Abdominal Cyst Removal

I think the questions you’ve asked here can only be answered by your surgeon. They’re not likely to suggest unnecessary surgery so ask them for a full explanation of why they’ve suggested removal of your ovaries.

Wishing you a speedy recovery 💐

I don’t know much about the inner workings of the human body. My friend, your age, had her ovaries removed. At 66, I can’t imagine you wanting more children, so just let the surgeons do what they think is best.

I imagine the OP's concern is having major surgery under general anaesthetic whereas a cyst (I believe) can be removed with a less intrusive procedure. I would personally question this too.

Is it an ovarian dermoid cyst?

Hi, thanks for responses. To Cold: yes a dermoid cyst. I am worried about the effect on the body with no ovaries.
More background: earlier this year I suddenly experienced a very dry vagina, it was horrendous, like what some menopausal women may experience in perhaps extreme cases. At 66, quite a surprise and that whole thing, with unexpected weight loss (went down to 8 stones 4 ish). Consultant confirmed (we’ll say may well have been) due to 4 different types of antibios. 2 last year for a uti and 2 new types this year for a gum infection. So 4 diff types in like 8 months, cleared vaginal biome. This led to a ct scan, showing cyst. Got biome back eventually, vag moisturiser, diet, lots yoghurt, gluten free a little bit, sugar was inflaming things, then eventually 1mg estriol cream at ones ‘bits’ (size of a frozen pea amount). Lots of kefir and live bio yoghurt, water and told the other day to put live bio yoghurt on the bits too!

I’m building up to reading more about that (no ovaries or tubes) but it does not look pleasant, life after removal. It’s cancer prevention measure but I feel there’s more harm done (is my mere perception but, no I won’t just go blindly along with this - I am terrified and want to know more).

So I’m saying that (of course) it’s 2 separate issues.

Original one where biome was resolved. This is only background.

Cyst discovered from scan. Cyst will be removed but I realise surgeon see fit to advise to remove the other parts, however, if just left alone and functioning, would this be okay?

I started to read that the ovaries produce hormones. Isn’t it asking for trouble to remove those??!! I realise and respect that the consultant hasn’t just advised it for no good reason of course. I just do not like the idea at all and wonder if it is really necessary. Very unhappy about it and, sorry, I MUST question this. Who else will if not myself!

Table253 I had a cyst on my left ovary . My abdomen went rock hard as I was 19st at the time never noticed my abdomen growing just though it was because I was obese. Had an ultrasound and they said the cyst was most likely benign as it was so big which meant it was slow growing. My gynecologist gave me options I decided on a total hysterectomy I was 38 and had 2 children plus my health had gotten worse since I was 29 and my c section scar from having the children would be opened up again.

Because it was an emergency c section with my daughter my scar ran from my belly button to my pubic hair line . My son was also an emergency as I went into labour at 36.5 weeks should have been elective.

When they opened me up the cyst on my left ovary contained 2 litres of fluid which meant it contained everything the body produced including hair ,nails etc . They found lots of tiny cysts on my right ovary which where suspect . I had both ovaries, fallopian tubes ,womb and cervix removed . Had to have 4 bags of blood. Funny enough never needed when I had my children. But was in theatre for 3 hours.

I was put on HRT the day after my op and was on it for 16 years before they said I had to come off it.

The tiny cysts where all tested and I was lucky none where cancerous which was what they worried about . If I hadn't already decided on a total hysterectomy I would have had to have one because of the tiny cysts and the high risk of cancer. Glad it was my choice as it helped me get over the operation as I went into it knowing what was going to be done .

Coming off the HRT went straight into hot flushes night and day sweats which I still get more the hot flushes but it's always just my face . But I don't care I just put up with them .

You say you are 66 so why are you worried about your ovaries. I am very glad I decided to have the total hysterectomy when I was 38 as I am still here . My fit healthy
husband unfortunately got grade 4 malignant melanoma in 2001 and was told he wouldn't live 5 years. He lived 3 and died 4 days after his 47th birthday. He had 6 tumours . 3 in his right lung ,1 in his chest and 2 by the optical nerve and was going blind. When he was terminal given 4 months to 2 years live he lived just under the 4 months .

At 66 I would have thought the choice would be a no brainer . To reduced your risk of cancer of now and in the future having a total hysterectomy would get rid of the chance of having several types of cancer. I have never regretted having everything thing removed as I haven't had to live with the risk of cancers of the reproductive organs plus having my cervix removed at 38 meant no more smear tests .

