I have to have a large ovarian cyst removed and I'm petrified!

Hi Claire,

I just wanted to reply to offer my support. I too suffer with crippling anxiety and have recently been diagnosed with a very swollen ovary caused by torsion from an ovarian cyst.

They wanted me to go in for a laparoscopy to remove the cyst and possibly ovary straight away. Well it frightened the life out of me. I had to have intravenous painkillers whilst I was in hospital and even just that completely freaked me out.

After explaining I struggle with anxiety they have agreed to put me on a watch and wait but if I get severe pain I have to go straight in to the gyno ward.

Since I've been home I've convinced myself I have cancer (my ca 19.9 is slightly elevated) or that if I have the op I'll wont wake up or they'll find cancer, or will go wrong etc.

My only advice would be to tell your doctors what you are going through as they were very understanding with me and by putting me on watch and wait it's giving me time to get my head round things. They must have had patients like us many times and have skills to help. I also don't want to risk my health so I'm going to look for help on this.

If you read these forums you'll see lots of women who have had this operation and are here to tell the tale which gives me some reassurance.

I hope you are able to get through this and once past it all think of the relief you'll have. That's what I'm hoping for myself too.

Sending lots of support and love. I hope you find a way and keep us updated x

Oh love, really it's not a big operation and easy to get over. I had cyst and ovary removed last year, I had no probems with it at all. 

I had a prolapse op at the same time, that was worse,

the ovary and cyst, although I had a lot of adhesions was put into second place.

It won't go wrong, it's not a difficult operation for the sugeon, and todays anaesthetics are very safe, you'll be fine.

Easy for me to say, but try not to worry.

I have anxiety issues as well and was so incredibly scared before having my laparoscopic surgery to have a cyst removed. Trust me though, it is sooo much better to go through the surgery and actually have it taken care of than to have to worry about it forever. The procedure went fairly quickly and I really didn't have any pain afterwards.  It was a great recovery! 

Thank you guys for replying..  I'm just so petrified but I guess if anything goes wrong, I'm in the right place! I'm a huge worrier. I know afterwards I'd be thinking "all this fear and panic for this! It was easy!" I've never been under before or had an op but I guess there's a first time for everything. I'm not worried about pain afterwards, just the actual procedure x

Hello Claire

I had laparascopic surgery this Monday(31st July, 2017) for the removal of both ovaries and a 12cm Dermoid cyst after being diagnosed five weeks ago due to horrendous pain. The op went really well and here I am four days post later feeling relatively well, just a bit of dicsomfort and tiredness.

I hadn't previously had a general anaesthetic before my op, only an epidural and although I am not a worrier by nature, I was slightly anxious because it was the unknown. It was like I'd just had a very deep sleep, really when I woke up. Honestly, you will be anxious on the day of your operation that is natural but in my experience I had a very good, confident surgeon whom I trusted and your safety is the most important thing to the surgeon. You will be in safe hands.

Hope it helps and take care       

I’m sure you’ve had your op already! I’m in the same situation with a cyst about 12cm and I’m super scared of the op. I was wondering if you can share with me your recovery experience as I’m a medical anxious type of person.