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Original poster

So I had my ovaries out this morning and need some company and advice

21 replies

Bourdic · 07/02/2019 19:00

I’ve just sent DH home as we had a very early start and he looks shattered ( but was being very noble). I’m hooked up to a catheter, oxygen and those inflating boot whatsits. My tummy is very hard and achy but the painkillers are kicking in. How on earth do people go home the same day? Mind you I am old. Any ideas how long before I start to feel a bit better? Any tips how to spend the next hours? I have my iPad and there’s a TV. What would be the most comfortable position to sleep in - flat or propped up( as I am now)?

OP posts:

GreenHatHacker · 07/02/2019 19:02

No experience to draw on here, but sending good wishes for a speedy recovery.

marvellousnightforamooncup · 07/02/2019 19:02

I wish I had answers, you poor thing. Do you have chocolate?

🍇

rainbowruthie · 07/02/2019 19:04

Sending kind thoughts

LizR19 · 07/02/2019 19:07

Hi Bourdic,
Hospital! It's great we've got them but when we're in them we can't wait to get out! I can't really give you any advice really cos when I had my hysterectomy I asked them to leave my ovaries in. And I did not sleep for one minute - too hot and noisy for me and I wanted to keep track of the iv fluids (I'm an ex nurse so a terrible patient.) make sure you get your pain relief regularly. Are you getting HRT?

Harryo · 07/02/2019 19:55

I had mine out yesterday but laparoscopically and went home last night . I'll keep you company.

I could have stayed overnight for the nice painkillers, but it was so noisy I wasn't able to close my eyes for more than five minutes at a time.

Original poster

Bourdic · 07/02/2019 20:53

Mine was laparoscopic as well. I’m post menopausal so no HRT needed. Yes it’s hot but quiet - will make sure I get sufficient pain killers. Thanks for good wishes. Tryimg to stay awake a bit longer to hopefully avoid 3am wake up.

OP posts:

ScottishDiblet · 07/02/2019 20:57

I was on a gynae ward with lots of ladies who were post hysterectomy and they said peppermint teas helped the swollen hard tummies. Hope that will help.

brownmare · 07/02/2019 21:05

I had mine out along with a hysterectomy and adhesion removal. Op took six hours and I went home the following day.

The night in hospital wasn't so good as I had a temperature and had to have a fan blowing on me and only a thin sheet. Once home I felt much better, I found that lying propped up on my back was the most comfy. Getting up and moving about as much as possible helped too, I made sure that I was showered and dressed first thing the following morning and it did make me feel more normal. My tummy felt like a lead weight for several weeks after though!

I hope you have a good recovery.

Fleetwoodsnack · 07/02/2019 21:08

peppermint tea is a good shout. I had mine (only one though) out via laparotomy though so don't know much. I was told the gas they use is the worst bit so hopefully it goes down soon.

Enjoy the pain killers (what boots??)

concernedforthefuture · 07/02/2019 21:44

Peppermint tea - they normally carry it on the tea trolley on our local gynae ward. It really helps with the trapped wind (they pump gas into your abdomen during surgery).

Original poster

Bourdic · 08/02/2019 06:39

Thanks for peppermint tea advice - I’m sure we have some at home. Catheter just taken out so feel I can wriggle a bit more to get comfy.
Fleet the boot things are wrapped round my lower legs and fastened with Velcro over my rather fetching teal blue compression stockings. They inflate alternately. Haven’t really bothered me and the machine is quite quiet. My breathing still doesn’t feel quite normal ( am still on oxygen - tubes in the nose)

brown thanks for all the those tips. 6 hour op - goodness.

OP posts:

mrsrhodgilbert · 08/02/2019 08:34

I had mine out last year, laparoscopically. My operation was early afternoon band I left at 9pm. I took ibuprofen and paracetamol at home for a few days. The worst bit is definitely the wind, it took about 4 days to go. Move around plenty to help it. My recovery went well apart from my bladder was numb for a couple of weeks. It worked perfectly well, I just couldn’t feel that it was getting full at all so would go to the loo deliberately every so often to empty it . I did see the surgeon about it who couldn’t explain it but it did get completely better by itself.

I don’t think propped up is ever very comfortable, I think lying stretched out would be kinder to your distorted tummy and keep twisting to move the wind along. Try really hard not to get constipated. Good luck

Janecon · 08/02/2019 09:02

I had one removed a couple of years ago. I wasn't in pain but I remember my tummy felt tender and the feeling was like someone had been rummaging around in my insides! The worst thing was the pain from the gas - for me it was worst in my shoulder, I think a day or two after the op, and was very uncomfortable. Moving about helped. Get well soon!

MigGril · 08/02/2019 09:13

Oh get well soon OP, I'm going to have one out next week. So good to know what it's like.

Thymeout · 08/02/2019 10:40

I had a hysterectomy and both ovaries, vertical incision. Take painkillers regularly, whether you feel you need them or not. Walking around is good for wind and glycerine suppositories for constipation. Follow the instructions and try to get back to your normal time, after food and lie down for a bit to give them time to work. A pillow to prop your stomach when you lie on your side is helpful. And a cushion to hold against you when you're driven home if it's a bumpy ride. Good luck!

Aprilshowersarecomingsoon · 08/02/2019 10:45

I remember when my dm had hers out and asked if she could have them to make earrings!
Omg I cringed.

GiantKitten · 08/02/2019 10:48

I had mine out, plus tubes, about a year ago - I’m old too (mid-60s) but I was done as a day case & had none of the catheter/oxygen/boots stuff, that sounds dire, you poor thing!

There were 3 incisions & my tummy felt wrong for ages but not too bad apart from that.

For the wind I happened to have some peppermint sweets (sugar free) with actual peppermint oil in, & they seemed to be tremendously helpful in shifting it. I lay in bed contentedly farting for many happy hours

Hope you’ll soon feel much more comfortable, OP

Toddlerteaplease · 08/02/2019 11:22

We use the flowtron boots on our spinal patients. They are universally hated by the patients. Though I did have a girl last week who lived them and didn't want to give them up!

Ikana · 10/02/2019 19:02

How are you doing OP? Are you home yet?

FabulouslyFab · 10/02/2019 19:10

I’m having my ovaries removed in four weeks, in the afternoon, and have been told I will have to stay un overnight

Original poster

Bourdic · 10/02/2019 19:44

Came home on Friday. I had the tubes out as well and the consultant said the pain was because the cyst was twisting back on itself. I think had it been left it could have become an emergency. Today I’ve had no painkillers as the little stabs I’m getting are worth bearing not to feel spaced out but will take some at bedtime. Burping etc practically finished but drank lots of peppermint tea and yesterday took Windeze. Finally went today after extra lactulose and liquorice. Trying to walk around every two hours and dh getting better at putting on my compression stockings. It’s his70 th tomorrow and we are feeling wistful about the fact that we should have been in a beach house near Sydney. Thanks for enquiring btw. Hope everyone else having it come fares well. Two other good tips I got from MN - loose dress to come home in and for afterwards and swap pjs for nightie.

OP posts:

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