Hello all,
I'm 42, fit (a personal trainer) and have 4x5cm simple fluid filled cyst on my left ovary, been there for 10 years but only now symptomatic and has grown. I'm scheduled for surgery in the next few weeks. My surgeon says she won't know until she goes in through keyhole to make sure the cyst hasn't adhered to anything else in my abdominal cavity if she can get it all out by keyhole. I may have to have a laparotomy. I'm not scared about the surery itself, I'm just gonna be glad to have some relief.
What I am terrified of is the recovery time off of work! I know, we're all different and have such different circumstances but I just wondered how anyone else got on post surgery. Thanks in advance for any replies.
Hi I had a laparoscopy 4yrs ago. Open surgery removal of ovary and tube. Everyone is different but took me 13wks to get back to work physically and emotionally. Like I said everyone is different. Good luck.
Hi drkensdeb im 6 week post op after full abdo hysterectomy and removal of a 6 lb tumour im doing most pre op things but cant lift or hoover or pick anythink heavy up my job is physical and im no where near ready for work im 45 btw hope this helps
Hi bev14365 thanks for the reply. I am slightly crapping myself. I know it's for my health and I'm going to be so glad to be pain free. But me oh my, I wasn't prepared for the potential long recovery time. I hope you continue to improve. Thanks again
Thanks for the info! I just have NO IDEA what to expect. Again, I'm so very thankful it's getting seen to, my bloodwork was all clear and good. The consultant seems to think it's going to be very straightforward and has hopes my recovery should be uneventful. But lordy we all know that doesn't mean anything! Again, thanks for commenting back to me. How did you feel within the 1st two weeks post surgery? x
Hi 1st two weeks felt ok actually apart from being in a little pain if I over did thing's. Your body will tell you if your over doing it.lol. wasn't aloud to do any housework though lots of rest is key.
Hiya drkensdeb, i had 2 weeks off work but i work in an office so very different to you & i wasn't allowed to drive for 3 weeks either (although i did!) but i couldn't exercise, i tried my cross trainer after 6 weeks but i had pain on the side where my ovary had been removed, i hated not being able to exercise but apparently the stitches inside take longer to heal. It took 3 months before i could exercise properly, i am reasonably fit but maybe the fitter you are the shorter recovery. Good luck with your op, losing the pain will be worth it x
I'm 3 weeks post op, vertical laparotomy for removal of my right ovary and a 35cm cyst. So far recovery has been no where near as bad as I expected. The initial days were hard as I found it impossible to move in my bed and the ward was ridiculously hot so I was very uncomfortable and fed up. Since being home though I have made really good progress, far better than I expected! At 3 weeks I'm now able to go for short walks, do light housework etc. I wouldn't attempt exercise or heavy lifting just yet and I'm definitely not ready to return to work (office based but with tiring shifts).
Im very unfit and overweight. One thing I did think about in hospital was how much easier it would have been if I was fitter, even getting myself out of bed would have been easier as you have to use your arm muscles.
I think you'll probably get frustrated after two weeks but there's no point in trying to rush your recovery.
Thanks for sharing with me. Every bit of info helps doesn't it? I'm looking forward to seeing just how much better I'm gonna feel in general once it's gone. I have a suspicion that this has a lot to do with my fatigue. x
Hi Carlee and thanks for sharing. I hope you continue to get better 
My surgeon has said she thinks this should be straightforward and just a night or two in the hospital. Fingers crossed! Just want it over and done with, feeling ready!
I think you'll be surprised at how well you'll recover. I know how you feel, I was desperate to get it over and done with!
Hi,
I'm Charlotte, 27 and reasonably fit.
I had been unwell with stomach pans but put it down to my crohns which I am under investigation for. Anyway ended up being apendicitis and had to have laparoscopic surgery. When they were in there they had a dig around and I had a MASSIVE ovarian cyst I didn't really know about because I had put the pain down to crohns. I'm now 3 days post surgery. Still in quite a lot of pain but I did have a few things removed. I work as a nurse so I don't think there is much chance of me going back too soon as it's very strenuous. The pain is bad but they put me on some lovely pain relief that does help as long as you keep on top of it. I'm still very unsteady on my feet and find it hard to sleep etc as I can't roll yet. Every day is getting a bit better though! I'm sure you will be fine and if you have any questions just ask
All the best
Charlotte
hello, im 34 with quite a few health conditions. im also 4 wks post op. had a 15' cyst on my ovary.was told i was having a keyhole procedure, wake up after surgery to find out i ended up having an open surgery with my right ovary & tube removed. we all tolerate pain at different levels. i can tolerate pain. still pain in abdomen area. its just bed rest which gets a little boring. your body will tell you when your overdoing it esp when i try to wipe this and that.
