8cm cyst

Hi everyone. For a few months  I was having pelvic pain so after a while I went to see my GP, who sent me for a scan. It showed I have a 8cm cyst on my right ovary. I have to see my consultant next month, for another scan and possibly surgery to remove it.
The doctor told me very little.
I'm unsure about which type of surgery I will be given, laparoscopy or laparotomy? If anyone could give me their experiences I'd be greatful. How did you find it, and how did you feel afterwards?

Many thanks

[MarieMichele]

The surgeon may have a preference depending on what he/she knows about you and the cyst.

They are both abdominal surgery.  

The difference between the two is:

1.  Laparoscopy is done with smaller "keyhole" incisions, approx. 3 of them.  It it usually outpatient with surgery in the morning and you return home in the later part of the same day, or possibly staying overnight.  Recovery at home and out of work is approx. 2 weeks.  It still takes longer for everything to heal internally.

2. Laparotomy is more traditional incision surgery with a horizontal or vertical incision of approx. 4 inches or 4.5 inches (mine was vertical).  I  went into the hospital on a Friday morning, returning home the following Monday morning.  Recovery at home and out of work is approx. 6 weeks, again with one really needing several more weeks beyond that to fully heal.

Most find either type of surgery and hospital experience not as bad as they imagined it might be.  Here's the full story of my laparotomy (link below).  Laparoscopy will be very similar in how you feel with the difference being you will heal faster.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Ovarian-Cysts/Recovery-from-Laparotomy/show/784132?personal_page_id=398736&;

[moondust83]

Thanks for your reply, and the link was very helpful.

Do you have to stay in if you have laparotomy surgery? Or can you leave the same day, or even discharge yourself?

The cyst I have is dermoid. I asked about cancer and was told is was unlikely. I asked about my chances of having kids, and the doctor told me she didnt want to discuss this at this time..Now that scared me, cuz do they know more then they are telling me, and that apart from removing the cyst my ovary will go too.

I'm getting pain in my left side now, but I dont know if its cuz of the pain on my right.  That's making it feel like I have pain on both sides.

My nan died of cancer, and my mum had to have everything out due to endo, and she was told after that she had cysts too.

Thanks

[MarieMichele]

No, you will not be able to leave the same day after a laparotomy, both for medical reasons and for the fact you will be much too weak.  I am sure the blood loss after laparotomy is greater than with laparoscopy.  In fact, they reserved two units for me for transfusion (just in case) but ended up not needing it.  Among the other medical reasons are that they need to observe you for awhile, make sure you are able to pass gas and move bowels, have a temperature in acceptable/normal ranges, no pneumonia, and can eat solid food again. Think about when a woman has a c-section.  She's not discharged the same day.  Fairly similar.  

The cyst can be on the right and hurt on the left and other distant places.  Now in my case, my cyst centered itself between where the left and right ovary would be.  They initially believed it was on the right ovary when in fact it was on the left.  That's how fooled they were by the ultrasound image.

They always try to save ovaries when they can.  Your doctor is probably unsure what to say.  If someone else is performing the surgery, that person would be the one to discuss it.  If the one ovary is too damaged to save, the other will take over for both.

[moondust83]

Thanks for your reply. You've helped clear some things up. And made me feel a little better about why the doctor I saw didn't/wouldn't tell me much of what happens from now. Guess it's a waiting game till my next appiontment.

They didn't really tell me much of where the cyst is just said it's quite big and normally of this size needs removing.
Is it possible cuz of the cyst that I have been unable to get pregnant? I've read a story of a woman who was pregnant but misscarried as the cyst was feeding from it sort of thing.

Thanks.

[maggie12345]

MarieMichele,
In my case, when I went to ER, I was having 102.6 fever, heavy vomiting and pain. They started with  Laparoscopy, but to extract cyst which was badly mingled , they made bigger incision on my right side (4 inch). They discharged me within 15 hours of my surgery. They gave me solid good food, within 8 hours, gas was moving, temp was 99 and I was able to walk before discharge.  
They gave me painkiller tablets and stole softener prescription.  

[MarieMichele]

I think they use different anesthesia for emergency surgery than for planned surgery. They can't use the type I had if you have food in your system (it could be fatal, in fact). The type I had involved plenty of preparation the day before (no food and laxatives to clear out everything else).  The anesthesia method they used on me paralyzes the digestive tract.  They have to see it working again before they release you.  It doesn't come back overnight for patients in my situation.

[moondust83]

Thanks for sharing your experience Maggie.
All the info I can get is good.

