Ovarian cyst surgery?

[ciao]

Just got a call today from my doctor that both cysts on my ovaries will need to be surgically removed. He says it's an out patient procedure. I'm annoyed at myself that I didn't take notes or ask more questions but I was in a restaurant and anxious to cut to the chase. 

Anyone have an ovarian cyst removed? I'm wondering how long recovery took. And how long it took between diagnosis and scheduling the procedure. I'd be grateful if anyone wants to share their experience with this. There is a lot of clinical info online but not a lot of personal stories. I'm curious about what to expect.

Also, anyone have stomach issues due to the cyst? I'm having nausea, bloating, lack of appetite. Hoping all that will go away!

[atarianna]

I am sorry you’re going through this. If the cysts need to be removed, my assumption is they are large which would cause the bloating and likely a lot of pain. I have not had surgery on mine, but did have several ruptured ovarian cysts that were horrific. I hope your surgery is scheduled soon and you feel better ASAP.

[brandy0331]

I had one cyst removed back in 2003. It was a fairly simple surgery, outpatient. The surgery itself only took about a 1/2 hour if I remember correctly. I remember my stomach being sore for a couple of days, but I had the surgery on a Friday and was back to work on Monday. Office work so nothing strenuous.

[scorpio72]

I had one removed in 2003 as well. It was done laparoscopically with 3 small incisions. The surgery wasn't too bad and I was home by the afternoon. I think I took 2 days off of work but it was mainly because I was so tired from the anesthesia. When they did mine they inflated the belly with gas so they can see what they're doing. The worst pain of the recovery was the gas which comes out through the shoulder (don't ask me why, but it does). It's not awful but it was painful. I had a 9 month old at the time and was able to take care of her the next day. All in all it wasn't too bad. I always had a dull ache on the side I had the cyst which went away after surgery. No other stomach issues.

[CloudBee]

Following, as I am likely looking at the same surgery.

[ciao]

Thanks everyone! It's good to see that you were back on your feet so quickly!

[boiler717]

I had an ovarian cyst (endometrioma) removed almost 15 years ago. I definitely had a lot of abdominal symptoms and pain prior to removal.
My surgery had a lot of complications because my cyst was intertwined with my bowel. I ended up needing a laparotomy (vertical incision), transfer to the hospital, a 6 day hospital stay, and 6 weeks at home.
I would be prepared to sign that you are okay with ovary removal before surgery, I wasn’t expecting that. Luckily I was able to keep mine.

[yaga]

I had a laparoscopy yesterday for endometriosis (which also involved cysts in my ovaries) and my recovery will be a bit longer than those mentioned above. (I've had this before.) But this is involving the entire pelvic region...I think. My parents didn't retain much from the surgeon's discussion she had with them while I was in the recovery room. But I have 5 incisions and the opioids I'm taking barely touches it.

Personally, I would try to find an obgyn who specializes in cyst removal. I'm very unhappy with who did my first surgery so I found one who specializes in endo. She did a full workup, including an MRI, to determine the extent of the disease and had me come in to her office to discuss my options. I am not impressed your discussion was a phone call while you were occupied.

[cuadrado]

I had one removed in 2016. I have very small incisions on my lower R and L abdomen and then one in my belly button. Mine was outpatient with no complications. The day or two after the procedure was pretty uncomfortable due to the air they put in your abdomen when they're doing the surgery. That's common for a laparoscopic procedure. Recovery was not too bad. I took pain meds for the first day but then I was just taking Advil. I took a week off of work. I was working in a hospital at the time and on my feet all day, and I think it was too soon to go back. It would have been fine for a more sedentary desk job, though. I think I took a work trip about 3 weeks later.

[madringal]

Ditto the shoulder pain. It was so bad I thought they had dislocated my shoulder somehow. Other then that, it was pretty simple.

[TrickyBob]

I am having a softball+ sized one removed in July. Mine is semi solid and will be done robotically. (And put into a bag first to contain it, which idk why I find that interesting lol)

My oncologist told me for ovarian cyst + ovary + tube removal I will be looking at 4 to 6 weeks recovery time. Mainly so I don't lift anything heavy.

But he did say it will be much the same as gallbladder surgery.

[kate1482]

I had a 9cm cyst removed while I was 16wks pregnant. I was incredibly lucky that my OB managed to remove the cyst, ovary & tube laparoscopically. I spent one night in the hospital and two weeks off work. (Night in the hospital and extra week at home was due to pregnancy). Recovery was much easier then I expected and pain was minimal.