Aa
Top 10 things I have learned from laproscopic cyst/ovary removal
It's been almost 2 weeks since my laproscopic surgery, I have learned alot both from experiencing it and talking to ya'll here on the forum. Time to share, because just maybe somebody is about to go through the same thing and has questions or needs help. It would be great if everyone added their two cents and we will have a nice "what to expect when your expecting laproscopic surgery" list...lol
1. Don't be fooled, this is major surgery. You could be having body parts removed. Don't plan on doing much for at LEAST a week or two. If you are lucky like some, you'll be up and at 'em. But if you're not, then you won't be disappointed and frustrated.
2. Make or buy muffins. Especially bran. You will need them. Don't ask me why. Ok...why? Because your meds will constipate you and make your stomach hurt. AND you will be too tired to make food. You can buy stool softeners too, but they don't make for a tasty breakfast...
3. If you can, shop for or prepare food and stick it in the freezer. And be REALLY REALLY nice to your friends and neighbors before your surgery. They may offer to bring you food. Don't be silly, say yes. You will be glad you did!
4. The CO2 gas may bloat you up. It might not happen for a day or two and you will laugh and say "I am SO lucky!!" and then "POP" You are the now the Pilsbury doughgirl. Only not as cute. But it hurts...not just the shoulder, could be all over. WALK, WALK, WALK.. around the house, it will go away. Could take a week or more, but the worst is the first few days. Try beano, mylanta, etc. too. BEST cure: Massage. Takes away all the toxins, pushes out some gas. Can't get one?... be REALLY REALLY nice to your spouse, significant other, children, whoever.... they may take pity on poor ol' bloated you and help you out.
5. Get one of those beanybag things that you put in the microwave. Put it on where it hurts. Warm feels nice and you can't get in the tub for two weeks. Your body might hurt all over. They say they don't drop you off the stretcher while you are unconscious, but I personally don't believe it...
6. Enjoy your downtime. Remember all those busy days you wished you could lie around, play on the computer, read books, organize your photos, google your old boyfriend, write that novel? Well, do it. Or sleep. Or both.
7. Sleep. Sleep some more.
8. Driving sucks. Try and avoid it until your incisions/stomach muscles don't hurt. (and you're not on happypills anymore...) It's illegal in most states to drive lying down, I believe...
9. Drink lots of water. Flushes out all the stuff they pumped into you during surgery. Fluffs out the sleep wrinkles in your face..
10. Get on this forum when you can. You will find wonderful women with supportive notes, messages, laughs, and you can read others stories to know whether you are "normal" or not (in terms of your surgery - if you want deeper analysis, try the psych forum...)
That's MY top ten, I hope you all can add a few of your own! Thanks everyone for ALL your help, info, and especially the friendship and laughter.
Have a great day!
Joelle
1. Don't be fooled, this is major surgery. You could be having body parts removed. Don't plan on doing much for at LEAST a week or two. If you are lucky like some, you'll be up and at 'em. But if you're not, then you won't be disappointed and frustrated.
2. Make or buy muffins. Especially bran. You will need them. Don't ask me why. Ok...why? Because your meds will constipate you and make your stomach hurt. AND you will be too tired to make food. You can buy stool softeners too, but they don't make for a tasty breakfast...
3. If you can, shop for or prepare food and stick it in the freezer. And be REALLY REALLY nice to your friends and neighbors before your surgery. They may offer to bring you food. Don't be silly, say yes. You will be glad you did!
4. The CO2 gas may bloat you up. It might not happen for a day or two and you will laugh and say "I am SO lucky!!" and then "POP" You are the now the Pilsbury doughgirl. Only not as cute. But it hurts...not just the shoulder, could be all over. WALK, WALK, WALK.. around the house, it will go away. Could take a week or more, but the worst is the first few days. Try beano, mylanta, etc. too. BEST cure: Massage. Takes away all the toxins, pushes out some gas. Can't get one?... be REALLY REALLY nice to your spouse, significant other, children, whoever.... they may take pity on poor ol' bloated you and help you out.
