Anyone have a past history of surgeries & now needing a cyst removed?
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi everyone, I have a long history of Crohn's (but have been in remission and doing great since my last surgery in 2010). Almost 2 years ago during an MRI for the Crohn's a 2cm ovarian cyst was discovered - I had an ultrasound and then in consultation with my GP we decided to leave it, thinking it would resolve on its own. This past June during a CT it was noted again, this time at 6cm - a follow up ultrasound a month ago noted it to be a solid complex Cyst with thin septations and now measures 11.5 x 9 x 8. I'm not having any significant symptoms and CA125 done in September was normal. My family GP recommended I have it remove given the length of time it's been there, increasing concerning features and continued growth.
The gynecologist basically left it at my choice. She is agreeable to remove it but has cautioned me on the risks of surgery given that I have had two previous open bowel surgeries (risk of bowel injury when removing adhesions/scar tissue). She is hopeful for laparoscopic removal but won't know if this is possible until the surgery is started.
I'm very anxious about it all. I feel like there would be no point in just leaving it as the gynecologist also said given the history/size the Cyst will not self resolve - so it seems surgery is the inevitable. So why wait (especially if there is any chance at all the cyst is concerning).
Has anyone else had any kind of similar experience or had cyst removal with a past surgery history?
2 likes, 2 replies
Laura3333 crystalnl
Posted
Hi Crystal,
please try not to worry, I had an ovarian cyst removed and a prolapse repair done last April.
The prolapse repair, which was the more major surgery was done vaginally, and the cyst removal, plus ovary and tube removal was done laparoscopally.
The cyst and ovary were very hard for the surgeon to find due to a large amount of adhesions caused by a previous abdominal hysterectomy, he told me afterwards he had to do a lot of incising and separating the tissues, as the adhesions were stuck to my bowel.
The cyst removal surgery wasn't a problem, apart from an occasional dragging feeling, but the prolapse repair overshadowed it by far.
You will feel more tired than usual for a couple of weeks, and maybe a bit of local soreness where the incisions are, but it's not a difficult operation to get over.
You will have to sign a consent form to allow them to remove the ovary as well if need be, my cyst was wrapped round it, so it was too much of a risk bleeding wise to try and separate it.
Also to say you consent to open surgery if that's the only way it can be done, but not likely.
Like you It wasn't essential that I had it removed at that time, but mine was growing as well, so I thought I might as well get it done at the same time.
Honestly it isn't difficult for an experienced surgeon, but they have to inform you of any risk.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.x.
crystalnl Laura3333
Posted
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my post, I really appreciate it and feel better hearing about your experience. I have been told they will need to remove the ovary (I'm 36) and as you said, hopefully it will be able to be done laparoscopically which I know is typically much easier to recover/return to work from.