Ovarian Cysts / Laparoscomy

[SamanthaB123]

I have an ovarian cyst that was discovered at my 20 week scan. My baby is now 4 months and the cyst is still there. It is being removed via key hole surgery in a few weeks. I have never had surgery before and I feel really frightened. I was wondering if there was anyone who has experienced this who could reassure me. I think I'm most worried about the anaesthetic and about the recovery period. Thanks, SB

Hiya.

I've had 3 laparoscopies (investigation, sterilisation and endometriosis treatment) and am shortly off to have a 4th.

The surgery itself is usually straightforward, they make an incision to insert some kind of superskinny camera through your bellybutton, and then use that to work out where to make the other ones near your ovaries.

You tend to feel very bloated and tender for a few days afterwards, but painkillers are enough to make it manageable. There's usually some light vaginal bleeding, which caught me by surprise the first time, so take a couple of pads.

Anaesthetic is fine for most people, although it does make me some people sick afterwards. As you've never had it, it's an unknown for you so I understand your aprehension but even for me, it's worth the unpleasantness to resolve the issues.

Are you booked in for day surgery? Not staying in would be preferable although you may be woozy for a few hours afterwards.

Hi there

I had a laproscopy last week to remove a large cyst and also my fallopian tube. I too was terrified about the general anaesthetic. I am always sick when I have anything done and I told the anaesthetist when they came to see me, they put some anti-emetic in the anaesthetic to reduce this but I still ended up very pukey for the day, I was discharged from hospital the following morning feeling much much better.

The pain afterwards hasn't been too bad, I agree that you are very bloated for a couple of days but this has settled too now.

I think what I wanted to say really was that I was much more worried about the general anaesthetic than the procedure. Should I ever have to have another one I won't be anything like as worried as I was, everyone around me was really very kind and understanding and I can't remember anything at all about 'going under' or being in recovery. I woke up back on the ward and basically slept for the rest of the day then went home in the morning.

I am rambling aren't I? I just wanted to try and reassure you that the general anaesthetic isn't as scary as you might think.. Best of luck for it - I hope everything goes well for you

Hi

I have had an exploratory one and another one to remove a cyst sort of orange sized from an ovary. I am going to back another cyst removed from the other ovary in a little while.

Both times so far have been fine, I stayed overnight the cyst removal time but I would have been fine going home. I didnt feel sick or anything and everyone was really lovely and they really look after you - they will look after you all the more being pregnant.

You will be feeling achy and bloated and you get pains in your shoulders from the gas they put in to see what they are doing but they go and they will tell you what painkillers you can take being pregnant.

It is really not as bad as you are thinking and its over really fast!

oops you arent pregnant your baby is 4 months old.

well they will make sure if you are breast feeding that any painkillers are ok - just tell them.

It will be fine and they do these all the time.

I am looking forward to my next one so the symptoms go!

Good luck