Oophorectomy - what to expect

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vhqh
vhqh Member Posts: 535
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis

I've got something going on in an ovary, spent 6 hours in the ER this morning, 3 trips to the CT scanner and an ultrasound and they still don't know exactly what, took 4 injections of morphine to get the pain under control.  Initially suspected my appendix and they did say it was enlarged but they don't think it's that as my white cell count is only 4000.  There is a mass around the ovary but they don't know what it is, could just be an accumulation of fluid of some sort.  I see the gyno tomorrow morning, I hope to get copies of reports then.

Anyway, I live alone and have animals to care for so I need to know what to expect if surgery is required as I'll need to make some arrangements.  Can anyone give me some insight?

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited July 2009

    Gosh, that is too much pain. I wonder if you ovary has twisted on itself (called torsion), yielding such pain.

    I had my ovaries and uterus removed for small benign growths. It was done through a small smile incision, and the operation took about an hour or so. I was given preop drugs, was therefore relaxed. I was in the hospital just a day afterward, and when home with Percocet (which by the way the FDA is black boxing due to the Tylenol- to warn those with liver abnormalities to avoid or use minimally). 

    My spouse helped the first several days, but then I was pretty comfortable and up and about. If that's your horse, now thats a different issue so a friend helping with it's care seems necessary for a couple of weeks.

    I hope all goes well for you and a diagnosis is soon established.

    Tender

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    If it has to be removed, it can be done 3 ways; 1) open abdominal (the most invasive--6 weeks recovery) 2) laproscopic abdominal or 3) laproscopic vaginal---both 2 and 3 require about 2 or 3 weeks recovery time.

    Anne

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  • vhqh
    vhqh Member Posts: 535
    edited July 2009

    Yeah, the horse is mine, one of 7 I have.  Luckily my hay supplier has been great to step in and set out big bales for me when I'm not up to it and they can do without grain for a few weeks.  My main concern is being able to drive to pick up groceries and to run to the farm to fill the water tanks, also how much time to expect to be off work (desk job in a prison cell house).

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited July 2009

    Driving usually is o.k. if given the all clear in about two weeks.

    Filing the water tank with a hose (but no lifting) sounds about two weeks too.

    Off work, if laparascopially usually a week at most, if by incision, more like 3 sometimes more.

    Much depends on healing and some on attitude. I always encourage a little extra Vitamin C for healing, as it helps collagen knit together. 

    Best to you. T.

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  • lovinmomma
    lovinmomma Member Posts: 1,879
    edited July 2009

    Well, i had my hyst and ooph with my bilat mx and had a open abdominal; incision. It was not to bad. I had more discomfort with the mast than it. I was doing good by about day 3. Kept on the Tylenol for a few more days.

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  • Celtic_Spirit
    Celtic_Spirit Member Posts: 748
    edited July 2009

    I had an oophorectomy last March. I had surgery at 7:30 a.m. and walked out of the hospital at noon that day. Surgery was on Wednesday, and I was back at work on Monday. Twelve days later, I hiked the highest mountain in the city of San Diego (1,591 ft.). No prob-lemo.

    I had some bloating from the gas they use with laproscopic surgery and some mild discomfort from the small incisions. About two weeks later, my belly button got a bit irritated from the stitch in it, which the doctor then removed. Overall, not a trying experience at all. Easier than having my wisdom teeth removed.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited July 2009

    I am due for an ooph in two weeks, am getting a bit nervous about it. Glad to hear most people feel little discomfort.

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  • hollyann
    hollyann Member Posts: 2,992
    edited July 2009

    I had a total hyst and ooph using the vaginal assisted laproscopic method......I also had a tot sling placed on my bladder..i was in the hospital for 4 days due to low red cell counts and fever...They thought I had pneumonia but I didn't......I had 2 pints of blood and my energy level went sky high!.....I was uncomfortable the first week but after about 5 days I was really feeling great......it was way easier than my TRAM surgery.........And even easier than my gall bladder surgery......I was back at work full time after 3 weeks at the grocery store......back to full power too.......Good luck ladies and I wish you speedy recoveries.........

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited July 2009

    I had a plain laproscopic oophorectomy and the most discomfortant was the post surgical gas resolution.  For me recovery was quick and easy with the exception of not lifting heavy objects for a few weeks.  Probably the easiest procedure I've ever had done compared to wisdom teeth extraction, lumpectomy, oral surgery. I was driving by the 3rd day - - but again I had basic ooph and not total hysterectomy.

