Was the doctor right?

[L3point3]

I signed consent to have laproscopic surgery to remove my right ovary and fallopian tube. I also consented to allowing my doctor to do a full hyterectomy if any cancerous cells were found. I had a cyst on my right side, that was there for at least ten months that we know of.  According to the sonogram, the cyst was abnormal, because it started to have a papillary growth and had rare debris in it.  The sonogram was September 13, and the surgery was September 29.  When the doctor did the surgery, the cyst was gone and had somehow ruptured between those two weeks.   The doctor then decided to remove my left ovary and tube, because there was a cyst present in that ovary.  It came out benign.  My question is this, I didn't consent to having that ovary taken out.  I only consented to the right one being removed, with the possibilty of having a hysterectomy if need be because of cancerous cells.  This wasn't the case. Was the doctor correct in doing what he did?  During the September 13, sonogram, there was a little cyst on the left side that was probably a functional one.

[RavenLady]

Yo Point,
     So tell us more about the Surgeon, was he an Gyn surgeon?  Legally you have a case, perhaps, did you get a pathology report on the left cyst the precipitated removal of the non-consent ovary?  Get it!  Guessing it was benign but still important info.  Tell us more Point!  MV

[Anna-maria74]

Why on Earth would you want to cause the surgeon such grief. He found a tumor on your other ovary that I am sure would have required surgery at some point in the future or he would not have removed it. I find it very difficult to believe that he would have removed your entire ovary for a small funcional cyst DIDNT YOU ASK!

Perhaps you would have prefered him to wake you up and tell you that you would need more surgery and put you back under OR maybe let you recover then send you down for another surgery in a few weeks. Why have the risk of 1 aneasthesia when you can have the risk of 2 ay!

Sorry but I think it is discusting and I have never heard the like. This new obsession with suing everything that moves is ridiculous and frankly frightens me. I will shortly be practicing as a psychologist and its this sort of fiasco that puts me off. I could understand if the surgeon removed the wrong leg, or the wrong kidney (it does happen) but if I was in surgery and the doctor did what needed to be done so I didnt need another surgery I would be shaking his hand and sending his wife flowers!

Anna x

[scoutshadow]

This is certainly unusual and Raven is right more information is needed.  My question to you is what size was the cyst on the ovary that the doctor removed?  Anything over 5-6cm should come out.

[dalip]

HAS ANYONE THOUGHT THAT THEY MIXED UP THE LEFT WITH THE RIGHT OVARY ON THE SCAN RESULTS?.I HAVE HEARD THAT WHEN CTSTS RUPTURE THEY ARE VERY PAINFUL AND I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT YOU KNOWING. i ALSO FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A CYST YOU HAD HAD FOR 10 MONTHS SUDDENLY DISSAPEARS IN 2 WEEKS BETWEEN DIAG AND SURGERY..
dawn.

[L3point3]

I really am not looking to sue. I have never sued anyone in life.  The thing is that it just didn't sit right with me, when he told me that he took out the left.  I also found it hard to believe that the cyst could just disappear after being there all that time.  He has been my gyn for over twenty years.  I just feel that the  right ovary was the one that I always had problems with, not the left, and now that ovary is still there.  What if a cyst starts again on the right side, then I am going to have to have surgery again.  When I went for the sonogram, the doctor there kept telling me about the right side and I asked him about the left and he said that he wouldn't be concerened with the left side (there was only a little cyst there) but to be concerned with the right side.

[AnotherKatie]

Assert yourself. Make an appointment, perhaps the last one of the day.  Explain to the receptionist that you want to discuss the procedure and that you want a decent length of time to talk.  Tell your doctor you have questions about what happened.  I am sure there is a very logical reason for why he removed the left ovary.  He would not have taken it out unless it was warranted.  Ask for a copy of the pathology results. How old are you?  Have you had children?  Is fertility an issue?  
You might not ever have another cyst in the right ovary.  
TALK to your doctor.  Tell him you want the remaining ovary to be closely monitored.... TV US every 6 months, the works.  He owes it to you.  Let us know what he says.
Best wishes...

[L3point3]

Thanks for your comment. I am 42 yrs old and I don't plan on having any more kids.  My daughter is 20, so fertility is not an issue.  I went to the doctor to have the stitches out and he said he will see me in three months.  I will ask him to give me a copy of the report from the pathologist.  I kept telling him that I didn't want to have a hysterectomy, and he said only if there were cancerous cells. I asked him before the surgery why they couldn't just remove the cyst, so he knew that I didn't want to have the ovary out to begin with, but I was scared that it was cancer.  He told me that the cyst was benign and that they did an abdominal wash.  This was my first surgery ever.

[merytre]

Hi, I can't blame you for being angry and concerned.  I would feel the same way.  All doctors are not equal, some are good, some are quacks.  Always question and check.  You are responsible for yourself and your health.  I suggest you  request the appointment with the doctor to go over your concerns.  Maybe it just was a coincidence and the doctor did the right thing.  Lets hope thats what it was.  Stranger things have happened.  You must talk with him about these concerns even though it is tough to do  sometimes because you will always wonder if you don't.  Keep us posted, good luck.. Merytre

[scoutshadow]

After reading your replies, I agree with the above two posts.  This needs to be discussed with the doctor.  I hope you get the answers you're looking for and please keep us posted - I would also add that it is hard to talk to a doctor alone and face to face about awkward situations.  I suggest you take along another person for support.  Good luck.

[dian07]

If this guy has been your physician for 20 years you should be able to sit and talk with him in his office with your clothes on so you are on even ground....he is your peer not a god...if he thinks he is a god it is time to knock over his pedistal...if he calls you by your first name call him by his first name...do not "look up" to this guy....again, he is your peer not your superior....you pay for his services..you are his employer and he needs to answer to you.....go gett'em girl!
Share your concerns....you just might be surprised....after 20 years of trust...surely he values your friendship and trust....and those two things live on a two way street.
Peace.
dian