Laparotomy and Cystectomy Recovery

[gspice]

Hello all..I have read many posts to this forums for the last 13 days as I recover from my 10cm dermoid cyst being removed from laparotomy. While I have not returned for my follow-up, I have been told that biopsy results showed the growth to be benign.  However, I am still experiencing a great deal of pain. My body feels quite recovered as far as muscle strength, incision area, etc., but similar pain to pre-surgery is being experienced.  My pelvis aches on both sides.  I have called the office numerous times hoping to move my appointment up or talk to someone about the pain, but pretty much, I just get more Rx prescribed.  Any thoughts from those of you who have undergone these procedures? Would my organs still ache from a surgery that took place 13 days ago?

Thank you in advance!

[kimchi514]

I had laparoscopic cystectomy 1 week ago. 3 small incisions that didn't even require stitches and reconstructed belly button with some dissolvable stitches. I must be lucky b/c I was walking up and down stairs by the end of that day (albeit slowly) and back to normal in 4 days. Went to the gym on the 5th day. Did a pilates class and noticed my ab strength wasn't normal, but I finished the class easily enough. I think the key is moving around to release the gases that they pump in you to give them space to operate. It seeps out your joints and feels like hell. I only took 3 pain pills on that 1st morning when I woke up b/c rolling out of bed was a bit painful. But in hindsight I could have gone without and wish I had. The meds they give you mixed with the residual anesthesia in your body stop you up like a cork in a bottle. Took about 3 days for me to poo which was causing more pain than the incisions themselves. Some places also offer single incision laparoscopic where the whole thing is done thru your navel. Completely scarless. I know it's done, but couldn't find a doctor in my area that did it. But worth looking into if you have options in your area.

[Jan214]

This post is over two years old so I am not sure why it was brought up again.  Also, we now have a cyst forum which I suggest you use because this is a cancer forum and except for a few people on here we generally know more about cancer than cysts.  I would definitly take this to the cyst forum and start a new post there.

[eirra]

i'm going to be admitted later at about 2 in the afternoon..for kiv laprotomy cystectomy of my right ovary...i'm 24.. am a nurse my self...feeling nervous....feel depress if they going to remove my right ovary..but doc says i can still get pregnant...the worst thing is i'm getting married next year and you know you had a lot of visions and misions......feeling very very nervous..but i think i felt a bit better after reading those numerous comments...at least i'm not alone right...

[leighanna2424]

I had surgery one week ago today, was going to have a laparoscropic procedure done that would take approx. one hour but the surgery took three hours and it was done laprotomy. So I have four small incisions and one large one ( 8 inchs across ). Had a left uteral lysis & lysis of multiple adhesions, bilateral salpingo oophorectomy. My uterus was removed two years ago because of a enlarged fibroid.Since the surgery I have had severe pain on my left side where a 8cm cyst was removed it feels like something is tearing my skin, also pain in the bladder when I urinate ( it's not a UTI ) it's pain in the bladder area. I am concerned with the pain in the left side and in the bladder area. I have called the doctor and they stated it was just spasms I am having. What do you think?  

[tribee]

am having cystectomy on left ovary in a weeks time they found it because i was having bladder probs have had laparoscopic hysterectomy that went really well but now may lose ovary no cancer indicators but dont know what to expect and am very nervous  dont know how long hospital stay will be oer recovery  but ex hubby is taking the kids for up to six weeks so i can go to my boy friends and rest what should i expect

[turtledovemom]

Lift nothing heavier than a gallon of milk.  Watch out for pushing and pulling things (vacuuming, ironing) and other than that, use your good judgement.  Thank you for sharing your good news, although a hematoma isn't a walk in the park either.  Please take care of yourself!
peace,
Anne

[wubbie3]

I had the smaller laproscopic to remove my cyst and endo, but it took me a good two weeks before the internal 'aches & pains' stopped. I even still get twinges, and I'm 6 weeks today post surgery.
I'd say you'll still have those feelings for several weeks.. Sorry! Gas-x will help the chest/shoulder pain, so will hot tea. Both really do make a difference.
Otherwise, just really take it easy. Really follow the weight restrictions... the weight can cause more inflammation, and that leads to more pain. Avoid stairs if you can for awhile, for the same reasons.
Hang in there!
~Marianne