[MarieMichele]

I wanted to add my feelings to maggie12345 that this must have been quite a frightful experience for you.  It's nice to see that a patient can be released that quickly, but I wonder if it was because insurance wanted a quick release more than anything else.  It would have been kinder if they gave you more time in the hospital to recouperate and monitor your recovery a bit longer before sending you on your way.

When I was in the operating room prep area I heard other patients (outpatient surgery types) being told they were being given "twilight sleep" which is similar to what they use in an oral surgeon's office.  Perhaps they gave you this in combination with local anesthesia for the surgery.

[moondust83]

Maggie, did you already know you had a cyst, and was waiting to have it removed? Or did the pain you experienced come out of the blue?
And only realised you had a cyst by them giving you an scan there and then?
How did you feel when you was discharge, did you feel ready and able to leave so early?

[maggie12345]

MarieMichele,
Actually, I myself wanted out of hospital ASAP. I live alone, went alone to my Gyn office for pain and she thought its appendicitis and forced me to go to Stanford hospital, Palo Alto, ASAP. Everything happened very fast. After surgery I have low BP and fast heartbeat, effect of anesthesia , which came under control very fast. Doctors told me, till they are not sure they will not discharge me. Nurse was asking me why you are in rush to leave us? After surgery I was feeling very well.. It was just like day and night. Hospital staff was just great, knowing I was alone. Last time I was in hospital when I was born. I am 38 yrs.  When I came back home I informed everyone.

[maggie12345]

moondust83,
I was clueless about cyst. When I had pain, I started checking symptoms on internet and rushed to Gyn with list of possible disease..  
I used to have bloating and nausea but after lot of doctors visit, they blamed on H. Pylori bacteria or my life style or food allergies. I was traveling lot internationally because of my work. They asked me to slow down.  
After surgery, quality of life had changed. Now I can eat all type of food. Only problem is depression, but it is also improving.

[moondust83]

That must have been scary, to go see one doc and then rushed off to hospital within a matter of hours, and then told you needed surgery. I can't imagine what you must have felt and thought. But I'm glad your doing fine, and got thru it and the pain isnt there anymore. Can I ask..was you suffering with depression before and this triggered it off again, or something totally new.. You don't have to answer.

Did you take the recommended time off work? How did you feel once you were home, was you in pain alot, I know you said they gave you painkillers...did they work?

[maggie12345]

moondust83,
Depression started, I believe when my Cyst formed. I was having lot of anxiety. Last year I changed my job and cut off my work hours just to re-tune my body and mind.  After surgery I was able to work from home. I still do my 80% work from home. I attend meeting through webcam and phone. I just want to keep it slow and enjoy life. I am not taking any medication for depression, just do yoga, walk and eat healthy food.

I took one painkiller pill after surgery. Stomach was sour for 4-5 days but pain was manageable, less then period cramps. I was driving my car, doing grocery shopping and other chores. I was very careful lifting, sitting and walking. I had no choice and I have to do stuff on my own. If I had any help, I would have used it.
If you can get help, use it. Every body is different and good rest is always good..  

[MarieMichele]

To maggie12345,
You are one amazing lady to do all of that on your own.  You are quite exceptional.  I would never have been able to go through surgery like that, leave the same day, then take care of myself like you did.  How did you get home from the hospital from surgery?  Don't tell me you drove yourself!

To moondust83 and everyone else that may be facing surgery, maggie's story is rare and don't think it is easy to accomplish this.  If you can stay longer in the hospital, do it, and let others take care of you once you are home.  

[moondust83]

I second what MarieMichele wrote, your a brave woman, who is strong..But I think sometimes, being strong is just an act and maybe at this point you could have needed the care and help. If it wasn't possible from family and friends, but from hospital staff. Just wish you didnt have to have gone thru this alone, and snap back into the normal routine so soon.

MarieMichele, I am hoping I am discharged the same day as my surgery. One reason being I hate hospital's, everyone in my life who has been addmitted did't come out, or very nearly didn't. I'm not scared that I won't, just a fear.
Secondly, I have resonabilities at home. I'm a carer so I'm needed at home so I'm hoping to recovery quickly, and get back to normal day to day. I know I won't be able to lift for a couple of weeks, which is going to be really difficult to work round.

I am hoping I could discharge myself if I feel well enough. But I totally understand and agree with you, that anyone who has surgery needs to stay in hospital for as long as allowed and to take it easy afterwards for as long as possible. Discharging yourself isn't the smartest thing to do.