Scared about more surgery

[orangeflutie]

I've just been to the hospital today for a follow up appointment, as in October I had an ultrasound and a 6cm ovarian cyst was discovered.

I had one removed in April this year privately and was told it would be advisable for me to have an ultrasound six months on to check for any more.

Anyway I spoke to the gynaecologist today and she has said that it is the same cyst that was removed in April and that it has reformed. She said I will need surgery. I was expecting this but not for her to tell me it might not just be a laproscopy but could be a laporotomy (a much bigger incision), and also my left ovary may have to be removed.

Right now I feel really upset and I think I'm going to take a while to come to terms with this news. Luckily I've had my DC, but I still feel quite shocked. She also did an internal exam which I'm fairly used to by now but I think she could've been a bit gentler. It hurt and now I'm not sure I want her doing this surgery.

The trouble is I probably don't have much choice as it will be on the NHS. I no longer have private medical insurance.

Please help I feel really shaky:( I'm currently on ADs and was feeling much more optimistic about things and this has really set me back.

Oh Orangflutie not much practical advice (apart from the fact that you do have a choice on the NHS if there are more hospitals near you)

But do want to send you a big big hug xx

Thank you madmouse. There aren't many people in RL I feel I can share this with. DH is away until Sunday. I did manage to have a chat on the phone with him earlier which helped a little, but I just can't stop thinking about it all. I haven't been able to eat properly today due to worry.

I was due to see my GP tomorrow but on Monday was told she'd not be in on Thursday so will have to wait until Monday:( This can't be helped but I really need to offload and get some more advice. I may need to get a second opinion. I felt in safe hands with my previous gynae but I didn't get that feeling about the one I saw today.

Hi there
I had an op for this last year. Cyst and ovary were removed as there was too much damage from the cyst. I was told that it has no effect on fertility etc as the other ovary compensates entirely. It did take a good few weeks to recover from laparotomy but it does get better - and no more pain from cysts.

From what I've read a laparotomy is major surgery. I'm scared about it and how I will feel and even look afterwards. How long I will be in hospital and the longer recovery time. I have three dds to look after and no family support nearby.

Hiya.

Can appreciate how scared you are but I have to believe that they don't make these decisions lightly.

My dsis had a laparotomy some years ago when having endometriosis treatment. Her scar looks very like my caesarian scar and has faded in a similar fashion.

Am waiting for a date for similar surgery myself and they have said they will try to do it laparascopically and keep me in for 2 days. If not, it will be a laparotomy and a hospital stay of around 5 days. They won't know until they start digging though which is not very helpful from a planning POV.

How old are your DDs? If they are very small then would you (or social services) be able to arrange a short term home help? Maybe friends too.

I had a 3cm scar like a caesarean scar. I was in hospital for 4 days and was signed off work for 7 weeks. It was advised not to lift anything heavy for a while which was the bit i found most difficult with kids but they get used to doing other things. We removed the cot side so i didn't need to lift in and out etc.

Hopefully they'll be able to do it keyhole for you :-)

Thanks for sharing your positive experiences.

I think I definitely need to ask more questions about the surgery. One of my worries is my lack of confidence and maybe trust in the gynaecologist I saw today. I'm not sure if she would bother trying keyhole first. It's a feeling I have and it bothers me.

I may be being oversensitive but today I felt more like a number not a person.

I'm used to working with vulnerable people and I make sure I treat them with respect and dignity and today I certainly felt vulnerable and that there was not time for my worries to be addressed.