ovarian surgery

Hi Again....I will be going for surgery this Friday and I am once again driving myself crazy!!! I am so scared. They will be doing a vertical incision. My cysts are too large for them to try laproscopic....Can anyone give me some advise??? I am worried about evry detail...anesthia, pain, what they will fond and especially the afterwards....I am not one too take any kind of medicine...I do currently take Tylenol extra xtrength and an antipressant Celexa because I suffer from anxiety attacks. I am worried so much..Can someone please offer me some good advise.  I would greatly appreciate it.  Also, did anyone ever have to do the bowel prep? I need to and I was just wondering how bad is that? Thanks

[Petutie01]

Hi. I had a hysterectomy 4 yrs ago. The doctor suggested that I take a fleet enema the night before the surgery. So, I decided to take it one step further (to make sure I was good and clean), and drink a bottle of citrate of magnesia. Well, I was only able to drink about 1/2 of the bottle because it was making me nauseous, thank goodness, because it didn't kick in till the morning, right before surgery. I had to get up off the stretcher just before being wheeled into the OR to go to the bathroom!!!!  So if they tell you to only do a fleet enema, they know what they are talking about!!!  LOL  What did they tell you to do?
Have you ever had any type of surgery before? It is normal to be concerned about all of the unknowns.

I have a complex cyst on my left ovary (only remaining ovary). I am going to have it biopsied. Just waiting for a date. Seems like it takes forever to get booked at the hospital.
Good Luck with everything.

[gma718]

I had laproscopic surgery 15 years ago for cysts and endometriosis...I have to have a clear diet and also 3oz of fleet phoso soda.  I am really nervous.

[gma718]

thank you so much for all your input. you really helped me feel a little better. my surgery is scheduled for friday and the worriness is just an emotion that I cant seem to control.  Part of me wishes I could cancel it and part of me wants it over with already.  I just hope I can get through this. Thanks again for all your knowledge and prayers.

[Lisagarr]

I had the same surgery this past Dec. 4th and went back to work today.  Before surgery I took the fleet phosphate drink to clean out the bowels.  Take a pillow or a very plush toy pillow (something that will make you smile) for the times that you need to move and to drive home; my hubby got me a great big plush green frog.  You will use this to press against your incision - don't want too much jiggling around there.  You may also want to take a bathrobe to the hospital with you due to the fact that they will want you up and walking around as soon as possible.  Expect to be in the hospital about 2 to 3 days. They will give you pain meds thru IV and they are great!  My incision is approx. 6 inches long and I came home with 21 staples.  The staples were removed week later.  REMEMBER:  most cysts are benign...thank God mine were too! (I had three 6 cm cysts, one on each ovary and one on the uterus.)  Lost 20 pounds the first week!!!  They should be able to tell you how things looked right after surgery and then a few days later the pathology reports will be in and they will tell you for sure the diagnosis.  
After surgery and when you get home, you will be very gassy.  Drink plenty of water and walk around; when you are tired of walking, sit in a rocking chair and rock.  A heating pad to the abdomen helps with the gas, too.  REST, REST, REST!  Do not lift, push, pull, clean the house, etc.
One day you may feel great & then next you don't want to get out of bed.  So don't look at recovery day-by-day, but week-by-week.  By week 4 you will feel pretty good - but don't push it.  Week 6 you feel pretty normal - do get tired quicker after a full day of work, but they say that may last up to 6 months.  But your body is healing and that nasty cyst will be gone!

I'll be praying for you and with rest you will do well!

Lisa

[Jan213]

I was worried sick before my hysterectomy.  It went very well though.  They gave me so many drugs and the antinausea patch behind my ears did wonders.  I usually wake up from surgery throwing up but this time I was singing some song about drunken mice. The incision is long but looking back on it after 2 months it doesn't seem all that bad. Don't do ANYTHING that you don't want to do after surgery and if you are type A like me don't do anything you want to do either.  Three days after coming home I was raking leaves.  STUPID!!!  REST!! Let your friends and family wait on you hand and foot.  Sometimes that is all they can do for. You will be in my prayers.

[Beth1010]

Wishing you the best and will keep you in my prayers.  I believe in the power of prayer.  Hoping all goes well...