Ovarian cysts and hysterectomy

I haven't personally experienced any of this journey you're on but I know of others who have. I want to say i will be thinking about you and hoping for a speedy recovery...

LeeLee7
I can’t answer your specific questions, but I am going through the same thing, but a few weeks earlier. I was also on the 2ww cancer pathway, my consultant was also ‘suspicious’, but after the scans my cyst has turned out to be benign. I also feared the worst and went through an awful few weeks but it is ok. I am booked in for a full hysterectomy inc cervix, tubes and both ovaries next week.
As I understand it if you have already been through the menopause it will make no difference, but if not you will immediately go through it as there are no ovaries to secrete hormones.

sorry to hear you've had difficult news. I can hopefully give you some positives with regard to ovarian cysts. I had a very large one two years ago when I was 68 - a consultant missed the signs and eventually I had a twisted ovary which was very painful! Another excellent consultant told me I would have to have a full hysterectomy as they couldn't be sure of the prognosis. He explained that this would be a big operation and made a quite dramatic gesture going from ribs down to pubic bone and said this was how big the operation would be! Quite scary.
I had the full hysterectomy, ovaries and some fatty tissue removed - came out of hospital the day lockdown started. My care at Manchester Royal Infirmary was fantastic and I can honestly say there was very little pain whilst in hospital or at home. If you are living alone I think it might be a bit of a struggle for you - they tell you not to lift anything for about 6 weeks after the op and to try and get someone to do virtually everything for you. It is a horrible great scar but my bikini wearing days are past! The most painful bit was removing the staples from the scar - if I remember rightly there were about 30 of them. It wasn't that painful just made you wince.
I've not had HRT and haven't suffered any obvious menopause symptoms. None of the health professionals suggested it. Apart from getting over the op I have had no ill effects. I was in hospital for about 5 days and then was out for a short stroll on day 7.
I was naively hoping that I would get a flatter stomach after the op, as they were removing so much, but no such luck - belly looks like a half inflated balloon just like it did before!
Hope all goes well for you and so sorry to hear about your sister.

You are in good hands LesLee - hope all goes well and you will soon be on the road to complete recovery.x

“I was naively hoping that I would get a flatter stomach after the op, as they were removing so much, but no such luck - belly looks like a half inflated balloon just like it did before!”

Darn- I was hoping this too!

Leslee7 I didn’t have a cyst but did have huge fibroids.
I had a full hysterectomy 15 years ago with everything taken (it’s what I would have chosen anyway)
My scar was thin and under my tummy. Can hardly see it.
I had more of a running thread than stitches and the the thing came out with no pain or sensation at all.
I wasn't in pain really and couldn’t wait to get home.
Yes you have to be careful not to lift things and be careful for a while.
I think these days they can do an even simpler procedure.
My op made such a difference to me. Felt much better after.
I did have HRT tablets after for hot flushes.
Hope all goes well for you.

I had a similar experience when I was in my late forties. Fortunately it turned out not to be cancer and I had 'everything' removed. I felt much better afterwards and was on HRT for ten good years. Then I wanted to come off the HRT so (foolishly, I realise now) just gradually came off the HRT and all was well. I never had much in the way of menopause symptoms at any stage, apart from the occasional hot flush.
My best wishes to you. I hope the news is good and that you get it soon. The waiting is the worst part.

I had a total hysterectomy at 45 (cancer risk). I woke up the next morning and thought I'd had nothing done. Honestly. Not a single twinge. Two tiny circle plasters on my tummy.

4 weeks later, I was back at work as a full-time teacher.

No HRT. Ever. Never needed it.

I had a radical hysterectomy 20 years ago for endometrial cancer. It took about 6 weeks before I felt myself again and I stayed on HRT as I had been taking it previously. I am still on HRT and intend to remain on it.

Many thanks to you all for your positive comments and taking the time to post, it gives me a bit of reassurance.
Hopefully it will be benign but whatever option sounds like I will need a full hysterectomy. Trying not to worry too much until I get the final diagnosis on Friday.
All the best to you all.

LesLee only just seen your post. When I was 38 now 63 . My tummy when hard . After ultrasound scan found a large cyst on my left ovary. After talking to the gynecologist decided to have a total hysterectomy. I had 2 children by c section and they where using the same scar.Its a long scar as at the time I had my daughter I was 19st. So it ran from my belly button to my public hair line. I was diagnosed with a neurological condition when I was 29 which effects my limbs. So there was no way I would have anymore children.