Hi! I just had laparoscopic surgery yesterday to remove both ovaries, one of which had a very large cyst. I also had a D and C to remove several polyps. I am 65 but a fitness instructor so I'm in good shape.
This surgery floored me. I am in a lot of pain and can't sit up in bed. I'm taking oxycodone which does help. I took off two weeks from my fitness job. I hope that's enough but I will have to play it by ear. I can't imagine doing planks or crunches when sitting up is excruciating! But I'm sure things will slowly improve and I can get back to work. I'm not going to push it. I think that could cause more problems with scar tissue and adhesions.
I would advise you to take off as much time as you need and be prepared to experience post surgical pain. You'll need help with sitting up and getting to the bathroom etc. I also have no appetite but am eating soft things like yogurt. My throat was very sore from the breathing tube. I also have a back ache from the CO2 gas they give you to lift up the organs in your abdomen. The pain melds help with all that. My surgery was early morning yesterday and I'm noticing improvement already. Hang in there. Give yourself lots of rest. Get help at home if you can.
Good luck!!
Hi, I just underwent ovarian cyst removal (large on both) and removal of both ovaries/tubes......has been almost 8 weeks and still having intermittent abdominal pain, back pain (have scholiosis too)......and energy level is really low, stamina low........it has been 4 months since your surgery.......wondering how you are doing....I am 64 yrs old.....and pretty fit....work out side alot with horses.......just checking.....looking for some positive information.....Thanks!
Hi.. I was wondering how your surgery and recovery went? I am 42 years old very fit as well. I do P90x, yoga, and treadmill mosty 6-7 days a week.
Today I had my right ovary removed, left tube removed, a couple polyps in the uterus removed, and endometriosis removed. I am really hoping for a speedy recovery!!! I can't imagine having to take it easy for more than 2 weeks!! I had to stop hardcore exercise, only walking, for 3 weeks prior due to bleeding and pain. I am having a hard time with that mentality since it really helps mine moods and self-esteem!! So far no pain pills other than ibuprofen and Ice pack, since most pain pills make me sick.
Please let me know how your recovery went!! I am really hoping it is better than what I am expecting!! I couldn't imagine it taking longer than a couple of weeks!! Plus I miss my Pre-k class and co workers!!
I just had surgery on my ovary had 5.5 cyst. My surgery lasted about two hours I am home now same day my plane ticket strong after I got home . I could not be in bed at all and I couldn't stand it I had to sleep sitting down on the sofa completely straight it was very hard my pain was very strong but I lasted night . I'm still sitting walking barely my pain is still about a 7/8 ,, kind of hard to push to stand I have the really use my legs the pain is still strong I'm taking my pain medications which don't help too much . I think the worst part is the cough that you get after the carbon dioxide line they insert in your stomach thru your mouth to inflate your stomach,, that is what's causing my pain more because of my dry cough. I would never want to go do this again .
Hi,
I'm 41 years old.
I am 7 days post op. I had my right ovary and tube removed due to dermoid cyst and torsion.
My surgery has a vertical incision from my belly button down to the pubic bone.
I have only been taking ibuprofen 800 for the pain since coming home.
I have pain on the inside and at the incision site. The inside pain is more towards the right side.
I get winded just walking a few steps. Everything from sitting to standing is a struggle. Hoping to feel better soon.
Hi, I'm 43 years old...scheduled to have right ovary/tube removed on 1/10. How was your recovery? How long was it before being able to drive?
Thank you for sharing!
Hi,
I started driving about 3 weeks later. It will depend on what medications you are in. Also my incision was vertical as opposed to where they normally due a c-section. If you have a horizontal incision it might heal faster.
I ended up developing a little pocket of fluid called a Seroma or something like that. That prolonged my recovery a little bit.
Definitely listen to your body. Get plenty of rest when you can.
Hope this helps.