laparoscopic surgery scheduled, what to expect?

[cait1219]

I am scheduled to have laparoscopic surgery in 2 days and i am a nervous wreck.  i had an ultrasound done about 2 1/2 months ago and they found a very small 1.5cm cyst on my right ovary.  we did the watchful waiting period and i was sent back about a month ago to have another u/s. Now it is 4.5cm and is complex.  my obgyn recommended laparascopic surgery to remove it and informed me that there may be a chance of him removing the right ovary.  has anyone had a lap scheduled for removal of cyst and they took the ovary as well?  what should i expect as far as pain is concerned after the surgery?  recovery time?  ive never had surgery before so i have no clue what i am facing.  ive found that the greatest comfort for me is hearing other people's experiences with the surgery.

[kgregor]

A related discussion, Recovery from laproscipic ovary surgery? was started.

[ChrisP2236]

How did your surgery go?  I am guessing since you haven't posted in a while you are fine. At least, I hope so.  Happy New Year, Chris

[NY_Princess]

I have had two laporscopic surgeries, one to remove adhesions and check for endometriosis when trying to get pregnant 7 years ago and that was a breeze, then in March 07 I had my tubes tied. I was fine, the only thing that bothered me as stated above is the gas that they inflate your belly with, it hurts your shoulders real bad for about a day or two. My tummy was ok, just a little sore. I am scheduled for laporscopic hysterectomy on Jan 16th too..but I am an old pro to surgery. I have also had major abdomoninal exploratory surgery and was in the hospital for 7 days with that and home with iv antibiotics for 7 more, but back at work after. I don't know if your physical condition makes a difference, back then I was much younger but I did ok last year too. Just keep a positive attitude. I had to take my son to school the day after surgery, a little uncomfy but I survived. Good luck. Hillary

[jenn84]

I have to have laparscopy 1-7-08 and im a nervous wreck. I've done alot of reading on it and it hasn't helped my nerves.The dr thinks i have endometriosis. I had an hsg done in may07 and my tubes don't work and i have two huge cysts on each ovary. any words or anything to help me calm myself.  


                                                                         jenn alabama

[PPhelps]

I had the shoulder pain. I had to sleep sitting up in a recliner for a few days. It also helps to use Gas-X, and some have had relief from peppermint tea (I think). The nurse told me to put my arm in the air. It helps with the shoulder pain until your arm gets so tired that it starts to hurt. The shoulder pain was more bothersome than painful for me. But everyone is different. Not everyone gets the shoulder pain. Good luck! See you on RS.
Paula

[gamerchick82]

Goodluck! *hugs* I've been scheduled and rescheduled for the exact same surgery for a while now. I keep getting colds so I can't have the surgery yet. When I do they will be removing what was a 9cm cyst (3weeks ago) and my left ovary and tube. Let me know how it goes. *big hug*

[lactac1224]

I wanted to add that a small pillow for the car ride home is great!  I put it between the seatbelt and my stomach and it feels really good to have the pressure there for the ride.  Good Luck!
:)  Laura

[greeneyes2u]

Glad to hear that everyone has almost the same symptoms.  I just had a D-n-C, Endometrial Ablation and a Laproscopy to find out what is going on inside there.  Well the good news it, that my 4.1 cyst has left, thank god!  Only to find out that I have a very large Uterus and alot of Adhisons. I remember from having my tubes tied, one of the nurses told me to walk as much as possible to get rid of the gas, and it works really well...SO, when you geel like getting up, just take little walks, slow as possible, but try to do it every few hours, I know it hurts, but the more you walk the gas goes away alot quicker. My surgery was 3 days ago and majority of the gas is gone.  I wish you a speedy recovery and NO GAS! big hugs and kisses.

Char

[cait1219]

thank you so much to everyone.  my nerves are really bad tonight, but since i've never had surgery, i just don't know what to expect.  i will re-post on the RS and let everyone know!

[cait1219]

thank you so much for your input.  its always nice to hear what people actually go through versus a piece of paper telling you what to expect.  I dont have any stairs in my house or at my work place so that should make it a little easier for me.  my surgery is on tuesday and i'm planning on going back to work the following monday, the same as you did.  its also nice to know that if i am in pain when i wake up, the nurses will give me something.  did you have any of the shoulder pain?  how big are your scars?

[wubbie3]

I had the exact same thing.... I had surgery in May to remove what they knew by TVUS was a complex cyst, about the size of yours. The gyn was thinking dermoid, since they're the most common form of complex cyst. Mine turned out to be an endometrioma (blech). But, as to surgery, it's not quite as bad as my overactive imagination made it out to be. You'll do all your pre-op stuff (questions, the vampire-nurse will suck blood, etc). The wait on the day of surgery before they take you back is actually the worst, because you could be waiting for 5 minutes or an hour. You'll get into your little waiting area, and get visited by the nurses, the anesthesologist, and your dr. They'll give you nice relaxing drugs, and then they'll take you into surgery. You wake up in recovery, and I did hurt, but it was more of a constant cramp feel in the abdomen. As soon as I told the recovery nurse that I hurt, I got a shot of morphine. I got to keep my ovary, since the endometrioma was growing on the ovary, not in it. My dr told me that's usually how they decide whether to take an ovary or not, and that they usually try and save the ovary if they can. They told me that they'd take mine if it was damaged by the endometrioma, and they only had to take a little of it (I have over 90% of it left).
Don't be suprised if you sleep pretty much the rest of the day when you get home. Just make sure someone wakes you up every once in a while. FYI, urinating will hurt from the catheter during surgery. Pouring warm water over yourself as you go helps the sting ALOT.
You won't be able to do stairs for a few days, so if your bedroom is upstairs, plan on sleeping on the couch (I did), because you won't be able to lift your legs high enough and left yourself up the stairs. Your ab muscles will ache for a few days as well. I had surgery on a Wed, and was back to work Monday, moving slowly, but ok. I could not wear a seat belt for a few of those first days. Also plan on wearing really loose, soft pants or shorts. You won't want anything touching your incision areas. Otherwise, stay on top of your pain meds... it's much easier to lessen the dose if you feel ok than to have pain and not be able to get it under control. I took the full percoset for the first two days, and then was able to decrease to 1/2 a percoset every 5 hours, and two days later I was only taking low-dose Lortab.
Oh, and plan on eating soft foods, tea, and soups for a few days too... the pain meds and surgery make you constipated too.
I know, isn't this just making you feel great! :)
I know how you feel... I was horribly nervous for the last few days before surgery. But it does get better!
Hang in there, and please keep us posted. We're here for you! And let us know when you get to the Recovery Side!
~Marianne