Laparoscopic op for a cyst and potential removal of ovary

[scaredaboutsurgery]

I've got an operation coming up next week, woken up now and am shitting myself. I am a single parent to a 20 month old (father is long gone and court order states no direct contact because he is that awful) and I have to have a 'laparoscopic excision of an ovarian cyst' with a possible but more than likely oophorectomy....

Has anyone had this surgery before? I am just wondering what to expect. Got my pre assessment early this week where they said they would answer questions but the op is the next day! And I need to plan stuff like making a will I case I die like childcare...

Has anyone had anything like this? And what is the recovery time like? I have covered two days and an evening for my child, but I am seriously panicking about being away from her, and the op itself. Sorry for the long and rambly post, I can't sleep due to worrying!!!

I’ve had a few laparoscopies on my ovaries for PCOS and Endometriosis and have stopped short of losing an ovary. Recovery can take up to 2 weeks - it’s keyhole surgery so relatively non invasive but the referred pain (they pump your abdomen with gas which rises to your shoulders) can be the worst part for a few days - you legit need to let yourself fart it out essentially... it’s not too bad in the grand scheme of things.

Good luck though xx

I had a laparotomy with my cyst because it was too big - recovery took some time and it was sore but it's going to be fine. Do you have friends or family who can perhaps stay with you a few days to help out?

I've had it, actually twice because they found adhesions the first time so left the ovary behind.

It was fine.

The only thing I will say is pack a sandwich, by the time they let you eat you will be starving and hospital food isn't great.

You should be fine to look after your child, maybe not to go on a climbing frame with them but OK.

You’ll have to take it easy with your little one for a few weeks but then should be fine.

Take peppermint tea/capsules if you feel the gas pain @SamStephens mentioned (not everyone does feel it).

Keep up with pain relief even if you fleetingly feel you don’t need it until you’re absolutely sure you don’t need it.

Some people take a bit of time to recover from the anaesthetic so don’t worry if you need lots of rest - it’s not unusual.

Ok added sandwich to my list of what to pack. Thanks!
Will I be able to go home the next day? Nursery are taking dd on for a few extra days and I've got my mum lined up to stay with her for the night i am in hosp...I am just really worried as I've never been away from her... any advice on when I can drive again? Nhs tells me that it can be up to one week...

Ah, and I am looking forward to lots of farting !! Not.

my 15 year old had this as an emergency and she was at a standing concert 2 days later

I had it as an emergency more than half a century ago when I was teenage. No laparoscopies in those days so no comparison , but I can tell you that with the remaining ovary I went on to have four children. If that's one of your concerns.

Thanks footle, really glad it worked out for you! Sadly I have resigned myself to one and done. Off men for the foreseeable future and its enough trying to juggle one with working full time and inconvenient operations (I know I know, I should be glad they are taking action).

I just don't seem to have been given any info at all, and I've got my pre assessment on Tuesday... just having a panic

Would your mum be able to manage 2 nights? You might be quite tired the day they discharge you

Or if not, an evening babysitter to help with bedtime

Also I would try to get ahead before you go to hospital if you can eg laundry up to date, freeze some meals if poss. I found it was the daily grind that was tiring after these type of ops due to the general anaesthetic but everyone is different.

I had a 15cm ovarian cyst removed, together with the ovary and fallopian tube it was attached to. I had a c-section type cut so not really comparable, but even then my experience was very positive and recovery wasn't too horrendous considering.

I experienced some strange symptoms afterwards due to the sudden loss of a hormone producing ovary, but the other one gradually picks up the slack and the symptoms faded completely over 6 months or so. Nothing terrible, just stuff typically associated with menopause, which makes sense!

The care I had on the gynae ward was superb.

Very best of luck!

Thanks for all the advice, currently in my own room (whoop whoop) on the recovery ward. Not feeling too gross, just a bit sore and groggy. Op was overall a success, only had to remove the cyst(s - there were two, one hiding behind the other!) and a tube, so got to keep both ovaries, hurrah.

Hoping that the not feeling too is a good sign for recovery, although I have just remembered I am on lots of painkillers so perhaps shall regret saying that in the morning.

Sashh, you are a lifesaver, the cheese sandwich (figured it would come to the least harm in my bag in unknown temperature conditions) I had after I got to the ward was amazing. And dinner is not for another hour, so I would have been eating my bed socks by then if not!

So glad it went well!