her age has something to do with the tone of her response. (Not that that makes it excusable :-)

Linda J

[Gatsby]

I agree with you dian.  She should walk a mile in your shoes and then speak.  Yes, life is full of surprises, some not so nice.  Being 18 does not disqualify you from the hard times.  But, who knows - perhaps this is one of those lessons that we cannot teach, but has to be learned on her own.
~Tascha

[ticked]

wow is all i have to say.  Wow!!! very rude on her part.  she will see is all and she will wished she listened.

[miamigirl000]

Happy Belated b-day and congrats on graduation!!!

Personally i don't think any of these women are being negative in any way. You came to this board to ask their opinion, and their experience. You can't possibly expect them all to be good experiences.

If you care to hear, this was my experience...

In 2003 I gave birth via csection at the age of 30. Recovery was painful and just getting out of bed at the hospital to visit my baby in the NICU was almost to much to bare, (at one point i passed out from the pain). Recovery from that took me about 2 wks, likely because i was so excited to be leaving the house every day to visit my baby in the hospital.

Now, just 3 months ago I had 2 lemon sized endometrimas removed from my left ovary w/ 1/3 of that ovary also. (csection cut to). This recovery was much worse for me than my original section. Why? I have no idea...could it be that i was 3 yrs older and healed slower? i don't know...could it be because the surgery was different and partial ovary was removed??? i don't know. Was it that this was my second section cut? i don't know... It took ME, 2 1/2 wks. to even feel semi normal, was extreemly painful to travel in a car until after 3 wks. By 4 wks I was moving around pretty much normal again, but still w/ some pain, but could function normally. I am now 3 months post surgery, and still do have pain,but it is nerve related pain rather than physical pain now...

Best wishes to you, and i do pray that you recover fast enough to go on your trips! A young girl like you should not have to miss out on these types of wonderful life experiences.

I do also feel tho, that the women here deserve a certain level of respect. They have gone through a lot, many have repeated cysts, endo, fertility issues, and CANCER. My mother is a two time cancer survivor and i would never have told her that her recovery could be based on mental statis or that being truthful no matter how bad the outcome sounds is wrong for her to say if i asked her about it. Just my 2 cents, I will not post again on this subject, i am not here to complicate anyones day.

Good luck to you and with your surgery and your travels!

[gah_70]

Well said.  Thank you!

Gail :)