5. Get one of those beanybag things that you put in the microwave. Put it on where it hurts. Warm feels nice and you can't get in the tub for two weeks. Your body might hurt all over. They say they don't drop you off the stretcher while you are unconscious, but I personally don't believe it...
6. Enjoy your downtime. Remember all those busy days you wished you could lie around, play on the computer, read books, organize your photos, google your old boyfriend, write that novel? Well, do it. Or sleep. Or both.
7. Sleep. Sleep some more.
8. Driving sucks. Try and avoid it until your incisions/stomach muscles don't hurt. (and you're not on happypills anymore...) It's illegal in most states to drive lying down, I believe...
9. Drink lots of water. Flushes out all the stuff they pumped into you during surgery. Fluffs out the sleep wrinkles in your face..
10. Get on this forum when you can. You will find wonderful women with supportive notes, messages, laughs, and you can read others stories to know whether you are "normal" or not (in terms of your surgery - if you want deeper analysis, try the psych forum...)
That's MY top ten, I hope you all can add a few of your own! Thanks everyone for ALL your help, info, and especially the friendship and laughter.
Have a great day!
Joelle
1. I had a 7 cm simple cyst removed.
2. An egg harvest wasnt really brought up because I'd still have my other ovary which would take over and I'd be just as fertile. My doc told me that once I have one removed, and if something were to happen to the other, then they would do everything possible to save it. And Im assuming if they couldnt save it, then theyd harvest eggs. But that wouldnt be a problem, (knock on wood) hopefully nothing will happen to my one and only ovary left!!
3. I acually signed papers stating that they would remove my right ovary (Oopherectomy) just because the doc said that theres a high chance of the cyst growing back.
When I first went to see my doc, she said that if the cyst wasnt causing pain or any other symtoms, they wouldnt have to remove it. Most of the time cyst will just go away on their own. It may take a while depending on how big it is though. They usually only want to operate when youre actually feeling pain since that could be symtoms of the cyst twisting your ovary or rupturing which would be a lot worse. Twisting ovary = most of the time they cant save the ovary, so youd lose it anyways, they only difference is, youd go through all the pain of that. Rupturing cyst = (if large enough) can cause an infection and many other problems, not to mention would be very painful.
Here's some back ground from my doc::: Every woman gets cysts in their ovaries. The "cyst" is what usually carried the egg and then the cyst ruptures releasing the egg down the tubes. Sometimes the cyst doesnt rupture which would trap the egg and create the dermoid cyst that has hair and teeth (due to the genetics in the egg), sometimes the cyst will rupture, releasing the egg, but then will close back up and just be filled with fluid. And then sometimes, theres just one of those random cysts that arent formed by the egg that are usually ON (not IN) the ovary.
2. An egg harvest wasnt really brought up because I'd still have my other ovary which would take over and I'd be just as fertile. My doc told me that once I have one removed, and if something were to happen to the other, then they would do everything possible to save it. And Im assuming if they couldnt save it, then theyd harvest eggs. But that wouldnt be a problem, (knock on wood) hopefully nothing will happen to my one and only ovary left!!
3. I acually signed papers stating that they would remove my right ovary (Oopherectomy) just because the doc said that theres a high chance of the cyst growing back.
When I first went to see my doc, she said that if the cyst wasnt causing pain or any other symtoms, they wouldnt have to remove it. Most of the time cyst will just go away on their own. It may take a while depending on how big it is though. They usually only want to operate when youre actually feeling pain since that could be symtoms of the cyst twisting your ovary or rupturing which would be a lot worse. Twisting ovary = most of the time they cant save the ovary, so youd lose it anyways, they only difference is, youd go through all the pain of that. Rupturing cyst = (if large enough) can cause an infection and many other problems, not to mention would be very painful.
