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Ovarian Dermoid Cyst

Posted , 6 users are following.

kaz01977
kaz01977

Hello

I am due to have a laparotomy due to a 15cm dermoid cyst on the 23rd July and I am feeling quite anxious about the surgery and recovery. I have also been told that my ovary and fallopian will most likely need to be removed which has really scared me. I would love to hear from anyone who is or has been through this procedure and has any advice.

 x

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • kaz01977
    kaz01977

    Posted

    fallopian tube*
  • pami56
    pami56 kaz01977

    Posted

    Hi there. I had both ovaries and tubes removed about 7 weeks ago. I was scared too. It really wasn't as bad I thought. My worst day was the day after my op. Day of the op I was fine after but that may have been because of the anaesthetic. The day after though they took my drain out and catheter, and I was very emotional. Also that evening I was very sick which wasn't pleasant because it pulled my stitches. So I had to have an extra day in hospital. But honestly the next day I felt fine and went home. The worse pain for me was backache from lying in the bed.

    Once home just had the odd day where I was in a bit of pain but nothing major. I feel ok now. Even had the news that the cyst on my ovary was borderline tumour but all is well. It really isn't as bad as you think it's going to be. Best thing to do is ask lots of questions because I found the worst thing was the nursing staff who in my case were unhelpful so pester them. It's great when you're back home - for me that was the best way to recover.

    • kaz01977
      kaz01977 pami56

      Posted

      Hello Pam,

      Thank you so much for your reply it must of been so hard to come to terms with the fact you had both ovaries and tubes out, aswell as  finding out the cyst was borderline tumour. I feel silly for worrying so much knowing that people have had it so much worse.

      It is great to know that the recovery stage isnt too much to worry about.  I think i am just over thinking everything, I will make sure I ask lots of questions and I will follow your advice.

      Thank you

      Kaz x

  • Megg1234
    Megg1234 kaz01977

    Posted

    Hi Kaz

    Are you having a bikini line cute or vertical cut?

    I had a vertical laparotomy 6 weeks ago today. I was very anxious like you and told that they may need to take my ovaries (I had large cysts on both) and Fallopian tubes. However, they didn't take anything in the end, just managed to get the cysts out so fingers crossed for you!

    When I woke up from the surgery I was in a little bit of pain but it was manageable. The next morning I was given some breakfast but I had no appetite, I did eat some though as I was getting out of bed to sit in my chair and have a wash. Getting out of bed the first time is painful, I won't lie, but it's bearable! Just use all your upper body strength to get yourself sat up and take it slowly. I say in my chair for about 3 hours but then got tired and got back into bed for some lunch and visitors. I also came off of the morphine by 5pm and was just on ibuprofen and paracetamol.

    The trapped wind was quite bad on the second night, but peppermint water helps loads! So keep asking for it. On Wednesday morning I had to get out of bed again and it was much easier this time. I was very nauseous but didn't get my anti sickness injection on time so was quite sick and that did hurt. But by Wednesday evening I had my catheter removed and was getting myself up and out of bed and to the toilet and just little walks around the ward.

    I was at home by 10am Thursday morning. I found that in the car a pillow between myself and the seat belt helped a lot with all those bumps in the road. And back at home I had a few pillows on my sofa to make it a little comfier, and a foot rest just to keep my feet elevated. In bed I found that propping myself up with pillows was the best way to sleep, I hate sleeping on my back but it does help when getting up in the morning.

    By two weeks after my operation I was able to make dinner, do a little light housework and found getting up much easier.

    Now on week 6 I feel almost 'normal'. Apart from a bit of bloating still and the scar sometimes hurts if I do too much. I still have 7 weeks off of work as I have a very hands on, busy job. The bottom of my scar had a blood clot behind it which pushed its way up through the skin and left me with a big open hole but I was advised to let it heal from the inside out. It's now almost closed so even with that, I feel the healing is going very well. I still get tired quickly but it is getting better.

    Just take it easy and don't overdo it. I found having a positive attitude towards it and not feeling sorry for myself did make me feel much better. I hope your operation goes well! Sorry for rambling on a bit, I just wanted to give you a good insight. Xx

    • kaz01977
      kaz01977 Megg1234

      Posted

      Hi Megg,

      I have been told it will be either vertical or bikini line they couldnt give me a definite answer when I went for my pre-op. But i am meeting my consultant on Thursday to sign my consent forms, meet the anaesthetist and hopefully they may be able to give me some more information about surgery.

      I was worrying about the few days especially and the car journey home so thanks for the tip about taking it easy and the pillow,  I will make sure that i do this. I will also make sure I buy a few for the sofa which will help being comfortable for the next upcoming weeks.

      Could I ask how hard was it to have a wash? This is one thing I am quite worried about, do the hospital keep you in until you are able to do so?

      Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me and for the advice i really do appreciate it. I am  generally a worrier so I think i have just been overthinking everything.

      Wishing you a speedy recovery

      Kaz

      x

    • Megg1234
      Megg1234 kaz01977

      Posted

      Fingers crossed for a bikini line cut for you! Apparently a slightly quicker recovery time.

