Aa
Surgery Noobie
Hi all..
I'm new to this discussion forum *waves* i'm 21 years old and have a large cyst on my ovary which will be removed in 2 weeks. I don't know what surgery is like, or how to prepare myself before and afterwards. I keep reading that even 2 weeks after surgery women are still experiencing pain. This is worrying me because I lead quite an active lifestyle. I'll try keeping an up date on how it goes. The medical term for my surgery is laparoscopy/left ovarian cystectomy, and will be on 11 November. I came on this board looking for support and information because I honestly dont know who to talk to. Anyways, thanks for reading.
I'm new to this discussion forum *waves* i'm 21 years old and have a large cyst on my ovary which will be removed in 2 weeks. I don't know what surgery is like, or how to prepare myself before and afterwards. I keep reading that even 2 weeks after surgery women are still experiencing pain. This is worrying me because I lead quite an active lifestyle. I'll try keeping an up date on how it goes. The medical term for my surgery is laparoscopy/left ovarian cystectomy, and will be on 11 November. I came on this board looking for support and information because I honestly dont know who to talk to. Anyways, thanks for reading.
Thank you.. I'm scared.. hospitals make me depressed.
In the last couple of months i've had a cousin go through cancer, and another having a nervous breakdown because of that.. and here I go.. feels like we're dropping like flies.
In the last couple of months i've had a cousin go through cancer, and another having a nervous breakdown because of that.. and here I go.. feels like we're dropping like flies.
Kc,
Just wanted to wish you good luck with your surgery. This will be all behind you before you know it... God Bless
Laney
Just wanted to wish you good luck with your surgery. This will be all behind you before you know it... God Bless
Laney
Wow thanks for the informative answers ladies. I've taken 2 days off only from work and now think i might have to go the whole week..
Its okay i dont need a gopher, i have the bf to be my 24/7 nurse >;)
I read the 10 Things I Learned.. post and laughed my butt off. I really feel comfortable on this board now and will definately keep you posted on everything. Thanks so much !
xx kc
Its okay i dont need a gopher, i have the bf to be my 24/7 nurse >;)
I read the 10 Things I Learned.. post and laughed my butt off. I really feel comfortable on this board now and will definately keep you posted on everything. Thanks so much !
xx kc
Hi,
I'd like to just point out that I totally agree with Mickey regarding the pain issue, so please don't be alarmed. It's unusual for patients to experience too much pain after a week or so. Of course, we all heal differently. I had the stitches removed in 1 week, I was told not to drive or lift anything for 2 weeks. My house has stairs but I was told I could go up the stairs when I got home and then to remain there for a week.. no stairs.
For me it was a laparoscopy and it was an outpatient procedure. I was given pain pills but they gave me such a raging headache, that I took only xstrength tylenol after 24 hours. I was able to shower the same day, but told not to get the 3 little incisions "sopping " wet.
During the procedure, they introduce gas into the abdominal cavity to better see the organs. Sometimes they are not able to "push" all the gas out and it will cause some women pain.a day or so later. . oddly in the shoulder area.. I was very fortunate and had no pain from that whatsoever.
And again regarding the pain, since I know it is a concern..The most "pain "I had was when I tried to bend over to pick something up (get a little grabby thing from Walmart called a gopher) and sleeping on my side. But I wouldn't call it pain. It was uncomfortable and after just a few days I felt fine. I would have driven to my Dr's for my post op if I had been allowed to do so. I went to the grocery after that week and the only thing is that darn buggy handle hit right at the belly button stitch !!
Do read that great post;"" 10 Things I learned ..." Really very good .And, please keep us posted.
Take care,
Sandy.
I'd like to just point out that I totally agree with Mickey regarding the pain issue, so please don't be alarmed. It's unusual for patients to experience too much pain after a week or so. Of course, we all heal differently. I had the stitches removed in 1 week, I was told not to drive or lift anything for 2 weeks. My house has stairs but I was told I could go up the stairs when I got home and then to remain there for a week.. no stairs.
For me it was a laparoscopy and it was an outpatient procedure. I was given pain pills but they gave me such a raging headache, that I took only xstrength tylenol after 24 hours. I was able to shower the same day, but told not to get the 3 little incisions "sopping " wet.
During the procedure, they introduce gas into the abdominal cavity to better see the organs. Sometimes they are not able to "push" all the gas out and it will cause some women pain.a day or so later. . oddly in the shoulder area.. I was very fortunate and had no pain from that whatsoever.
