Ovarian Cyst 23 cm ( 9.5 inch )

simone11 · 2013-06-12T15:37+00:00

Hi,

I had a overian cyst when I was in my early 30's , it was a ' big un'

It had over 10 litres of liquid in it and went from the ovary to just below my ribs! (I think it was sized in feet rather than cm's)

I like you had no pain but a very big tummy

The surgery was ok, and the results were instant!

Mine op was done in a rush too....I had been fobbed off by my G.P with the usual like 'your putting on weight' ' your pregnant'

I think maybe its better to have it all done quick, then there's no time for anything to sink in or to worry too much.

You don't say if you have any on going problems?,

Any surgery takes its toll, but you will be far better rid of that cyst and that tummy....so go for the appointments and follow their advice x

jimmy208 · 2013-06-13T09:21+00:00

Thanks for your reply Simone

Could you let me know how long your surgery took.

How long you were in hospital and did you need pain killers after surgery.

I am pushing the hospital for earlier appointments, so things are moving quite quickly for me as I have been given cancelled appointments for most visits. Its 4 weeks since I first visited my doctor and I am pleased how things are progressing.

My cyst also reaches to just under my ribs and I think it may be full of water too. I look about 5 months pregnant and it has only taken about 3 months to get to this size. The first couple of months I just thought I was perhaps eating too many cakes and chocs. So I went on a diet lost weight but my stomach continued to grow bigger. It was only then I thought there may be a problem.

Anyway glad you are over your treatment and hopefully fully recovered. Although I am 62 I go to the gym regularly, go to yoga and am the fittest person I know regardless of age ( except for kids ). So I don't anticipate any problems post surgery.

simone11 · 2013-06-13T18:44+00:00

Hi

I think as I recall the surgery was about 4 hours,

but it felt really quick, I remember having the pre op, drifting off then waking up again in recovery

To be honest pain wise it was very minimal,the nurses wanted me to use a bedpan but I was having none of that lol!...

when I got home, it was uncomfortable and I got tired but pain relief was there (panadol)

I didn't have a cathether like some others mention, and to be honest I would have argued the toss,as I they (in my opinion) can cause upset by the sensation just having them

I am sure you will be fine hun,just go with the flow and let them get that bigger out...

it is very worrying and frightening too ( I am not ashamed to say I was) but I have been there, and no the

examinations are not nice,and yep there's a scar (it fades) about 4 or so inches long,but I can say to you its ok.

You will go, you will have your op and in my case be home in 4/5 days and then once your back in your own home it will start to get better

let me know your progress, it sometimes helps to chat to someone who has "been there"...(I wish I had

someone to sound off)

Take care

jimmy208 · 2013-06-15T11:06+00:00

Yes you are right it's good to have someone to talk to that has been there done that. The information you have given me has really helped and I appreciate it.

About an hour after my last reply to you I started to get a dreadful pain low down on my left side of my belly. I had to go to A & E because the pain grew worse over the hours and I couldn't walk unaided and was doubled up with pain. The hospital kept me in overnight for observation. The co-codamol pain killers they gave me worked after about 30 minutes but only dulled the pain a little. I was glad to be staying overnight as I knew they would give me a thorough overhaul. It was suspected that one of the many small cysts that are contained within the main large cyst had started to bleed or had twisted. Evidently my cyst contains no water its just a solid mass. I was advised this was not an emergency as such and the operation should only be carried out once all preliminaries are sorted. This way I get to be operated on by a surgeon and his team who have the experience and expertise to deal with a cyst of such a large size, otherwise I would be seen to by whoever was on that shift at the time.

I was sent back home last evening with lots of painkillers advised to manage the pain as best I can and wait the 10-14 days or so when I should be having the surgery. I met my surgeon and am happy with him as he was very knowledgeable about my case and didn't need to ask me much about myself as he had already read the notes. Also had a CT scan while I was there.

So hopefully I will get a call sometime middle of next week with my date.

Thanks again for your message XX

deborah130 · 2013-07-06T18:18+00:00

Hello,

I had the exact same thing 24cm ovarian cyst (approx 9.5 inches)

I had this removed at the age of 50, I am now 52

I had a total hysterectomy. To remove the cyst they needed to cut me vertically. My scar although quite long has faded nicely.

It took me 3 months to totaly recover. These things are more common than you can ever imagine. Since my op nearly every woman I met has either had an ovarian cyst or knows someone who has. I also know someone who had one which weighed 13lbs and they can get even bigger than that.

I have had a small hernia op since which took a month to heal but apart from that I now feel very well.

