Open laparotomy for ovarian cyst

I wanted to share my recent experience of open abdominal surgery with others who may be having this surgery.  I started with some left lower abdominal back pain which gradually increased until I was admitted later that day.  The following day I had an ultra scan which confirmed a large 10cm ovarian cyst.  The Drs decided they would surgically remove this the following day.  I was consented for a smaller laprascopic procedure, but on waking from my surgery was informed that they had gone in and done a full open incision right across my abdomen because access was difficult.  This was a significantly larger and more painful surgery, that I unfortunately woke up in the full grips of, which I somewhat struggled to get my head round.  I was intravenously hooked up to a morphine pump that you self administer for pain for the first 24hrs.  As your stomach muscles have been cut, it is very difficult to move for the first week especially, and regular pain relief is a must. I also had a catheter in my bladder for the first 2 days as getting out of bed was too difficult.  I tried to keep sat up in bed to help with comfort and a pillow under my legs helped greatly.  It is important to drink lots of fluids and a light diet.  Your bowels go on strike for a bit and the spasm pain from them trying to move and wind can be very uncomfortable.  It's best to try and gently walk about to try and get them going.  I went home after 6 days, and it was difficult at first, as you can only sleep on your back, and you feel like a stranded turtle as everything is so swollen. It's also worth having pain killers next to bed so you can take them before trying to move in a morning.  Lowering into a bath is impossible so stick to showers.  Don't let any dogs or cats jump onto your lap. And if you go out in car take a pillow to put between you and belt. Stick to stretchy pants but try and wear big knickers which offer you some tummy support it helps with pain. Try not to get too down with the discomfort it does end eventually but for the first 3 weeks it will feel like this is gonna be bad forever. If you drop anything on the floor just leave it there, bending hurts too much. Do not lift more than a kettle with a couple of cups worth of water, and no hoovering or manual work. Remember your ovaries have been messed with so if you feel emotional it's prob the little buggers flooding you with hormones.  Try and stick to a sleeping regime, and remember you will feel better eventually.  If you get any problems peeing or the other let your GP know ASAP, and try keep your wound clean and dry, any changes with this increased pain, discharge, heat or swelling, again let GP know.  If you spike a temp or feel unwell in yourself, again let Dr know. Sleeping helps with pillow behind legs. In 6 weeks you will feel back to normal, it's a tough surgery so just take every day slowly. Hope this helps with those waiting for this surgery. Finally if your anaesthetist offers you a self administered pain pump post op, say yes! Nurses with the best will in the world are very busy and you can end up waiting for pain relief, also don't wait till your in agony before taking painkillers, try and keep your pain killer levels up to stop breAkthrough pain! and everytime your offered simple pain relief such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, take it! If your constipated or your stools are hard ask for something for this, constipation makes everything hurt much more. You will also have numbness around your scar and abdomen, this feels weird but is normal.  Your tummy will also feel very swollen, again normal but will go down, 

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