The irony of it all I was born disabled and yet it was my fit healthy husband who died from cancer .

I had a complete hysterectomy by robotic surgery and removal of 20 cm ovarian cyst 8 months ago. My hair is beginning to grow back again and I am feeling so much better overall. Recovery time is 6 weeks when no heavy lifting or housework is allowed and walking is encouraged as much as possible.
I am pleased to have been treated with care by my local hospital.

I had a hysterectomy suggested to me many years back now (in my case it was for VERY heavy periods). But I was in my 40's and so knew it was a matter of time before Mother Nature stopped the periods and that problem would be over. My nature is that I investigate what any medic says to me and find out my own facts/make my own decisions (and that was last century - and I'd absolutely double down on it these days).

So I did find a book just about hysterectomies in the library and it gave the medical gist of it, asked various women who'd had one. I promptly realised a lot of women suffered bad side-effects of hysterectomies and they took several months to recover from too - and my decision was made, ie that I wouldnt dream of having one. Yep...I made the right decision.

Re cyst - I've had abdominal cyst/s before and, when I went in to have it/them removed it was a quick/problem-free operation and "job done" and that was the end of that. They didn't even suggest a more major operation for that - even though they wouldnt have been "robbing me of my fertility" (as they would/should have known I'd dealt with that myself - by having a sterilisation operation back at 27 years old to ensure my body could never have an unwanted pregnancy on me).

I don't understand why they're suggesting a more major operation for you - and, in your position, would want absolute "chapter and verse" on why so drastic.

So - general message = NEVER let them make YOUR decision for you and assume they know best. They might.....but, on the other hand, they might not. Think of all those poor women that had that vaginal mesh stuff used on them!!

As I always say "It's MY body - I'm the one that is living in it. So I'm the one that makes the decisions about it". You sound as if you're intelligent enough to evaluate things for yourself and check out what they say.

I guess the reason to remove ovaries and fallopians is to prevent further ovarian cyst growth in the future.
In my case I'm had not realised that large undetected ovarian cysts are life threatening at some point. I did trust the judgement of the gynaecology team and it was the right decision for me.

5 years ago I had a scan to investigate my bowel problems. A large ovarian cyst was discovered but fortunately nothing else of concern. I was told that the ovaries would be removed as there would be a tendency for further cysts to grow. It was a 6 week recovery period and all has been fine since. At first I had quite a lot of hot flushes but they disappeared in time. I have a large scar but it doesn’t bother me.

I had a bowel cancer operation twenty years ago and before my operation the consultant told me that they had found a huge cyst on my one of my ovaries during a pre op scan. He then carried out the original operation and removed both my ovaries as a precaution. I had no HRT or any ill effects.

ronib

I guess the reason to remove ovaries and fallopians is to prevent further ovarian cyst growth in the future.
In my case I'm had not realised that large undetected ovarian cysts are life threatening at some point. I did trust the judgement of the gynaecology team and it was the right decision for me.

I had read subsequently re they might be life-threatening - but I gather that's very low chance on that.

In my own case = the reason I found out I had one in the first place was having a sex life at the time and I was in pain during it. Cue for visit to doctor and asking why it had been painful - and that was what they found was the cause - and the treatment duly put things back to normal (ie no more pain).

I didn't actually know at the time re the occasional "life threatening" aspect - but would still have made the same decision (ie just to remove the cyst). I had "other" growths - ie fibroids - and was told that when I complained about the heavy periods (a "grapefruit" and an "orange" I was told - as they call them according to the size they are). Cue for more reading and finding out that they, quite possibly, might have been the cause of those heavy periods - but anyway menopause would probably cause them to "shrivel and die" basically. I was in my 40's as I recall - and hence waited it out till menopause.

All part of it was I felt I'd had quite enough operations for one lifetime:
- sterilised at 27 (by choice)
- D & C (to deal with the periods - and that was a waste of time, as they weren't any better at all after that)
- removing that cyst
- a local anaesthetic one of removing a lipoma that had grown on a leg

That's four operations - one of which was a waste of time. So that was that.

Hi All respondents, so grateful for all your replies, advice, knowledge etc.

I’ll move on from this post of mine on Gransnet now and.. thanks very much!