      I won't lie, washing is a pain. The nurse helped me to wash the day after my op. I tried on the Wednesday but it was a struggle, I think that's more to do with the pain I was in from being sick though.

      However, on the Thursday morning before I went home I washed in the bathroom and found it much easier to be able to stand up and wash in my own privacy! They didn't check to make sure I could wash before I left, but they do monitor your time output once you have the catheter removed. I think the first three times you go to the bathroom you have to urinate in a bedpan.

      I was told before my op that they make sure you can poop before you leave, but they didn't even ask me that. Also, that isn't as painful as people say either! But milk of magnesia helped.

      Any more questions just let me know smile xx

    • kaz01977
      kaz01977 Megg1234

      Posted

      Hi Megg,

      Thank you for getting back to me, it is reassuring to know that the discomfort when having a wash doesnt last too long.

      Not long now just 6 days until my operation, my appointment yesterday with my consultant was cancelled last minute due to an emergency. So i still do not know if it will be a bikini line or a vertical cut. Fingers crossed it is a bikini line.

      I just want the operation over with now the waiting just makes me worry, silly i know.

      xxx

  • sue47868
    sue47868 kaz01977

    Posted

    Hi kaz,

    I had a vertical laparotomy around 6 weeks ago with removal of 30cm cyst, ovary and tube.

    I can honestly say that the surgery is nowhere near as bad as I had thought it would be. The day after was uncomfortable but a very different pain to what I had before. I took painkillers for around two weeks after but towards the end of those I was taking them more for reassurance than actual pains. Take them if you need though and don't be afraid to ask for stronger ones if you need them.

    Laughing, coughing and sneezing can be painful. Keep a pillow nearby to hold to your stomach for these and a glass of water for coughing. Try pinch your nose to stop sneezes if you can. Have a pillow ready for in the car on your way home too and any other journeys, it helps lesson the bumps of the roads and helps with the seatbelt.

    Getting up can be difficult at first. If possible having someone around to help for the first week or so at home is good. Also take it as easy as you can for the six weeks after. Even if you're feeling ok, you'll find that he you do too much it will be more uncomfortable. At first the smallest activities will wear you out but it does get better each day.

    Take a nightie for hospital, it's far easier on your stomach than pyjamas. Something loose to go home in as well is recommended. Also i'm not ashamed to admit big knickers come in handy as well. If you're on codeine or some medication that blocks you up if they don't give you any ask for a light laxative, it definitely helps.

    It's very scary I know but with the pain medication they give you it's honestly nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be.

    Good luck, if you've any questions you're welcome to ask

    x

    • kaz01977
      kaz01977 sue47868

      Posted

      Hello Sue,

      Thank you so much for the advice I didn't think about sneezing/laughing and how that may be uncomfortable. I have also arranged for my partner to have a week off of work to help me around the house, it seems like this was a good idea. 

      Can't believe how big yours was wow 30cm! Mine is 15cm and I have noticed the weight gain, had  uncontrollable  pain etc so i dread to think how bad it must of been for you before your operation.

      I really appreciate your advice thank you 

      kaz x

  • pinkcatfairy
    pinkcatfairy kaz01977

    Posted

    Dear Kaz, it is almost two weeks since i had my ovaries and tubes done due to family history. I had bikini line, the operation was fine, i felt abit nauseous later that evening but that passed. I had to stay in overnight because i xouldnt wee and the hospital would put cathetar in as a last resort. I only had painkillers on day of op, apart from finding it abit uncomfortable getting out of bed for a couple of days, i feel pretty normal. I am unable to go back to work yet as it involves heavy lifting so i am giving it four weeks and two weeks before driving just to be safe. I did get quite de-hydrated., so drink plenty of water after x
    • kaz01977
      kaz01977 pinkcatfairy

      Posted

      Thank you so much for sharing your own experience of what the recovery process was like. It sounds like you went through quite a lot, i feel silly worrying about just one of my ovaries and fallopian tubes being removed when you have had it alot worse. I am quite young so just felt really daunting.

       

      I am terrible at keeping hydrated so I must make sure that I drink alot more than usual, thank you for the advice.

      Kaz x

    • pinkcatfairy
      pinkcatfairy kaz01977

      Posted

      Dear Kaz, no you are not silly worrying, any operation is daunting to anyone. Like i said it all went pretty smoothly and before you know it you will be back in the recovery room, remember water! I was quite fortunate with the bowels, without going in to too much detail they were in working order pretty soon after the op, must have been the water! Wishing you well, Tracey x
  • patty89240
    patty89240 kaz01977

    Posted

    I literally just had this done on June 23rd.  As me anything you like and I will give you the best answer that I can.

    A little pre-advice....buy prune juice and eat lightly, drink as much water as you can as constipation is not something you want..

    • kaz01977
      kaz01977 patty89240

      Posted

      Thanks I will make sure that i stayed hydrated and buy some prune juice, i cant even begin to imagine how painful it must be after the op to go to the toliet let alone being constipated aswell!

      How long was you in hospital for?

      Is everything healing okay?

      Kaz x

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