Aa
Looking to hear your surgery experience(s)!
The surgery to remove my cyst is finally here! I've been waiting for SO long, it seems. I've had symptoms for 4+ years and was diagnosed with a large ovarian (or what they believe to be ovarian- they're still not quite sure after 4 ultrasounds and a ct scan) in June. Anyway, now I'm just looking to hear some things about the actual surgery since my doctor doesn't tell me anything. She thinks we're going to do laparoscopy but she said there's a decent chance we'll have to do laparotomy. I'd love to hear any/every detail you're willing to share about your surgery experience. The anesthesia, the surgery itself, the recovery, whatever you can tell me will be much appreciated! Thanks so much :)
My entire surgery story is in my profile. Best wishes on your own surgery. I hope all goes well for you.
I can't tell you how helpful that is to me, Shelly! Thank you SO much for taking the time to respond to my question. This is my first surgery so I'm just a little worried. Though I have to say, the waiting has been more worrisome. I think I'm partially worried because my doctor didn't tell me much of anything. I can NEVER find a good doctor. For the past foru years I've been told these pains are just menstrual cramps (even when not on my period). I've even suggested ultrasounds and the possibility of it being a cyst to different doctors but none would take my concerns to heart. I finally got a new doctor and before demanding that I receive some sort of treatment for it, this one actually suggested it might be a cyst before I did and wanted testing done. So he referred me to the ob/gyn that I'm seeing now. I like my doctor but it's the ob/gyn and her office that I'm not happy with. She hasn't told me much of anything. For example, I went in for pre-op yesterday - waited over 2 hours WITH an appointment. I even told them multiple times that I was very nauseous and not feeling well and that I was just there to receive paper work. They told me that the doctor wanted to speak to me so I couldn't just get it and leave. So they finally take me back, I wait about another 20-30 minutes before I even see my doctor. She comes in, tells me we're either going to do laparotomy or laparoscopy, gets me to sign a consent form, and asks me if I have any questions. I had no idea what to ask! I mean..ugh. I don't know. I know it's my responsibility but she's the doctor and I feel that I shouldn't have to google all this. Anyway then she said she was going to give me some medicine and told me to go to the hospital next. She didn't say what the medicine was or was for, she didn't tell me what I was going to do at the hospital, she didn't tell me how my surgery was going to go or what would happen afterwards. I just feel SO left in the dark about everything. And to top everything off? I got charged a $60 co-pay for something I was told I wouldn't be charged for! So basically, I'm just going to go in tomorrow morning and hope for the best. Thankfully I've got family and my boyfriend (and God!) there for me so I'm not too stressed.
Thank you again for all your input, again, it reallyyy does help!
Thank you again for all your input, again, it reallyyy does help!
I have had two laparotomies. One was years ago for a benign cyst and then three years ago I had a malignant 6cm tumor removed. The morning of your surgery, you will check into the hospital and then go to the OR prep area. You will put on a gown, get an IV and have vitals checked. This is a nerve wracking part, because the 30 minute to hour wait seems like forever. Your doctor will come visit you for any last minute questions before surgery. Just before they roll you into the OR, you will be given a sedative type med and will start to feel relaxed and groggy. I remember being rolled into the OR and seeing my doctor's face, but that is it. Next thing you know, you will be waking in the recovery room. You will feel sore and groggy, but the pain should be minimal. For my last surgery, I was given a morphine pump for my pain because of the intensive surgery. Since yours is not likely malignant, your surgery will be much less invasive and you may not get this type of pain med. Both shots and meds by mouth are also very effective. You will be rolled into your permanent room and your nurses will greet you.
The next couple of days, you will be sleeping a lot. If there is one thing I recommend, it is to not let yourself get "in pain" before asking for meds. Meds can be taken on a regular schedule and usually work better if they stay in your system on a regular basis for the first few days. Don't try to tough it out during these first days. Even after you are home, you may want to continue this regular schedule for a couple of weeks.
The worst thing about the surgery for me was getting the bowels working again. When you wake up from surgery, you will have a catheter and that will be handling your urine. The day after surgery, they will ask you to walk. This is very important, because it helps wake up your bowel and it also helps prevent blood clots. With the pain meds, you shouldn't have much pain. You may feel shakey and should have someone walk with you around the halls. Remember to take a robe and slippers. You will be much more comfortable walking the halls. :) Even though you probably won't feel hungry, you should try to eat when given the ok. That way, it will help with the gas and bowels. Your catheter is usually removed as soon as you are able to walk to the bathroom.
