Anyone here had a ovary removed?

[OrangeBanana]

I'm having an ovary removed possibly in the next few weeks. I have been having pain on my right side for about 6 months now and problems with cysts for 3 years. They don't know what is causing the pain right now but they think that my ovary is inflamed and the best way to find out is to go in and get a look and possibly remove my ovary. They might take my uterus to if anything looks funny there too. I have fibroids that aren't huge yet but if the doc thinks there is any possibility of those causing problems or being the source of the problem then he will take out my uterus too. That whole side of my body is so jacked up right now. My hip feels all out of whack. My back hurts. I'm just not right.

I'm having quite a bit of anxiety about all of this. Google is definitely NOT helping that so I'm staying away. This place feels much safer.

I'm kind of scared. Yes my doctor knows this. 

I'm scared that this isn't going to solve my problem and all that money is being wasted. I'm scared I'm going to be the one that has the horrible side effects. I'm scared that I won't be the same. 

I'm nervous about losing my uterus if that does happen. I have 2 kids already and no plans for more so it's not that. But it just seems weird to not have a uterus. However, not having a period is a huge plus. I'm not sure I'm okay with losing my uterus yet. 

My doctor is pretty breezy about all of this. It's pretty routine for him and he says 90% of the time he can help women by doing this surgery. I do trust him. 

Tell me about your experience. 

[OrangeBanana]

Nov 7, 2013 11:18:28 GMT -5 @starflower22 said:

Have you had a laparoscopy to check for endometriosis?

No. My surgery will be laparoscopic and check for endometriosis at the same time they look and most likely remove my ovary. If they see any evidence of endo they will remove that as well. 

They don't think that is what is causing my problems but still will have a look to rule it out. 

[MWOS]

I do not lose internal organs without speaking to at least 2 doctors.

Nope nope nope nope nope

[kirra]

My ovaries are one of the few areas that haven't had problems, so no advice there.

But the surgery option will continue to be there. If you don't feel ready, and there isn't a medical concern that is immediately dangerous, it can wait.

If you want to do this right now, then it sounds like a good idea, because it very well may help.

But if you aren't ready for this step, wait a little. Maybe try some counseling to help you figure it out.

I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide.

[luvvy]

I had an oophorectomy three years ago. They thought I had cancer and went into surgery assuming I would have a full hysterectomy and thankfully my ovarian tumor was benign and I only lost my right ovary and tube. I went on to have a baby boy (he is almost two) and everything seems to be good at this point. I have been terrified to have anything done to my uterus (ablation, etc) because even though we are done having kids, I have the feeling that I wont feel like a woman if I CAN'T have kids. So, all of that said, PM me if you want to talk.

[OrangeBanana]

Nov 7, 2013 11:53:27 GMT -5 @starflower22 said:

Nov 7, 2013 11:22:17 GMT -5 OrangeBanana said:

No. My surgery will be laparoscopic and check for endometriosis at the same time they look and most likely remove my ovary. If they see any evidence of endo they will remove that as well. 

They don't think that is what is causing my problems but still will have a look to rule it out. 

Ok, I'm just thinking if you DO have endo, maybe all you need is to have that removed. Not your ovary. I have endo and before it was removed it was causing majorly intense pain. I would just hate for the Dr to go overboard and start taking out too many things unnecessarily.

We talked extensively about how aggressive I wanted to be. He isn't going to remove anything that isn't necessary. If it looks fine, it's staying, including my ovary. However, if it looks marginal, it's leaving. Don't really want to keep dealing with this crap. 

My other ovary appears to be normal on ultrasounds and there is no pain there. So its definitely staying. My doc is absolutely against a full hysterectomy so I'm not worried about losing it all. 

[Booze Raccoon]

My cousin had both of hers removed last week.  No complications, she was home that afternoon.  

