side effects of 1 ovary being removed??
Posted , 20 users are following.
Hi I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice... I am having surgery in 3 weeks to remove a 11cm complex ovarian cyst. It needs to be tested once removed. I had a CT scan which showed no cancer around the ovary and cyst but they told me the final test is to test the cyst once removed. My CA125 was 59. I'm so worried about the whole situation I'm only 25 and have a 10 week old baby that currently is not taking bottles so I don't know what I am going to do when I'm in hospital for surgery anyway I also am having my right ovary remove so does anyone know the side effects of this o has anyone been through this that can tell me what to expect? Thanks
2 likes, 34 replies
pam1984 beck605
Posted
I had a large cyst and right ovary & tube removed 4 weeks ago. I completely understand how much this must be stressing you out, especially with your baby girl. Honestly, the best thing you can do is try to relax and go with it. The surgeons will be experts in just this sort of thing and the hospital will take good care you. You probably won't be able to breast feed for a few days or more, but talk to professionals about that if you're really worried. A lactation consultant could give advice on pumping and/or hurried transition to bottle. In terms of hormones, I can't tell you for sure. I haven't really noticed anything strange yet. I was told by the gynaecology team of doctors, though, that I would have slightly reduced fertility in the future, but that one ovary can provide all the hormones the body needs. Also, during surgery they checked out my other ovary and uterus and said everything looked healthy so should still be fine to conceive. I believe you really can be fine with just one ovary. Here's hoping!
Best wishes with everything, and keep us all posted with how you get on.
Pam
sharie19346 pam1984
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Lilycarla sharie19346
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Hi Sharie
Doctors cannot know for certain what they will do until they open you up. The scans only give you a partial view and it can't tell you the state of the ovary and the type of cyst. If they didn't remove your ovary then it sounds like it wasn't damaged and possibly they thought the cyst was from one ovary when it was from another and they only found that out during the operation.
I would suggest to chat to your doctor and also find out the type of cyst.
Which doctor did you have and what hospital?
heather92222 sharie19346
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philippa59653 beck605
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I had a large cyst removed last summer along with the right ovary and tube. I was really worried too as I am only 31 and have no kids. I didn't notice any change in my cycle, it was still regular though expect the first one or two to be heavier than usual. I did feel quite hormonal for my first 3 or so periods but apart from that I haven't notice any change at all. I don't know what type of operation you are having but I had a laparotomy which wasn't as bad a was expecting, take Pam's advice on looking after your baby as I can't comment on that but do try and take it as easy as is possible to do and be prepared to be tired easily. Is there anyone who can help out for he first few weeks? Be careful lifting your baby too. The pain was much less than I was expecting (take all the painkillers they offer you, they really work, and if you're in pain ask for more) but you don't want to overdo lifting anything heavy for a few weeks. If you're having a keyhole op then it will be easier. Good luck with it!
Pam - I am glad you're operation went well and I hope your doing ok?
Philippa
pam1984 philippa59653
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philippa59653 pam1984
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It's good they brought you in quickly, I found the waiting was so much worse than the actual operation and recovery. It sounds like in the last two weeks you have made a lot of progress, it's amazing once the initial hurdle is passed how quickly things start to get better.
I am glad sharing my experience helped, think there is a fine line between sharing info and scaring people! The actual operation and recovery was a lot less scary in reality than in the months of worry before hand! Once I know what I am facing I can deal with it, it's the not knowing that's hard.
I have since had two more cysts that have both gone away on their own but have been about 6.5cm each. The GP went from a we have to get you refered urgently in February, to new guidelines have come out and we're going to do nothing when I saw him again with the latest one last week. I have private medical cover with work so asked for a referal ask didn't understand how last year and in February it was so urgent and now they're doing nothing. I saw the consultant there on Tuesday who sent me for a ct scan today. Even if there is nothing they can do I am more relaxed now they have done a proper scan to get a proper look inside me to make sure nothing looks damaged! xx
grace62251 pam1984
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Just need some support and encouragement.
beck605
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It's just all a worry with surgery and the cancer scare and the early menopause risk with one ovary plus I didn't know if it suddenly felt different or if there were other health risks to just having one. I havn't been told much by my consultant just that it needs to come out and will be tested once out. good luck Pam with your recovery, what type of surgery did you have? Also did they test the cyst you had or was it not a concern?
And yes philippa I have a very supportive partner and mum and dad, sisters, etc so I'm very lucky I know I will be looked after
but it still doesn't stop the anxiety and worry but maybe that's part of just ending a pregnancy too. I can't wait for this nightmare to be over. You never realise what people go through until it happens to you if you know what I mean. I'm so happy I can speak on here though to people like yourselves. . It gives me lots of comfort
Becky
philippa59653 beck605
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The one thing no one told me to expect was that my stomach was completely numb for months afterwards, really odd feeling. 9 months on and the feeling is only just starting to come back! I found my insides felt like they were held together with elastic bands for about 6-8 weeks, think it was the internal swellinf but a weird but amusing feeling. Get lots of rest but do try and move about a lot, you might find you can't stand up straight for a week or two as the muscles are right but do try and stand and walk around as much as you can as this will really help get things back to normal.
One last bit of advice on something I wasn't expecting, is buy beforehand, and start taking about 3 days before your operation, a laxative called lactulose. Morphine and the anaesthetic can slow things down on the bowel front and I found when things did get going again a week later that was by far the most painful part of the whole thing! So take it and keep taking it!!
beck605 philippa59653
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philippa59653 beck605
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Keep us posted! xx
pam1984 beck605
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I didn't have key-hole either. I had a vertical 9 inch cut (laparotomy) so they could take the cyst out whole. That sounds terrible, and the recovery is longer than key-hole, but honestly the open surgery can be a good thing! The surgeons can get their tools in and move around easily, they can see clearly (less chance of catching something with the knife!) and they can remove the cyst whole. The chances are it really isn't cancerous (most of them really are benign, they just can't say for sure at this point. I had to wait 3 weeks to hear it was definitely benign) but of course if there is any chance the cyst is cancerous you are definitely better off having it taken out whole!! Honestly just trust in the doctors, they really do know what they're doing.
In terms of the surgery and recovery, I had to to stay in the hospital for 5 nights after my morning operation, but other women on the ward with caesarean-type (horizontal) cuts left after 2-3 nights. I was super weak for the week after I got home too, and I am very glad my partner stayed off work with me. I'd recommend having company for a week. You might not even be able to pick your baby up at first, I found the 2 litre milk cartons too much!
Strength does improve quickly though! Week 3 was MUCH better, started being able to sit upright unassisted and walking round the block. Week 4 I was able to go out for meals and walk a mile.
The biggest thing I would go back in time and tell myself is "Plan to be sick". I was told 6-8 weeks recovery, but honestly I thought I'd be fine to sit at my computer and do some studying/work after a week or so. Nope! The codeine made me so spaced out that I couldn't really concentrate on stuff until I could cope without it (week 3). I don't mean to scare you about that, but honestly I'd say just go with it and let your body take the time it needs to recover.
Will post again. Hope all goes well. Pam
beck605 pam1984
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michelle75345 beck605
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Really found this forum brilliant sharing info support opinions experiences has got me throught the last 12 weeks , I have my cyst removed on 18th may , ct scan resulted in dr lowering his concerns of cancer but cyst will be tested , I'm having full hysterectomy vertical cut which made me nervous even though I've had two previous c sections pre/ post care I've saved so I can look back on during my own recovery again thank you for sharing good look and to a happy future
pam1984 michelle75345
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