Salpingectomy and cysts removal

[Endowarrior36]

Hi all, I am due to have a bilateral salpingectomy due to hydrosalpinx and cysts removed in two weeks time. We have had a rough few months with failed ivf cycles and I am pretty nervous about the surgery. Hoping some of you can put my mind at ease if you have had this done. How long is recovery likely to be? Will I be able to climb the stairs when I get home? Or should I set up camp in our living room? If you have any advice for things I should get to aid my recovery it would be very welcome. Thank you!

[GraceFace]

Hi Endowarrior, I’ve had the same surgery. You’ll be able to move around after the surgery, but it will be painful and you won’t want to be on your feet for long. The nurses will make sure you can move to the toilet and back before you’re discharged.

Whether you live upstairs or downstairs will depend on the layout of your home, but I’d recommend setting yourself up on the same floor as a toilet.

I’ve had a few surgeries like this (laparoscopies, as well as the Salpingectomy), and each time I’ve found it helpful to look at packing lists and recovery advice for c-sections. Have a little look on Pinterest if you have time x x

[Endowarrior36 in reply to GraceFace]

Thank you so much for your reply GraceFace ❤️ if you don't mine me asking, did your AMH go down after the surgery? Did you do IVF after the surgery?

I will have a look on Pinterest. Thank you so much xx

[GraceFace in reply to Endowarrior36]

Hiya, I don’t know about my AMH, as my doctors never mentioned it, but I did have IVF afterwards. I now have two beautiful little kids 💕 one was a fresh transfer and one frozen from my second round x x

[Endowarrior36 in reply to GraceFace]

This is such lovely news GraceFace ❤️ the best outcome. Thank you for sharing your positive experience xxx

[Dollycat87]

Morning, so sorry you’re having to go through this. I had my right tube removed a couple of weeks ago due to an ectopic. Recovery wise you’re obviously quite sore, I found laying on that side a bit tricky for a day or two. And because they pump you with gas for surgery it leads to quite a painful diaphragm and shoulder so when you come round ask for lots of peppermint tea, and when you’re ready some gentle movement helps ease it. I could move about fine but was conscious not to get up fast or to lift anything for a few days. Other than that my recovery was about a week physically, I just kept warm, had lots of hot water bottles to hand and watched/read lots of comforting things to keep my spirits up. Hope it goes ok for you x

[Endowarrior36 in reply to Dollycat87]

Thank you so much for your reply Dollycat87. I am really sorry that you had an ectopic. I hope you are doing OK now.

I had read about peppermint tea so I must make sure we are stocked up on that. You seem to have recovered quickly. I hope I am similar.

Thanks again for your reply and your kind words xxx

[Dollycat87 in reply to Endowarrior36]

Thank you, we’ve had a few losses sadly but strangely this one felt easier emotionally despite the drama of surgery.

I’m sure you will be ok, just listen to your body as much as you can and go easy on yourself. It’s a rough old journey this one so lean on all your comforts. Also completely agree with the advice below on moving, definitely helps both your body and mind. Wishing you lots of luck and a speedy recovery x

[GranolaHippo in reply to Dollycat87]

Hey fellow right tube removeé!

I genuinely had to check that I hadn't written the above. Experiences are so similar-multiple losses and then a right tube ectopic (mine was in mid October).

Hope you're doing ok now and do DM if you want to see if there's any resources that might help or just to vent.

Peppermint tea has gone so far up in my estimation! xx

[Dollycat87 in reply to GranolaHippo]

Ah thank you! Hahaha glad my experience was fairly normal. The gas pain was quite something 😅 who knew peppermint tea could be so powerful!

Sorry you’ve had the same experiences. What a crappy journey this is. I’ll defo reach out, pretty sure I’ve had every test going but it’s always good to pick someone else’s brains x

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi. Good you are to have your tubes removed so that any excess lubrication cannot interfere with the implantation of a developing embryo.

If keyhole, then about 3 weeks recovery. If not, then usually 6 weeks. I’m sure you will be fine Diane

[Endowarrior36 in reply to DianeArnold]

Thank you DianeArnold. Yes, tubes to be removed as they both have hydrosalpinx and cysts removed as consultant thinks the endo harmed the egg quality of our last cycle. Thanks again xxx

[Amethyst5]

Hi Endowarrior,

I had the same in July 23. Take a rolled up towel with you to hold against your abdomen for the journey home, really helps. I live in a bungalow but would definitely recommend being on the same floor as a toilet. I had lots of soups and smoothies in the few days after. Lactulose was helpful afterwards, as was keeping a pillow under my knees while in bed. I couldn’t sleep on my side for a couple of weeks. Also had some body cleansing wipes for the couple of days after and kept some hand gel by my bed. You’ll be a bit sore and tender for a few weeks after and definitely need to take it easy for several weeks just building up gradually. Some nice books, an iPad, keep some small bottles of water and snacks handy. I set alarm reminders for my pain medication so I didn’t miss any. Make yourself as comfy as you can and give yourself time to heal. It was 4 months before I felt well enough to try next round of ivf. Take care of yourself. Sending you lots of love and luck on your journey and a speedy recovery xxx

[Endowarrior36 in reply to Amethyst5]

Thank you so much for your reply, lovely kind words and advice Amethyst5. This is all really useful. Do you mind me asking if your AMH decreased after surgery? Mine is already very low. Had you tried IVF before surgery? If so, how did your round 4 months after surgery compare?

