Post Op Question

[Silvara]

My surgery (total hysterectomy along with the cyst removal) is scheduled on Mon and I'm feeling awfully stressed about what needs to be done and how I'm going to feel post op.  I have been through surgery for fibroids, so I know how I'm going to feel (hurt) afterwards.  I know I'm going to be swollen for months afterward, but am I going to be able to feel that the cyst is gone?  It's 16 CM and I can feel and see it all the way up to my belly button, especially when I'm lying on my back.  

Has anyone who had such a large cyst felt any difference soon after surgery?  I'm trying to concentrate on good things and I'm hoping that I will feel a difference very soon.  I know I'll be happy to no longer have periods or worry about cervical, endometrial or ovarian cancers and all that.  I just want something else positive to think about.  (grasping at straws!)

[KellyK725]

I'm so glad the surgery went well!

Thanks for sharing...now I won't be so freaked out when it's my turn!

Just relax and recover. Good luck with everything!

[Valkyree]

So glad to hear the surgery went well... heehee... funny you had him named... My husband wanted to name mine, cuz he swears that I must have been a triplet... HA! Anyway, take it easy and relax... I read something here when I was recovering that I loved... something like: try to enjoy the time to recover... and watch the dust bunnies dance. I can't remember the exact wording. Yes, being glued shut is so nice... I was more worried about having to have staples taken out more than anything... was great to wake up to none... you're probably loaded with dissolving internal stitches like I was... they feel weird when they start to dissolve, I think that was at the 4th or 5th week after surgery.

Eat lots of fruit... pears work wonders to get things "normal" again...

Let us know how you are doing!

[Silvara]

In a morphine haze, I did check my tummy once I'd been wheeled into my room.  It seemed much flatter even with the post-op swelling already beginning.  I did a few test presses around below my belly button and definitely didn't feel Fred's presence.  That made me feel better after the trouble I had with them getting my pain under control in recovery.  Fred had dug his nails into my pelvic wall as he was quite opposed to leaving, but the Dr managed to pry him free.  I have more pain on that side than anywhere else.

The Dr closed without staples or sutures on the outside.  I'm glued shut!  There's quite a bit of bruising at the incision.  The Dr said it was because they had to retract so much to get Fred loose.

Thanks again, everyone!!!

[TrudieC]

I felt amazing after my surgery.  A few weeks later everything fit better (and continued to improve for up to 8 weeks), not only was the bloating in my abdomen gone but in other areas of my body too, my thyroid straightened out, my brain fog cleared and I was finally able to lose weight.  Good luck and we will be waiting to hear from you when you get home.

[babypooh]

Yes, you will be able to see a difference and feel it too. For me, it wasn't right after surgery because of the swelling, the pain and all that stuff. But a couple of weeks later I noticed that even my clothes fit better. The bloatedness had gone and I felt better.  Good luck with everything! Don't worry; you'll be okay :) Get plenty of rest!

[Silvara]

Ireneo, Thanks for the info!  I've been wondering how much mine weighs since I've gained 10 lbs in the last month.  When I lay on my stomach, it almost feels like I could rock back and forth on the darn thing it's so big.  Like I'm balancing on a softball.  

Valkyree, you had 2 cysts that size??  Holy Cow!  I would imagine you felt positively hollow after surgery!  At my pre-op, my Dr mentioned that she's concerned that this cyst might be adhered to my abdominal wall.  I hadn't thought of that before, but now you mention that yours was adhered to your intestines, I'm wondering what mine is doing in there.  I haven't been able to wear pants with a real waistband for 2 mos now.  It's just too painful the way they squished the cyst and my insides.

Kelly, I'm excited and terrified all at the same time.  I am looking forward to seeing what Fred looks like.  He's been stirring up trouble and I want to see before he's sent off to the mother ship.  

Thanks ladies!  I appreciate your responses.

[KellyK725]

You know I haven't had the surgery so I have no real advice for you.

But I just want to say I'm so excited for you! Imagine when it's alllll outta there and you don't have to worry about cysts ever again.

Good luck with everything. I know it's hard but try to relax...it's all going to be fine. And don't worry about what you need to bring and all that...even if you forget stuff, it's no biggie.

I want to know every little detail when you get back so there better be a loooong journal entry!

[Valkyree]

I had two 10 cm cysts and had both of my ovaries removed... there is a big difference now....once the swelling went down, I noticed a big change in the way my clothes fit, especially tighter jeans.. funny, but it's almost an airy feeling... and, before, I had some problems going to the bathroom which I did not attribute to the cysts, cuz I did not know they were in there. Turns out, my intestines were fused to my ovary on the one side... all is well there now after the general surgeon came in and straightened it all out.

Having the periods gone is even better than you can imagine... not to mention the $$ savings from not having to buy feminine hygiene products. :)

The surgical menopause is another story, but don't worry about that until later. Mine took a few weeks to set in...

Best to you... you will do great... and since you been through similar, you already know what to expect and what to do post-op...the best thing you can do is relax, relax, relax...

We'll be thinking about you!

[ireneo]

Even though my cyst was only 10 cm and even though there was the usual post operative aches and pains, I did feel a difference right away. I didn't feel that constant pressure in my left side. I was fortunate that I didn't have pain with mine but it felt like I was carrying around a ball in my pocket all the time, very uncomfortable to sit down too. Plus I was able to urinate (like a racehorse as they say) without the stops and starts. The best news - I lost 8 lbs after the surgery. :-)