[OrangeBanana]

Nov 7, 2013 12:01:31 GMT -5 ste said:

I think it's weird that your dr is all breezy "I'll just do a hysterectomy if there are fibroids." Why is he not even suggesting a myomectomy to just remove the fibroids, if you want to keep your ute?

You need a second opinion before you do anything.

Oh no, it wasn't meant to be read like that. 

He is more breezy about I will be fine and he will take care of me type thing. Not that getting my uterus out is a breezy thing. 

Taking my uterus out due to fibroids is more or less a way of preventing any more of them or the side effects of them or other problems since I seem to be prone to them in the future. I don't need my uterus anymore. I have all the kids I want and taking my uterus out is just a way to avoid having to have another procedure in the future. 

I don't necessary want to keep my uterus. Just feels weird to have one for this many years and all the sudden not. Does that make more sense?

[daisybuchannan]

I have no experience with this, but I'm sorry you're going through it!

[dirtyred]

I had everything taken out 4 years ago and it was the best thing ever!  No more daily pain, no more periods, sex doesn't hurt anymore, and 4 less places for me to get cancer. A big win all the way around for me.

[OrangeBanana]

Nov 7, 2013 12:51:59 GMT -5 @starflower22 said:

Will you have to take hormones or does having 1 ovary left make enough?

Nope, one ovary is all you need to get all the hormones you need! 

[OrangeBanana]

Nov 7, 2013 12:53:45 GMT -5 dirtyred said:

I had everything taken out 4 years ago and it was the best thing ever!  No more daily pain, no more periods, sex doesn't hurt anymore, and 4 less places for me to get cancer. A big win all the way around for me.

I'm really happy to hear this. I'm definitely looking foward to feeling better and not having to worry about what's bothering me anymore. 

[jen623]

I had my left ovary removed about 3 years ago. I have severe endometriosis, when they got in there they said that both of my ovaries were embedded into my uterus. They only took the left one though, to keep me from going into menopause as I was only 30. I had no problems at all, recovery was not bad at all, & hormones are just fine, since I still have 1 ovary. I feel a lot better. Please don't worry, it's not a bad surgery or recovery at all. Good luck!!!

[lucky513]

I had my right ovary removed a few years ago, I couldn't do laparoscopic so I had to have surgery even with the surgery it wasn't too bad I was in the hospital for a few days and out of work for two weeks

[nursewife]

I had a total hysterectomy done at 29. It was one of the best decisions I've made for my health. It is hard being young dealing with the ramifications of early menopause and what not. PM me if you have any questions I could help answer.

[housewife]

I had an ovary and tube removed at the end of August because of a large dermoid and it was NBD at all. I had surgery on Tuesday (laparoscopic) and went back to work Thursday. My only side effects were being extremely tired for about a week post-op and some cramping/sharp pains. The pains lessened in frequency and as of now I'm about 9 weeks out and it feels like I never even had it done. I think my other ovary took right over, because I haven't had any changes with my period.

Good luck!

[marriedin05]

I had an ovary removed due to a large cyst and they had to do an laparotomy I think it's called. I was in hospital for 3 days but it wasn't too bad. I was sore for a few weeks, but the pain of the cyst was much worse. It wasn't as bad as I was expecting.

[peas]

Nov 7, 2013 11:24:13 GMT -5 luvvy said:

I had an oophorectomy three years ago. They thought I had cancer and went into surgery assuming I would have a full hysterectomy and thankfully my ovarian tumor was benign and I only lost my right ovary and tube. I went on to have a baby boy (he is almost two) and everything seems to be good at this point. I have been terrified to have anything done to my uterus (ablation, etc) because even though we are done having kids, I have the feeling that I wont feel like a woman if I CAN'T have kids. So, all of that said, PM me if you want to talk.

I'm sure you didn't mean it this way, but it's insensitive to say you wouldn't feel like a woman if you can't have kids.  There are a lot of us out there who struggle with IF and it doesn't make us less of a woman. 

