Ovary Tumor Surgery - Wanting no surprises

[Queen LaLa]

Hello Ladies. I have been reading this site for several days and I kinow I am in the right place. I have a 8cm left ovarian tumor that has to come out. Please help with two things.
1. Should I wait until after the holidays are over? Tumor was discovered while looking for cause of multiple UTI's and chronic constpation. It looks like both problems can be caused from the tumor. Both started about a year ago. But should I wait? Is it worth it? Do these things grow quickly? Will a month make a difference?
2. My husband had prostate removal a few years ago. We read everything but were still unprepared for alot of things we did not expect. I want to be completely ready for this. So far I have put together the following:
bowel prep the day before,
catheter during and after (24 hrs?),
bikini line cut - stitches or staples?,
did someone have a tube in their nose? if so, why?,
bad gas cramps/constipation-meds make it worse, (can't wait!)
nausea caused by meds (ZOFRAN-got it written down!),
acne gets worse after ovary comes out (really?),
Please let me know what I am leaving out. I hate surprises!
And I have a few questions:
Has anyone had a "drain tube" or "stint" in their side/tummy?
How long before I can get up and move around?
Can I drink water after surgery? Isn't mouth real dry?
Do they put the leg air pumps on for circulation?
How long is hospital stay?
I hope to go back to work in three weeks. Am I dreaming?
Taking to hospital: hand lotion, chapstick, pillow - any other suggestions?
I appreciate any help. Sorry about being paranoid!

[Queen LaLa]

Thanks to EVERYONE for your thoughts and advice! I know I'm a bit long winded, but I really want to be ready for this. My husbands surgery was a painful lesson learned under duress and I don't want him or myself to go through that again!
I'm off to the Gyn/Onc tomorrow to set the dates. I feel better going in with all of this info.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!
Thanks again and God Bless!!!

[Tybear]

Wow... good for you for asking so many questions! I really went into my surgery more than naive about what was going to happen and woke up with many surprises! I woke up with my catheter still in and had to take it home with me only because I had surgery on my bladder - the tumor was attached to it. I had horrible gas pains, but didn't get up and walking for about 3 days after surgery - trust me, walking is the only thing that will help! No nausea at all, but Zofran is great for it! Just be careful though because it also contributes to constipation, as does all your typical painkillers. No tubes up my nose, no pumps on my legs (but I did have warfarin shots to prevent blood clots). I wasn't allowed to eat for 3 days after or until I started "passing gas". I did have a drainage tube in my stomach and it hurt a lot when it came out, but just for a few seconds - otherwise, I couldn't feel it in at all. The only reason you would need a stent is if you had a blockage of some sort of your ureter - I have one, but it's totally unrelated to my surgery. Oh, and bowel prep is h*ll. Sorry to be so blunt - get baby wipes and pat, don't wipe!! Don't be too far from a bathroom that day either! As for Urbangal, if you pursued a gyne/onc at this point, you'd be looking at atleast 6-8 weeks just to get in to see one. Ask your Dr what they think - I agree with Dian, but only if it's not going to delay your surgery by months. I know your in Toronto and there are only 3 or 4 gyne/onc's, believe it or not. Princess Margaret and Sunnybrook - you could always call there and see what the wait time to get in would be if you got a referral from your Dr.
Good luck!
Becky

[scoutshadow]

This is quite a comprehensive list and you have thought this out carefully.  I just wanted to say that I don't think you get the dry mouth anymore (well my thirst wasn't that bad).  Also you can get nausea.  Just ask the nurse for an anti-nausea pill as they work.  Try and get up as soon as you can but don't overdo it and before you know it your back on your feet and walking around.  Please don't lift anything heavy (such as shopping bags) for at least four weeks.  Muscle strain is perhaps the worst thing to have and it persists for months after.  Driving on small journeys about three weeks after.  

Just a few handy things.  Bring in strong mints, disposable toothbrushes (well the ones you put on your finger), wipes and hankies.  Long nightdresses, can't really wear pj's with a catheter in.  Oh and get the person who is bringing you home to bring a cushion as well.  I forgot mine and the journey home was painful!!

Take care and get the op done as soon as you can.  I went on holiday with a 9cm tumour, with full permission of course!  Had a lovely time and hope you do to.

[phoenix111]

i just found out last week that my 10cm cyst has progressed to a 24cm cyst 5 months after i delivered my 1st child.  my obgyn says she'll schudule surgery next month.  i commented that i don't think i should wait that long.  next thing, i get a trans-abdominal sonogram and she refers me to an gynecology oncologist today.  i went to see him and i'm going into surgery next monday.  i'm very relieved that he'll be doing the surgery instead of my obgyn.  i think your obgyn will refer you to a specialist if she doesn't think she can handle it.  but, if you doubt your obgyn, you should definitely talk to her about referring you to a gyencology oncologist.  the thing with obgyns is they spend at least half the time delivering babies and probably not much time operating.

