Dermoid-laparoscopy recovery time?

[bluehaven]

I have a 6 cm ovarian dermoid cyst that the surgeon said can hopefully be removed by laparoscopy.  I am wondering how long the recovery time is by laparoscopy, or by conventional surgery if it came to that .  I am a dancer and I'm trying to figure out how long I'll be out of commission, and how soon I'll be able to resume different levels of pysical activity.  I am 27 and in good health otherwise.  

[LemonLucy]

Hi,  I just found this site as I had the surgery you are talking about 2 weeks ago for the 3rd time. (unlucky I know!)  I have had 3 different sets of dermoid cysts.  Each time they have done a laparoscopy to have a look but had to remove all by laparotomy due to the contents of the cysts.

I came on here as I am fed up with my swelling even though it is normal it was nice to have the reassurance of some of the comments on here.

To answer your question about laparoscopy, when I had this I was off work for a week and not really that sore, it was the pain in shoulders from the gas that was more annoying.  It really depends on what they do when they are in there how it affects you to be honest.

If you have the full surgery, it is longer due to the invasive surgery but its not so bad.  I was in hopsital for 4 days and have been resting for 10 days but now getting a bit bored.  Due to be off work for 10 weeks though.

When is your surgery planned for?

[bluehaven]

My surgery is planned for August 21, but I'm in grad school for dance and classes start 2 weeks later on September 4.  I'm trying to gather information about how soon my body will be able to participate in classes, or if I should drop out of a show that I'm doing now and get the surgery earlier so I'll be fully recovered for school...

In your situation why couldn't they go through with it with laparoscopy?  Was it too large? What were the contents that they needed to open you up?

Hope your recovery goes smoothly and that you're not too bored!

[LemonLucy]

My consultant, (and the 2 previous ones) all stated that it was risky to remove a dermoid cyst through keyhole as the fluid in them is worse than that of a normal cyst that if it ruptured on removal it could be rather nasty floating around your abdomen. Also dermoids generally have things like teeth/hair/bones etc in them which makes keyhole harder. Is your laparoscopy exploritory or are tehy planning on trying to remove cyst?

I would check with your consultant. My last cyst was only 3cms so it wasn't size.  All my laparoscopys were just to have a look around before other surgery.

It may be different in other countries? (I'm in UK)

If it was just keyhole you may be ok for 2 weeks, but I think you need to speak to your consultant about what their plans are when they "get in" so to speak!

Let me know how you get on


Lucy

[Gatsby]

Hey there.  I had 2 12inch diameter (softball sized) dermoids removed by laproscopy.  The surgery took about 3 hours.  Recovery time was definitely shorter than it would have been if the dr. had done it traditionally.  You  will have the "swelly belly" due to the gas they pump in to inflate the area so they can see what they are doing.  I think that this causes most of your pain.  Prepare yourself by having mint tea (to get rid of the gas), a belly pillow to hold against your abs when you move and pants without zippers!  Take your pain meds as directed.  It is hard to get a handle on the pain if it gets too bad.  Also, you may have some constipation so have a stool softner available. Hope this helps!
~Tascha

[bluehaven]

Thanks so much for the info!  This is so great, and having more knowledge certainly makes the process less scary.  I hope your recovery went smoothly!

[sayley]

Hi,
    Just remember your body is much more important right now. If you let your body heal you can do all the dancing later. I to await surgery in sep for dermoid cysts. I will be thinking about you and get your surgery as soon as u can becuase this cyst grow at fast  rates. Regarding your cyst did thr doctor tell you that he would be able to safe your ovary? just wondering.

sincerely,

Sayley

[dawn74]

If you don't mind me asking....how do they determine if it's a dermoid cyst? Is that something they can tell by the ultrasound?

[bluehaven]

They found the dermoid cyst becuase I went to my doctor complaining of painful interourse with bleeding, and irregular periods.  They did an ultrasound (both the kind that they insert into your vagina, and the surface one on top of the stomach.  They said they will try to save as much of the ovary as possible, but I won't really know more until I'm on the operating table.

Thanks so much to everyone who posted with info and advice!