Recovery from left Salpingo Oophorectomy and right Ovairan Cystectomy...

[madboo15]

I am 26 years old and I Just had surgery on September 14th. My Dr. removed my left ovary via abdominal incision, removed an eggplant size tumor, along with 3 other ovarian cysts on the right ovary. ALL are benign!!!



Just wanted to know some tips and advice for recovery. Tried to start back at work on Monday just working half days but feeling some pain in my lower back. Have been home now for 2 weeks. Not sure what I can be doing to prevent further injury. Women at my job are comparing my procedure to a cesearrian...is it similar?  And that they were up and working after 2-3 weeks. Just wanting to know if I am normal or experiencing something out of the ordinary. (my Dr. told me 2 months of recovery)



My incision has had some discharge...not sure if it is left over from the iodine when my staples came out...should I worry?



Doing good not lifting anything over 10 pounds...just starting driving yesterday.

Was in the hopsital Thursday to Sunday.



Anyone out there with similar issues...were you able to still have kids? Any complications? I don't have any yet.



Any help would be great!!! Thanks!

[sdp4314]

Did you have a laparotomy by any chance?  If so, you might be overdoing it a bit.  You will have back and abdominal pain for a while.  I had my lap 7/12 and I still have back pain and the occasional twinge now and again.  What I am concerned about it your incision discharge.  Is it leaking onto your clothes?  What color is it?  Are you experiencing any "new" pain in the belly?  I don't think you should have anything coming from your incision at 3 weeks post op.



Remember, you just surgery and it takes time for you to heal on the inside as well as the outside.  It was a full six weeks for me to do anything major.  However, I did have some post op complications that delayed my recovery a bit, but I am fine now.



Please take care of yourself,



Shawn

[shazzybow]

i had your op and had twins after! i think youve gone back to work too soon, my doc said 6 weeks minimum. also driving 6 weeks, take it easy youve had major surgery.

[madboo15]

Thank you both so much for your quick responses. Yes I did have a laparotomy...the incision is from my belly button down about 7 inches.



As for the discharge it is hard for me to tell...I got my staples out last Friday, the 22nd...and they then put on the bandage tape and told me to take it off in two weeks in the shower. I am still wearing the "binder" thing around my waist and I can tell that there is a yellowish brown goo that is coming out...not sure if it is just build up from soap and water in the shower or what. Should I take the bandage tape off now and see if any oozing? Or should I call my Dr.? I am not feeling any new pain in the belly region. Did not take any tylenol or pain pills today, went to work, and ended up having pain in my lower back and stomach region...felt like i had done like 500 sit ups. Came home at noon, took a pain pill and now am feeling better.



Thank you very much for your advice. I will take it much slower now, and possibly not go back to work tomorrow to be safe. I am just a loan processor, but from sitting for an hour and then getting up to walk to the fax that is when I feel some pain.



My Dr. had said 2 weeks for driving...8 weeks for full recovery...however ladies at my office said that after their cessarian they were back at work in 2 -3 weeks so I had some pressure to get back. You both have given me piece of mind.

[scoutshadow]

They were back to work after giving birth by caesarian after 2-3 weeks?  This is madness.  Please don't listen to them.  If you don't take it easy you could end up taking months off down the line.  Your doctor has said 8 weeks for recovery and you must listen to him.  I know it's boring and that you feel pressure to go back to work but really it is in YOUR best interests to stay off work for a while longer.



Take care and take it easy!

[shazzybow]

just to let you know its illegal to work in the uk before 6 weeks after a baby c/section or no c/section. glad you are going back to your doc to see the wound mine took 4 weeks to heal i had an infection when it cleared the wound healed well.i went back to work this week after my lap and cyst removal im 7 weeks post op and feel great. good luck and take time to heal you dont want a hernia!

[PPhelps]

I've had two c-section 16 months apart. I was out of work for 5 weeks. You need to give yourself time to heal. The incision for c-section is different from laporatomy. Also during a c-section your not having an organ removed. These other women may have had a c-sections and was back at work. I was feeling ok after the second week but why go back if you don't have to. And any ways I also new I may be feeling ok, but my insides was not they still needed some time before going back to the stress of work. Give yourself the proper amount of time to heal, and see a doctor about the oozing.

[madboo15]

Thank you very much for your replies. I did not go to work today, and I can't tell you what your words have given me in piece of mind that I was not crazy for not feeling completely ready to go back to work. Going in today to have my incision looked at.



If you have any other tips or advice for a healthy recovery please do share :)



Very happy to hear that kids are certinaly still possible!!!

Thanks again!

[tomboy123]

I just had surgery 2 weeks ago.  It was a hysterectomy plus removal of my right ovary and pelvic repair (bladder and rectum lifted).  I have gone through a number of things and do not feel I was given much warning by nurses, doctors or the hospital before hand.  I became toxic or overdosed on the narcotics they gave me after going home from the surgery.  I ended up in the ER after an abulance ride one night.  Everyone told me to take the meds every four hours and not to wait until the pain got bad to do so.  So I was diligent and overdosed.  Then my hormones have played a number on me and caused hot flashes, panic attacks and mood swings.  I felt good after getting a small dose estagen patch from my doctor and then did too much yesterday and am now lying in bed in pain.  Is this normal?  What is the normal behavior for me after a surgery like this?  Anyone got any advice for me to feel like my self again?

Nancy

[CaydensMommy]

I had that surgery also at age 26 and was not back at work for 4 weeks. I had cancer, though, and was dealing with the emotional/mental side of receiving that diagnosis as well as getting 2nd opinions on treatment and deciding what to do. I, too, still have one ovary. I have not had any more children since the surgery, but I'm told that when I'm ready, that I shouldn't have any problems. Please take some time to relax. I felt like it took awhile for me to feel "normal" again. I had night sweats the first week, and I just felt like my hormones were adjusting (i.e. mood swings, fatigue, very painful periods, etc.) for at least the first three months. Please don't try to push yourself too hard. Listen to your body. If you are overly tired, you're probably overdoing it. Don't let your coworkers push you, either. An laparotomy is different from ceasarian, and even after most ceasarians, doctors recommend eight weeks off from work. (That may have to do with dealing with a newborn, too, though.) Also what kind of work you do may make a difference. Sitting at a desk all day is different from being an elementary school teacher, for example. Hope this helps! :)
Wishing you a speedy recovery,
Glenda

[CaydensMommy]

Oops! Sorry I just looked at the original date of the post.....