Ovarican cyst removal- should I do it?

[thankslalaland]

I have a large ovarian cyst (6-8cm) that is painful that I have been living with it at least 4 months. My doctor recommends removing it with laparotomy. They determined that it is fluid filled with debris from the ultrasound. Since there is a small chance of it being cancerous because they dont know what it is yet, the doctor wants to do open surgery rather than laparoscopic for fear of damaging the cyst (drainage into the pelvis) or ovary due to the size. I am worried about having this surgery because it is so invasive (not that a cyst is not). I dont want to lose my ovary and of course I want to have the most minimally invasive procedure necessary.

One of the symptoms that I have from the cyst is that my stomach is bloated and I really hoped that surgery would alleviate this symptom, but from what I have read here, it sound like thats not true. Is there anyone out there who has had laparotomy and it eventually led to their stomach returning to normal?
I also wonder what is the earliest recovery time someone might have- as far as getting around and going to work (I teach, so I dont have to do heavy lifting etc.). I have also been reading women's accounts of hormonal changes after having a cyst removed- does this only happen when the ovary is removed- or can it happen just from having the cyst removed? Anyone know is ovaries ever go back to normal after having such a large cyst?
Thanks in advance for any help, insight, advice..

[Neta100]

Thanks for your advice.  I went to see another doctor two days ago and he told me he needed to remove only the left ovary and the myoma, but wanted to see first how my uterus was since it is big for a woman who hasn't had kids.  So he wants to do a laparoscopy to check out first how everything is inside.  He doesn't want to remove the ovary and the myoma laparoscopily since my CA - 125 is elevated, but he wants to do everything possible to preserve the other ovary and my uterus so I could have kids.

They ran some blood tests and a PAP on me, and hopefully next week I will know more.  And again, thanks for your advice.


Take care,

Neta

[thankslalaland]

Thanks to everyone for writing. I am seeing an ocologist/gynecolosit/surgeon. I think I want to try to begin with laproscopic surgery, and then if needed they can perform laproscopy if they find the cells are cancerous. I'm going to talk to my doctor about this next week. To Neta100 I hope you get a second opinion and that you can avoid a hstyerectomy. Today a woman told me of her experience of having both ovaries and uterus removed with laproscopy...maybe she was mistaken, but if not then maybe it is possible to do it without having the larger incision. Either way, I hope your second opinion thinks you can avoid hysterectomy.
Anyone have reduced bloating after having cysts or ovaries removed? Also, anyone out there who recovered quickly from surgery, if so which kind of surgery?

[nygirly]

When I went in they didn't know what type of cyst it was so there is some risk of malignancy and leakage but my Dr explained the risks so I felt comfortable. I felt good because he was an oncologist. He did say he would try and save the ovary but they discovered that the cyst had eaten away so much of the wall that it was impossible to save - yours is smaller though so you have a much better chance.

[constantlycurious]

I highly recommend going to see a gync/oync specialist if you decide to go with surgery. They see masses in that region a lot have the experience.  They can def take out things much larger laparoscopicaly. Have you had an MRI? Might be worth it to get an MRI. They should def be able to save the ovary. Get some second opinions before doing the surgery.

[Neta100]

I also have a cyst on my left ovary (like 6 cms) and it appears to be complex.  On top of that, I have a myoma, but I don't feel sick or have problems with my periods.  They have been monitoring me for several months, but I need to have surgery.  My doctor insists on doing a laparotomy, but I disagree with him and he insists that probably he has to remove everything, leaving me no chance to have kids and enter into an early menopause.  So, I am going to another doctor and get a second opinion, and see what is the best option for me.


Best wishes,

Neta

[thankslalaland]

Thanks for writing about your experience. Was there any fear that your cyst could be cancerous? I suppose a dermoid cyst wouldn't have the same issue with fluid/cells possibly escaping into your body as a fluid filled cyst would? Also, was your doctor attempting to save the ovary, or did you go in knowing you were going to have it removed? I'd like to keep my ovary if possible, though its good to hear that one ovary can do the work for both. Good luck with your recovery.

[ilovemygrandma]

hi..i think u shud go for the ovarian cyst removal... since it has a chance of developing ti a  cancer, that u shud remove it...

[nygirly]

I had a 12cm dermoid cyst removed along with my left ovary and tube last Monday - it was done via a laparoscopy and even though I didn't go into surgery until 7pm I was out of the hospital the same night. I was told by my ObGyn that I had to have a laparotomy for the reasons you outlined above but like you I didn't want the invasive surgery so I went to see a gyno oncologist who specializes in laparoscopic surgery.

I took the week off work and am working from home this week just as a precaution (although I feel good). My hormones haven't changed and I was told your other ovary kicks in and does the job of both.

I hope everything works out whatever you choose to do.