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Nervous wreck...
Hello!
Just this past Wednesday I had a routine checkup at the GYNO. I hadn't been to see her in a bit over 2 years because I didn't have health insurance. As she was doing the pelvic exam, she asked me if I was feeling pain when she pressed on my left side. It was a little uncomfortable but not horrible. She said she felt a "mass" in my pelvis and immediately sent me to get a intervaginal ultrasound and an exterior one. I went back down to the GYNO office after the ultrasound and sat down with my doc. She said the ultrasound tech had found a large mass in my left ovary. The size was approximately 16x12x8cm.
Needless to say I'm a nervous wreck.
I've never had major surgery before.
I'm wondering about downtime?
Whether or not it's possible to do the procedure laparoscopically?
Will I need a c-section type cut?
If anyone has been through this or has some good info please let me know.
Thanks a million!
Just this past Wednesday I had a routine checkup at the GYNO. I hadn't been to see her in a bit over 2 years because I didn't have health insurance. As she was doing the pelvic exam, she asked me if I was feeling pain when she pressed on my left side. It was a little uncomfortable but not horrible. She said she felt a "mass" in my pelvis and immediately sent me to get a intervaginal ultrasound and an exterior one. I went back down to the GYNO office after the ultrasound and sat down with my doc. She said the ultrasound tech had found a large mass in my left ovary. The size was approximately 16x12x8cm.
Needless to say I'm a nervous wreck.
I've never had major surgery before.
I'm wondering about downtime?
Whether or not it's possible to do the procedure laparoscopically?
Will I need a c-section type cut?
If anyone has been through this or has some good info please let me know.
Thanks a million!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Please do not panic. Most ovarian cysts (even large ones and suspicious looking ones) are benign (non-cancerous) if you do not have a genetic predisposition for ovarian cancer. A woman without increased risk factors has a lifetime risk of ovarian cancer of under 2% (1.4% per U.S. government statistics).
You did not mention the details of surgery except that it will be open abdominal. Will the surgeon remove just the cyst (cystectomy) or does she plan to remove the ovary and even other organs (e.g., other ovary, tubes, uterus). Removal of the ovary can permanently disrupt hormone production with a risk of infertility and even menopause. (I am not sure of the percent chances of this happening but I know of women who have experienced these effects.)
What does the ultrasound report say about the type of cyst and it's characteristics? The CA125 test is not accurate at diagnosing ovarian cancer because you can have an elevated result and not have cancer. Benign cysts are one condition that can cause an elevated result.
If there is a possibility of cancer then you may want to have a gynecologic oncologist do the surgery.
I wish I had done things VERY differently when my long-time gynecologist found a 9.5cm suspicious looking cyst (that was more than likely non-cancerous since most are). He rushed me into surgery. Even though the frozen section biopsy done while I was under anesthesia was benign, he continued removing my FEMALE SEX organs - my other ovary, both tubes, and my uterus). I have been suffering the life- and health-robbing sequelae of hysterectomy / ovary removal ever since (8 years now). I wish I had COMPLETELY understood the lifelong, non-reproductive functions of the ovaries and uterus (anatomical, skeletal, hormonal, sexual). I also wish I had known about the GROSS overuse of female organ removal and the tactics used to continue this overuse.
I hope this helps and your surgery and recovery go well!
You did not mention the details of surgery except that it will be open abdominal. Will the surgeon remove just the cyst (cystectomy) or does she plan to remove the ovary and even other organs (e.g., other ovary, tubes, uterus). Removal of the ovary can permanently disrupt hormone production with a risk of infertility and even menopause. (I am not sure of the percent chances of this happening but I know of women who have experienced these effects.)
What does the ultrasound report say about the type of cyst and it's characteristics? The CA125 test is not accurate at diagnosing ovarian cancer because you can have an elevated result and not have cancer. Benign cysts are one condition that can cause an elevated result.
If there is a possibility of cancer then you may want to have a gynecologic oncologist do the surgery.
