Oophorectomy
Hi everyone I'm scheduled to have my ovaries removed next week as it's not definite whether I've gone through menopause or not. I just wanted to know if there is anyone who has had this done & what ...
Forum Discussion
I had mine out just before Christmas. There was a fair bit going on, health wise, for me then, but I had very little trouble. I'm assuming you are having keyhole surgery?
They use a gas to inflate your abdominal cavity during the op. You'll be warned that you might have some pain associated with that. Unlikely as it seems, this pain often presents itself in your right shoulder, which is why it's called 'shoulder tip pain'. It sort of sneaks up and is quite nasty but harmless. If you are a pain relief person like myself, take a pill.
You can expect some farting and general soreness. You'll also get a bit of a period if there is any viable lining left in your uterus. Take a pad or two. No tampons.
They use disolvable stitches now. Keep an eye on those. Technically they should all be buried below your skin, but some surgeons can be lazy. If there are ends left sticking out they can drive you nuts because they won't resolve. Get someone to have a tug at them ( GP or BC Nurse) if they are still scratchy after about three weeks.
Do watch the wound in your navel. It will be the largest and will probably have some surface stitches. Your belly button is a bugger of a thing to keep dry and the stitches may pull a bit.
Apart from the first couple of days of discomfort, I had no real problems and certainly didn't need someone looking after me. All the usual warnings apply. No lifting, stretching, or playing footy. if you have a week's leave up your sleeve take it, I find the anaesthetic knocks me around more than the op. If you have a sympathetic workplace maybe take three days with the option to come back for a couple of half days.
Like you I was that close to menopause it was difficult to tell, but I did find the night sweats kicked up a notch. I'll blame the ovaries, but it could have been the chemo.
Good luck. Marg
They use a gas to inflate your abdominal cavity during the op. You'll be warned that you might have some pain associated with that. Unlikely as it seems, this pain often presents itself in your right shoulder, which is why it's called 'shoulder tip pain'. It sort of sneaks up and is quite nasty but harmless. If you are a pain relief person like myself, take a pill.
You can expect some farting and general soreness. You'll also get a bit of a period if there is any viable lining left in your uterus. Take a pad or two. No tampons.
They use disolvable stitches now. Keep an eye on those. Technically they should all be buried below your skin, but some surgeons can be lazy. If there are ends left sticking out they can drive you nuts because they won't resolve. Get someone to have a tug at them ( GP or BC Nurse) if they are still scratchy after about three weeks.
Do watch the wound in your navel. It will be the largest and will probably have some surface stitches. Your belly button is a bugger of a thing to keep dry and the stitches may pull a bit.
Apart from the first couple of days of discomfort, I had no real problems and certainly didn't need someone looking after me. All the usual warnings apply. No lifting, stretching, or playing footy. if you have a week's leave up your sleeve take it, I find the anaesthetic knocks me around more than the op. If you have a sympathetic workplace maybe take three days with the option to come back for a couple of half days.
Like you I was that close to menopause it was difficult to tell, but I did find the night sweats kicked up a notch. I'll blame the ovaries, but it could have been the chemo.
Good luck. Marg