Laparoscopy plus oophorectomy for possible endo/ovarian cyst

[MadameButterface]

Apolohies in advance for lack of paragraphs, like everyone else my return button isn’t working. I have had pain and spotting during ovulation for a few years now, previous investigations came back as ‘not cancer’ and a bit of a shrug. This year it got worse, and i was diagnosed with a small (2.5 cm) cyst. I also have a small fibroid, but that’s been there years, it’s calcified and just kind of chills out not bothering anyone (not since i had the mirena for heavy periods anyway). The consultant i saw said she suspected endo and that my left ovary (which hurts the most, with the cyst) is possibly stuck to something, maybe my bladder. I have a laparoscopy next month and she asked me to consent to oophorectomy also if necessary, which i have because it fucking KNACKS every month when i ovulate, and i get bloated and gassy. Has anyone else had similar? What can i expect? How long did it take you to recover and do you feel a benefit from it? Please tell me amazing stories of feeling like a new woman. I’ve never had surgery before and i’m feeling a bit wah wah about it.

[MadameButterface]

Bumping this 😐

[ScreamingValenta]

Not quite the same, as I had an oophorectomy alongside a hysterectomy, but the underlying reasons were similar (and my response will bump in the hope of a better reply!).

My ovaries were stuck my my womb/bowel with endo. My consultant told me it wouldn't have been possible to save the ovaries as they were too badly damaged. The operation was one of the best decisions I have made, as it freed me from a constant pain cycle.

I returned to work after 7 weeks; it took another couple of months to feel properly recovered. My hysterectomy was abdominal - I would imagine the recovery from a laparoscopy, without the removal of your womb, would be much easier.

[MadameButterface]

Thanks Screaming, gosh that sounds like you had an extreme case of it. I’m glad it helped you. Do you mind me asking, did you know you had endo for a long time? I’d wondered for a while what was the matter with me and wondered if it might be that, as it is so common but also overlooked. But my consultant appt this June was the first time anyone mentioned it, and i’ve been going to the drs moaning about heavy periods/spotting/ovulation pain for about 7 years on and off. I got a mirena about 3 yrs ago that helped with the period issues, but did nowt for my ovulation pain, but i just put up with that until it got worse this year and i started flapping about cysts/cancer etc and went back. It seems you have to be a bit persistent - is that your experience?

[ScreamingValenta]

I'd been in increasing pain for about 7 years, but I kept being fobbed off with a diagnosis of IBS. My periods were horrendously long and painful, but I'd put it down to peri-menopause. My ovulation pain was just as bad. I was lucky to get one pain free week in four by the end.

I was eventually diagnosed by laparoscopy when the pain was so severe I was admitted to hospital. I had a CA125 test which was elevated as a result of a 7 cm endometrioma on my right ovary and I worried about cancer, but fortunately everything was clear. After the operation, they discovered fibroids and adenomyosis in my womb, so it wasn't surprising my periods had been so bad.

You're absolutely right about being persistent - I wish I had been more persistent. I'm glad you are being taken seriously at last.

[ScreamingValenta]

I'd been in increasing pain for about 7 years, but I kept being fobbed off with a diagnosis of IBS. My periods were horrendously long and painful, but I'd put it down to peri-menopause. My ovulation pain was just as bad. I was lucky to get one pain free week in four by the end.

I was eventually diagnosed by laparoscopy when the pain was so severe I was admitted to hospital. I had a CA125 test which was elevated as a result of a 7 cm endometrioma on my right ovary and I worried about cancer, but fortunately everything was clear. After the operation, they discovered fibroids and adenomyosis in my womb, so it wasn't surprising my periods had been so bad.

You're absolutely right about being persistent - I wish I had been more persistent. I'm glad you are being taken seriously at last.

[ScreamingValenta]

Sorry for double post - the first one didn't seem to post!

