Op for ovarian cyst

Try not to worry. Why was the pre op confusing? xx

It was ran by nurses and HCAs who were shocking at their job! One poor girl couldn’t master measuring my height and weighing me, and the nurse who interviewed me misunderstood lots of what I said, and then started to describe how I would have menopausal symptoms, (I’m 62) would only be able to walk 500 metres at most, and couldn’t answer any of my questions that I had prepared as it was not her area of expertise. So I was hoping that others could tell me of their experiences.
I actually felt less confident after the pre op than before.

I had an ovarian cyst removed 3 years ago. Unlike your procedure I had an abdominal incision as the cyst was large. I returned quite quickly to my normal life which has always included a lot of walking. I did have quite a few hot flushes but they only come occasionally now. I believe HRT can be prescribed in this situation. A friend of my had a laparoscopy recently. She took about 2 weeks to recover and soon went back to teaching yoga and playing tennis. Don’t believe what they say at the pre op but save your questions for your doctor. I was instructed to stock up on sanitary towels which were completely unnecessary! My best advice would be get plenty of rest for a while and make a gradual return to your normal life. I hope all will go well for you.

I had both mine removed just over 5 years ago and I returned to normal quickly. Walking wasn’t a problem but for the first few days it was painful being driven in a car. Good luck with it all and try not to worry

Thank you aonk and Barmeyoldbat

What you are describing is much closer to what I was expecting and I feel quite reassured.

I had an ovarian cyst removed when I was 18. In fact the cyst burst whilst I was working in Woolworths as a Saturday girl. I was rushed to hospital and a laparoscopy was done to clean out the burst cyst. I was absolutely fine as far as I remember and had no problems. I wish you well with the procedure Ali23. I’m sure you’ll be fine.

I had two huge dermoid cysts removed from my ovaries when I 16 weeks pregnant. I didn't lose an ovary fortunately but my younger daughter had the same condition when she was 17. She did sadly lose an ovary, however she made a good recovery and has had normal periods etc since. Both of us had large abdominal operations I should think with a laparoscopy you will have a much quicker recovery. Try not to worry the op will be done by doctors not the nurses you saw at your pre-op!

Oh dear Gwyneth, that sounds like a traumatic experience, and you were so young, too!
Roxie, thanks for your encouragement.

I’m sure it will be fine. I’ll have all of your kind words to reassure me on the day and I’m really grateful to all grans for that.

Foxie! Sorry... iPad autocorrect ?

Can I ask what area of the country your hospital was as my daughter has a traumatic experience and 2 very wrong diagnoses.

We live in Leicestershire, Pudding. The pre op clinic was completely nurse led. When I saw the doctor initially he was a very professional and gentle man.
I do hope that your daughter is ok.

I too am in Leicestershire and my pre op for my mastectomy was also nurse led. I found it quite scary but the operation wasn’t nearly as bad as they told me it would be.
I am sure you will be fine.

Thanks dragonfly. I’m sure it’ll be ok too.
I’m not unhappy with nurse led when they are fully skilled and if not, fully supervised.
I’m glad that your mastectomy went better than you were expecting.

I had one ovary removed due to a large cyst. Recoveryed quickly and no hormonal problems. The other cyst did the job. 8 years later I had a full hysterectomy and went straight into menopause ofcourse.

If you are having just one ovary removed no reason you should have a problem. Hope all goes well

I had one removed when in my sixties. No problems at all except I thought I would be up and out the same day but took a while to recover from anaesthetic.

I had both of mine removed when I was in my mid twenties because of a large cyst, it was very large so they did abdominal op with an up and down scar and took both ovaries. I recovered quickly as I was young and active but was only allowed to walk and not lift anything for weeks .I wasn't even allowed to swim which was a downer as it turned out to be a great Summer. So I walked myself fit instead, everyday I went walking a bit further each time as my energy levels improved and my was scar healing well and I lost loads of weight and felt amazing afterwards!

Thank you Madgran, Lily and Highland dreams.
Lily of the valley, I think that I had expected that too. I had a diagnostic laparoscopy many years ago, and recovered very quickly, with just a bit of soreness where clothes rubbed.
But I suppose I was being a bit naive and will just have to go with the flow, as they say.

It was ran by nurses and HCAs who were shocking at their job! One poor girl couldn’t master measuring my height and weighing me, and the nurse who interviewed me misunderstood lots of what I said, and then started to describe how I would have menopausal symptoms, (I’m 62) would only be able to walk 500 metres at most, and couldn’t answer any of my questions that I had prepared as it was not her area of expertise.

I have notices most clinics are nurse led since they started reopening clinics. I went to Rheumatology in November, and there were no Consultants in the clinic. However I did see a nurse practitioner.
My sons has a few clinics that he has to attend and these have been nurse led, either by 'phone or at the hospital. I don't know where the consultants are but they are not/haven't been physically seeing patients in clinics.

I had an ovarian cyst and both ovaries removed in May 2020 by admoninal incision, as a hysterectomy had been advised, which I had agreed to.

It transpired that the hysterectomy had not been necessary, as what the surgeons had all assumed were massive fibroids in my uterus when they viewed all the scans, was in fact an ovarian cyst weighing after removal 1300 metric grams that had pulled the ovary down infront of the uterus.

I was advised not to lift anything weighing more than I kg until the surgical clamps closing the incision had been removed and to rest whenever tired.

For the first three weeks or so, I felt sick if I got too tired, so resting was fairly easy. After that I have had no trouble at all, and have fully recovered my strenght, and am feeling stronger and healthier than I did for at least a year prior to the op. I was 68 at the time it was done.

I hope you will have as good treatment and as easy a recovery as I did.

My advice is: do a little less than the doctors advised to start off with, rather than risk doing too much, but do take small walks every day to start off with.

Let us know how you get on.

My cyst was analysed and contained no indications of cancer. I expect you will be just as fortunate.

Hi everyone
I just thought I’d write a ‘catch up’ post as I’ve had my operation and I’m recovering well.
The surgeon and anaesthetist were both very professional and understood and responded to my questions really well.

Thanks for all of your support and advice. Hopefully this thread might be helpful to someone in the future.

Good news, Ali23! Thank you for coming back to share that and I hope you continue to make progress to a full recovery!

Take care! ???