Post-Op questions: pain, swelling, bronchitis, sex

[bluefaery]

I had surgery on 12/22 to remove at least one cyst.  There was one on each side but the doc thought one was small enough to go away on it's own.  When they did the surgery the bigger one had gotten slightly smaller and the smaller one a little bigger.  He ended up draining them instead of slicing the ovary open (is that normal?).  They were both about 5cm.

I've been back at work all this week and I seem to be doing okay in the healing dept, I think.  Here are my issues:

1.  The left side still seems swollen (this side had the larger cyst).  I can feel pressure when I bend foward.  This side's incision had a little scab on it when the tape came off, the doc thought it may have bled a little.  I can also feel a knobby thing under the incision, but from what I've read that's kind of normal (it's like dried pus or something), but under the knob it still feels like there is a bigger bump under it, but not like the cyst bump.  

2.  Last night I got shooting pains on my right side in the ovary area.  I laid down and got them on and off over the evening, but am fine today (well, back to where I was at before with pain).  Could it have been me ovulating?

3.  How common is post-op bronchitis or something similar to that?  I have had a bronchial cough for the past few days but I don't feel like I'm ill.  My daughter had a cold last week that included a fever, so I suppose I could have caught her virus.  Or, I'm wondering if the tube they put down my throat irritated my bronchial tubes?   I've had some coughing ever since the surgery and wonder if this has affected me in regards to question #1.

4.  How long did you wait until you had sex again?  The doc told me I could when I felt ready.  I think I'm close, but a bit nervous about possible pain.

Thanks all!
Sandy

[bluefaery]

Yes, the doc said that they were simple, the images of the cysts were all dark, so I assume it was all fluid.  I guess all I can do is go back and check on them.

[Sconnie]

Hi Bluefaery,

Did the doctor indicate that the cysts inside your ovary were simple cysts hence that is why he drained them? I had one drained back in November (10cm) that they thought was a simple functional cyst, however 8 weeks later its back again (7cm) and showing what they beleive to be a dermoid.  I wished it had never been drained and they had taken it.  

My surgeon didnt open the ovary either, it was drained via my abdomen, whilst I had keyhole through my bellbutton.  It maybe worth getting another ultrasound like I did to check on your ovaries.  I was scheduled for removal on Tuesday via open surgery until I found out I was pregnant, I am now waiting until I am 16 weeks for removal.  

If they are simple cysts, they should eventually go away on thre own. Good Luck xx

[bluefaery]

My cough is still there, but I'm getting better a little each day, but I still never had any "sick" feeling, just a bronchial cough and also lost my voice.  I called the doc's office and the desk nurse told me it was too long between the surgery and when I got sick for the tube to effect me, so who knows, but I still think it was from the tube.

About my right side pain, it's still happening on and off, not as bad as that first night, but the pain is coming from my ovary area.  Apparently he didn't actually open the ovary, just drained it, so I'm wondering what's happening.  Right now I'm just trying to keep it easy going, but it's definitly not ovulation and I think I'm going to ahve to get another ultrasound to make sure it didn't fill up again.  If it did, what will I do?  Have another stupid surgery?  I'm about to start my period (which is good that it's on schedule) so I'm wondering if the hormone increase is filling it up again or what?

I do not want to go to the docs again :(  I'm tired of getting prodded and want this to be over!!

[fungirl1011]

Hi and welcome.  I'm so glad that your surgery is over and you are well on your way to recovery.  I'll try to answer your questions as best I can.

1.  Did he remove the cyst on the left side?  It is normal to have swelling for a few months after surgery.  Your body went through a trauma and it just takes time to heal.  The pressure you are feeling is normal, as everything is probably still swollen.  It could also be scar tissue starting to develop. The knot you are feeling under the scar is normal also.  It is the scar tissue of the incision and it should go down after time.  I had a vertical incision about 6 years ago and I can still feel a few knots along it.  It is just where scar tissue has built up.  It could also be the internal stitches that you are feeling.

2.  The shooting pain could be a few things.  It could be ovulation, or I'm wondering if it could be that the cyst has filled back up (assuming this is the side where they left the cyst).  That is something that I would definitely discuss with your doctor at your next appointment.  You may want to ask for a follow up ultrasound.

3.  This could be a bit more serious.  When you had your surgery, did they give you a little breathing thing (Don't know the name :-) to practice your deep breathing exercises?  When you have surgery and they insert a tube in your lungs, the anesthesia increases your chance of pneumonia. If you feel as if you may have bronchitis, then you may want to see your family doctor to make sure that your lungs are clear.

4.  Depending on the type of surgery you had, depends on when you should have sex again.  If you had laproscopic surgery, it is usually 4 weeks.  If you had a laparotomy then it is usually 6-8 weeks.  It is really important to keep in mind that we may look and feel healed on the outside, but it takes longer for our insides to heal.  Don't be surprised if it hurts a little at first the first time you have sex.  

I hope I have answered your questions.  I hope you get the answers you are looking for.