During my operation they found my right ovary was covered in little cysts. Now this isn't to scare you but this is what happened during my operation please remember this happen a long time ago. During my operation the 2 tubes from my kidneys to my bladder spilt and was in theatre for over 4 hours and needed 3 bags of blood. Had a catheter inserted for my urine with the bag in a carry frame plus a drain from the wound site. Was on a morphine drip for 24 hours that was great. Wish I had it when I had the children but it wasn't allowed for child birth ?. Then had a pain killing pessary. After that just had paracetamol. Be prepared for bleeding from your vagina . You probably have to supply your own pads. Make sure they are very absorbent . Can't remember how long I bled for but it was like having a heavy period.

Because I couldn't have the surgical stockings had to have heparin injections in my upper arms. Twice a day. I went into hospital at 6am on the Monday morning and was home on the Friday night. My husband was alive in those days. As I had to have the heparin injections twice a day my husband did them save the district nurse coming twice a day. The district nurse came in to change my dressing daily Had my operation on 16th December. We told the district nurse not to come on Christmas Day or Boxing day. She agreed to Christmas day but had to come in on Boxing day as she had to removed every other stitch. My husband gave me 22 injections.

I got an UTI a month after my operation but antibiotics cleared it up. Now this probably won't happen to you but I am being honest what happened to me. That year I had 6 UTI's not saying it was because of the hysterectomy but it's what happened to me.

The histology report showed the large cyst contained 2 litres of fluid ( plasma, hair,nail and other things our bodies make) and all the little cysts where benign. They took every both ovaries,fallopian tubes, uterus and cervix.

Because of my age I was started on HRT the day after my op and was on it for 16 years and then they said I had to come off it. Then I went into full blown menopausal symptoms. Hot flushes and night and day sweats. But I just put up with them. Still have them but don't let them stop me doing what I want. Don't know because of your age if you will get HRT.

Luckily I had my husband who worked from home for 6 weeks to look after me. Unfortunately he died when he was 47 I was 45.

I haven't told you my story to frightened you but wish I had had someone tell me what to expect. Once home you must rest but move about. No lifting anything heavy no vacuuming and no driving for at least 6 weeks.

The district nurse should come into to. But like I said my operation was a long time ago.

I hope all goes well for you.

LesLee forgot to say going into your operation with a positive mind helps you recover and health. Not easy to do but it helps if you can. Is there any one who can stay with you after your operation?

I like Wiff had a total hysterectomy due to ovarian cysts when I was just 40 I am now 71 and still here to tell the tale.
I had massive swelling in my tummy over a period of 6/8 weeks after seeing my Dr. it had to be confirmed it was not a late pregnancy so I had to have a test which came back negative I was asked to go for a scan but the waiting list for the said scan was 5 weeks as the pregnancy test was negative,my OH decided to have the scan privately three days later and it found 2 huge cysts on both ovaries which had grown and spread across my tummy.
The specialist I saw was the same gentleman who delivered my son's and he put me at the top of his emergency list and I had my operation 3 days later I won't tell you how heavy the cysts where as huge,they where sent to histology for testing and I spent 2 weeks in hospital waiting for the results they came back positive but I was so lucky that he had got everything out 6 treatments of chemo gave me the all clear and I am still here to tell the tale 30+ yrs on.
I had HRT implants for the first 18mths then moved on to tablets which I still take now ask about implants for maybe the first 6 months they may help you.
Remember to take as much help that is offered for the first 6/8 weeks and be prepared for the tiredness that will strike at any time I wish you all the luck in the world

LesLee I had ovarian cysts removed when I was 40 I am now 71 they where both cancerous but where completely removed without any spread of the disease to my other organs,I was very lucky as it was only 3 days between scanning and operation the weight of the cysts was huge and they had spread themselves up to my breast bone the swelling occurred over 6/8 wks and I had to have a pregnancy test to make sure I was not expecting a late baby.
I had implanted HRT then moved onto tablets after 18mths you will probably not notice any difference but if you do you can request a very low dosage of HRT to get you through.
Take as much help that is offered and do not do any heavy housework your house will be OK for the time being so just relax and heal yourself one thing to be aware of is that you will experience lots of tiredness and it will just creep up on you with no warning at all so rest as much as you can.
Best of luck to you & take care

Hoping you get good news today Leslee7 - will be thinking of you xx

LesLee7 how are you?

If, as we all hope, it turns out that your cyst is benign, why do you need an hysterectomy? About five years ago I was in exactly the same situation and thankfully there was nothing untoward. I had both ovaries with their cysts removed with keyhole surgery. If I’d been able to pee I’d have gone home the same day. Best wishes for Friday, I shall be thinking of you.

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