I hope that you are receiving the right treatment x

jimmy208 · 2013-07-07T07:55+00:00

Hi Deborah,

Thanks for your reply. Glad your surgery was successful and your are now over the worst.

I am having my operation on Friday 12th July so only 5 more days to wait. My cyst has grown to 12" in length but the surgeon says it's no problem and it will be bigger by the time I have the operation. On my last visit I was told I would be having a hysterectomy at the same time. This is due to my age and the fast growth of the cyst, I was told there could be cancer. Not always, but if there is any cancer it would be in the womb, so better to take it out at the same time as the cyst. If not the cancer would spread in the 2-3 weeks it takes to have the cyst examined for cancer and If positive I would then need further surgery. I can see that makes sense, the only downside is my recovery will take a bit longer, but it's a small price to pay to be sure any cancer (if there is any ) is cut out asap.

I am looking ahead to the day after surgery, I'm sure I will feel as though I have been hit by a bus,twice, but at least I will be on the road to recovery.

Thanks again for your reply 13lbs wow, much bigger than a baby ! In fact more like twins.

Will write again after my op. XXX

deborah130 · 2013-07-07T09:20+00:00

So glad you have your op arranged now. Just before my op, mine grew bigger. The strange thing was that before I was diagnosed I had no symptoms, as soon as I was made aware of it I felt it most of the time and could not wait for it to be removed. I was told the same as you and had to wait 10 days before biopsies had been done to rule out cancer. This was scary at first but I decided that what ever the outcome I would make the most of all that I had in my life, for how ever long I had, that put me at ease. I was fortunate.

Our bodies re amazing things, just take one day at a time and rest.

My friend with the 13lb ovarian cyst called it Mabel! she insisted on seeing it after the op but the consultant said no. She is a little execentric (a bit of an understatement).

Take care xxx

jimmy208 · 2013-07-20T10:08+00:00

Well my op was successful, cyst removed with total hysterectomy , my weight loss was a staggering 16lbs but part of that was the bits and pieces from the hysterectomy.

No one could give me the info I wanted concerning the actual weight of the cyst itself but it measured 11" X 10" X 5" , the surgeon said it was a prize winner!.

I have been told that there is no evidence of cancer but I will have to wait until I receive a letter confirming this.

It's a highly emotionally charged atmosphere in hospital with patients getting bad news about the possibility of cancer all around. It's also difficult to sleep as night nurses are working throughout the night to ensure everyone is OK. Overall my experience was good as I am recovering well and I am better for coming home, on the 3rd day after the op.

I can honestly say I had no pain whatsoever in hospital, nurses made sure of this, but you cannot underestimate the benefits of getting back home to your own surroundings.

Anyone going through this need not worry as nurses and doctors do all they can to ensure you are at all times pain free, their kindness and professionalism was outstanding. Very humbling.

deborah130 · 2013-07-20T20:48+00:00

Hi,

Really glad your op went well and yes I remember those sleepless nights in hospital, women crying etc the bright lights and the sound of swishing curtains...but gee it was great to get back home. The weight loss can be a plus! don't think that I had ever lost so much weight in such a short time. We are so lucky to be born in this century and in a country with such good medical care.

Take care

ruth148 · 2013-07-29T09:57+00:00

I wish everyone who is about to have or recovering from an op all the very best. In brief, I have been telling anyone who would listen for 18 months that my weight gain has been a) very rapid and b) left my whole abdomen feeling as tight as a drum. I have never been pregnant but imagine that I looked and felt like a woman on the eve of giving birth. But, as many of you will know - if you're fat it's all down to you and it's your fault. However, I was diagnosed last week with a 42 cm cyst containing possibly 30 litres of fluid (this six weeks after being put on the list for a CT scan). They've drained off 13 litres (fastest weight loss in the west - 2 stones overnight) and now I'm waiting for an op to remove it. What I am concerned about is that I have been told I am to have a complete hysterectomy (I am in my late 50s and post menopausal). Noone has consulted me about this, not told me why it is necessary. It is so big and massy they can't even tell for definite whether it is indeed an ovarian cyst.

The question I have for anyone out there who knows is - clearly I'm not looking to have a child. But I have always understood that the ovaries to go on producing some helpful hormones after the menopause (I'

m thinking of prevention of osteoporosis/skin quality etc). If I'm not right about this then I guess there's no argument for leaving the other ovary etc in place. But I have looked for hours on websites and cannot find an answer. Obviously I plan to ask the gynae surgeon, but it seems clear that questioning is not expected!!! Can any one help??

Thanks

Ruth

Ovarian Cyst 23 cm ( 9.5 inch )

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