Once you are discharged to go home, be sure to have help. You will want to be a slug for at least 2-3 weeks, doing minimal walking. You don't want to lift, climb too many stairs or do any housework. Hopefully, someone can help provide meals and do your necessary chores for you. It is common to get a hernia or have trouble with the incision closing when you do too much too soon. You need to heal on the inside layers as well as the surface. So, you may feel like you are well long before complete healing has occurred. The full recovery is 6 weeks. At that point, you can resume normal activities if your doctor says it is ok.
If you a laparoscopy, your recovery time will be significantly shorter and you will have much smaller incisions. You can ask your doctor for the guidelines. But, a laparotomy is a major surgery because all of your stomach muscles will have been cut. My first laparotomy, I had a horizontal incision just below the bikini line. My second surgery for the cancer was a vertical incision. Normally, the vertical incisions end just below the belly button. But, with cancer staging, they take the incision up around the belly button by about two inches so they can remove the omentum and complete staging.
On a side note...If your doctor has indicated your mass has any "chance" of being malignant, you need to have a consult with a gynecologic oncologist. It is recommended by the cancer societies and the medical community that a gyn/onc be available to step in if cancer is found. Usually, your doctor can still complete the surgery, but the gyn/onc is on call to come complete the surgery if needed. I am not sure why your doctor knows you have a large mass, but doesn't know the size or if it is complex. A MRI is the preferred method for showing ovarian tissue. I would think this information would be very helpful prior to surgery. I had both a MRI and CT prior to my surgery. My gyn/onc uses MRI to monitor me because it shows the soft tissue better.
But, it sounds like you have a long standing issue and your doctor is certain it isn't concerning. As you know, most cysts are benign! Be sure to ask questions if you have any reservations. I hope your surgery goes well! Please keep us posted on how you are doing!
Shelly
The next couple of days, you will be sleeping a lot. If there is one thing I recommend, it is to not let yourself get "in pain" before asking for meds. Meds can be taken on a regular schedule and usually work better if they stay in your system on a regular basis for the first few days. Don't try to tough it out during these first days. Even after you are home, you may want to continue this regular schedule for a couple of weeks.
The worst thing about the surgery for me was getting the bowels working again. When you wake up from surgery, you will have a catheter and that will be handling your urine. The day after surgery, they will ask you to walk. This is very important, because it helps wake up your bowel and it also helps prevent blood clots. With the pain meds, you shouldn't have much pain. You may feel shakey and should have someone walk with you around the halls. Remember to take a robe and slippers. You will be much more comfortable walking the halls. :) Even though you probably won't feel hungry, you should try to eat when given the ok. That way, it will help with the gas and bowels. Your catheter is usually removed as soon as you are able to walk to the bathroom.
Once you are discharged to go home, be sure to have help. You will want to be a slug for at least 2-3 weeks, doing minimal walking. You don't want to lift, climb too many stairs or do any housework. Hopefully, someone can help provide meals and do your necessary chores for you. It is common to get a hernia or have trouble with the incision closing when you do too much too soon. You need to heal on the inside layers as well as the surface. So, you may feel like you are well long before complete healing has occurred. The full recovery is 6 weeks. At that point, you can resume normal activities if your doctor says it is ok.
If you a laparoscopy, your recovery time will be significantly shorter and you will have much smaller incisions. You can ask your doctor for the guidelines. But, a laparotomy is a major surgery because all of your stomach muscles will have been cut. My first laparotomy, I had a horizontal incision just below the bikini line. My second surgery for the cancer was a vertical incision. Normally, the vertical incisions end just below the belly button. But, with cancer staging, they take the incision up around the belly button by about two inches so they can remove the omentum and complete staging.
On a side note...If your doctor has indicated your mass has any "chance" of being malignant, you need to have a consult with a gynecologic oncologist. It is recommended by the cancer societies and the medical community that a gyn/onc be available to step in if cancer is found. Usually, your doctor can still complete the surgery, but the gyn/onc is on call to come complete the surgery if needed. I am not sure why your doctor knows you have a large mass, but doesn't know the size or if it is complex. A MRI is the preferred method for showing ovarian tissue. I would think this information would be very helpful prior to surgery. I had both a MRI and CT prior to my surgery. My gyn/onc uses MRI to monitor me because it shows the soft tissue better.
But, it sounds like you have a long standing issue and your doctor is certain it isn't concerning. As you know, most cysts are benign! Be sure to ask questions if you have any reservations. I hope your surgery goes well! Please keep us posted on how you are doing!
Shelly
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