Seeking oophorectomy/ovary removal recovery stories

Hi Sharon, I had oopherectomy three years ago. Done laparoscopically at a hospital as an ambulatory procedure. Was sent home a couple of hours after procedure. Procedure and recovery was what I was expecting. I had it on a Friday and remember went grocery shopping with my sister the following Tuesday for Thanksgiving food. I had some bleeding as I probably did too much too soon. After a week or so it was fine and no issues at all. I had finished chemo that prior July, then had radiation which finished in September and had oopherectomy end of November. I had to get Zoladex shots to suppress my ovaries until I could have the ooph scheduled. I was 49 and prior to my chemo I was still getting regular periods. I had my last period the day of my first chemo treatment, didn't get period at all during chemo and then had the suppression shots so I had started the transition to menopause a few months before the oopherectomy. I had some hot flashes which were manageable. I honestly felt more 'even' in menopause as I always had severe PMS and hormonal ups and downs and since being in menopause I don't get the severe mood swings and don't miss them. Now three years out, I've definitely aged quicker due to lack of estrogen and the Arimidex I'm on. I feel like my skin has lost elasticity and hair has thinned. I was a younger looking 49 year old prior to BC and now feel like I've aged very quickly. I'm ok with it as I wanted to be aggressive and get extra percentage points. Advice- the ooph surgery itself was probably the easiest out of the many I had. Just take it easy for a week or so after. I only had the ovaries removed and kept my uterus and recovery not bad at all.

Hi sharon0706,

I had a laparoscopic total hysterectomy (uterus and cervix) and BSO (tubes and ovaries) along with breast reconstruction revision in April 2019. I was originally just meant to have BSO but was changed shortly before surgery. I did not see my GYN ONC again before the surgery and only shortly before surgery learned that the uterus is removed vaginally. That kind of scared me a bit!
I see you have had a mastectomy so you already know about surgical recovery. It is boring. I stayed one night in the hospital. Came home and did 2 days of Rx pain meds before switching to Tylenol. I looked online for how to get up and move around post hysterectomy without too much strain on surgical area. Was a bit tough as I also had bilateral breast reconstruction revision at the same time. Really more annoying than painful.

It did feel like the surgeon left chopped up habenero peppers in my vagina! The burning was unexpected. No sex for 8 weeks. Not with your partner, not without your partner. Full pelvic rest. Surgeon said to get and use a good personal lubricant and take it easy when given green light. Scary the first couple of times with vaginal cuff, but all is fine.

I was post menopausal and had been on an AI for 1 year already so no big changes. My oncologist recommends using Replens regularly, but so far I have not needed it and my GYN says all vaginal tissue is still good. Sometimes I don’t sleep as long as I used to. However, I do have to take a low dose antibiotic after sex as I developed UTI’s.

My lifting restriction was 5 pounds. I was tired. I did get swelly belly at the end of the day and/or if I did too much. I was really pooped for a month. Feeling pretty darn good at 6 weeks. Keep your feet up as much as possible when not up and about to help fight swelling.

I too think I have aged a bit more quickly, but still look pretty good for 54. But hey, I had 4 surgeries in 16 months, cancer, 2 colonoscopies, and Covid. A crazy 2 years. So who knows....

I joined Hystersisters.com It was helpful to read about other women’s experiences. They have groups by week of surgery. I started looking at groups a few weeks before my surgery to see what the ladies a few weeks ahead of me were saying.

Good luck! The surgery was not that bad. Hoping your surgery goes smoothly. The hormone stuff will most likely be the bigger challenge as it sounds like you are premenopausal.

Take care!

the surgery & recovery are relatively easy (compared to the rest of breast cancer treatment) but I'd recommend doing the shots for at least a few months to make sure you can handle the instant menopause. I agree that it seems to age you faster (and it's not fun dealing with menopause problems younger than is natural) but I also was willing to be aggressive to get my best chance at preventing or delaying a reoccurrence. Good luck with your decision!

I have been on Zoladex since 2016 and will likely have my ovaries out this year to save on the cost of Zoladex and for the convenience as right now I need to go to hospital every three months for the shot. So I've been in menopause since chemo. I'm wondering if anyone who has done both can tell me if the side effects of menopause were worse going from ovarian suppression or removal? I feel like I've finally settled into my skin (thinning hair and hot flashes and all) and am nervous about being surprised by even more side effects. My bones have held up well almost five years on.

I recently read that a significant number of ovarian cancers actually start in the fallopian tubes. Do oophorectomies usually include removal of the fallopian tubes? because if they don't, consideration should be given to asking your medical oncologist about this.

My experience is very similar to LeesaD. My periods stopped after chemo treatment #2 and then since I am BRCA2 so after finishing radiation I had my tubes and ovaries removed. menopause symptoms were not worse for me and honestly, I had terrible periods and PMS so surgery has been better. I also used to have frequent headaches and now I don't.

Hi Fairchild... wow! : )

Thank you for your responses to all of my questions... they were extremely informative and helpful.

Best best best... and thanks again.

-Renbird

Thanks to everyone for weighing in... if you have anything else to add, please do! : ) XO -Renbird

Here's to spring!