Laparascopy (and/or possible oophorectomy) in near future

[martinkap]

Hi all,

I am looking for wisdom of this forum.

For several years (2 and half to be exact) I have fostered a complex cystic mass on my ovary which contains solid avascular (that is GOOD) nodule. Recently I switched from my OB/GYN to cancer GYN and became a member of Cancer Resources Services as well as patient of one of the best oncology GYNs in Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hosp. My new GYN is a leading authority on minimally invasive sugeries that preserve fertility in patients with early-stage cancers. That all said, I do NOT know that I have cancer and there is about 50% chance that I am cancer free. If I am not, I am likely looking only on Stage IA which means I will loose one ovary.

Now the question: I have about 12 days into the surgery. I am active, running 3 times a week (I am terrible runner but I am training for my first triathlon in the summer), riding about 3 times a week now (it is cold and snowy in Manhattan) and going to Bikram yoga about 4-5 times a week. I want to minimize my recovery time and make sure that I don't loose my core strength which is the hardest one to keep and easiest to loose for me.

What excersizes do you recommend for the last 12 days? I am determined to be in the top shape for the surgery. What to focus on?

When do you think I can start slowly excersizing after the surgery? What will be the easiest to start with? (I have a fully equipped gym in the building where I live)

Thank you so much for your wisdom.

Martina

[indysteel]

Best wishes for a successful surgery. I certainly hope you're cancer free.

I would urge yoiu to ask your doctor what kind of activity you can safely participate in both pre and post-op. I have no personal experience with cysts, but one of my best friends has had several ovarian cysts removed her doctors strictly limited what she was allowed to do both before and after surgery.

Assuming you don't have any pre-op restrictions, it sounds like you're already in great shape. There's little you can do in 12 days to improve on that really, so just do what you most enjoy or what best relieves your stress. Don't wear yourself out too much. I think you should try to be well rested and well hydrated prior to surgery.

I definitely think you need to discuss your post-op activity with your doctor. Whatever advice they give, take it. Another good friend of mine learned the hard way after a hysterectomy that when the doctor says no running she means it (her vagina prolapsed, which led to another surgery and recovery period).

On a bright note, my friend that had several cysts gave birth to a healthy baby in December, despite only having about half an ovary left.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[martinkap]

Thank you Indy!

I will definitely talk to my GYN and I will be careful. I have no pre-op restrictions or have not heared any yet (but all the surgery was scheduled rather quickly) and I have to still see my GYN for consents signing.

I am actually planning 50 miles easy ride on Monday (day prior the surgery). I don't think that can hurt. I had about 13 mostly unrelated surgeries in my past so even though I feel like veteran, this is the first time that I am physically active prior the surgery. Before I used to be a PhD student (for what feel like centuries) and had no time nor money to excersize (900 dollars a month does that).

[shootingstar]

Best of luck with your surgery martinkap.

I have no experience with this type of surgery (actually very little surgery except for cyst removal behind my ear as a child).

It sounds as if your core strength will be affected...but because you are already physically active for awhile prior to surgery, you will recover abit faster. But take it slow according to what doctor advises.

One of my sisters had her ovary removed due to cyst, when she was in her early 20's. But she still had 2 children later on in her late 20's. They are both now full grown healthy adults.

[sundial]

I had an abdominal incision for my girlie surgery and one doc suggested I do sit ups or other core strengthening exercises prior to surgery. I was down 6 weeks but I didn't really lose much in the core strength. I suspect you'll be down maybe 2 weeks? The fatigue for me lasted about a year--yep a year. It took me that long before really feeling 100%. Hopefully you'll bounce back quicker with a less invasive surgery.

Keep your macronutrients at optimum level to recover faster.

Wanted to add:

www.hystersisters.com

[Grog]

I had the same surgery for the same reason (except there were three lovely potatoes growing on my ovaries instead of just one). Turned out to be absolutely benign but nonetheless painful at the time.

I was not quite as active then as I am now, but still pretty fit. I took it really easy the first three days after surgery. Anything involving core muscles was painful, although not terribly so. Laughing was really the worst though, because of the belly-button incision (for the camera).

Fourth day into recovery I was feeling in spectacular shape, tired of staying at home, and had the "good idea" of getting some groceries at the farmer's market almost a mile from my house. I gingerly walked to get there and back (with a pretty big load of groceries)... and I paid the price for that meal. The next day, I was in awful pain (everywhere but my middle section) and feverish, and because infection was a real possibility I had to return to the hospital. Stupid ER doctor squeezed my ovaries (why did he do that??) which caused the pain to my middle, and diagnosed me with constipation. (Which was not a problem at all.) I escaped from the nurse who arrived to "help" me with the bowel "problem" and returned home mad as hell, and although tired and sore the next few days I turned out fine.

Bottom line is: you're probably going to be told "10 days rest." Take those 10 days off. Don't think "I'll just go for a ride around the block" if you know you'll go for 10 blocks not one. Go back to exercise progressively and listen to the doctor.

Good luck!

[Tokie]

I had my ovaries out laparoscopically 3 years ago. It's a pretty easy surgery ( I too have had a bunch of surgeries) I'm also a nurse at a hospital-based outpatient surgery center, where we do lots of these surgeries (including mine) You can be as active as you choose until your surgery - and don't let yourself be dehydrated or hungry the day before surgery. I think your doctor might agree that the main post-operative complication from over-doing could be an incisional hernia at the umbilical wound. You don't want that! Be sure to let your doctor know exactly how active you plan to be, whether it's running, cycling flat and easy or hard and straight up a mountain, and if it's weight lifting, how heavy you'd like to lift. some doctors have NO CLUE how strong and active ordinary looking people are! Take it very easy at least for the first week - easy walking can be great exercise - start out in you house for the first few days, then go from there! I like to go out for a little shopping trip with someone else driving when I'm not ready to work out yet. Because you are an athletic woman, your recovery will be better than most! good luck! Tokie