Here's some back ground from my doc::: Every woman gets cysts in their ovaries. The "cyst" is what usually carried the egg and then the cyst ruptures releasing the egg down the tubes. Sometimes the cyst doesnt rupture which would trap the egg and create the dermoid cyst that has hair and teeth (due to the genetics in the egg), sometimes the cyst will rupture, releasing the egg, but then will close back up and just be filled with fluid. And then sometimes, theres just one of those random cysts that arent formed by the egg that are usually ON (not IN) the ovary.
I'm still waiting for the dumb questions. :)
1. I had a 25cm simple ovarian cyst (full of white fluid) but I had to go to three gynecologists before one would agree to do keyhole surgery.
2. I didn't even think about an egg harvest and the doctor didn't mention it either.
3. The doctor talked about possible symptoms after surgery (eg: gas pain) and what he might have to do during surgery (in my case an incision and ovary removal). I never suffered any gas pain but he did need to do a 3 inch incision and remove what was left of my ovary. No incision scar. :)
I have hypothyroidism which is a known cause of ovarian cysts. During pregnancy, untreated (or poorly treated) hypothyroidism is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, and other serious complications.
1. I had a 25cm simple ovarian cyst (full of white fluid) but I had to go to three gynecologists before one would agree to do keyhole surgery.
2. I didn't even think about an egg harvest and the doctor didn't mention it either.
3. The doctor talked about possible symptoms after surgery (eg: gas pain) and what he might have to do during surgery (in my case an incision and ovary removal). I never suffered any gas pain but he did need to do a 3 inch incision and remove what was left of my ovary. No incision scar. :)
I have hypothyroidism which is a known cause of ovarian cysts. During pregnancy, untreated (or poorly treated) hypothyroidism is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, and other serious complications.
Okay, time for the dumb questions from the peanut gallery...
1. There are quite a few here that don't say what type of cyst they have removed. Are these simple cysts? Chocolate? Complex? The dermtoid with the teeth and hair?
2. Were you given the option of egg harvest before the ovary is removed (assuming you had both removed or have the first removed but second one is prone to problems too)? If so, and if you did, was that done at the same time or before?
3. Did you know going into your surgery that it would be removed? Or was it because you signed the papers to say "do what you need to doctor" and then the doctor deemed upon opening you up that you needed it removed too?
I am currently in the 'watchful waiting' process for a 5.4cm simple cyst on the right ovary and a 3cm simple cyst on the left, and have never had any pain or problems with mine other than a 68 day period from 7/23-9/29. I'm not sure if the cysts caused it or if the fact that I was diagnosed on 10/1 with hypothyroidism was the cause. After next period (Provera ends on 10/10, so dr says it should start 10/12-15), I am having the saline injection transvaginal ultrasound to look at them and to look for uterine polyps. She has said that mine are 'unusual' and I should be thinking/reading up on surgery to prepare myself, just in cases. I am 34, been married 1 1/2 years, and the most we have had pregnancy-wise is a miscarriage in March.
I appreciate all your comments and stories. Although it is 'scary' to think about, it helps to know that if I do have to have both or even one ovary removed, I'm not the only one that has had this. Talking to family and friends doesn't help because nobody has ever had any reproductive issues like this and they just don't get it! Kudos to all here!!! :-)
1. There are quite a few here that don't say what type of cyst they have removed. Are these simple cysts? Chocolate? Complex? The dermtoid with the teeth and hair?
2. Were you given the option of egg harvest before the ovary is removed (assuming you had both removed or have the first removed but second one is prone to problems too)? If so, and if you did, was that done at the same time or before?
3. Did you know going into your surgery that it would be removed? Or was it because you signed the papers to say "do what you need to doctor" and then the doctor deemed upon opening you up that you needed it removed too?
