Oophorectomy Tips

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KiwiMum
KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
edited February 2015 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hi All

In October 2014 I changed from daily Taxmoxifen to daily Examestane (Aromasin) and 4 weekly Zoladex injections as a result of the SOFT study results.

I don't like the Zoladex injections - they hurt and I can't be bothered continuing them for years to come.  I've decided to just remove my ovaries and am schedule for a prophylactic double oophorectomy in 4 weeks time.

Does anyone have any tips or wisdom they can share?  How was the surgery for you?  What was the recovery like?  Any unexpected side effects?

Thanks in advance. 

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  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited February 2015


    It was not a bad surgery for me at all.  I had it done laproscopically.  Only small incisions which have really not left scars. I didn't even take any pain meds at all.  I was a little sore, but not bad at all. 

     

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  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited February 2015

    Thanks mdg. Sounds good, hopefully easy peasy for me too!

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  • kamm
    kamm Member Posts: 140
    edited February 2015

    Agree with mdg. Just be aware that one incision may be larger than the others and may be sore longer than the others. It's usually the incision they take the ovaries out of. Was a little sore for about two weeks. Nothing terrible. But the scars are minimal. Good luck!

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  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited February 2015

    Thanks Kamm. I hadn't thought of that.

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  • Momof3GreatKids
    Momof3GreatKids Member Posts: 303
    edited February 2015

    I decided to do a full hysterectomy since the doctor said she could do everything with the DaVinvci robot with very small incisions. The surgery was easy for me and I was back to work in a week (I have a desk job with no lifting) but still had to be careful for many weeks to not lift or do much housework. I also never took anything more than Motrin for the pain.

    Good luck to you and ask more questions anytime.

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  • solacetea
    solacetea Member Posts: 28
    edited February 2015

    I had a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy just over two weeks ago. My oncologist recommended it so I could start taking Aromasin instead of Tamoxifen, as my tumors were highly estrogen-receptor positive. I'm 50 and blood tests showed I had not gone into menopause. I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago for fibroids and heavy bleeding so I couldn't use that as an indicator of menopause.

    Anyway, I had the (minimally invasive laparoscopic) surgery on a Wednesday, laid around for four days, and went back to work on the following Monday. I had very little pain after the first day. I'm dealing with nighttime hot flashes but I was already having those for the past 10 years( perimenopause) and slightly more while on Tamoxifen. It was really not a big deal.

    Good luck, you'll be fine!

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  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited February 2015

    Thanks Solacetea and Momof3greatkids.

    It sounds like you are doing great Solacetea.  I was interested if there was an increase in any side effects (hot flashes).  I already suffer from hot flashes quite regularly so I figured it would be status quo.

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  • enlm20Erica
    enlm20Erica Member Posts: 216
    edited February 2015

    Hi! I'm so happy I found this post... I'm scheduled to have a laparoscopic oompherectomy/hysterectomy on March 3rd 2015 and didn't have much info about it and didn't know what to expect! I'm brca2 positive and haven't been diagnosed with ovarian cancer but doctors I'm at high risk for it. I've had breast cancer and finished treatment January 21st 2015 so now it's on to the next! I would appreciate any help/tips thanks!

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  • SunnyC
    SunnyC Member Posts: 75
    edited February 2015

    enlm20Erica,


    We seem very similar in situations. I had a total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo oophorectomy on Dec 29. It was overall a very easy surgery and recovery. The only large pain I had was from the gas used to inflate you during the procedure. The first time I was up to walk, it shifted and was quite painful. It dissipated quickly though. Prayers for an easy surgery for you!

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  • kmurphy
    kmurphy Member Posts: 55
    edited February 2015

    I had the full hysterectomy/ oophorectomy Jan 2014, and it was pretty easy. I do have a question for the others who have had it though. Just this past week I have experienced slight spotting. It is very minimal but concerns me a little. Has anyone else had this so long after the surgery?

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  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited February 2015

    enlm20erica - I am 6 days after you.  My surgery is scheduled for the 9th.

    It's great to read from Sunnyc and KMurphy that the surgery and recovery was relatively easy.

    I'm not sure why doctors recommend Ooph versus total hysterectomy.

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  • scvmom65
    scvmom65 Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2015

    I had an oophorectomy in 2012 done laparoscopy. Sorry kmurphy but I can't answer your question, I had my uterus removed 3 years before due to fibroids. For me, the worst pain is in the first 12 hours and it is only because of the trapped gas when they do things with the lapo scope. I had a hernia repair surgery years before I was DXed and had the same kind of pain. Imagine bad gas pain you can't expel when you have had a stomache in the past, uncomfortable but liveable. Walking around helped me expel it by burping if that helps. After that, it was about the same discomfort from being on my monthly cycle for two days max, I took Advil and felt fine. I then just followed doctors orders about not lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk for 3 weeks but was otherwise back to my normal routine. Easy surgery!

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