Possible Ovary Removal

[MelancholyMe]

Hi all, could use a little advice...

I am scheduled for my first lap in two weeks and was just informed by my doctors that there is a possibility they may need to remove my right ovary. It makes sense, as it is the biggest source of my pain and I can feel it at all times, I knew the removal was a possibility. But hearing it from my doctor was very upsetting and I’m quite gutted. I have had quite a few surgeries on various things in my life but this is the first surgery I’ve genuinely been nervous to have. I’m afraid they’re not going to find anything and that I will, yet again, be left without answers. I’m afraid that they are going to find something and I’m going to be given answers like everyone on this page that it is something chronic and nearly impossible to treat. Don’t know which is worse. But I’m also terrified that they’re going to take my ovary, severely minimizing my ability to have children. Maybe that’s wrong?

I suppose my main questions I have are if any of you had an ovary removed? Does that impact your fertility? What is the recovery like? Are there long term effects?

I’m just worried and I don’t know who to talk to about any of this. Since I found out, anytime it’s mentioned around my parents they just cry and blame themselves for not seeking treatment sooner. I just need some outside feedback.

[LizzieBW]

Hi there,

I can't offer huge amounts of advice but can offer you my experience.

My most recent lap was planned to focus on my left ovary because it was covered in endometrial tissue. I was told that the risk when working with sensitive organs like the ovaries is always risk of damage to the organs and potential for need to remove the ovary if it is too damaged. From my understanding the clinical team must tell every patient this who is undergoing work in that area as a safeguard. Luckily, when I raised concerns about damage or removal of that ovary with my surgeon he reassured me this would be unlikely as he would do everything possible to save it and he reassured me any further decisions would not likely happen at the time of the lap op i.e. if they decided the ovary might need to come out they'd have to discuss that with a patient, post-op and make a decision/gain consent to remove it in a future procedure. I was also reassured that losing 1 ovary wouldn't significantly impact my fertility because my right ovary works well and I'm most likely going to agree IVF as my next step anyway. I guess this depends on your current situation and overall health of your fertility too.

If you haven't had your pre-op assessment yet I'd write down all your concerns and unanswered questions and take them with you, to ask at your pre-op. Otherwise, you can call your consultant/surgeon's secretary at the hospital and ask these questions. It's likely the secretary would arrange a call-back for you.

Please don't continue to worry. You should feel empowered to ask your surgical team/drs as many questions as you need to feel okay about going ahead with your op.

Good luck x