Any advice following laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy please?
Posted , 20 users are following.
I am currently at home recovering from a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy which I had exactly a week ago today. The surgery was advised following the discovery of a dermoid cyst on my right ovary which appeared to be growing rapidly. The operation took considerably longer than expected as having had two previous c-sections I had a lot of adhesions; my surgeon said that my uterus was fused to the stomach wall and other areas needed freeing up before the surgery could commence. I have four incisions and unfortunately developed quite a severe reaction to the dressings which resulted in lots of very red, sore and itchy blisters. This has settled now but the incisions are still very tender and my abdomen is very bruised and swollen. The incisions are presently covered with waterproof dressings (these ones seem fine!) and steri-strips on top of the dissolvable stitches. Does anyone know when I should attempt to remove the dressings and steri-strips please? I think I was told ten days but I am really not sure and don't like to bother the ward staff. I am really nervous about removing them as the wounds seem to have bled quite a lot and I am scared of pulling the incisions open. Since my surgery I have had a troublesome cough and now my chest feels very tight and I have pain in my upper back; is this anything to worry about? I don't want to bother my GP needlessly if this is normal following a general anaesthetic. My consultant wants to see me next week and again at six weeks to check that everything is healing. I am 53 and post-menopausal so at least I have none of the horrible symptoms usually related to having the ovaries removed. I really didn't expect to be in quite so much pain a week after surgery as I ensured that I was physically fit beforehand and I only weigh just over 8 stone. I am guessing that I have a fair few internal stitches that are going to take a while to heal and I am probably just being impatient. I have read so many conflicting reports about when a return to full-time work is advisable and would appreciate any comments regarding this too.
Many thanks for any advice or tips!
5 likes, 63 replies
alexandra936
Posted
Here is the link to the Chelsea and Westminster leaflet.
http://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/your-visit/leaflets/wc/Gynae-Surgery-Aftercare.pdf (you may have to cut and paste into browser)
Good luck and feel free to compare notes!
All the best Alex
shaunagh1
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footiefan shaunagh1
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I am booked to have an oophorectomy next Thursday and would welcome any advice you have for me. I am very worried, particularly about how I will be affected after the op , and would like to hear your story if you have the time to tell me.I am worried mostly about my love life, the effects of losing the ovaries on my hormones etc. Many thanks!!
Guest footiefan
Posted
How did your op go? did you have laparascopic procedure?
I had a bilateral laparatomy oophorectomy 12 days ago and am interested in how you are. Maybe we can compare notes!
footiefan Guest
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It is now 10 days post-op. I am feeling a lot less swollen and a lot more comfortable. I am still taking paracetamol and ibuprofen but have stopped taking the tramadol they gave me. I have been walking round he block once a day and pottering around the house but nothing more. I had been worried about the effects of surgical menopuse but thus far I have none apart from feeling I may have had a hot flush. What about you?
awaywiththefairies footiefan
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Guest footiefan
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Like you I've had a few hot flushes, usually during the night but they're not keeping me awake.
I have also stopped taking regular pain killers and just take if needed now. I didn't have to much post op bleeding which surprised me.
I think I need to get out this week as you and away with the fairies are showing me up with your walks!
footiefan Guest
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awaywiththefairies shaunagh1
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I had 2 Caesareans back in the nineties so my surgeon found many adhesions left over from this and found that endo had stuck to a lot of my bowel etc. So that all had to be dealt with before he could even start with the ovary removal.
When I came round I'd been in surgery for over 2 hours and had a catheter and drain in my side which really frightened me.
I had to stay in overnight so went home about 24 hrs after my op.
As far as recovering, I'm still feeling very weak so am trying to take things easy and gradually. The pain isn't too bad at all and the bleeding is lessening each day. Yesterday and today I went for a very slow ten minute walk round my neighbourhood but felt drained when i returned home and a bit faint which I was sad about.
So how are you ladies now?
Guest awaywiththefairies
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I've only been out to the doctors to have stitches removed so I cannot comment on going out but I've been surprised that I haven't been too tired although i had a leaflet from the physio dept regarding returning to activities, such as cooking, cleaning etc, and have been following this quite closely so I haven't been doing anything other than sit around! Did you get any post op information?
awaywiththefairies Guest
Posted
My surgeon signed me off for 2 weeks before he did my op but when things got a little harder he said my GP would probably allow me a further 2 weeks minimum off work to recover .
My stitches are dissolvable thankfully. I am so squeamish with anything about them
My stitches are dissov
Guest awaywiththefairies
Posted
My list is similar to caesarian or full hysterectomy I.e. nothing heavier than a bag of sugar, no cooking, cleaning or driving for 4 weeks then advice for no weekly shopping and aerobic exercise for 8 weeks.
I'll post again after speaking with physio.
Guest
Posted
I Did have a walk out yesterday which was lovely but I've told everyone indoors I have got to follow the physio plan so its back to the sofa for me!
I've also received an appointment for a follow up with consultant in January (at 8 weeks).
footiefan Guest
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footiefan shaunagh1
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awaywiththefairies footiefan
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Jane, your body will let you know when its ready to take things further
x
Guest awaywiththefairies
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footiefan Guest
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Guest footiefan
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Because I have a family history of breast cancer I've been advised against HRT so I'm just waiting to see what happens. I have a good friend who has tried the natural remedy route so I'm hoping to be as lucky as she has with taking sage leaf but I haven't started this yet.
Have you had any information regarding symptoms?
footiefan Guest
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Guest footiefan
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I did some reading about the menopause before my op but I think some of the symptoms like memory fog and anxiety can also be down to getting old as I know people who have been through the menopause and are still functioning normally. I'm 46 and I think I may have started some symptoms before my op anyway, either that or my brain is just too full to remember everything :-)
I sometimes think we can talk ourselves into symptoms after reading too much.
Tazchurch Guest
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footiefan Guest
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Guest footiefan
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thank you for checking up on me. I hope you're doing OK and enjoyed Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Guest
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footiefan Guest
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Guest footiefan
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glad to say I'm feeling brighter today - maybe I just had mid week blues
Guest
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She was very dismissive, it seems she just wanted to check on external surgery site and send me off.
i managed to find out internal discomfort may last for several more weeks but it's only a dull ache and I'm still resting in the afternoons after work which feels OK.
im just going to follow my feelings now and try to get back to doing chores I've been getting others to do I.e. Hoovering and ironing and see what happens.
i need to see GP if I want HRT but I'm going to try for a while longer before seeing him. Need to get back to some exercise after sitting around for 8 weeks and Christmas excesses!
Guest
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night sweats come and go but evening sweats seem to have settled.
hope everyone else who's had their ops are doing well and to those who are waiting hang on in there and don't panic... There is a light at the end of the tunnel
footiefan Guest
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