Hi Dawn,
These internet forums helped me before my op so thought I'd share my experience.I'm five weeks post op for removal of v large cyst on my left ovary.I had open surgery and they also took my left ovary and fallopian tube
Op was fine. I was so scared I put it off for 18 months in which time the cyst almost doubled in size. Stupid.
Before they took it out I looked 9 months pregnant and was getting breathless. Cyst was 20 cm diameter and was a benign mucinous cyst. It apparently had "worrying features" and was warned it could have been borderline or stage one cancer, but thankfully was not.
When first scanned after torsion, it could have been done keyhole, but after myprocrastination, it grew bigger than largest bag that can be used for keyhole (apparently). So had op. Consultant had wanted to do up down scar - forgot technical term - but I asked for bikini line. As my cyst had grown to top of stomach cavity, i don't know if it was easier or not.
But op was FINE, so don't worry!!! Scariest bit was going to theatre, but I was panicking over nothing. Shook after waking that was only other strange bit, but calmed down with lovely theatre nurses.Felt out of it for next couple of hours, but pain was low. Discomfort more than pain and pain control was excellent - had morphine type drug via pump for first 24 hrs or at least after op and overnight. I didnt use my full quota, and it was easy to use and kept the pain at bay. I had c section before, but not with general, and again pain control was excellent - just do what the nurses tell you to re the pain relief. After pump out, I opted for cocodamol and ibuprofen. I could have had something more morphine based and stronger, but didn't want to feel out of it and one of girls on ward said it made her sick - something beginning with s ...?
My biggest advice re bowel and bladder is drink tons of water, pre and post op. I kept asking for my jug to be refilled and had no probs when they took catheter out morning after op. They monitor your first three pees, and mine were all plentiful, whereas girl in bed next to me found it more difficult to go.
Like Chris had post op constipation, but best advice is eat lots of green beans and prunes, but might not be needed with IBS...? But i ate "clean" for week before op and first couple of weeks after. Though docs don't
advise I'd read elsewhere that a light diet helped bowel prepare and with the post op period. I also avoided heavy food in hosp including milk in my coffee and tea, and didn't have carbs or bread or cakes in hosp. Lots of veg and an egg if I remember rightly. am by no means a food saint, but my research told me this helped with the post op constipation. But again have no idea about ibs.
All I can say is don't worry. Eat well and drink plenty of water for as long before as poss.
And also try and get up asap next day, and don't overdo it but walk with straight back if you can.
Stooping can feel natural, but helped my recovery to walk tall.
Can honestly say that combination, hosp rest, the great pain relief and relief of getting rid of the giant cyst
made it all a positive experience. Cyst had 2.5 litres of mucinous fluid and I lost half a stone over night and have gone on to lose more. Even tho at that stage I didn't know growth was benign, I was still glad to get it
out.
Ask for bikini line cut if you can. My recovery was quick and I was out on day 2, even tho I'd been told cld be a week.
5 weeks on still taking it easy and not driving, but overall good. Some days I feel knackered like battery has gone flat, but that is worst thing. Getting staples out was also no problem, even tho I'd been scared about that. My cyst was v big and must have pushed my organs about a bit. One thing is I feel hungry for first time in what seems like years. It didn't ever stop me eating mind. And just am more "aware" of my bowels and insides
than before if that makes sense. Sometimes feel they may be a bit bruised, but nothing extreme.
Yes, good pillows, rest and take advantage of being looked after a bit if you can. I've been catching up
with reading but still doing freelance work on the computer, that I was able to start five days after op. That's not ideal, and you can take plenty more time off work, but as freelance had to get on. But take it easy and save yourself some energy by trying not to worry. Hope it all goes ok.
Sorry for mammoth reply, but hope some of it helps. Don't know about anti'
-d-s but doubt they will be an issue.