I am currently in the 'watchful waiting' process for a 5.4cm simple cyst on the right ovary and a 3cm simple cyst on the left, and have never had any pain or problems with mine other than a 68 day period from 7/23-9/29. I'm not sure if the cysts caused it or if the fact that I was diagnosed on 10/1 with hypothyroidism was the cause. After next period (Provera ends on 10/10, so dr says it should start 10/12-15), I am having the saline injection transvaginal ultrasound to look at them and to look for uterine polyps. She has said that mine are 'unusual' and I should be thinking/reading up on surgery to prepare myself, just in cases. I am 34, been married 1 1/2 years, and the most we have had pregnancy-wise is a miscarriage in March.
I appreciate all your comments and stories. Although it is 'scary' to think about, it helps to know that if I do have to have both or even one ovary removed, I'm not the only one that has had this. Talking to family and friends doesn't help because nobody has ever had any reproductive issues like this and they just don't get it! Kudos to all here!!! :-)
hi my name is dani
im 25 and just found out about a month ago that i have a 30 cm x21 cm cyst comming from my right ovary ohhh joy hahahaha. I get menstrual cramps but nothing a tylenol wont fix , other than that i just thought i was bloated all the time i don't have any pain or irregular menstrual cycles r a huge belly , to warn me of the huge invader i have inside , but because of the size of the cyst the state of my ovary is unknown. Everybody in my family just tell me ohhhh dont worry thats why you have two (inside my head i am thinking yeah right why dont you go through surgery and get a huge thing out of you hahaha) I am having robotic laparoscopy ....has anyone had this done ? is it different from normal laparoscopy? . My doctor said the surgery is no big deal and that i would be out of the hospital in no time and walking the next day , but from everyones experience i guess its not as simple as it sounds . What scares me the most is the constipation because i normally suffer badly from it and the pain from the gas which was never mentioned by my doc .What are the best tips you have for an easy recovery , all help and advice and words of wisdom will be dearly appreciated
thank you all very much for sharing things that my doctor hasn't mentioned at all .
and good luck to all of you recovering and getting operated soon .
im 25 and just found out about a month ago that i have a 30 cm x21 cm cyst comming from my right ovary ohhh joy hahahaha. I get menstrual cramps but nothing a tylenol wont fix , other than that i just thought i was bloated all the time i don't have any pain or irregular menstrual cycles r a huge belly , to warn me of the huge invader i have inside , but because of the size of the cyst the state of my ovary is unknown. Everybody in my family just tell me ohhhh dont worry thats why you have two (inside my head i am thinking yeah right why dont you go through surgery and get a huge thing out of you hahaha) I am having robotic laparoscopy ....has anyone had this done ? is it different from normal laparoscopy? . My doctor said the surgery is no big deal and that i would be out of the hospital in no time and walking the next day , but from everyones experience i guess its not as simple as it sounds . What scares me the most is the constipation because i normally suffer badly from it and the pain from the gas which was never mentioned by my doc .What are the best tips you have for an easy recovery , all help and advice and words of wisdom will be dearly appreciated
thank you all very much for sharing things that my doctor hasn't mentioned at all .
and good luck to all of you recovering and getting operated soon .
Sorry, one more post, :: One big issue I'm dealing with :::
PAIN PILLS MASK THE PAIN!! I thought i was feeling back to normal, and got off the meds, big no no.. it was like all the pain came back at one time and so suddenly. My insides hurt. You may think youre ready to go back to work or do normal activities, thats what i thought when i bent over to grab something on the floor! and stretched stitch was the outcome. REST REST REST! Wane yourself slowly off the pain meds so you can see how bad the pain is.
PAIN PILLS MASK THE PAIN!! I thought i was feeling back to normal, and got off the meds, big no no.. it was like all the pain came back at one time and so suddenly. My insides hurt. You may think youre ready to go back to work or do normal activities, thats what i thought when i bent over to grab something on the floor! and stretched stitch was the outcome. REST REST REST! Wane yourself slowly off the pain meds so you can see how bad the pain is.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Ovarian Cysts Community
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.