[GreyToStay]

I had my ovaries removed just over a week ago.
It was for different reasons but thought I would share my experience. I have the BRCA 2 gene, so had both ovaries removed as a prophylactic measure.
The operation itself was no trouble despite having lots of scar tissue from two previous sections. I am recovering well and have manageable pain.
My main difficulty is that I have been plunged into early menopause (I'm 37), with all the delightful symptoms that come with it. If it is only one ovary you are having removed I don't think you will have this problem.

[GreyToStay]

Also they found a cyst on one of my ovaries but I wasn't having any symptoms from this.

[Finchbon]

I had a oophorectomy today!
I may feel different in the morning but so far I am saying go for it. My reasoning is slightly different, I have (should say had) a borderline tumour on my ovary and I also suffer from adenomyosis so I can't comment about helping your symptoms
But certainly on the actual operation.

Was on the ward for 7.30am and theatre by 10am
Back in the ward for 12noon and home by dinner. Took slightly longer than required to discharge me as I was unable to wee after the op as I had such dry mouth post op, I overdid the water and basically stopped my own pluming from functioning!! They did some sort of manual emptying of my bladder and then managed to pass water myself an hour or two later.
Currently in bed feeling totally fine (although swollen) and stupidly very lively.

A few people on the ward who had similar operations were complaining about the gas pain (chest and shoulder pain from the gas they use to blow up the cavity) but I seem to have escaped anything so far. As I understand this pain lasts perhaps 24 hours if you do get it.

I've been told to take it easy for around a week (no heavy lifting etc) but to really just listen to my body and not overdo it.
The stitches are dissolvable in all 3 incisions (1cm below belly button and 2 half cm ones neat each hip bone) and they are that confident in recovery I've not even got to go back for a check up.

I have only had a general once before many years ago and couldn't really remember so went in today very cautious. All the surgical team and the ward staff were helpful and really explained everything.

Please don't let the op put you off. You will be in good hands xx

[Myfanwyprice]

I had my left ovary removed due to an ovarian cyst earlier this year, and also some endometriosis removed.

I would say go for it, I no longer get the awful ovulation pain that used to take my breath away. For me, I’ve got a lot of endometriosis that is too close to my bowel to be safe to be removed, so I still get some pain from that around my period, but the pain from my ovary is gone completely.

Recovery was around 5 weeks - I was initially signed off for 4 weeks, but asked for another week, and am so pleased I took it, as I really did need it.

[Twolittlebears]

So I had a big(ish) cyst removed but no oophorectomy (although they did say it might be necessary due to the size / type of cyst). Like you might be, I went in not knowing what would be there when I came out!

My overies both stayed however.

Overall I'd say removing the cyst has helped with pain although my main motivation was wanting to have a baby without the cyst getting in the way.

The procedure was absolutely fine. It took me about two weeks to recover fully although I was up and about very quickly afterwards. I'm not sure my experience is typically however. My neighbour had one done and she reports taking much longer to recover despite being in much better physical shape than me

Not sure that's very helpful but hope it all goes well for you.

[MadameButterface]

Thanks everyone i feel way happier now. Good to know that the gas pain isn’t a dead cert - i was worried about this as i seem to spend half my time bloated af these days anyway 😐

Was chatting about this at work earlier (i work in a salon) and both clients were also going through the same thing of being in the process of being diagnosed with endo. Is there some sort of epidemic happening? It’s bizarre.

to all for a speedy recovery and pain free (ish) life going forward. I really appreciate you sharing your stories x

[FabulouslyFab]

I am waiting for a date for a laparoscopic oophorectomy. I have a 7cm cyst on the left ovary which was discovered when being scanned for kidney stones on the right side! No pain or lump or anything but the thinking is it’s better to have thie cyst and my ovaries removed while I’m fit rather than as an emergency if it twists.
I had a brain haemorrhage last year and had life saving emergency surgery. I have come through that practically unscathed but the idea of this next operation terrifies me!