    As a fellow horse owner (2) - the heavy lifting is critical not to cause hernia complications.  I had my procedure done during winter months and bad weather.  So I had to move my horses to a local boarding stable for a few months for stall care.  Again - this was winter - snow, rain, ice.  When I did start riding again a few weeks later - - I had to take it slow as I really did notice some stomach muscle soreness - - using those core muscles.  Be reasonable and take it slow and the recovery should be fine.  If your horses are out on decent pasture -- - they should be fine.  Lifting feed bags is a big NO NO - - but I did groom my horses for my sanity.

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  • flash
    flash Member Posts: 1,685
    edited July 2009

    I did my ooph and hyst abdominally.  I was able to feed, water with hose and lead horses within a week but..... they are not kidding.  NO< absolutely NO lifting for 2-3 weeks.  I did everything in small amounts and many trips to keep the no lifting in place.  It's not worth the risk.  riding was 3 weeks after it.  (although now it turns out to be a moot point, no riding at all. :(   

    good luck

    grace

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  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited July 2009

    I am planning an ooph or hyster, depending on what surgeon says, due to being BRCA2+.

    Nice to know that recovery seems minimal, as I have three children to care for 11,8, and 4.

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  • Georganne
    Georganne Member Posts: 75
    edited July 2009

    I had a total oophorectomy + hysterectomy done laproscopically with a vaginal assist - LAVH. It was fairly easy. (Easier than my Bilat Mastectomy + the reconstruction I'm currently experiencing)!!!!! I had stomach tenderness for about 1 month, no lifting for about 4-6 weeks, ... The biggest thing I noticed was the immediate HOT FLASHES / NIGHT SWEATS. I've had them regularly ever since (July 2007). I too have the BRCA 2 mutation. I hope things go smoothly for you. God Bless. Georganne  

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  • vhqh
    vhqh Member Posts: 535
    edited July 2009

    Well, after talking to the gyno today we still don't know exactly what the mass is.  Game plan is set though and I'll be getting everything out - oopherectomy and hysterectomy.  He isn't eliminating ovarian cancer but he seems to feel that it's not.  I've had a large cyst on the left side and he is leaning towards this being another one but we won't know for sure until they get it out.  His attitude is get it all out while were at it and not have to deal with it again. 

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  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited July 2009

    Good Luck VHQH

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  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited July 2009

    I had a complete hysterectomy last month (uterus, ovaries, tubes) with the DaVInci Robot at MD Anderson in Orlando.  I have 3 tiny incisions less than a inch in lenght.  I wouldn't know I had the surgery if not for the incisions. They kept me overnight but there was no pain at all.  I had the surgery on Thursday, went home Friday and back to work on Monday.

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  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited July 2009

    Ibrewew, nice to know about no pain and speedy recovery time!!!

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  • vhqh
    vhqh Member Posts: 535
    edited July 2009

    That is very very nice to know!  He told me I'd only be off work for a week.  Saw my onc this week and he agrees this is the route to take, he wasn't happy with the time frame however as the first opening for the surgery was 08/25, he intervened and got me moved up to 08/04.  Bad part of this is that they were already fully booked so I will be late in the day, I'll have to sit all day and not eat a bite, yuck!  

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  • JeninMichigan
    JeninMichigan Member Posts: 2,974
    edited July 2009

    Good luck to you!!  I am glad you asked this question.  My Oncolgoist just told me last week I am to get my ovaries removed.  My paternal grandmother died of Ovarian cancer at 53... so she said even though mine look fine .. there is not reason to keep them.   

    I live on a farm (no more horses) but I have barns full of smaller animals.   It is difficult when you cannot do things for yourself.   Hope your recovery is fast.

    Jennifer

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  • vhqh
    vhqh Member Posts: 535
    edited August 2009

    Well, it's over and done with.  Went in at noon Tuesday, took about 3 hours to get it done.  They did find some cancer on one ovary but could not tell if it was active or not and it will be the 18th before I see my oncologist and get my path reports.  I plan on going back to work tomorrow, 6 days post surgery.  Pain has been minimal, had some problems with my blood pressure that almost kept me in another day.  So far, so good, no side effects or hot flashes yet.

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  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 779
    edited August 2009

    I had my ooph on Aug 4 and I am doing fine to. It is hard to do somethings since I can not lift more than 10lbs. Results came back no cancer, which is what I expected since I chose to have ooph, my mom died at 29 of ovarian cancer.

    Good luck to you vhqh!!

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