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

[k_a_k_a_r]

i would want to know what type of cyst u had? was it hemorrhage cyst? i am diagnosed with hemorrhage cyst, and doctors have told me to remove it. now can u plz inform me did it damage your ovary or not? i have not conceived yet, i am worried about my ovary life?

[Katrina15]

Hello well tomorrow would make me 2 weeks post-op after removing an 7cm solid cyst from my left ovary. I feel better now than last week. But I was wondering can u have sex. I'm in die need of my boyfriend right now I know they said 2 weeks but what would be the difference to do it a day before your 2 weeks. Please help

[old_before_my_time]

Ovarian cysts can affect hormones so it would seem reasonable that your cyst could be the cause of your PMS. It's good your doctor is only going to remove the cyst itself and not your ovary since we need our ovaries our whole lives for good health.

I hope the surgery goes well and your hormones settle down! Please post back after surgery and let us know how you're doing.

[AmyJH]

I am scheduled for a laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy in 8 days to remove an 8 cm complex cyst from my right ovary. This forum has helped me a lot. In addition to the pain I've been experiencing over the last 6 months I have also been noticing dramatic hormonal symptoms....like EXTREME PMS symptoms. I'm 35 years old and have never had PMS so severely until recently. Could this be a symptom of the cyst that is giving me problems or do I have an additional problem? I forgot to mention that to the dr. when I last saw her and thought maybe some of you have experienced something similar. If removing this cyst cures the pain AND the PMS I'm all for it!

[Anahadi]

Yes! I had the same pain. Really bad pms which I never had before until the cyst became bigger.  That and thigh, back and pelvic pain all day. Just had my surgery two days ago.  It's bs if doctor thinks I'll be up and at it.  I love the advice the last have above about the top ten things about laparoscopic surgery.

[Starbear1981]

I had a cancerous cyst removed today from ovaries and now I'm having shoulder pains what can I do

[JK_DMD]

I am 31yo, and 17 weeks pregnant. I had laproscopic surgery 3 days ago. I went in for an ultrasound because I was having bleeding. They found a large mass on the ultrasound near my left ovary, and recommended immediate surgery because they thought it was a 6cm hemmoragic cyst that could harm the baby if it ruptured or causr ovarian torsion. When I asked if it could be a benign fibroid, I was told "No because we did not see this on any of your earlier scans and fibroids don't grow that fast." So, I went under general anesthesia while pregnant because "the risks of leaving it were greater than the risk of anesthesia to the baby", only to find out it was just a fibroid. They went in, but didn't do a thing other than look at it and decide to wait to remove it until the baby is born. I feel that I had an an unnessesary surgery. Now I've been out of work and in pain for the last few days, sitting here just waiting and worrying for my follow up ultrasound tomorrow to see if the baby is ok. I was given pain meds, but don't want to take them for the baby's sake. I wasn't showing before the surgery and now I look like I'm 7 months pregnant because of the swelling and bloating. It took me 3 years to get pregnant and I'm going to be so angry if I miscarry as a result of this surgery, and always wonder if it was a bad call by the doctor, and an bad idea for me to follow his advice without getting a 2nd opinion.

[old_before_my_time]

I am sorry for your troubles! Did you have your ultrasound yesterday and what did it show? I hope and pray all is ok!