I know I just lurk on this board but this one hit home for me.  I'm sorry that you had to go through all that with your tumor and happy to hear that you guys were still able to conceive after all that; I'm sure it was very difficult on your family. 

[MWOS]

Nov 8, 2013 10:17:08 GMT -5 peas said:

Nov 7, 2013 11:24:13 GMT -5 luvvy said:

I had an oophorectomy three years ago. They thought I had cancer and went into surgery assuming I would have a full hysterectomy and thankfully my ovarian tumor was benign and I only lost my right ovary and tube. I went on to have a baby boy (he is almost two) and everything seems to be good at this point. I have been terrified to have anything done to my uterus (ablation, etc) because even though we are done having kids, I have the feeling that I wont feel like a woman if I CAN'T have kids. So, all of that said, PM me if you want to talk.

I'm sure you didn't mean it this way, but it's insensitive to say you wouldn't feel like a woman if you can't have kids.  There are a lot of us out there who struggle with IF and it doesn't make us less of a woman. 

I know I just lurk on this board but this one hit home for me.  I'm sorry that you had to go through all that with your tumor and happy to hear that you guys were still able to conceive after all that; I'm sure it was very difficult on your family. 

I'm 100% certain that luvvy is allowed to feel exactly how she fucking feels. Thanks.

[peas]

Nov 8, 2013 10:18:45 GMT -5 MWOS said:

Nov 8, 2013 10:17:08 GMT -5 peas said:

***poof***

I'm 100% certain that luvvy is allowed to feel exactly how she fucking feels. Thanks.

****poof***** 

[MWOS]

Nov 8, 2013 11:04:25 GMT -5 peas said:

Nov 8, 2013 10:18:45 GMT -5 MWOS said:

I'm 100% certain that luvvy is allowed to feel exactly how she fucking feels. Thanks.

I know she's entitled to feel however she wants, but I'm also entitled to say that I think it's insensitive.  Sometimes people don't realize what they said could be taken in the wrong way; I really don't think that she meant it that way so I was/am hoping that she would see this and say it differently in the future. 

And sorry OrangeBanana; I didn't mean to hijack your thread.  I don't know anything about having an ovary removed but I did have a laproscopy / hysteroscopy to remove a uterine septum a few months ago so I have a bit of experience with that these types of procedures if you want to ask me any questions about it.  I'm still recovering from the procedure at this point. 

you are being absolutely ridiculous. she never said anything about all women feeling that way. she said SHE felt that way. it's not insensitive to you because it has nothing to do with you. and I hope in the future Luvvy continues to remain completely honest about how SHE felt about something SHE went through. Nothing about it can be taken any other way.

[luvvy]

peas, I am going to give you a little bit of leeway here. After all, you have no idea what my story is even before I was faced with a dx of cancer and signing release form after release form giving permission for a hysterectomy and removal of my lymph nodes from groin to axillary at the age of 27. I have been in your shoes, or I should say, I've been in the shoes I'm assuming you are currently walking in in regards to infertility.

However, it is not remotely insensitive for me to state my OWN feelings about my OWN body. Now, if I had said that I think that women who can't have children or don't have a uterus are not really women, then by all means, you would have every right to rain down hell and fury on my head. The fact is that I stated my own personal feelings about my own body and you do not get to put your feelings about YOUR body on ME just as I don't have the right to put my feelings about my body on you. I am truly and deeply sorry that you are dealing with situations that would make you feel as though my feelings apply to you but the truth is, they don't.

This may sound insensitive, but if you are at the point that you cannot handle reading a thread on a message board about someone elses feelings about their body without taking it on as an attack on you, you might want to consider stepping away and evaluating where you are in your own situation.

All of this to say, if you are dealing with infertility, I feel you. I feel you so hard because it took me 6 years, a divorce and a major surgery to get pregnant. The bottom line is that I am allowed to feel how I feel about my body and discuss those things openly and honestly. If you took offense to that, it is on you, not me.