Very Large Dermoid - What do you think?

[Shiningstar77]

Okay I have a Very Large Dermoid.

Yesterday I had the cat scan at 8:30 in the morning.  By 1:30 my doctor called me back.

It said that the dermoid is 13 x 23 x 26 centimeters.   Most people post diameter on here so I'm not sure how that compares.

When I lie on my back you can feel it and it's very large.

I go see a GYN tomorrow to talk about surgery.  I'm wondering if this can be done laproscopicly or if it's a big cut.  I don't know if they bring it out in pieces or it has to come out as a whole.

I want to make sure I have my questions for the doctor in order - so anything you can help with would be great.

When I called the Dr.s office I explained to the nurse what I was calling for (this is a doctor I have never seen before)  She actually put the doctor on the phone ( I was impressed)  First he said surgery next week but then asked if I have any other issues.

I said as part of this process I was told I had high Bilirubin (liver value) but it was the only one elevated.  And I'm not yellow... He was concerned about this and said surgery would not be next week but the week after.  Apparently he was worried about the ovary twisting... I am 32 years old and may have children.

My questions. -I'd love to hear your thoughts / answers and please let me know if there are any other's I should be asking.
1.  What will the surgery entail.
2.  How long should I expect the hospital stay to be
3.  What is the recovery time.
4. How much does that sucker weigh :)  I can't lose weight for anything.

[Orlean]

I will be having a dermoid removed soon also.  I don't want general anestheisa .  Can you tell me your opinion about having an epidorual just numb from the waist down but not sleep at all?  With modern technology do you feel this is safe?

[Nata89]

if it ruptured you would feel it, my dr said it would feel like your appedix bursting. But the mass is so flexible it could move around. Mine went behind my uterus, its odd how these things work, but they will take good care of you!

[Shiningstar77]

Surgery is scheduled for 4/1.   though right now I'm in a lot of pain...Something new... And the weirdest thing...I don't really feel the mass anymore.  Up till yesterday evening you could feel it protruding from my bello.

Gyno come is at 8:30 or 9 I'm waiting to call them.   I don't know if it could have had fluid and leaked or if it could have moved... But I'm thinking that I would feel it even somewhere else.  

we'll see

[Nata89]

I really hope it goes well for you, I had the CA-125 as well, and that is also just a standard test...let us know when your surgery is scheduled!

[Shiningstar77]

I'm continually impressed by our medical facilities.

I saw the Gyno on Saturday - Today is Monday and they set me up with an Oncologist for tomorrow in the morning.

How about that.  So we'll find out tomorrow when surgery will be depending on what the oncologist determines and his availability - He has to be on stand by for surgery.

I'm growing more uncomfortable... feel very bloated in the middle..ug...I'm glad I'm not in pain like other folks have had.

Oh and I have to have a CA-125 test which I haven't had yet... I think that's the extent of what I have left.

[Nata89]

Hi,  I am 21 years old and this is my first day back to work after a surgery for a 12cm dermoid cyst inside my right ovary, and a smaller one inside my left. I want to let you know I was a nervous wreck because my gyno had told me that it is possible for me to lose both my ovaries or just one, or none at all, and I want kids in the next 5-7 years since I don’t have any. Since my dermoid was so large I came to the conclusion there was no saving it. I went in for my blood work the week before my surgery for all different kinds of tests including cancer tests (this is normal.) Then the day of my surgery, they told me my blood work was all normal and we could move ahead. The next week I went in for surgery scared but with my mom and boyfriend by my side for support. My doctor said she was going to start off trying to get them out laproscopically (through the belly button) but if she finds she cant she was going to do a laparatomy (incision usually lower than bikini line.)  March 9 I went in at 930am and woke up right around noon in recovery. The nurse checking my stomach, I ended up having a laparatomy. My doctor saved both my ovaries. I was so relieved I didn’t care I had an incision. Everything they do now a days is so advanced my incision is only 3 inches long and glued on the outside so I will barely have a scar… and now two weeks later its healing up very quickly and I can barely see it. I am pretty swollen still but I want you to know with everything you are worrying about you have to sometimes put your trust in other people’s hands. I also want you to know your Doctor will do everything he or she can to save both your ovaries, and if you didn’t already know this ovarian tissue heals so quickly they usually repair themselves, but mine was so stretched out I needed dissolving stitches. I spent the night at the hospital because the incision right around my bikini line was very sore and they like to watch it to make sure you don’t get infected. If you do have a laparatomy, you will be in pain for the first week, and you might not even be able to walk the first 3-4 days. But I hope everything goes good for you like it did me. I was so stressed over this I broke out in a rash. Please know that you Doctor will do everything they can. GOOD LUCK!  

[fungirl1011]

I'm glad things are moving right along for you.  It sounds like your doctor is on top of everything.  Sounds like you have a great doctor doing your procedure.  The midline incision is a little tougher when it comes to moving around.  I found that if I held a pillow to my stomach, it did not hurt as badly when standing, lying down, etc.  Please let us know when you surgery is so I can be praying for you.

