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!

[EshaSyquis]

I am 18 and i just found out that I have a dermoid cyst. My gyn will be scheduling my surgery soon. I am very scared. since I was born without a navel. I will have to have a Csection and a few insicions. im scared about this surgery. what should I expect during during  now and after the surgery ?

[old_before_my_time]

How awful that you have lost both ovaries! Not sure why the gas pain is so much worse this time. Did your doctor talk to you about taking hormones since you are in surgical menopause?

[aworley]

On December 13th 2014 I had an unbearable pain hit me on my left side.  It came on very suddenly.  I ended up in the ER thinking it was a kidney stone.  After an ultrasound, it was determined I did not have a kidney stone but there was a cyst on my left ovary.  They gave me pain meds to make it through the weekend and I saw my Gynecologist on Monday morning.  I stayed NPO after Sunday night in case they needed to remove the cyst or ovary.  He did take my left ovary out as it was twisted (can't remember the term). He said my right ovary looked good.  My recovery was great, no problems and I was back to work by Thursday.  Fast forward to Thursday January 22nd I woke up with a pain on my right side where my ovary is located. Because the pain I had previously before my surgery I was scared this may be the same thing and I did not want to get to that pain level again.  I called my Gynecologoist and told the nurse my symptoms so she told me to run by on my way to work and they would check me out.  They did a vaginal ultrasound and found a small cyst on my right ovary.  He said we would watch it for 24 hours.  Due to the pain I was experiencing already, he said it would either get better or much worse over the next 24 hours.  They gave me a shot of Toradol and I did pretty well through the day.  That night while attending a Chamber Banquet, I started to have excruciating pain and had to leave.  I contacted my doctor who said to meet him at the surgery center the next morning.  I met him there and he removed my right ovary.  It had starting to coil like the left ovary had done previously.  I am three days post surgery.  The pain from the gas it terrible (which I never experienced the first time).  I can't sleep on either side. I've spent two nights in a chair.  I can't take a deep breath.  I feel like my ribs are breaking and crunching.  I'm assuming this is all gas.  But it is miserable.  I just don't understand why this time, just a few weeks later is so different.

[old_before_my_time]

I had a hysterectomy with ovary removal which was totally unwarranted :(
The surgical recovery was 6 weeks but that was a breeze compared to the permanent debilitating effects of this surgery.

[CWendyD]

Hi Hdhart. I too am scheduled for laparoscopic surgery to remove my ovaries. My doctor says I will need about 7 days for recovery. I think that is rubbish. And will ask for 2 weeks. How are you post recovery? Are you on HRT etc?

[Koren1]

You know what I think I have chronic fatigue after my major surgery in April. I've felt a little guilty, because this is the most inactive I've ever been in my life and hadn't related my surgery to my fatigue. So, thanks for sharing. I think it really helps to talk about the post symptoms as well. Because, technically the doctor says your recovered in 8 weeks after surgery. But, I really wasn't my emotional ups and downs have gotten less, however, I'm still struggling. Of, course not in pain like after surgery. But, still having some issues down there. The healing is not over for sure.