Top 10 things I have learned from laproscopic cyst/ovary removal

[painterchic]

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

[Tmad93]

I would also suggest looking at the first post on this forum. It helps a lot and tells the truth about it all. I wish I had seen that before my first surgery....

[Tmad93]

I hope it all goes well!  And I'm wondering if it twisted so it could look like two different cysts. who know on that, just a thought. As for the surgery, that should take about one hour or longer depending on what they find. As for your husband taking off from work, you might have trouble for the first night and first day after surgery getting in and out of bed. If you have a reclining lounge chair that would work great for when he's not there. I would say maybe till Thursday or Friday (so 2-3 days), but everyone is different.  I would ask the nurses at the pre-op exam tomorrow about how long as well just to be sure.

I wish you luck with your surgery and I hope the pain is gone soon!

[biancab22]

So, here's an update on my situation. Last week I had some massive pains, and my gyn decided it's time to do surgery. I'll be having surgery to remove my ovary next tuesday on the 17th. I had to get another pelvic exam done to see what exactly the cyst is doing. I went from having one cyst that was about 7cm, to two cyst (one 6 cm and one 4 cm). Doctors are confused with how a 7 cm cyst turned into two different cysts. Both pelvic exams being 3 weeks apart. Pain getting worse. So doctor is definitely all for it since more are forming and the pain just seems to be getting worse. I had a instance of a few days where i was very nausous which kinda scared me. Pain felt like severe cramps where I didnt want to move, literally had to be in the fetal position for hours at a time. But i knew it didnt rupture, it would have been a lot worse! Tomorrow I have my pre-op appointment, what should I expect with that? And how long should I have my husband take leave off of work? I'm just so anxious to get the surgery so this pain will finally stop!!!

[Tmad93]

I would suggest talking to your doctor about your wishes.  They could be doing this based on the complexity of the cyst and the possibilities of what is growing inside. If you talk to your doctor and wish for a second opinion you could also get a second opinion.  
My doctor has never brought up the possibility of a laparotomy for my last surgery and my upcoming surgery and I'm going based off of the information that I learned in nursing school so I would talk to your doctor more about it.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Bellamay]

I Pray for you and to your baby.

[riever]

I am 14 weeks pregnant and I had my laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy five days ago.

7 weeks ago I had my ultrasound to check my baby's heartbeat and my OB found a cyst on my right ovary. She referred me to a radiologist who is an ultrasound expert and he said i have a 5.2cm "multiseptated cyst" means - not good, on the same day I did a bloodwork called CA125 and the result was 1,600 and the normal values should be less than 35. I freaked out because they were asking if I have any history of cancer and I don't have.

after 7 weeks of monitoring, three different doctors, 8 blood collections to rechecked CA125, 8 ultrasounds to monitor the growth of the cyst, we have decided to do the surgery. I have seen three doctors and they all suggest to do it. It was so hard because the risk of miscarriage was very high, and its our first baby. The doctor said I will be under general anesthesia and there is a risk of oopherectomy or removal of my right ovary.

After surgery the first thing I asked was "is my baby okay" and the nurse said yes. It was such a relief after a lot of stress. The doctor said it was a good call because my ovary was slightly twisted which is why I have pain. They put a foley catheter and I was on complete bed rest on the first day. It was horrible, the pain was unimaginable, all because of the gas. I was not able to sleep, and I cannot take any harsh pain reliever that may harm my baby. I developed sore throat and cough because of the tube they put, so imagine how painful it is to cough. On the second day post op they removed my foley cath and I was able to walk. I was discharged on the third day, and the doctor said just to removed the dressing when i get home and just let it air dry for faster healing.

The doctor gave me a copy of the video of my surgery. It was so cool to watch but kinda gross. I just hope that there are no long term effects of the anesthesia to my baby.