[Shiningstar77]

I had my doctor's appointment yesterday morning.

So it looks like surgery will be next week sometime.    The doctor was very nice.  He's going to try and save me some appointments and talk to the Hemotologist and Gastroentenologist (sp?) himself prior to Monday (tomorrow).  I also have to have a consult with a Oncologist.  He is pretty sure it's not cancer but you have to have a consult as once they open you up if they determine it's cancer the Oncologist would step in and take over or if he feels it might be from the appt.  It's basically a protocol of the hospital to be sure.   The surgery has to take place when he would be available to take over.

So next steps... I call on Monday to set up the appt / i need more bloodwork / and to schedule the surgery.

Oh.. I was told the incisiion would be along the midline (straight down the middle of my belly)  so we'll see.

I asked the doctor how much he thought it weighed and he said ..."alot"

[Shiningstar77]

Thanks everyone.  My appt is at 8:30 this morning.  I'll come back and update with what the doctor says

[jennmommi]

Oh also I have lost 7 pounds and am not trying to lose weight. I think there is risk of infection if it bursts so they do not generally take it out in pieces, it comes out whole.

[jennmommi]

Mine was only 13cm by 18cm a bit larger than softball and I had to have the big incision. My Dr. used a scar from a previous c section. It was (horizontal at the bikini line). My surgery was 4 weeks ago and I am still in some pain especially if I am up moving or walking a lot, or if I over do it. I am still really tired too. I went back to work half days this week and I think it was too soon. I am taking next week off and trying to go back half days again after next week. Dr told me no exercise (walking is OK) until 8 weeks post op. Also no lifting over 15 pounds until 8 weeks. He did say sex was ok at 6 weeks post op if I was not experiencing any discomfort. I did not lose my ovary although my Dr said I  probably would. Nice surprise. :) I was in hospital 2 nights but it was almost 3 because I had a reaction to some medicine, but they just kept me until later that evening to make sure I was ok, and I got to go home. I had 15 staples in my abdomen and they came out 1 week post op. I thought they were infected, but the nurse said it was not an infection but an allergic reaction to the metal in the staples. I felt so much better after they came out and the steri-strips were on. My incision was almost fully healed when she took the staples out and she was impressed by the fact it was closed up all the way.

[teeniepoppet]

Hi there,

My God, I was feeling sorry for myself with a 12cm by 8cm dermoid, so you have all my sympathy! I've had to wait a month to get the surgery, which is now happening on Tuesday, but in that time have had a load of questions racing through my mind - I think you have most of them covered, I would ask about whether there'll be any risk of losing an ovary as that's something that's been plaguing me with worry as I'm only 26 and would like to have children one day. I'm hoping to have it done laparoscopically but it really depends on the size - apparently they bag it when they're in there and then pull it out in pieces, so the bag catches any of the stuff that falls out, but I guess if it's too big they'll need to make a cut.

I tried to exercise but to be honest found it too painful on my back and sides, thought my doctor did recommend gentle exercise like walking and swimming, and told me that my cyst was too large to tort. Still, I think just knowing it's in there has made me very wary of strenuous exercise or too much movement for fear of 'upsetting' it! ;o)

Best of luck with your surgery, and I'm with you on the weight thing - I definately want to know how much the bugger weighs, and how much I can say I've lost as a result! ;o) x

[Shiningstar77]

ha :)  I'm sure hoping it weighs something.  I've been gaining weight (I mean a lot)

For over 70 days I've been working out 6 days a week and weigh more then when I started.    

So I'm sure hoping it weighs something.

Which reminds me.  I need to ask about exercise up till the surgery. He's worried about the size huring the ovary.  Do you think doing exercise is a threat.  

[fungirl1011]

Hi and welcome!!  You have very good questions so far, and I love the one on how much does it weigh.  I have never thought to ask that ;-)  It has been my experience that with a cyst that large, they usually do a laparotomy (which is a large cut).  If this is the case, you can expect to have a hospital stay of 3-5 days.  When you come too from surgery, you should expect some pain, but you should have a morphine drip.  Don't be a hero,and press that button when you need it.  You may also have circulation pads on your legs that will squeeze them periodically.  This helps to keep you from getting blood clots.  You may still have a catheter in, depending on your doctor.  That would be a good question for your doctor.  They may get you up walking that day, the next day for sure.  The more you walk, the faster you will heal.  You should count on a recovery period of 6-8 weeks.  You will not be able to lift anything heaver than a gallon of milk which is about 3-5 pounds.  

Questions to ask:
1.  Will I have a catheter when I get out of surgery and for how long.
2.  Will my cyst be biopsied while I am in surgery, and how long will it be before we get the pathology report back.  
3.  Will I need to have a pre-op appointment since I am seeing you now.  What will that appointment entail.  

That is all I can think of for right now.  If I think of more, I will let you know.  Please let us know how your appointment goes!!