[gspice]

Just got back from the doc. Another vaginal ultrasound was performed and it was determined that I have a large hematoma extending from the side where the dermoid was removed all the way to the other ovary. This diagnosis is a load off of my mind, but it looks as though I will not resume normal activity for another 2 weeks. Thanks for everyone's comments, advice, etc.  MARIANNE-please enlighten me regarding the weight restrictions. I feel as if I am getting adequate care, but a lot of the instructions have been gleaned from the WWW....thx!

[gspice]

Only hours after my surgery, I had a pushy nurse insisting that I get up (for the second time in one hour) to go to the bathroom. I was asking for a bed pan b/c I was in pain and exhausted from my prior trip. I was in the hospital a total of 31 hours (including the time they operated on me) before I was made to leave (they wanted me to leave at the 24-hour mark). So I felt as if the faster and more activity that I performed, the better. My discharge instructions were very vague and my follow-up calls have offered no guidance. I am now battling with my psyche trying to tell myself that I am recovering (and not still actively "sick"). I went from having pain for a couple of days, to the ER, to the operating table, all in a matter of about 4 days, so the whirlwind kinda has made me less than an "informed patient" who has known what questions to ask. That's why I am here....and I wish I would have asked you wonderful women these questions a lot sooner. My first follow-up is tomorrow at 10am. I have a list of questions (and an Excel spreadsheet documenting the last 13 days - haha) so maybe I can get some answers!

[turtledovemom]

Congratulations on your good news...what a relief, eh?  Now, the tough job of being patient with the healing process takes place.  It's very difficult to hang back and do nothing for a few weeks.  It's even more difficult when you start feeling better and the temptation to overdo things raises its ugly head.  If your doc told you not to lift, drive etc for x number of weeks...please follow directions for your own good.  The potential damage that you can do to yourself if you don't...just isnt worth it.  You're bound to be sore for a while, and it will actually get better.  You're worth the time it takes to heal correctly so try to be patient with yourself.
peace,
Anne

[fungirl]

It sounds like some of your pain could be from gas.  Try taking some GasX and drinking some hot tea.  If it is gas, this should help you out some.  Also, you need to call the Dr. tomorrow and demand that they see you.  You should not have to live on narcotics to feel better.  As I advised to another poster, maybe you should remind them that YOU pay thier salary.  This of course may tick them off, but maybe it will help you get an appointment asap.  Keep us posted.  Kasie

[Gr-emlin]

I missed what kind of surgery you had, but I had an emergency lapendectomy - removal of one ovary, cystectomy of right at the same time - with this one I was swollen from my chest to my knees for 2 weeks, in the hospital for 3 days, and it was 2 months before I was fully recovered & doing sit ups . . .
I recently had a much "nicer" surgery - also a lapendectomy, but under controlled conditions. I felt fine in under 2 weeks, although, was careful for a few weeks after that. hope this helps.  Just be careful & slow when you start working back in to shape- you may have internal stiches you can't feel.

[gspice]

Thx fungirl! I was able to keep both ovaries. I probably should have done a little more resting in the beginning, but there was not a lot of instruction upon my discharge. Now I am reading about adhesions, etc., and worried that I was a bit overactive in the first few days. Now, whenever I am not using a narcotic prescription, I am in a significant amount of pain. The pain is in the pelvic area but radiates through my thighs and even my shoulders.

[fungirl]

Hi and welcome to the site.  It DOES take your body a while to heal.  You have to remember that your internal organs went through a trama, and now it will take a little while for them to heal.  Do you still have your other ovary?  Please keep us informed on how your follow up appointment goes.  I would recommend that you put a heating pad over your stomach.  It did help me with the stomach pain.  Put it on the highest setting and let it rest over your stomach.  Just remember that you need to rest and let your body heal.  Kasie