Do simple cyst or complex cyst grow more rapidly?

[Susette37]

I am 53 and have 6 grown children. I told my OB/GYN I would prefer a hysterectomy when she removes the cysts because my mother had uterine cancer, a cousin did too, and an aunt had breast cancer. I've had so many surgeries, I don't want to end up going back to get more cysts removed later. I'll have to ask friends who had hysterectomies what their experience was, and why they had them.

As is, they found out I have two hernias. My colon is pushing through one, my liver through the other. Apparently, people often get hernias after having surgery, which is how my doctor believes I ended up with mine.

I am concerned that my cysts will grow before surgery, especially since I've started having more pain in my legs or feet. I am starting to feel continuous pressure in my hip that I didn't feel all of the time before.

My CT scan was April 29. I don't know what size the cysts were then. When I went to see an OB/GYN on May 3 they did an ultrasound (and an internal one) and found:

Large Simple Cyst = 11 x 10 x 8CM
Complex Cystic Area = 9.9 x 5x2 x 4.8CM
Complex Cystic Area = 6.3 x 6.2 x 5.3CM
No Blood Flow
No Free Fluid

My regular doctor did a CA125 test and it was 23.6. I have had 2 people tell me they have family members whose are either the same, or lower than mine and have to have chemo...even though I've heard below 35 is considered the 'safe' range.

My first surgery to do the hysterectomy and remove the three cysts is June 15, and they'll repair one of the hernias and put in mesh. I have to heal totally before they do the other hernia operation. The doctor said he didn't want me to have to have to long incisions and that 7 hours was too long for me to be operated on.

I will try to come back to post size after surgery, since I found it beneficial to read others experience.

[old_before_my_time]

Glad to hear your surgery went well and I hope your recovery goes well!t Be sure to take it easy. Internal healing takes quite a bit longer than incision healing.

[Susette37]

My surgery was June 15, today is June 23. I had surgery on a Wed. and came home on Monday night.

The cysts went from 15cm the beginning of May to 20cm when they removed the mass June 23, so it increased 33% in six weeks! They removed it whole and did a wash to make sure there was nothing left behind in case it was cancerous. Pathology report came back benign. :)

My surgery was more extensive than just having a hysterectomy and cysts removal because they also did a hernia repair. My incision if roughly a foot long. Hubby said he wants to count the staples before they take them out. He's guessing there is around 40!

As painful as it may be to get out of bed and walk, that is what it will take to keep your body from getting as stiff!

One week post-op I talked hubby into taking me out to eat locally. I am using a walker for safety and to steady me when I have to stand still (like to wait to be seated or get back in the car etc.) and I use it to go from living room to the bathroom. Someone having just a hysterectomy probably wouldn't need the walker, but given my circumstances, the surgery was more invasive.

I am doing well, back to my same old sense of humor, just having to take breaks between things I do. My family is quite impressed with progress.

I will say there are a lot of things you can do to make sure your post-op recover and hospital stay are easier.

1. I took my own ice packs and a cold therapy machine. The hospitals ice packs were not cold enough to do anything with wearing a binder after surgery. You can buy clay ice packs from Dollar General for only $4. I recommend having at least 4 to 6 so you can have two on at a time while the others are freezing and just keep rotating them out. You can find a cold therapy machine online if you want to buy one. Some hospitals have them, but good luck getting one.

2. I took my own small pillow. Any time you have torso surgery, it is a good idea to keep a small pillow by you in case you have to sneeze or cough! It will help it to be less painful. Also, keep the small pillow with you in the vehicle for car rides to shield your abdomen from the seatbelt.

3. Your family can be a great help at the hospital to take care of your needs. My husband and two of my daughters made sure one of them were around most of the days and sometimes people spent the night, at least the first 3 nights I was in the hospital.

There are numerous things you can buy for use at home, but I'm not going to go into them here. I decided I am eventually going to do a blog post on things to help with various surgeries/recoveries to help other people out.

I hope my experience helps you in some way. Good luck if you are dealing with cysts/hysterectomy/hernia, etc.