Recovery after ovary removal surgery?

[mcaudrey]

I am 41 with a strong family history of cancer. My mother had breast AND kidney cancer, and I recently lost my father to metastatic colorectal cancer. That being said, after having pain in the area of my left ovary, an ultasound found that I have "something" growing on my left ovary. A repeat ultrasound showed that it is growing, and I was giving the choice to leave it and "watch it" or have it removed. I did have a CA-125 blood test, which was "normal". However, given my experience with cancer, I feel it best to have my ovary removed and pathology done on the cyst/dermoid/mass growing on my ovary. To those of you who have had this surgery performed, I really would love to hear from the patients experience on what to expect during the recovery period. Thanks!

[TealSupporter]

Hey McAudrey,

I had a mass removed along with my left ovary a few years ago. It was a big 4 lb benign mucinous (filled with junk) mass.

The surgery was done via C-section and my recovery time was probably a week before I felt up to going to college classes and what not.  I have to admit that for a year I didn't feel the same.  The tumor had pushed my organs all out of whack and the doctor said it would take time for them to come back into place and it did.

Like you I have a history with my sister Brittany having ovarian cancer and passing away from it.

I would definitely have the mass removed and do not "wait and watch".  

love,
megan
www.ovariancancerforum.com
www.brittanywaldrep.com

[Kaerbear]

Oh, I wanted to add, I didn't get my pathology back for over a month.  I had the surgery on the 23rd of March I think, and the doctor didn't call until the last day of April.  My cyst was serous (liquid filled) though and was very low risk so that may be why it took so long.  They had to remove it completely just to be sure and because I was pregnant and they didn't want to take the chance of leakage.  Also because it was gigantic and the baby couldn't grow properly.  The gyne-onc said they wouldn't know for sure what kind of cyst it was until it was out and they could examine it and that even if it was a serous cyst the fluid inside would be caustic and could cause peritonitis and possibly premature labour.  I wasn't given much of a choice in the matter but altogether I'm SO glad to have it out.  I feel so much better now.  I hope you feel better soon too.

[julie9]

Can you tell me the results of your one ovary removal surgery? Have you had recurrence of endometrioma? Are you on oral contraceptives?

[Roxanne610]

Hello,

OMG I am so happy I found you guys!!!  I am scheduled for surgery Wednesday to have my ovary removed and fallopian.  They are going to do the biopsy on the spot while I am open god for bid it is cancer they are going to have to do a full hysterectomy.

Needless to say IM TERRIFIED...The problem is I know too much about ovarian cancer, I have a business that helps cancer patients deal with the appearance related side effects from cancer treatments such as hairloss etc, and ovarian cancer is soooooooooooooooooooooo scary...

My tumor is solid but they do not know what it is, the gyno says he feels 97% its not but 1/2 percent is too much when dealing with ovarian.

So your in pain,,,,are you walking???

roxanne

[kat1706]

Hi everyone
I had a 10cm chocolate cyst removed from my left ovary on weds afternoon along with endo lesions from my bowel (out of hospital by thurs pm).
It was my 1st operation so i was a little scared of what was going to happen.
But for anyone who is about to go through with the surgery it's not as bad as you will think.
General anaestic was fine(thank god i wasn't sick).
I was originally down for a laporotomy but the surgeon decided to do it laporoscopically with due to my age (26) leaves fewer scars.
I have 4 small incisions very small , 1 goes into my belly button.
Recovery is slow for me though, i feel about 100 at the minute, the pain isn't the problem it just that you cant use your stomach muscles. You will feel very battered and bruised.
Apparently i can return to work in 1 wk but i doubt that at the mo!
Before the cyst was removed i would get terrible pains and it took ages to get it diagnosed so i'm so relieved it has been removed life goes on now!
Please dont worry if having surgery soon. Kat xxx

[Laura630]

I am 26 years old. I been battleing wit cysts on my left ovary now for about 6 years total. I would have them removed about every 2 years. The pain is insane at times. You all should know what I am talking about. Well I am going into surgery in one day. At first the doctor was just gonna remove it again but I decided enough was enough and I told him to just remove the ovary which he said he planned on doing as well anyway. So I guess it worked out well. I have had laproscopy's before for just the removel on the cyst. But what is the diffrence in the suregery when removeing the ovary? also is it one day? How long is recovery? My other one's were one day surgery's and very small incesions. And not much pain or discomfort. So I would love if someone could let me know. Also after having one ovary removed. Does your body change...like moods....periods.....etc......Thanks to anyone would could help me!