And again regarding the pain, since I know it is a concern..The most "pain "I had was when I tried to bend over to pick something up (get a little grabby thing from Walmart called a gopher) and sleeping on my side. But I wouldn't call it pain. It was uncomfortable and after just a few days I felt fine. I would have driven to my Dr's for my post op if I had been allowed to do so. I went to the grocery after that week and the only thing is that darn buggy handle hit right at the belly button stitch !!
Do read that great post;"" 10 Things I learned ..." Really very good .And, please keep us posted.
Take care,
Sandy.
I had a similar procedure in 2004; however, my left ovary and fallopian tube were also removed along with the complex mass on that ovary.
Pre-op instructions can vary for the patient, depending on the requirements of the surgical center and the doctor's preferences. For example, I was not required to change my diet or take a laxative prior to my surgery. However, I knew other patients having roughly the same surgery who were instructed to take a laxative treatment prior to surgery, and to limit intake the day before surgery to clear liquids. As TrudieC stated, you will be given instructions at the pre-op. Otherwise, the pre-op is the same old surgical routine of questions, questions, questions about personal and family medical history, with often bloodwork and/or urinalysis performed.
My doctor requested that her patients remain in the hospital overnight after surgery. But it is common practice with less invasive procedures for the procedure to be out patient and the patient goes home after recovery.
One important thing I want to share from my experience is there will be a list of things NOT to do during recovery - my list included refraining from use of stairs, from driving, from lifting any weight, and from having sexual intercourse. My list of things NOT to do were to last for one week. I then had a check-up with my doctor. Afterwards, the barring of lifting weights was the only one to remain for the rest of a month. Your list might vary from this list. Sometimes a patient will receive the post surgery instructions at the pre-op. At other times, the patient does not receive these instructions until release from post-op care. By the way, the reasoning behind the stair use is two-fold: to prevent excess exercise of abdominal muscles, and to reduce the danger of falling (due to dizziness associated with pain med usage.) Knowing the post-surgery instructions early will help you plan for after care.
Personally, I did not find the procedure and recovery very painful. I do respond well to pain medications, though. I tried driving after one week, and found another week necessary. After that, I was back to business as usual. I had some difficulty standing up, but once up, I could walk with no pain. I did find the incisions sites to be sensitive, and needed to wear protective clothing (read- 'grannie panties'. You might want to buy a couple of pairs to have on hand. You can use them as dust clothes later, or claim they belong to your mother. LOL)
I hope this information helps answer your questions.
Pre-op instructions can vary for the patient, depending on the requirements of the surgical center and the doctor's preferences. For example, I was not required to change my diet or take a laxative prior to my surgery. However, I knew other patients having roughly the same surgery who were instructed to take a laxative treatment prior to surgery, and to limit intake the day before surgery to clear liquids. As TrudieC stated, you will be given instructions at the pre-op. Otherwise, the pre-op is the same old surgical routine of questions, questions, questions about personal and family medical history, with often bloodwork and/or urinalysis performed.
My doctor requested that her patients remain in the hospital overnight after surgery. But it is common practice with less invasive procedures for the procedure to be out patient and the patient goes home after recovery.
One important thing I want to share from my experience is there will be a list of things NOT to do during recovery - my list included refraining from use of stairs, from driving, from lifting any weight, and from having sexual intercourse. My list of things NOT to do were to last for one week. I then had a check-up with my doctor. Afterwards, the barring of lifting weights was the only one to remain for the rest of a month. Your list might vary from this list. Sometimes a patient will receive the post surgery instructions at the pre-op. At other times, the patient does not receive these instructions until release from post-op care. By the way, the reasoning behind the stair use is two-fold: to prevent excess exercise of abdominal muscles, and to reduce the danger of falling (due to dizziness associated with pain med usage.) Knowing the post-surgery instructions early will help you plan for after care.
Personally, I did not find the procedure and recovery very painful. I do respond well to pain medications, though. I tried driving after one week, and found another week necessary. After that, I was back to business as usual. I had some difficulty standing up, but once up, I could walk with no pain. I did find the incisions sites to be sensitive, and needed to wear protective clothing (read- 'grannie panties'. You might want to buy a couple of pairs to have on hand. You can use them as dust clothes later, or claim they belong to your mother. LOL)
I hope this information helps answer your questions.
Have you had your pre-op appointment yet? This happens before your surgery and the hospital runs some tests and tells you what to expect. I'd like to point you to another posting about top 10 things I learned from laparscopic surgery that I will bump up to the top for you. It is quite funny yet informative. Take a look at that and then let us know if you have more questions. Good luck!
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