[dian07]

Yes...I am the one who started the saying here and what it means is...YES..you want a gyn/oncologist to perform your surgery because no matter what he finds in there he is trained to deal with it...your reproductive tract is his specialty...you won't have to be closed up and wait for a       second surgery if you have the right medical team working on you in the first place....that  is why you want a gyn/onc there...if cancer should be found he can stage and debulk right then and there....he can deal with endo or whatever he finds...a regular gyn is not specially trained in that venue.. you need a surgeon who is..sometimes women have a surgeon do the procedure with a gyn/onc either assisting of standing by....that is a minimal precaution in my opinion....cancer was found in my situation and I am awfully glad I had the most skilled gyn/onc I could find doing the procedure..DON'T TAKE A CHANCE...GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME..for your sake and for the sake of everyone who loves you!
Peace.
dian

[nyc lady]

I was in the hospital, for both surgeries, for 3 nights.  A cathered was inserted during surgery.  Mine was removed the day after surgery, both times, and ended up having to go back in for another day.  I guess I have a sleepy bladder.  That was probably my worst complaint.  The staples came out 10 days after surgery, no big deal, doesn't hurt at all.  I was up out of bed and walking the day after surgery.  I believe it was ice chips at first then liquids until I passed gas, think I had a BM before I passed so I was given food.  I did not take pain killers after leaving the hospital, I took advil after leaving the hospital only once.

Going back to work after 3 weeks is wishful thinking.  Most likely 6 weeks.  I went back after 5 weeks, I should have waited.  Your body needs time to heal.  It takes longer to heal on the inside then it does on the outside.....don't rush yourself.  You will tire easy at first, you won't be able to lift for a few weeks, you will need to rest.  I lived by myself, and once the staples came out I was able to stay alone and take care of myself and my cats.

Surgical menopause, personally, I am having a very rough time, but many do not.  There are many options out there to ease the symptoms.  If you have issues, discuss your options with your doctor.

I think that everyone would want their surgery done by a GYN/ONC, it is true they are the specialists, they have 3 years additional training over an OB/GYN.  I know they my GYN/ONC will not see someone because they have ovarian cysts, he requires either a referral, or will review someone's medical records before committing to an appointment.  If you have any doubts with your current doctors, then I suggest a 2nd opinion and if you can get one from a GYN/ONC, that is even better.

While most ovarian cysts are benign, I also agree with Dian, you only have one chance to get it right.

Good luck everyone on your up coming surgeries....hope everyone's cysts are benign.  Keep us updated

[urbangal]

Hi,
Can you explain why everyone keeps saying"You only have one chance to get it right".I am having surgery for a cyst and i am not having an oncologist perform surgery. This has never been offered to me (or discussed).Should I ask for one?
Mary

[dian07]

Hello....I don't like surprises in this area either....don't wait until after the holidays...what are the chances you't be able to enjoy yourself, anyway?  I would imagine with a growth the size you ate talking about....you will be having a laparotomy not a laparoscopy...that means a perpindicular incision...I had staples and it was a piece of cake, ten days later, having them removed; a catheter was inserted after I was under anesthesia and removed before I was fully awake after surgery; I had my surgery done early in the morning and was walking to the bathroom and in the hall that night; I spent one night after the initial night in the hospital; I had no gas pains as I had a laparotomy and gas isn't used; I had no problem with constipation after surgery partly because I got up and walked asap; any possibility of nausea was dealt with before it ever had a chance to appear; I wouldn't have wanted to go back to work after three weeks because that is when my chemo started; they put on some long stockings before surgery to help prevent blood clots and then the air things on for a little while afterwards; I did not require any type of drainage as I had no problem with my incision; no tube in my nose and no increase in acne; I was given ice chips when I woke up (I can talk my husband into anything!)....think that's about it!
Any more questions and we will try to answer!
Don't wait and make certain a gyn/onc is doing your surgery...YOU HAVE ONLY ONE CHANCE TO GET IT DONE RIGHT THE FIRST TIME....make certain you have the right team in place and that starts with a gyn/oncologist!
Peace.
dian

[urbangal]

Hi,
Well,you have more questions than I do(and that's say'in alot!).
I am also waiting for surgery so can't actually help with most of them.What I will say is my cyst (complex) is 6.5cm and I have been waiting since June for surgery. I guess this is a question for the Doc(what do they think it is?) Although as you know by now there is no for sure way to diagnose before surgery perhaps they can give you some idea what they are expecting. With me (although it's been excruiating waiting) they haven't seemed to be too concerned.This bugs me because obviously they don't know, however it has taken 3 mths to see a specialist and 2 months or so for a surgery date so what can I say? Ask the Doctor.I will be awaiting answers to yr other questions!!
Good Luck
Mary