Recovery after ovary removal surgery?

[mcaudrey]

I am 41 with a strong family history of cancer. My mother had breast AND kidney cancer, and I recently lost my father to metastatic colorectal cancer. That being said, after having pain in the area of my left ovary, an ultasound found that I have "something" growing on my left ovary. A repeat ultrasound showed that it is growing, and I was giving the choice to leave it and "watch it" or have it removed. I did have a CA-125 blood test, which was "normal". However, given my experience with cancer, I feel it best to have my ovary removed and pathology done on the cyst/dermoid/mass growing on my ovary. To those of you who have had this surgery performed, I really would love to hear from the patients experience on what to expect during the recovery period. Thanks!

[Kez_1982]

I had my laparoscopy key hole surgery just over a week ago to remove a 7x7 cm chocolate cyst as well as two other large cysts and to treat endometriosis, the gas they put inside me was the most painful, it feels like air bubbles popping inside the abdomen and stomach and you feel bloated, peppermint tea was soothing and helped the process of ridding gas! The anaesthetic made me feel as sick as a dog and feel like fainting every time I tried to sit or stand up it was horrible but bearable, this only lasted a couple of days after the operation!  The most uncomfortable feeling was the drainage tube which the put into my ovaries to Drain excess fluids, being pulled out...just take a big deep breath when the nurse removes it! It doesn't hurt it just feels bizarre! The first week post op I was distracted by guests and although I was  in pain  I was able to walk around but rest as much as you can , just be careful of the stitches being pulled, keep them clean and change dressings every few days! I'm now in week two and experiencing some cramping and I feel tired and tearful. I've been given another week (3 in total) to fully recover because of the job I do, just relax and make the most of the time you have off! Hope you all recover quickly, it's comforting to know that there are other women out there going through the same thing! Take care!

[Longham]

I am so glad to have found this conversation site.I thought I was making a meal of my op. as the doctor(male)!!!said I would be up and running again very quickly. My story is this:
I am 60ish and for long time have put up with pain in my groin thinking it was a problem with my hip. Two weeks ago I had a scan and was immediately referred to a gynaecologist with a large cyst on my right ovary. Last Wednesday I had both ovaries removed and my Fallopian tubes(I believe it was attached ) I stayed in overnight and had oral morphine through the night. It will sound daft to say I am surprised how knocked out I am although am making a diary of daily progress to spur myself on.
I do think you have to work at being strong in your own head because no- one else can really judge how you feel or what you should be trying to do.
Thank you to all of you who have stated sensible time frames....i.e. Sounds like at least a month before you can really function well.
I will have that as a reference site on bad days now!!!!
I also thank you brave ladies who say how hard it is waiting for blood and biopsy results.......does anyone feel they will try to live their life differently if the results are clear???!!!?????

I send you lots of love and thank you for giving me strengthxxxxxxxPH

[old_before_my_time]

Unfortunately, there is about a 40% chance that the ovaries will fail after hysterectomy due to the loss of blood flow and feedback loop with the uterus. This risk may be increased with only one ovary. The ovaries of women who have all their parts continue to produce hormones into their 80's which are essential for optimal health.

Most ovarian cysts are benign (non-cancerous) and resolve on their own. But it can take a few months and even more. You do not want to have surgery unnecessarily due to the inherent risks of pelvic surgery including adhesions that can cause a whole new set of problems in the short and long-term.

Although HRT can help with the symptoms of gonad removal and may mitigate some of the medically documented increased health risks, it is not a true replacement for our bodies' own hormones.

Hopefully, this cyst will resolve over the next few months and you will not need to go back into the operating room. Also, bloating seems to be common after hysterectomy due to the displacement of the bowel and possibly other mechanisms (such as hormonal changes) so the cyst may not be the cause (or the sole cause) of your symptoms.

[bamagirl1220]

i am 52 had a vaginal hysterectomy in Feb... have felt bloated and pressure last dew months - thursday i bent over double with right side pain . i thought i might be having appendicitis but knew something is wrong....  anyway my ob/gyn i have been with for 3+years got me right in did vaginal ultrasound and said my right over is enlarged and a cyst - i am on pain meds wants to watch/wait til Oct 1st have another ultrasound said he may have to remove - or if i continue with the pain call him before then and he may have to remove the right ovary.... -- the left ovary actually hid during the ultrasound but she found it.....  i am a leukemia survivor . so i get scared pretty easily I also lost my best friend at age 54 to ovarian cancer ......  is 1 ovary enough for hormones? not really wanting HRT as there is a history of heart disease in the women in my fam

[old_before_my_time]

Well hopefully all will level out soon! I am sorry you suffer with depression from PMDD. I know all too well the devastation of depression. I became severely depressed after my unwarranted hysterectomy (as well as very old looking and feeling) not to mention a wholie other laundry list of issues.

[muth3rluvx2B]

I've continued to waffle on the test.... but obviously I don't *really* think that's the issue or I'd be taking them every other day.  This is getting a bit obnoxious though. I stay on the pills to regulate my PMDD, which causes severe depression. The notion that even my pills won't help for another 6+ weeks is a little bit daunting. I'll not even go into the physical symptoms. I suppose they could be worse, though.

I hope menopause isn't like this for me when I get to it.

Thank you young_before_my_time. ;) Just needed someone to at least somewhat confirm that this isn't ABnormal.