Davinci surgery

[CherBH]

I hesitate to post this question, as I see so many of you ladies on here who are fighting this battle with ovarian cancer... I feel like this is such a minor thing to be asking. But I need an opinion from someone who may have gone through this type of surgery, as I have some decisions to make in my near future.
I have been frequenting the ovarian cysts forum, as I have been diagnosed with 2 complex ovarian cysts: 7cm on LT and 2 cm on RT. I have been putting off having surgery for some time, but I have have started having symptoms and they are also growing. To make a long story short (almost an impossibility for me)  ;)   my gyn/onc wants to do a large vertical incision (from just below the breast bone to just above the pubic area... at least 12 in., if not more)... in order to remove the ovaries intact, as well as my uterus & f. tubes. I do not want to go through such a huge surgery unless it is an absolute necessity, so I have been looking in to alternative types of surgery. Some of the ladies on the ovarian cysts forum suggested "robotic surgery". (Davinci surgery) I have researched it, and it looks like such a great alternative, but I was wondering if ovarian cancer is suspected, can they still do this? My gyn/onc insists that she is VERY concerned about the possibility of having the ovaries rupture and that doing the open surgery is the only way to ensure that this will not happen. So, I guess my question is: were any of you able to have this type of surgery when ovarian cancer was suspected? She as given me a 50% chance of it being malignant. I have an appt. for a 2nd. opinion on the 19th. of Nov. Any help or advice you can offer, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much... and God bless.
Cheryl

[Cindy809]

I've read what you are asking over and over and I don't understand why a second opinion is necessary?  Is it with another gyn onc?  What is your main concern?  Have you had any testing done to determine if it is cancer or not?  Scans, Ca125 (sometimes not reliable).  You said you are starting to have symtoms.  Have you researched this disease?  It seems like you have been researching the surgery more that the disease.  Ovarian Cancer is very serious!!!!  My whole abdomin has scars.  It looks like a road map!!!  Do I care?  No!  I just want the cancer out of my body!!!!  Think about that!  Your gyn onc sounds qualified.  A rupture could if cancer could change the stage.  I had to have a second surgery because when my first surgery was done the doctor didn't go up high enough (breast bone).  When I had to have a  second surgery a different doctor went way higher to get all the cancer (spleen, liver, pancreas)....the only thing I cared about was getting it out!  Putting off the surgery could allow things to grow.  What are you waiting for?  I hate to sound so alarming but OVARIAN CANCER doesn't wait.  Good luck....Cindy

[manneca]

Hi! I had a full abdominal surgery with a scar from my breastbone to my pubis. I was in the hospital four nights and then home in bed for a couple of more. My sister stayed with me, but I was pretty much fine after a couple of more days. I'm recovering from laproscopic repair of a hernia from the abdominal surgery. As far as I'm concerned that is worse than the abdominal surgery was. Think about what alternatives you have. Do you have firiends who could spend a night with you? You might not need more than four or five nights before you are OK to go it alone. A couple of friends could cover for you. Are you a member of a church or religious group? Could they help? It's pretty awful facing this by yourself and alone. Please, though, if it is cancer, the best thing is the safest. There are awful stories on here of tumors breaking open and speading cancer during surgery which I was not aware of.

Blessings and peace

[CherBH]

Jan,
I am so sorry if I upset you... truly, I am. I understand how minor this must seem to you with all that you're dealing with right now. It honestly isn't the scar that is concerning me... it has more to do with my present circumstances of recovery time and not having anyone to stay with me after surgery. Again, I am very sorry if I seemed cold and callous. I did not mean to at all. Please delete this thread if you feel the need to.
Cheryl

[CherBH]

Well, I read a little farther and this is what I found out:
"Though some benign ovarian neoplasms may be treated, in some cases, with minimally invasive surgery, most ovarian conditions are treated by traditional surgery. Ovarian cancer is, almost invariably, treated with traditional surgery."
It must not be a surgery that can be used for possible ovarian cancer.  :(