I have a cyst around 40cm attached to my right ovary. I am booked in for a laparotomy on Wednesday. I am very frightened as I have never had a general anaesthetic before. I'm over weight and the surgeon has told me about the increased risks. I'm really frightened that I will never wake up and see my kids and family again.
Can anyone offer me any advice please
Thank you
Hiya, first thing is, you are not alone! I felt exactly like this before my last operation, and I can guarantee there are plenty of others on here who felt the same.
I have had two major ops, one when I was 20, removal of a very large cyst right ovary and tube. And one last August, due to another very large and worrying cyst I had a full hysterectomy at 31.
I am also quite over weight and had extra monitoring after surgery, the docs and nurses were brilliant! Talk to them about your concerns on the day, let the anaesthetic know that you are worried, they will do everything they can to help you feel calmer. You will wake up, and when you see your kids it's the best feeling in the world!
Xxx
Hi.
I had my first op for an ovarian cyst two years ago and I was convinced I wasn't going to wake up like you. I think many people think the same.
But in all honestly it's the best sleep you'll ever have! If they were seriously worried they wouldn't do the op until you had lost some weight first.
I was really scared and they ended up giving me a pre med to relax me beforehand. But when it came to it after I had been put under i only felt like I had been asleep for a few minutes.
You're in good hands you'll be ok xx
Try not to worry, honestly that is the best part of surgery. It finally puts an end to your nervousness. The next thing you know they will be waking you up and offering you something to drink. Good luck with your surgery.
Hi Jenni! I'll also be having surgery on Wednesday, two consecutive procedures under general anesthesia (laparoscopy to remove ovary that contains a mass and hysteroscopy to remove uterine polyp). I had two previous surgeries under general anesthesia when I was younger and have had many colonoscopies with sedation (for Crohn's disease) over the last 20 years. You will do great and I agree with the ladies here, share any concerns with the anesthesia specialist and they will put you at ease... I've always found them to be helpful. Good luck to you and I'll be thinking of you on our shared surgery day! Take care and let us know how your recovery is progressing when you are feeling up to it. Best wishes, Elizabeth
Great point... it is the moment when we finally get to relax!
Thank you for your kind reply. The consultant knows about my worries and he keeps telling me it's perfectly normal but still very hard not to worry. You are the same age as me.
Did you have lots of follow ups after the first removal of cyst and ovary and tube?
They haven't really spoken much about the what next yet.
Thanks again for your reply.
Jenni 😀
Thank you very much for your kind reply. Lots of people have talked to me about having them. I think it's just the unknown that is worrying me.
I am sure I will be fine and am just being silly.
Thanks again for your reply 😀
Thanks for replying. I guess if I hadn't had so long to think about things then I may not be so worried. It's always typical at times like this that you hear horror stories about surgery.
Thanks again
Jenni 😀
Thank you very much Elizabeth. And I wish you all the best for Wednesday too. I'm just hoping there is no cancellations due to doctors strike.
Thanks for the advice. I have told them that I am feeling apprehensive and they have said they will see how I am on the morning.
All the best for weds and let me know how you are recovering
Jenni xx
Yes, the longer we wait, the worse it seems.
It is so hard not to worry, I went from having a few pains to the hysterectomy op within 3 months! And the first op was all done in less than two weeks from the first sign of pain!
You are almost there now, although Iknow it'll feel like an age until Wednesday!
After my initial cyst and operation I only had one follow up app, even tho the cyst was borderline. This time round I was seen on the two week rule as they assumed it would be at least borderline again ( which it was)
They can be terrible for not giving you all the aftercare info, but I just learnt to ask those questions and they happily answered them.
Xx
Just checking in to see how you are doing? I had a football sized cyst attached to my ovary. I felt the same way you did. You will be okay. The anaesthetic doctor can give you something to calm your nerves right before they actually put you under. Prayers!
Hi,
just been through what what you are going through. Want to reassure you that you will be fine. I had a cyst 28cm x 24cm x 20cm removed, plus hysterectomy and both ovaries out. They got nearly eleven pints of fluid out of the cyst, and in a week I have lost 25lbs. I too am overweight.... Five foot three and over seventeen stone before the op. 15 stone five this week. I also have asthma. It has been horrid, but just accept all the pain meds and make sure you do the dot exercises, lots of ankle flexing etc. in hospital they give you an air bed and leg cuffs which massage you. I am 47, not sure how old you are. The only couple of issues I have had are an allergic reaction to some antibiotics last Thursday, and since my staples came out yesterday my incision has been leaking quite a lot. Just take a day at a time, and have a positive mental attitude. The G A part is really ok, you have no knowledge of time passing. Other things that might help.... You may get trapped wind after the op, have some peppermint teabags on standby. Also have half a tin of prunes for breakfast each day, it has made a huge difference to my post op experience ( both tips ?I read elsewhere on here). I have also just ordered an abdomen hugger from the hysterectomy association which ?I wish I had ordered before the op to have had when I came home at the weekend. Also our bedroom is upstairs and the toilet is downstairs. I have had a camping loo in the bedroom so night time weed are less of a trauma. Plus take a pillow in the car for the journey home to have between your scar and the belt. I have the pillow with me all the time now for coughing or (dread to think) sneezing....really helps to reduce the pulling. Good luck. X
Hi
just posting to say I hope your surgery went well :-). Xx
Hi Jenni! I hope your surgery went well. Mine did and I am resting and letting it all sink in, it was quite an experience. I posted about it separately in the Menopause forum. Take care and let us know how you are doing when you can. Elizabeth 😊
Hi ladies
Just wanted to give you a little update. Surgery went really well on weds. They removed the cyst and left ovary and Fallopian tube. Have a huge cut down my tummy but it is starting to heal well. I'm home and able to move about a little bit. Just feeling a little sore. Docs were surprised how big it was. I feel like a different woman. I am 5 1/2 stone lighter than when I went into hospital on Weds.
Thank you for everyone's kind wishes
Hi Jenni! It is great to hear that everything went so well. Take care of yourself during recovery. It sounds like you are off to a good start.
Elizabeth 🌺
Don't be frightened I was exactly the same and felt I wouldn't wake up. I had my surgery on 23rd Feb and it was fine, unfortunately my cyst had a tumour which was cancer and I have to have a full hysterectomy in a few weeks but I am thankful it was found as it could have been much worse.
Hi Jenni,
Pleased to hear your operation went well. How are you feeling now? Wow 51/2 stone that is some weight loss.
My operation is Monday to remove 11 x 9 x 8 cm cyst (which I think is bigger now) and overies. Im feeling very nervous but just want it done now.
Take care and look after yourself.
xx