I wish I had done things VERY differently when my long-time gynecologist found a 9.5cm suspicious looking cyst (that was more than likely non-cancerous since most are). He rushed me into surgery. Even though the frozen section biopsy done while I was under anesthesia was benign, he continued removing my FEMALE SEX organs - my other ovary, both tubes, and my uterus). I have been suffering the life- and health-robbing sequelae of hysterectomy / ovary removal ever since (8 years now). I wish I had COMPLETELY understood the lifelong, non-reproductive functions of the ovaries and uterus (anatomical, skeletal, hormonal, sexual). I also wish I had known about the GROSS overuse of female organ removal and the tactics used to continue this overuse.
I hope this helps and your surgery and recovery go well!
Hi! I just had a 14 cm ovarian cyst removed from my left ovary about 4 weeks ago. I understand your nervousness completely!
Likely, your doctor will want to run some tests, such as a CA 125 blood test to determine the likelihood of cancer, then make a decision on what type of surgery is best for you. For me, while my chances were low, my doc decided to play it safe and do an open surgery to avoid spilling the contents of the cyst into my body which can happen during a laparscopy. I have a bikini incision that is about 6 inches long. It was not cancer, thank goodness! Most cysts are not, so try not to worry too much, but I know how hard that can be.
I had no major complications and have been recovering well, but it is a long process to recover from an open surgery like this. Plan on probably 4-6 weeks of no work and restricted activity, depending on what you do. I'm a teacher, so I am luckily able to use the summer to recover.
The surgery was about one hour and I had the ovary and tube removed as well. I spent 2 nights in the hospital, then about 2 more days just laying around, taking the pain meds and recovering. after that, I was able to get out for just a bit, as long as I took it easy. I rested mostly the first week. I was able to drive after the first week, still took it pretty easy the second week and started feeling fairly normal the 3rd week. I am almost back to normal now. Still swollen and sore, though, and still unable to do rigorous activity or lift over 10 pounds.
I was able to care for myself just fine at home. I just made sure everything I would need would be easily accessed before I went to the hospital. I made child care arrangements for the first full week after surgery. I would not have been able to care for them alone and I am a single mother. I also had a lot of people checking on me and bringing meals. I'm not usually one to ask for help, but it was crucial. You will need some support, especially if you have children.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
Likely, your doctor will want to run some tests, such as a CA 125 blood test to determine the likelihood of cancer, then make a decision on what type of surgery is best for you. For me, while my chances were low, my doc decided to play it safe and do an open surgery to avoid spilling the contents of the cyst into my body which can happen during a laparscopy. I have a bikini incision that is about 6 inches long. It was not cancer, thank goodness! Most cysts are not, so try not to worry too much, but I know how hard that can be.
I had no major complications and have been recovering well, but it is a long process to recover from an open surgery like this. Plan on probably 4-6 weeks of no work and restricted activity, depending on what you do. I'm a teacher, so I am luckily able to use the summer to recover.
The surgery was about one hour and I had the ovary and tube removed as well. I spent 2 nights in the hospital, then about 2 more days just laying around, taking the pain meds and recovering. after that, I was able to get out for just a bit, as long as I took it easy. I rested mostly the first week. I was able to drive after the first week, still took it pretty easy the second week and started feeling fairly normal the 3rd week. I am almost back to normal now. Still swollen and sore, though, and still unable to do rigorous activity or lift over 10 pounds.
I was able to care for myself just fine at home. I just made sure everything I would need would be easily accessed before I went to the hospital. I made child care arrangements for the first full week after surgery. I would not have been able to care for them alone and I am a single mother. I also had a lot of people checking on me and bringing meals. I'm not usually one to ask for help, but it was crucial. You will need some support, especially if you have children.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
Try not to panic. I think a mass that large is probably a cyst, and cysts are often simple and noncancerous.
Best wishes! Eat vegetables and fruit, non-GMO and organic and cut back on meat and dairy and sugar. This is a healthy diet that cancer doesn't like.
Best wishes! Eat vegetables and fruit, non-GMO and organic and cut back on meat and dairy and sugar. This is a healthy diet that cancer doesn't like.
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