17.5 cm cyst

[sstory]

I recently found out I have a 17.5 cm cyst on my right ovary. I'm almost 26, married, have no children and am otherwise healthy. I'm going in for a cat scan this week to find out more, but right now my gyno is saying that it will likely need to be removed via laparotomy (as opposed to laparoscopically), and that I will lose my right ovary in the process. Prior to experiencing some odd cramping and intense bloating in my abdomen in April, I had no symptoms. I went to the gyno in January for my annual exam and to have an IUD inserted, and everything was normal. Does this mean my cyst is growing at an unusually fast rate? Also, what kind of weight gain/loss have any of you experienced post-op, if any, after losing an ovary? I also had surgery for pyloric stenosis when I was 6 weeks old. Is there any chance at all that they can remove my cyst via laparoscopy, or am I stuck with a big incision? I've been reading these boards, and the procedure sounds pretty intense.  Thanks for your input!

[gaby_4848]

I was in the same situation last year with a 16 cm cyst and unfortunately my doctor had to remove most of my right ovary through a laparotomy. It turned out to be totally benign and the surgery was really not as bad as expected. The scar is large but the doctor cut below the bikini line and now it is hardly visible. Obviously I would have much rather had a laparoscopy but with large cysts it is better to check out that they are not cancerous. Best of luck! The bursting feeling will hopefully soon subside but I did hate it completely.

[Donette007]

So what finally did happen? I'm in the same situation. 17cm and waiting to see specialist in a week. I feel like I'm going to burst

[sstory]

My CT scan is set for eeeearly tomorrow morning. No date for surgery yet. I'll keep you all filled in. Thanks so much for your help; you all have really been a great source of information and comfort. Thank you :)

[fungirl1011]

Hi and welcome to the forum.  Everyone is right, if it is fluid filled only, then your doctor may be able to drain it and then remove it laprascopically.  Some doctors like to do a laparotomy with a cyst this large, so they have a good view of what they are doing.  If there is any chance that it could have solid components in it (complex cyst) then it will have to come out by laparotomy.  Do you know when your surgery will be scheduled?  Please keep us posted on how your CT scan comes out and when your surgery will be.

[sstory]

Gem-

My bloating started out as being intermittent, but became more permanent about a week before I went to the doctor. I started drinking a lot of smoothies and eating soup and yogurt in an effort to calm my upset stomach, which did seem to help. In retrospect, it probably helped because the cyst was putting so much pressure on everything and the softer food was easier to process. I actually went to the doctor expecting him to tell me I had irritable bowel syndrome. Imagine my surprise!

My cramps started out as being very quick, sharp and stabbing, but now I have more of a dull, throbbing ache punctuated by sharp cramps. Good luck on your scan! I'm sure it'll all work out. The worst part for me was just not knowing what was going on with my body.

[gem111]

Hi

When you had your severe bloaing was this intermintant? Did it come and go or stay and is still there now? The reason i ask is i am having a scan on the 16th June to see if i have a cyst and i have been getting severe bloating as in looking 9 months pregnant, but this does come and go, it would stay for around 8-12 hours then go down. I do also get odd cramps thank you

Good luck for your surgery

Gemx

[rudme]

I just had a 24 cm cyst removed laparoscopically.  It was able to be drained then removed through my belly button because it was fluid filled.  They drained 7 pounds of fluid.  Overall, I lost 20 pounds in the month leading up to my surgery, during it, and after it.  Prior to my surgery I had a minor loss of appetite as I think the cyst was pushing into my stomach.  Since my surgery I have been very hungry and eating frequently, but I've still lost a pound or two.  I think my metabolism sped up during the healing process.  My appetite is just now getting back to normal three weeks after surgery.  As for the rate of growth of the cyst, prior to surgery the surgeon said he had no way of knowing.  Since surgery, mine was diagnosed as a borderline ovarian tumor (not as scary as it sounds) and those are very slow growing.  I'm pretty sure it had been there for a few years.  I had no symptoms up to a month before diagnosis and even then the symptoms were not terrible.  If you have any other questions, please let me know.

[TrudieC]

Cysts that large are unfortunately removed via laporatomy.  I would think if your doctor knew for certain it was simple that he might be able to drain and do laporascopically but if there is any doubt he will do via laporatomy.

Mine ended up being a grapefruit sized cluster of cysts that had bled together.  I lost 10 pounds after the surgery.  Be aware that you will have a few months of weird periods and hormonal issues while your other ovary kicks in and takes over.  I was so amazed at how much better I felt after the surgery.  Good luck.

[lupette]

I don't have a lot of experience so you may want to wait until some of the others weigh in here. Your cyst is very large I think, so maybe they will have to do the laparotomy. If it is a simple cyst, you may want to ask them if they could drain it first, and then do the laparoscopic surgery instead. If it is a dermoid, (these usually grow large) or some other solid or semi-solid cyst, they will probably have to do the laparotomy. Hope this helps and I hope someone with more experience weighs in here, but I know waiting for an answer is often hard, so I thought you would like to hear from someone. Good luck to you.