After Laproscopic surgery - 3 questions

[AliceE]

Hi I am new to this forum and wish I had found it when I first found out I had a "mass" on my ovary and a CA125 reading of 79 and didn't know what anything meant.  

Eventually it turned out to be a benign 11cm cyst and I had it and my left ovary removed by laproscopy nearly 6 weeks ago now.  The size of my incisions are slightly longer than normal due to the size of the cyst.   I seem to be taking a long time to recover - certainly longer than the 2 weeks suggested!  Internally things are still very uncomfortable.   How long does it take for the "swelly belly" to go away? Clothes that are comfortable in the morning are deathly tight by nighttime!!
  2. I have continued on Orthocept (birthpill) without a break since the operation but for the last 2 weeks (coincidentally since I have been back at work) I have had intermittant bleeding - one day there might be nothing, then the next a spotting, then another day a real flow of blood.    Do you think that my body is trying to have a period ? (orthocept is fairly loss dose).   3.  WHY does the remaining ovary get the most awful  pain in it?  This vaires between a stabbing pain and a dragging cramping pain.    I hope some of you can answer these questions or someone just let me know that they also experienced these things.   Thanks I would really appreciate knowing that what I am going through now is "normal" !!  :-)

[Medsec]

I had a 20 cm ovarian cyst. It turned out to be a benign serous adenoma. I had the ovary and the tube removed. I also have the stabbing pains. It has been about 5 weeks since my surgery, and I feel this continous shaking-fluttering type of feeling. It is driving me crazy. My OB looks at me like I am crazy when I try to explain it to her. She says "maybe you are feeling movement in your colon". I don't think my colon has moved into my groin!! I was wondering if anyone else has felt this. It is really hard to put these sensations into words.


Thanks!!!

D

[AliceE]

My oby/gyn said that laproscopy is quicker to recover from  - that was the 2 weeks versus 6 weeks recovery time.  I am 6 weeks today on the laproscopy!!   I am 49 years old so maybe that has something to do with it.   My oby/gyn also said that the open abdominal surgery was easier for the doctors as they can see everything easier.  Good luck.

[GSLA]

Hello All,

I'm new to the forum and a bit concerned.
I'm having surgery April 12 and I just discovered the recovery time on this website, thank you...I have two cysts, one on each ovary, and the larger one, 7 cm, is potentially a dermoid. They aren't quite certain. I got a second opinion after the 1st Dr. kept expressing the strong possibility of losing both my ovaries. The second Dr. (my sister's Dr. actually) said that the best thing would be open surgery vs. laproscopy because there would be a better chance to save as much as possible of the healthier ovary. I chose her, but yesterday I received the insurance forms and it clearly states, "approval for removal of ovaries and tubes." I was devastated. I see my Dr again next Tuesday, but I'd like to know; is there one procedure  (abdominal surgery vs. laproscopy) that is better than the other? Pros and cons?
Thank you so much for any information.
GSLA

[lacjmc]

It has been a week since my surgery and I am still very tired and swollen.  I was hoping to be closer to normal by now.  I guess I just need to give my body time to heal.

[lacjmc]

It has been a week since my surgery and I am still very tired and swollen.  I was hoping to be closer to normal by now.  I guess I just need to give my body time to heal.

[AliceE]

Thank you so much for your responses.  It is a comfort to know that others have the same feelings and pains etc.  I was worried but now feel much better - now if I could just get rid of the "swelly belly"!!