surgery for an 8 cm dermoid

Hi all!

I was diagnosed with an 8 cm dermoid on my right ovary and dr told me it has to be removed via laparotomy. I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow and I am scared. What are the chances of saving my ovary and tube if any? What is the recovery time and how difficult is it?

Thank you

[Cat40]

I had a 4cm simple cyst removed by lap on Thurs. and I am back to work today.  I had my ovary/tube removed with the cyst as it was unable to be saved. My gyn said he would take it only if necessary. My surgery was uneventful.....and feeling pretty good today.  I took it fairly easy over the weekend but went for a stroll around the neighborhood yesterday with little difficulty.  Other than being a little sore bending over, I feel pretty good.  

Good luck and I am sure it will go fine.  The best advice I got was stay ahead of the pain....I took my Darvocet every 4 hours while I was awake the first 24, then I didn't take anymore as I didn't need it.  I also found sitting/laying on a recliner worked well as I had the chair to help me up when needed.

[derivative27]

Thank you so much for feedback, also the dr told me that he will have to make the incision almost as big as if he would be doing a c section. I am only 26 and have no kids yet so I am scared that he will remove the whole ovary, he stated he will not know until he sees it. This whole experience if freaking me out, I don't understand why in some case they remove the fallopian tube along with the ovary? Also, am I going to be in pain after the surgery it being a laparotomy vs laporoscopy?

Thank you

[Cat40]

Mine was a laporoscopy with 3 incisions.

My doctor said that he would take the tube because it would be just hanging there and it would have no usefullness being there.

[derivative27]

I have been reading the posts in this forum and it seems as almost always they take your whole ovary out, what are the chances of saving a part of it at least?

[derivative27]

WHy is it that almost always it seems(from the posts) that they take the whole ovary out, what are the chances of saving at least a part of it and reconstructing it?

[derivative27]

Why is it that from most of the posts I am reading dr takes the whole ovary out, what are the chances of reconstructing a part of it?

[D'arcy]

Hi, I had a 10cm cyst removed via laparotomy 2 weeks ago today. My doc explained to me that cysts stretch the ovary, often so much that the ovary isn't worth saving anyway cause the tissue is damaged. I had my ovary reconsctructed though, since there was some healthy tissue. You can't tell till you're in there if it's worth it.. My gyno was conscious of saving some tissue cause I'm 19 and my other ovary isn't perfect, it sounds like your gyno is conscious of saving the ovary too which is promising.

The recovery is longer with a laparotomy, and there'll be pain relief provided for you. I didn't find the pain bad at all, and was scolded by my nurse for not having enough morphine, but I didn't need it. After the op, you'll be made comfortable. When you get home you may deal with some minor burning sensations around the area, some tingling here and there, but these things I wouldn't class as 'pain' so much as 'uncomfortable sensations'.

Everyone's different when it comes to recovering, and the general guideline is not to return to 'normal activities' til 6 weeks after the operation.

[derivative27]

D'Arcy your post was really helpfull and thank you for the support.  I am glad you are doing fine I am just so scared, but I guess I should be strong and go through this. What I am scared the most of is waking up after surgery and hearing about what had to be done, I really hope the dr can save some of the ovary, he also told me that I will be able to walk around in couple of days and go back to work(office job) in 2 weeks but I don't know about that since I would have to use stairs.  Again thanks for the support and tomorrow is my big day.

[fungirl]

I also had to have a laparotomy for a 9cm cyst.  My doctor told me that as long a the ovary was not damaged, she would leave it.  Unfortunately, my ovary was attached to my bladder and bowels.  Sometimes, they are able to save the ovary or a portion of it.  How old are you, and have you had children?  

You should be able to get up and walk the next day.  I just had to tell them that I was ready for them to remove the cathater, and that I wanted to walk.  It will hurt like the dickens the first time you get up, just take it slow and use a pillow to press against your belly.  Remember that walking gets the gas moving, and that is definately what you want.

I was able to go back to work 2 weeks after my surgery (I am a preschool teacher), but I caution you that you will  be soooo tired by the end of the day.  Listen to your body, and it will tell you when you have had enough.  Do you have to go up and down the stairs often?  Just remember to take them one at a time.  Hope things go well for you tomorrow.  I'll be praying for you.  Kasie

[derivative27]

Dear Kasie

I am 26, no kids yet, that's why I worry a lot.  Is this surgery similar to having a c-section and is this the same kind of recovery? Also are you completely recovered now and how long did it take you to feel completely great and resume all activities?  I actually was told that it wouldn't hurt after because I would feel numbness but you are stating it will?  I can't wait to get this over with.

Thank you

[Gatsby]

I had 2 softball sized dermoids.  They took the entire left ovary and 90% of the right one.  It is possible to leave some ovary if the dermoid hasn't taken over the entire ovary.  Good luck.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Godspeed
~Tascha

[derivative27]

Dear Tascha

Where your dermoids on both ovaries, was that the reason they took almost both of them?

[Gatsby]

Yes, I had one dermoid on each ovary.  The left one had completely taken over the ovary which is why it had to be removed completely.  The right one, my dr. was able to salvage 10% of the ovary.
~Tascha

[derivative27]

During an examination my gyno also said that the dermoid is attached to my uterus, I am scared, what does that mean?  I don't want to lose it.

[Gatsby]

Are you seeing a gyn. or a gyn/onc?  Will there be a gyn/onc in the or?  I ask this because gyn/oncs are specialists in this area and have the experience and expertise to be able to remove the dermoid and leave other organs intact.
~Tascha

[derivative27]

He is Obstetrics & Gynecology and has 36 years of experience, I do not know anything else or if he is an oncologist.

[Gatsby]

You can ask him to have a gyn/onc on call or even in the or.
~Tascha

[mgtargirl]

I had a laparotomy in March to remove a dermoid the size of a grapefruit.  It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be and once it's over, I'm sure you'll feel the same way.  I had to have my left ovary removed b/c the dermoid pretty much had engulfed it.  I'm 34 and was scared that it would affect my ability to get pregnant.  From what I hear, you really shouldn't have any problems conceiving b/c the other ovary will take over and do the job.  My recovery was great.  My dr said I was ready to go back to work after 3 weeks, but I asked for one additional week and was granted it.  :)  The first week is the most difficult, especially getting in and out of the bed b/c I don't really have anything to grab onto to help me up.  But, I got my own "system" down and it seemed to work for me.  You'll be fine.  We're all here for you if you need to talk or have questions!  I pray that you will have a speedy recovery!
Janet

[derivative27]

THANK YOU GUYS, SEE YOU HERE SOON!!  YOU ARE ALL GREAT AND STRONG WOMEN AND I WILL TRY TO BE SAME!  I WILL WRITE AS SOON AS I RECOVER.