Hello 
I've had a dermoid cyst in my right ovary for years. They caught it when I was really young and have been monitoring it every 6-12 months. I went for another scan which showed it has grown to 3cm (which seems small vs. other people in this discussion) but my gyno said I had the choice to go for the laparoscopy (key hole) surgery to remove it if I would like. She explained the risks of rupturing, torsion etc. and her recomendation was to remove it! I wanted to ask if anyone has had the operation electively and where the incisions were made? Did you experience deformation of the belly button, how did your scars heal and how long did they take? I know it sounds super vain but I'm really young (<25) and I don't want scars all over my stomach because I wear a lot of stomach showing things! So just wanted to understand this. Also, has anyone had the operation where the doctor has saved the ovary? I don't have children but of course want them eventually and would like to keep the ovary. I've seen below that healing time varies so not too concerned about that. Any help or sharing of experiences would be amazing. I reently moved to a new country and am living away from my family for the first time so am really frightened!
Hi,
I was 21 when I first had a laparoscopy and I can barely see the scars now, it really doesn't make a massive difference to your belly button. When I first saw the scars I was upset and yes it's vain but I completely understand where your coming from. Unfortunately the doctors wouldn't do as I asked and only drained the cyst so 4 weeks ago I had to have another laparoscopy and now have more scars so I'm definitely feeling vain about being upset and how the look however the fact I'm lucky to still have my ovary completely out weighs that feeling.
Recovery time, they usually give you two weeks off work, I've been back at work two weeks now and feeling back to normal. I've also had this 2nd operation away from family so please don't worry, the doctor would recommend for no reason!
Xx
Thank you for sharing! Sad that you had to go through it again. Do the key hole scars on the abdoman area clear up okay?
PS you are very brave
Aww thank you, I'm not as brave as some of the other women on here who have gone through a lot worse.
The scars are tiny really, maybe a cm in length if that. My first op was 8 years ago (the cyst came back after the first op and no one would monitor it, hence why I feel lucky I've still got my ovary intact!) and I can barely see them now, unless I look for them. I can't remember how long they took to clear up as it was so long ago but hoping myself not too Longford the new ones.
However they aren't anything to be embarrassed about and I wear a lot of stomach showing tops no one has ever asked me about them and if they do it's none of their business 😝
Thank you so much for your reply it really helps Hope you get better soon! My cyst is a dermoid so the gyno said it won't come back once removed! So I am counting myself lucky!
Hello puddingcup,
You're tough and brave to face this when so far from family. That said, you're better to do this now than wait for it to grow.
I haven't had my surgery yet - due in four weeks - but my dermoid cysts we only discovered recently and one is large enough to need full open surgery, a laparotomy. The recovery from this takes much longer than laparoscopy and I will probably lose the ovary. I've told them to remove the smaller cyst on the left at the same time to avoid later complications. That one's the same size as yours but he's confident the ovary will be ok.
Although it seems like a big deal, time goes quickly and I bet you will be feeling trim and beach-ready again before you know it. Definitely best to have it dealt with at this stage and be free of it.
Periods might be irregular for a while but talk to your consultant about how important it is for you keep that ovary, and you have every chance that your fertility will be fine.
Best of luck
Thank you so much for sharing! Best of luck with your operation hope all goes well <3 I am likely having the operation in September!! Fingers crossed xxx
Hey hey! Thank you for your response! And for sharing your experience! Good to hear from you! I have had stitches before but not in such a visible area! I'm going to just voice all these concerns to the Dr. as well!! I think it'll be alright, better to get it out and never have to worry about it again!
Good attitude! Your health is so much more important than some little scars. Surgeons are much better at leaving a flawless scar than they used to.
I've never had a bikini body but so glad my 6" scar doesn't remind me eveyday that it's there.
Remember to wear loose clothing the day of surgery for your post surgery comfort.
Best of luck on your surgery as well as your results!!