ovarian cyst attached to organs...

[zimasdabest]

I am 45 and going in a couple days into my 4th surgery for a cyst the last one was 8 months ago. this one is 13cm x 6cm and they say it is attached to my bladder and colon and possibly my intestine. the doctor also said he might have to remove part of my bowel and intestine. how common is this? what is the normal recovery time for this complex of a surgery? what are my risks? and what will happen if they do have to remove part of my intestine and bowel?

[grate]

Zimasdabest I feel your concern as I am walking down that same road in the battle of the cyst.  It is disheartening to have to keep going through these surgeries and I know because I am on surgery number 3 myself.  I hope you were able to get a second opinion by a good surgeon.  My current surgeon has been trying to get me to have everything removed for the last 15 years.  This time I am getting a second opinion before anyone touches me.  I want to know why these cyst keep coming back and fix it from that end also.  There is a reason we keep getting these cyst.  I was told that I will probably get a cyst every time one is removed.  I'm no doctor but this tells me that something with my hormones, or environment is out of whack.  I had sugery for a cyst with adhesions, and when they went in they found that my uterus, bladder, and part of my colon were all stuck together.  The surgeon told me I was the worst case of adherence he had ever seen.  That was 15 years ago.  He wanted me to have a hyster then, but I didn't.  In 2009 I had a 8 cm cyst removed along with my left overy and tube.  Removal of that cyst made me physically feel better.  They biopsied the ovary and tube and found them clean, no cancer, praise God.  I couldn't believe it when I started having a lot of pain and frequent urination a feww months after my last surgery.  I laid on my bed and strated pressing because I know my body well and I knew something again was wrong.  I felt nothing the first few times, but then about 2 months ago I finally found the trouble.  I felt a large mass on the same side as the ovary they removed.  This alarmed me.  Called in hubby, he felt it too.  I no longer was on hubby's insurance, had just started a new position, tried to wait for insurance to kick-in but was in too much pain.  Went to surgeon, had to pay out of pocket for everything-ultrasound, labs, and all.  To my horror they found a cyst in the same place as the one they removed.  It is 16 by 11 cm, unbelievable.  Overy gone, tube gone so why is it on the same side unless they left remnants of left overy.  I am popping pain pills everyday, hoping I don't damage my kidneys with them.  was supposed to have a CA125 done but honestly I was too scared to do it.  Will do it soon through one of the companies who will give me the results first because I go crazy waiting for the call from the doctor. I hope everyting turns out well for you and me too.  

[TrudieC]

This isn't common but it does happen at times.  Often it is a result of adhesions from previous surgeries so it is more likely to happen if you have had multiple abdominal surgeries.  

I've had many intestinal and gynelogical surgeries so I had a lot of the same risks with mine.  You are at risk of infection and it is possible they could knick the other areas and have to repair them.  If they remove some of your intestine it will extend your recovery a bit.  You will have to watch your diet while it heals - soft foods at first.  It will not affect your ability to digest food and once you recover you won't feel any different.  Down the road you will need to pay attention to your body and watch for adhesions in that area as there is a slight possibility it could cause a blockage.  Something that can help with the adhesions is ball rolling.  Take a look at the health pages (top right) attached to this forum and there is an excellent posting on there.  Don't do this until you're healed.  

Feel free to PM me for any support.  It is scary but you will do fine.