Having a dermoid cyst surgery

[Mira223]

I am grateful for this forum and have learned a lot from reading the threads.  I have a 10 cm dermoid cyst and have decided to have it removed Sept. 22.  Another 4 cm simple cyst is showing on my other ovary too so this will probably be removed too in the same surgery.  Am dreading the surgery and nervous, for I still want the option of a child.

My questions are:

Have any of you had 10cm cysts removed successfully laparscopically?  Am hoping to not have an open procedure.  

Does anyone have advice about preparation for a laparscopic surgery?

And how to best heal afterwards?

Lastly, are there any pre-diagnostic tests to ask for aside from the ultrasounds?

Thank you, Mira

[Lindita8]

Supposedly you are born with dermoids.  I think you could have up to 5 and there is a 15% chance of recurrence if you have ovaries or even one ovary. I would say to try and be as calm as possible.  Go in with a good attitude and positive thinking. You will wake up with a catheter.  They pump you up with carbon dioxide so they can see whats going on.  That will make your stomach swell a little but eventually it goes down.  You might want to bring slippers and a robe.  I was up and walking the morning after surgery.  I also had one ovary and tube removed.  It will take awhile to regulate after that.  If you have yours done laproscopically the healing time will be much quicker.  Good luck and god bless.

[Mira223]

Thank you for your response.  Do you have any clue why dermoids occur?  Any advice on how to prepare for the surgery, or any recommendations on what helped you with your healing?  Thanks so much!!!

[Lindita8]

I too had a dermoid cyst which coincidentally was 10 cm.  I also had a pedunculated fibroid but they didn't know it was like that when they tried laproscopically.  Only because of the fibroid like that did I have to have a laparotomy.  You will probably be fine and have it done laproscopically which I hear is a lot faster healing.  I myself was up and walking the next day and continued to heal each day and was back in the water swimming 4 weeks later.  Good luck with your surgery and let us know how you are getting on.