Large Ovarian Cyst and removal surgery

[charliepink]

I have a cyst on my left ovary that is over 16cms with a mass of about 8cms inside, I am due for surgery to remove the ovary soon but am just a bit worried about recovery time as I am self employed and don't get paid sick leave. I have noticed that most people with cysts on their ovaries are only between 4-10 cms, is this because they get removed before they get this large?

[Gatsby]

Welcome to the site.  My dermoids were both softball sized!  Anyway, try to remember tha 99% of ovarian cysts (masses or tumors) are BENIGN.  You will find many women here who have been where you are.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Godspeed

~Tascha

[livertrans]

My cyst is about that size as well.  It is too big for laproscopic removal so you will likely be having an abdominal incision.  I am supposed to be in the hospital 5-6 days and if it is like my hysterectomy it was 6 weeks before I could return to work.  A lot depends on the physical aspects of your job.  You may be able to get back to you work before this long.  I hope so for your sake.  When I had my hys. I was still working as an x-ray tech so I had full coverage.  Makes a big difference.

Good luck.

[charliepink]

Thanks so much for your replies, and so quick!!!



I am mainly worried because I am only 25, what if when they get in there (so to speak) they decide other stuff needs to come out as well?? I am in the UK, do es anyone know if we have to sign a consent form or something??

[ShellyBelly18]

Hi there,



I can feel your pain.  I just had surgery for a 7 cm. cyst.  It ended up being endometriosis everywhere and I had a hysterectomy.  You never know what to expect until they go in.  I am self employed as well and have a 4 and a 1 year old.  I cannot life my daughter for at least 3-4 weeks.  I go to the doctor tomorrow and will find out more.  It will be 6 weeks approx. till I can get back to normal duties.  I will give you an update tomorrow when I hear more about what my doc tells me.  Being self employed is soooo hard.  I am losing a few thousand dollars with this surgery.  My husband lost time at work, I need help all the time when he is at work with my daughter.  I can't get her in and out of the crib, high chair, etc.  It's frustrating, but under the circumstances, I would much rather have this than cancer.



I pray for you your outcome is good and will post with any new recovery info I get.



ShellyBelly

[charliepink]

I go on Wednesday to see my doc to find out an operation date. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

The most frustrating thing is that my doc's have known about this for 3 years and have done nothing except watch it and wait, I even had a miscarriage at 18 weeks last year and they still didn't remove the cyst.

[LoLoBoBo]

I just got a cyst taken out mine wasn't that big but they ended up taking out the ovary cyst and the tube on the right side.. Your OB will decide what is best. Mine did great. We went over what she possibly would take out. Except the tube but I wont miss it. just take a deep breath. Find a good doctor who will explain stuff to you. I had an incision done and I am home. I guess I could work, if I worked from home. I had the surgery on friday came home on sunday. I am doing good but I am also only 19. Just find a good doctor who will work with you and will explain everything to you. Good Luck and keep looking around if you don't find a doctor up to par.

[Pokemomma]

My cyst was 16.5 cm.  Because I have a very stressful job and demanding boss, I asked my dr to push my recovery time to 8 weeks and he was fine with that.  I'm at 7 weeks now and feeling good.  I think that if I was self-employed, had a desk-type job and was able to control my schedule, I would have been able to go back to work much sooner.  Everyone is different, so I think you'll just have to give it a try when you feel up to it and see what happens.  I'd think at between 3 and 4 weeks you should be able to do some things on a part-time basis....a few hours a day maybe.  



Good luck.  I'll be praying for a good outcome and easy recovery for you.

[basketballer]

hi charlie. I had a 24cm dermoid cyst removed less than a month ago. I had the abdominal surgery due to its size, but fortunately the Dr. was able to drain the fluid before removing the cyst from my ovary. The incision is about 5-6cm, (less than 3 inches) and it is a low bikini cut. This was the 2nd dr. i saw, as the first one wanted to remove my ovary along with the cyst and seemed unwilling to consider less invasive possibilities for me (i would have gotten a much bigger incision). My ovary is fine and intact -- good thing i went with dr. #2 (i am 30). He had only mentioned removing the ovary if cancer is found (there wasn't).



I only stayed in the hospital 1 night -- didn't feel like sticking around. I think going back to work would have been possible for me at about 2 weeks. I am generally active and tried to be in great shape before the surgery (thought it'd help). overall, i thought i'd be in worst shape than i was.



hope this helps you. Best of luck with the surgery!

[charliepink]

Htanks so much for your support, I am just so frustrated as it has taken me over 3 years to get this close to surgery. I have spoken to a medical expert at my solicitors and he thinks I have a good case for clinical negligence due to the fact that my cyst has been growing for years and nothing had been done until I actually went back to my doctor and asked for another ultrasound as I felt it was growing.

[AnnelieseR]

Hi,  I am scheduled in two days for surgery.  Depending on your surgery ..ie..lap approach or wide incision..if you just have your cyst removed vs your ovary.  I was told I would lose my ovary due to the fact they bleed.  Also, they are making me do a lovely bowel prep prior.. can't wait.   Best of luck on your surgery..hopefully your down time will be brief.  



In general most patients can expect 1-2 day hospital stay for Laporoscopy and wide incision 3 days..  with a down time 2 weeks for a Lap..6-8 weeks for abdominal wide incision.  



Fyi..I am a patient and healthcare worker..have many doctor friends who are surgeons.



Take care, Anna

[daizylynn]

I just had an open abdominal surgery for a large ovarian cyst. My hospital stay was about 4 1/5 days and my at home recovery time was about 2 1/2 weeks. I just returned to a desk job with a very understanding boss part time this week. I think the only way this has been possible is that I am allowed to leave whenever I feel neccessary. I've been able to work about half time so far, but had to take another day off because I noticed some bleeding around the incision and felt tired. It's a frutstatingly slow process. But everything was totally benign! Is very light bleeding around the incision normal at 3 weeks?

[PF_PVD]

Do you realize this message was posted over two years ago?  Since then a new forum dealing specifically with benign ovarian