Is an oophorectomy really necessary? :(

Hi Lucy

I understand your concerns, however, I don't think Doctors generally schedule surgery unless they feel it is necessary. I am sure they wouldn't see it as the first and only option. All I could suggest is that maybe get a second opinion? 

Also, I would say that it isn't major surgery, especially if ti keyhole. If you read many accounts on this thread it will show you that most people have come through fairly unscathed!

I wish you luck and hope you get the answers you need. 

Angela

As Angie said im sure it wouldn't be recommended if it wasn't necessary. If it's just one ovary then I would get it dealt with if I was you. I have had both a cystecomy and a oophrectomy and the experience was the same for both. Easy surgery and quick and comfortable recovery.

If they want to take both ovaries then you will need to give it a bit more thought as that will of course put you immediately into menopause which can create a whole bunch of issues of its own but for just the one I wouldn't give it a second thought

Having an ovary removed is a major surgery and different to just having the cyst removed. So I understand your concerns, I often get cyst on my left ovary and have also had an eptopic which resulted in a salpingectomy so I asked my gynae about removing my left ovary and he was very reluctant to do it as it does so much more than just store eggs and your whole body can have repercussions from losing all the hormones too. He explained he would be very reluctant to do it.

I would definitely have the cyst removed if they are saying to do it as they can also have a look around. Why risk leaning possible cancerous cells? But by all means Ask them if the ovary removal is really necessary.

It won't hurt to get a second opinion and of course it's right to be cautious about them just taking out what they want but I would personally ring your surgeon up and have this conversation with them

All the best xx

Sorry your going through all this on your own.

I cant say whether you should or shouldnt have the surgery but I have had a cyst and removed. Mine was found to be a chocolate cyst due to endemetriosis. I had a laparoscopy and recovery was quick and i healed well. I have not had ovaries removed so cant say whether recovery is any worse per se but as it will most likely be under a lap also im guessing it may also be a quick recovery. A lap recovery is so much quicker than a c section.  I was back to work fairly quick (within days) but i sit on my butt all day, grooming is obviously quite physically demanding and you have to lift dogs so i would imagine you would need minimum 2 weeks off work.

Not all cysts need removing but if they do they usually remove just the cysts and possibly an ovary if they cant get the cyst off cleanly however you have been offered a total removal of both ovaries as they had some concerns about cancer. Personally in that circumstance i would probably go through with the operation but really you need to speak to your gyane and find out why they have suggested this. If they feel you are at risk then i would say its worth it, if they are just trying to stop the pains you were having then it really is down to whether your feeling better. 

They should talk through with you why this has been suggested, what the treatment plan is after. Call your dr ASAP.

I wasnt going to have my cyst removed beacause like you i didnt want surgery but there was a risk of ovarian torsion as mine was so big or risk of the cyst bursting making me ill. My gyane also said she couldnt rule out cancer until it was removed and hystology was done on the cyst. Those risks pushed me forward.

Good luck.

If your already getting pain the bigger it gets the more pain you get (thats my opinion). I got diagnoised in november with a dermoid cyst, turned down surgery at the time as the pain was only twice a month or so. Now im in pain everyday, so i have my pre-op on tuesday. Just do what is best for you.you know your own body better than any doctor does.

Best wishes

Cheryl.x

Thanks for all your messages.

I've gone back to my gp and asked for another scan, which is being done on Monday.

The first one wasn't great and showed a septated complex cyst, but on the 2nd sacn the cyst had shrunk. So I'm hoping that the next one will be even smaller and not complex and they'll say just to leave well alone.

Having said that, I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable today (after lifting heavy hay bales) and I've definitely not been feeling great the past week or so, but it could be psychosomatic.

I spoke to the gp and explained that before surgery I wanted a final opinion. Having read so many posts on here with ladies with huge cysts, I'm feeling like mine is very common and although complex isn't much to worry about.

As I said before, I have no support around me to get me through a tough recovery, so I'd rather not have to have the op.

I'll keep reading on ths wonderful page