Ovary removal

Zeeba, I can't speak about surgical menopause since I had my ovaries out when I was post-menopausal.

As far as the surgery - are you having it done laparoscopically? If you are, the pain is minimal. I had 3 tiny iincisions, none of which hurt unless I actually pressed hard on them (yeah, I know, why do it? Curiosity). Many women have pain/discomfort as the gas used during surgery dissipates but I didn't have that, either.

One thing I would definitely stress is that you MUST rest and take care of yourself after the surgery. Even though you don't have pain, your body went throuh a trauma and you must heal inside. I didn't do that at first and paid for it afterwards. I started to go back to my normal routine and ended up feeling awful - not in pain, but that weak-under the weather-just don't feel good AT ALL type of thing. Hint: if you're invited to a wedding 5 days after the surgery, don't go.

Best of luck with the surgery. I hope it goes well and your recovery is uneventful.

Leah

Hi Zeeba, 

While you are waiting for more members to respond, you may want to check out the information on ovary removal on the main breastcancer.org site. 

We hope this helps!

The mods

hi Zeeba! Have you considered also "donating" your cervix and uterus and getting a full hyster? I feel much better also having those potential cancer problems out - I used to have abnormal paps, and at 44, suddenly developed huge fibroids that caused heavy bleeding. Just wondering if you considered it since you'll already be in surgery with the right group of doctors! Best of luck and do take it slowly after your surgery. Hugs!

Good luck Zeeba, I was given the same advice by my Brca savvy gyn/ onc. Very personal decisions!

CherylinOhio - Absolutely NO horseback riding or lifting heavy objects for minimal 3 weeks.  Even when you start back riding you will notice some discomfort using core muscles.  I had to board my horses during my recovery phase to avoid barn chores.  After surgery the initial pain is from the gas used to inflate the abdominal cavity.  Walked out a few hours later with 3 band aides on my stomach and felt much better the next day.  This is where you have to be careful about feeling so good that you over do and hurt yourself.

Zeeba - I think after you are done that you will have better peace of mind with your BRCA status.  I was premenopause at the time of chemo which stopped my periods. However, during my rad treatments I really felt like my periods were trying to turn on again. I was afraid with my strong ER+, PR+ status to risk elevated hormone levels so I insisted on ooph surgery. After what I had been through it was a very easy procedure and recovery.  This is why I mentioned you have to be careful to allow for recovery and not over do exertion/exercise.  I was driving 2 days later but avoided lifting heavy objects.

Good luck!! Here is a great site with good info:

http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/

I think there is an ooph thread.

I know what you mean about rolling the dice - I had everything out EXCEPT ovaries because I didn't want to go into early menopause and have to take estrogen which would feed my breast problems. I have ovarian and BC in the family, so this was a very tough decision. Some times I have regrets since ovarian is like a silent killer, by the time you realize it, it's often pretty advanced throughout the area. Vaginal bleeding is a symptom but that won't be happening after the hyster. No more paps. Hmmm.

We just do the best we can and don't look back! I hope you heal quickly. xxx

You had better luck than me, Zeeba!  I was scheduled for laparoscopic removal of the ovaries; the surgeon could not find them!  He had to do it the old-fashioned way, with an abdominal incision.  DH jokes that the ovaries heard he was coming for them and hid!