Having a Laparoscopy on Dec 1

[Fizzy777]

Hi,
I just joined after finding this site through google. What a great place!

I'm 45 and have never had children. I've always had very regular periods, but had some spotting 2 weeks early back in August. I was also feeling ill and had a lot of mucous build up in my throat. These things are probably unrelated. It turns out I had a UTI but that didn't explain the spotting. My doctor sent me for a pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound to see if it was just menopause kicking in early. They found some small "normal" cysts on my right ovary, and a 5.5cm cystic mass on my left. Follow-up ultrasounds showed no change.

Last month I was referred to a gynocologist who has scheduled me for surgery Dec 1. She said this whole thing will likely be more of a nuisance than anything else for me, and the risks are less than 1% that it would be CA. I'm still really nervous because my mom died of colon cancer 10 years ago and I've read that makes me a higher risk for Ov Ca. She said she will remove the cystic structure and hopefully leave the ovary (but that may have to go as well), and it should all be able to be done with laprascopic surgery. They will biopsy while they're doing it.

I've never had any type of surgery before and I've been having panic attacks over this (which is very unusual for me). I'm scared about what they might find... but I'm also scared about how I'll feel afterwards. I should be home the same day (if everything is ok) but I keep thinking, what if I have to go back to the hospital? Our emergency room waits here (Toronto) are usually about 5+ hours (probably more these days with the H1N1). If I know exactly how I'll feel after, I won't panic and rush to the hospital... so I'm here trying to find out exactly what I might feel after this type of surgery, will there be bleeding, etc. ... what is normal? I also have lower back problems, so I'm worried about lying down afterwards and not being able to get back up, or not being able to rest. I have difficulty lying on my back for prolonged periods of time.

And yes... I'm a REALLY BIG WIMP!

Thanks :)

[paracelsus51]

I wouldn't expect you to not be anxious. Like I said, this is my third major surgery and I still got worked up. This is, seriously, the easiest surgery I have had. I have a good job where, if it's too much, I can always go home. This is the shortest time I have had off. I tire easily, but other than that I haven't even needed drugs today. I will take some ibuprofen as I have to go out today.

The other thing to think about too is to wear very loose stretchy clothing when you go in. You will be sore and it will be easier to dress.

Your doctor did the right thing. Mine just said it didn't sound like anything, so wait and see. I had to make the next step on my own. It was something, so never just accept being placated when you know something isn't right.

[Fizzy777]

Wow, I didn't realize you just had yours done 3 days ago. I hope I do as well as you. If I can sit at the PC after 3 days, I'll be happy!

I'm stressed over this because it came out of the blue. I didn't expect them to find anything with the ultrasound. My doctor said she sent me to see if the irregular spotting was just (if I remember correctly) my uterus shedding, which would mean perimenopause and some meds to regulate my hormones. Then I saw another doctor when I started to panic (my doctor was on holiday). He said I was panicing over nothing and based on the ultrasound results, his opinion was that I wouldnt need surgery but would be monitored every few months for a while. While I trust my doctor and have trusted her for the last 30 years, and I know she's not a specialist, but a general practitioner who did the right thing by sending me for tests and to a gyno, I guess it's just been discouraging that their assumptions were wrong. I just hope the gyno's assumptions are correct and it's just going to be an easy laparoscopy.

I feel a lot better reading through this forum and hearing everyone's experiences, but still can't get my head around this and can't seem to stop the anxiety! :-/

Fizzy

[paracelsus51]

I don't think you will have a problem getting into the SUV. You will have help. I am a good 80lbs overweight and have bad knees, but I live upstairs an had no problems. Once I am up here, I don't have to go downstairs except to get food.

My cyst bugged me from my hips to my chest. I had my stomach checked out and it was fine, went to my GP and he didn't recognize the symptoms and finally went to my proctologist thinking something was wrong with my digestive track. He ordered a CT scan which found the cysts. Three doctors who didn't recognize the symptoms. So, your odd symptoms may be related. I have GERD and it was affecting that and some heart "pounding" or palpitations. The heart thing is stressful and can freak you out. Hopefully that will go away afterwords.

If all you have is a laprascopic surgery, you should be just fine a month later. I am feeling pretty good only three days later after this one. The ibuprofen is prescribed at 800mg, four times the normal dose.

[Fizzy777]

First, thanks for sharing your experiences!

I can probably sleep on the couch (there's a washroom on the main floor too) so I think I will plan that. I've been having terrible problems with my knees lately and it's a struggle to get up and down stairs now. I can't imagine what it will be like after surgery! Not sure what's up with my knees tho... I'm not in too bad shape (maybe 15 lbs overweight) and until all this started, I used to walk a lot. I stopped doing that once the panic attacks started.

Thanks for the getting jiggy info LOL... I just thought I'd ask for my partner's benefit :) I've got a few nights booked at the Niagara Falls Casino for December 27-30. I wonder if I'll be ok for something like that? It's a 1.5 hour drive... which brings me to my next question! Our vehicle is an SUV (Nissan XTerra). I wonder if I'll be able to get up into it after the surgery, or if we should take a cab instead? I'm only 5'2", so I usually need to pull myself up into the seat now.

