Ovary Removal

I just had it done laproscopically last month, along with a total hysterectomy. It was considered an outpatient procedure for insurance purposes, but I spent one night in the hospital. My recovery was pretty smooth. I took some pain medicine occasionally, but it wasn't too bad pain wise, and I was getting around pretty good after a week or two. No pushing, pulling, or lifting for six weeks, which I imagine might be tough with little ones.

I started Arimidex a week after my surgery, and that was a bad idea I think, since it's hard to tell where the side effects are coming from. My main issues are hot flashes/night sweats and insomnia.

You didn't say whether or not you were keeping your uterus, but I am having a couple issues with bladder and bowel that I think are the result of the hysterectomy. I have a follow-up next week and will see what my Gyn says about it. I would be familiar with the possible complications of a hysterectomy before your consult, in case your doctor makes that recommendation. I think most doctors push to take everything out. I wasn't prepared for my consult and just went along with my doctor's recommendation. I don't know that I would've chosen differently, but I wish I'd come in more prepared.

I am sorry that you are going through this at such a young age. I wish all the best for you!

Arimidex is only given to women whose ovaries have shut down (either naturally or artificially). It stops estrogen from being made elsewhere in the body. I confess I was a bit puzzled when you said you were going to have the oopherectomy so that you wouldn't have to take Arimidex. I would have thought that you would have your ovaries taken out so you could take it. Was there a reason you could not take Tamoxifen? If I hadn't had the surgery, that's what I would be on. With you being stage 3 and having several positive nodes, I can't imagine that you wouldn't be on some type of hormone blocker.

You're welcome. It would be worth clarifying with your MO, in any case. If he did say that you wouldn't have to take Arimidex if you have an oopherectomy, I would be very interested to know the logic behind it. It might be something I could share with my own MO. I would love a good reason to not take the Arimidex.

Ovary removal was one of my easiest surgeries. It was just a day in hospital and was released the same evening. Just rest for a few days. I had some bleeding after but I think I had overdone it too soon. Once I went back to rest it stopped. It was laparoscopic so not too bad. I am in agreement with others who posted ...having your ovaries removed does not mean you can skip Arimidex or another AI. It actually means you can take an AI because you have ovaries removed of you are pre menopausal. I had mine removed as I wanted to skip tamoxifen and go straight to AI’s. After chemo and radiation I had four months of shots to suppress my ovaries so I could go right on Arimidex and then had them removed. Ovary suppression or removal with an AI has a slightly better track record than tamoxifen so I went with the extra percentages. Please double check with your MO as if that’s what he is saying that you can skip AI’s I’d get another MO as it does not make sense. Best of Luck.

Had mine done laparoscopically last week . I'm 31 and have one child.

It was outpatient for me and really not too bad at all. A bit sore for a few days but yeah the menopause is pretty instant. I'm mainly having a lot of hot flashes and knee aches. I did have a headache for a few days but I read that it is usually caused by the sudden drop of estrogen.

Other than that, it's really not so bad. I'll be put on letrozole soon. Not sure When but I assume at my next appointment in august.