Surgery follow up for 22cm cyst

[bloated94]

Just wanted to thank all of you wonderful women who were there to answer my questions and just pass on kind words before my surgery. To recap...I was told about a month about a month ago that I had a 20cm cyst on my left ovary. It had grown to 22cm by the time I had an CT. I also had elevated results from my OVA 1 test. My surgery was on July 21st. Talk about being crazy nervous! I did hope to keep my right ovary but was not able to. When my oncologist/gyno got in there (incision goes from pubic area to bellybutton) he discovered that the football size cyst had ruptured. There was still the lower part intact that had more solid matter in it. The frozen section came back as borderline so he needed to do a full hysterectomy. Both ovaries and all. I am in my mid 40's with 2 kids so luckily do not need to worry about that. I have my follow up visit later next week and hope they have the full pathology report by then. Slowly recovering from the surgery. Lots of sleep really does help. Have lost about 25 pounds! Thankful to have it done but still very worried about the borderline cells that were/are floating around the rest of me. Can this become something else in the future? Strange but I did not have any real pain that you would think would come with a rupture. Thank you again for all your well wishes and great advice! So lucky to have found this forum!

[blindbat101]

Prior to your surgery and biopsy was there any concern about it?  Just out of curiousity, what has your CA-125 number been and has it changed at all?  Knowing that the test does not always indicate the situation, just wondering what your numbers have done.

[bloated94]

Thanks! So for the stage 1c ( c because if the rupture) I will be going back to my oncologist for regular check ups every 4 months for the first few years. After that he goes onto a 6 month schedule. I know they will be doing blood work for the ca125 count and a physical exam also. He mentioned ultrasounds as well but I don't know how often that would be. Maybe yearly? So now that all the reproductive organs are gone...he will really just be looking for signs of a recurrence some where else. I guess liver, kidney etc. could be affected. Just not sure how long that goes on. Fun fun fun! Thanks again for the encouragement! And I share your Wahoooo!

[blindbat101]

Awesome to hear you're doing so well, and thanks for posting follow-ups!  I'm sure your information will help many people!  I was wondering about the stage 1 report and what they tell you to do.  Since they took everything out already will you need to do anything else?  Again, great news and so glad you're on your way to better health!!  Wahooooo!

[bloated94]

I am so sorry that you have to deal with all this. Waiting for me was the worst part! Could not wait to just get in there and be done with it! But you have found a great forum with some very helpful women so remember to ask when you have any questions. It really helps to calm you down. As far as the skin goes...the best thing I can compare it to is being pregnant. Yes right now you feel so stretched out but once they remove the cyst you just bounce back ( with time). My cyst continued to grow and unfortunately ruptured but at last measurement was 22 cm. I have now lost about 34 lbs from the surgery and recovery. My stomach is still a little hard and bloated but I was told that could take up to six months. To be honest it was not completely flat before! My incision was also going to be that large as well but because of the rupture they were able to stop at the belly button. They ended up taking both ovaries, tubes, uterus, cervix and omentum. Final report came back stage 1c.It has been 19 days from surgery for me and doing much better! Sleep will be your best friend for the first week or two. Allow yourself that! It makes a big difference. Good luck and please keep us updated. Let me know if you have any questions at all. It really does help to "talk" to other women who have dealt with the same thing. Take care

[metchick]

Oh, they told me my incision will be from pubic to just below my breasts....but I am guessing the overall surgery will be the same so any input would be greatly appreciated.  I am possibly going to lose everything as well including some of my bowel...hopefully not all of it...am 35.

[metchick]

Hi

I am due for a 30cm removed in 3 weeks.  What do they do with all the extra skin from the stretching...do they remove it or just leave it there sagging to the sides?  Trying not to think about the negative and instead trying to focus on vanity right now as it makes it seem less traumatic.

Thanks

[JessRae]

I'm sorry, I dont have much advice for you. Thats quiet scary indeed! I'm glad to hear you are recovery well from surgery though and hope that everything goes well at your post op appt and you get good news from pathology reports. Will keep you in my thoughts, good luck! Keep us updated :)