I'm hoping there's no bowel prep. I remember that from my last colonoscopy YUCK is right! I'll get more info on Friday when I go for pre-op. I just came back from an ultrasound now. My gyno wanted me to have another just in case the cysts disappear or shrink considerably. The technicians aren't allowed to tell you anything, but I told her that's why I was there. WHen I was leaving she said "good luck with your surgery", which makes me think that there was no change or they've grown :(  I wasn't putting too much hope into them going away, but thought just maybe!

It surprises me that ibuprofen is enough for the pain for some of you. I take it occasionally for shoulder/neck or back pain and it doesnt do a heck of a lot. I try not to take pain meds for these things because I dont want it to be a daily habit, but I'm surprised they're strong enough for this kind of pain.

I haven't really had any pain with the cysts, except for two times when I'm still not sure if it was the cysts or not. Back in June and July I woke up and could hardly move because I thought I had a really bad stomach ache on my left side or really bad gas that wouldnt move. I struggled to get out of bed etc. and it subsided but it was extremely painful. In hindsight, I'm guessing it was the cysts because I'd never felt like that before.

My biggest problem right now is the panic. I feel I could get through this a lot easier if I could stop this feeling. I dont feel like I'm getting panic attacks... I feel more like I'm in a neverending one (short of breath a lot of the time) and I'm still not convinced it's a panic attack. I'm going to search this place for a forum about them and see if my symptoms match. I seem to get the symptoms for no reason, and almost always when I eat or wear something tighter like jeans, as opposed to yoga pants. My doctor says that sounds like panic attacks to her, but I just don't know!

Oops, I drifted away from the topic for a minute there!  I really appreciate all of your advice! And thanks for the heads up about laughing. I'll try and stay away from the comedies! :)

Also, thanks for bumping the "10 things" post, outdoorsgirl! :)

Fizzy

[paracelsus51]

I am 42 and just had a cyst removed from my left ovary laproscopically. I was amazed at the lack of information I received beforehand. I should also mention that this is my third surgery this year (lapband and then skin cancer). I usually spend hours surfing the net to find out the nitty-gritty details.

I didn't have to stay. I checked in at 5:20am and was out at a little after 1pm. Surgery was at 7 am. I can tell you not to panic, but even after having had surgery before, I find I have a panic attack and then I am fine. When you get there, they will be happy to answer any questions you have throughout the whole time. If you are in pain, they will give you something for it, just let them know.

My cyst at last measurement was 3.2 cm and driving me nuts with back and side pain. I couldn't sleep on my side at all, very uncomfortable. I've been flat on my back for months, which just results in spasms, trying out birth control pills to shrink it.

They give you something to relax you before surgery. I have three x shaped cuts. One directly below my navel, one right above my pubic area and a third to the left side right above my thigh. They are all very small. I have scar tissue, since I had a total abdominal hysterectomy among other things, he had to dig around a bit. I have to say, of all the operations I've had, this one is the least painful. Two days later I am only on ibuprofen and other than needing some sleep, I am feeling really good.

I don't know if they will make you do bowel prep, but I had to. Yuck. I lost four pounds in one day.  I gained all that back plus three more, which I am sure is just fluid. I am just annoyed by seeing it on the scale. It is also unlikely that you will have to run to the emergency room, just make sure you do what you are supposed to and you should be fine.

[Jennyrose]

I have heard of incisions both through the belly button and just under. I would prefer just under compared to what I had to deal with this time. My poor belly button is all twisted up with scar tissue now (not visible unless you really look). Please don't go by my case; I had a prior lap for gall bladder surgery and there was already scar tissue to contend with. The doctor had to go where she could. The 2 tiny cuts on my hips were not really a problem at all. The gas pains went away on the 2nd or 3rd day. I just couldn't lie flat because of the way it was hitting my ribs the first night or 2. It did travel to my shoulders also. Walking helps. I was up walking the halls at 2am in the hospital and the nurses told me to go to bed! Get some cough drops or hard candy for the rough throat. They take the tube out before you wake up but you will feel the aftereffects for a day or so.

I only spent the night in the hospital because I was the last surgery of the day and was not awake until 8:30 pm or so and my mom had already left to take care of my son. I would say that it is good to have someone around for a few days until you are more steady and know that dizziness is not a factor. Try to avoid too much of the stairs. And don't watch funny movies. I forgot that part. I was trying to cheer myself up with laughter and oh man it hurt.... Hold a pillow to your tummy for coughing and laughing etc. It helps.

Ask the doctor about sex. You probably won't be anxious to get jiggy until she releases you anyway. My restriction was longer--4 weeks because of the ablation, not because of the laparoscopy. I didn't try until one week after that and (I'll be discreet), either take the "top bunk" or be sure your partner has good upper body strength. Weight on my stomach still hurt a bit, but not enough to discourage me. :-) In fact, it was good psychological medicine for me...

Jennyrose