Dermoid Tumor

[JillMarie1124]

I was diagnosed with a 10cm Dermoid Tumor on my right ovary as well as a 9cm Ovarian Cyst last week after an emergency trip to the hospital. I have surgery schedule for July 21st to remove the tumor. I am on birth control now as they think it may help to shrink the cyst before the surgery. Due to the size of the tumor I was told that I have to have open surgery as opposed to laparoscopy.

I'm just wondering if there is anyone here that has had to have the open surgery and how the recovery time compares to that of the laparascopy surgery. I can't seem to find anything online that discusses recovery complications or length of recovery.

This is the first surgery I've ever had to have so needless to say I'm quite nervous. If anyone here has any info that might help....I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks!
Jill

[kimbergirl2883]

my contact info is my username at    ya    hoo

[kimbergirl2883]

Im am 25 and back in February of this year I was diagnosed with what they thought to be a 9cm dermoid tumor (after surgery they found it to be 12cm and had hair and teeth in it! ewww). Because of its size I too had to have open surgery. Having never ever had surgery, like you, I was totally nervous and apprehensive about getting something done. Needless to say it went well and I feel great! I know i struggled finding anyyyyy information about this online and what the recovery was like, the procedure, anything, so hopefully this will help you!!

Initially they said the incision would only be 2inches, it turned out to be more like a mini c-section, and the recovery time was about 6 weeks. Because it was regular surgery I had to stay in over night, which wasn't bad except it just felt weird to be in a hospital (i hate them). They keep you pretty hopped up on drugs so you really feel no pain. They tried to have me get up to walk around a few times the next day but I got pretty dizzy from the meds but eventually was ok to do it. Your still on drugs so you feel no pain and sleep a lot. When I went home on Day 2 (after they make you either poop or pass gas) I slept probably most of that day and then Day 3. The tough part is learning how to sit up. Make sure someone is there to help you get up the entire first 5 days!!! You reallllly can't use your abs (cause they are still recovering from the incision). So sitting up and then getting up or sitting down are difficult to do alone. By day 4 I was off the vicodin and taking advil round the clock and didn't feel much pain, more soreness. Warning...you prob will feel ok to have visitors but ask people who make you laugh to NOT visit until week 2. I had my brother in law over and was in so much pain because I was laughing. Laughing, coughing and sneezing hurt like a *****, try to avoid doing!! By the end of week 1 I felt ok to leave the house to go to my in-laws house (went from one couch to the next). By week 2 I could walk (slowly) by myself and bath myself (yeah a bit embarassing, but you can't stand in the shower long, and couldn't sit in the tub, so we put a chair in the tub and I sat and had help) I had my staples removed on the Monday of week 2, which was not as painful as I thought it would be. Week 2 was just more slow recovery, when I went to get the staples removed they said I could drive as long as I wasn't on heavy meds and as long as I could walk ok and had energy. Wheelchairs were a good help because then I could have people take me to the mall and be out without getting exhausted. By week 3 my incision felt good on the outside and I was walking better, but the doctor (after originally saying I would have a 3 week recovery, kept me out an additional 3 weeks....I HIGHLY suggest it. I couldn't have imagined going back to a 40hr work week feeling that way) I still couldn't lay on my stomach or lean back and stretch or really use my abs until about week 4-5. By week 6 I felt 90% like myself and was able to start walking as exercise.

This all happend back in March/April. Surgery was on March 17th and my back to work date was April 28th. Now my incision feels good, although still pretty numb around it (like I can poke it with a pin and not feel anything. It ***** when it itches!). My first period after surgery sucked, cause of some serious cramping im guessing due to the surgery.

But overall it was not as big of a nightmare as I thought it would be. I had a TON of family support and prayers and well wishes. I hope this helped clear up what it is going to be like. Take your time recovering. Don't rush back to work, your body will thank you for taking it easy!

Don't forget to ask for a picture of it! I got one and it is amazing to know something like that was inside me and I never felt it!!

Hope this helps, feel free to contact me with any questions (***@****)

[beckman03]

I haven't read anything about dermoids getting bigger on birth control--that's just been my experience.  All I was saying was that the pill didn't shrink the mass or prevent it from getting larger--it just didn't do anything.  I'm so glad you got a second opinion!!!!!!!  I hope your surgery goes well, and good luck!!

[JillMarie1124]

Hi thanks for the comment. I have gotten a second opinion actually. Believe me, the first surgeon wanted to just take my ovarys out and be done with it! I haven't read anything spectacular about the birth control either but I do already have the surgery scheduled so if it doesn't shrink then I guess atleast I tried. I haven't read anything about the birth control making the cyst get any bigger though. Which sites have you read that discuss that? I would definitely be interested in reading it!

Jill

[beckman03]

I too have recently been diagnosed with a large dermoid.  In all of my research, however, I have seen more and more information about laparoscopy being used even for >10cm masses.  Be sure to get a second opinion if you can!  My original dr. put me on birth control pills, and my mass grew instead of shrinking.  Research is now saying that Birth control pills are no more effective than the "watch and wait" method.  I can't comment on surgery recovery as I'm in a similar situation, but PLEASE get a second opinion!  A good gyn oncologist or I hope ANY good gyn will perform a laparoscopy first and have you consent to laparotomy IF NEEDED.  If you have enough time to "wait and watch" to see if it shrinks, then you have enough time for a second opinion!