Thanks again for taking the time to respond with great advice xxx

[Amethyst5 in reply to Endowarrior36]

Glad to help Endowarrior36. This is a tough old journey we’re on. My AMH level was low when I started IVF at 44 in 2022 but I’d opted for Donor eggs straight away so didn’t focus too much on it. That said I noticed no difference in my AMH levels post Salpingectomy. Had a disastrous cycle in the Dec prior to op with first batch of frozen eggs, only 2 thawed so none to transfer and were all set for embryo transfer in May 2023 when they found the Hydrosalpinx. Had first frozen embryo transfer in the December but sadly negative result. Another transfer in May 2024 which ended in miscarriage. Our last transfer in September 2024 and currently 20 weeks pregnant with our baby girl. To say what we go through is a rollercoaster is an understatement. I will say though that even though I was worried about timescales I feel lucky they found that hydrosalpinx as it can greatly reduce pregnancy outcomes. So much of what we did was trying to increase odds and the Salpingectomy certainly does that so I tried to spend my recovery time nurturing myself knowing it was time well spent. Also Dunelm do really nice V shape pillows and covers and I got myself a lovely bed tray table from Amazon for my iPad/snacks etc. Super soft nighties are definitely helpful. I’ll keep everything crossed for you. If I can help with anything else please ask. Take good care of you. Sending lots of love and luck xxx

[Endowarrior36 in reply to Amethyst5]

Thank you so much for your lovely message Amethyst5. You have been through so much but I'm sending you a big congratulations on your lovely news ❤️ You are so right. A roller coaster doesn't even cover it. They found my hydrosalpinx 2 years ago on an mri but proceeded with IVF - very little was said to me about it but it was only through my own research I got really scared. We are in NI and the consultant told us he would try to drain it in future ivf cycles. We explored clinics abroad and all of them said the tubes had to go. So here I am. As you say, recovery will hopefully be time well spent and hopefully it will increase our odds.

Thank you so much for your recommendations. I will definitely make sure my shopping list is updated. Thanks again for all of your lovely words and advice. Best wishes to you and that precious little bump 🩷 xxx

[GranolaHippo]

Hello,

Not exactly the same surgery, but I had a single salpingectomy to removed an ectopic pregnancy in October. I was fine after, once drugs had worn off and catheter removed (I didn't expect on of those, so just to forewarn on that). I had it on Saturday night (back on ward at midnight), discharged midday Sunday and by Tuesday I was cooking again (out of choice).

I don't know if you're having surgery laparoscopically, I did. they fill you full of air for that and (don't ask me how or why!) after, it gathers in your shoulders... It can be quite sharp discomfort but you eventually burp it out!!!

My ward used peppermint tea as treatment of choice and it was great, really did the job.

The only things I found were:

a) more comfortable to sleep upright. I did this in bed with a stack of pillows and a V-shaped pillow. I also used the 'good' painkillers for the first night or 2, just to knock me out.

b) general anaesthetic slows your digestive transit down. My surgery was emergency, so I didn't have time to prep what I ate before, but I recommend something fibrous and stocking up on something like pysllium husk for after.

My top tip is just to move as early and as much as possible (gently!). My uncle is an occupational therapist, my mum a nurse, and both agree moving is the best thing to help healing.

Also helpful to have some frozen things in, or a takeaway in mind for those first couple of evenings.

Treat yourself to come nice cosy slipper socks to go over the surgical stockings!xx

[Endowarrior36 in reply to GranolaHippo]

Hi GranolaHippo, thank you so much for taking the time to respond with some very useful advice. I am really sorry to hear that you had an ectopic. I hope you are doing OK.

You recovered really quickly - that's amazing. I didn't realise I will have a catheter. When did they take yours out?

Peppermint tea is definitely on the shopping list. Did you find it OK wearing trousers as in pj Bottoms? I'm scared of anything with a waist band so might buy a few night dresses for a few days afterwards. The v shape pillow is interesting. I must look into this. Did you get yours from Amazon?xxx

[GranolaHippo in reply to Endowarrior36]

No worries at all -everything is a bit better when you know what to expect!

Yes, the catheter was a surprise -mine wasn't a planned surgery, so I was prepped about 3 times before I actually had it, as emergencies came in. Possibly I was told in one of those conversations, but I don't remember it, if I was!

I begged to have mine out as soon as I came around but recovery didn't want it out until I was back on the ward, the ward didn't want to take it out until the morning (when nursing shift changed) -I guess because of risk of needing to go back to surgery if anything went haywire and maybe also because a lot of the patients on women's gynae surgery ward are much older. I had it in for 12hrs -they put it in once I was asleep at around 8:30pm and removed just after 8am in the morning. Odd sensation but not painful.

I think with trousers (and knickers...), it depends if you're having open surgery or keyhole (laparoscopy). I had keyhole and could wear loose high waisted PJ bottoms. My scars are right on my bikini line and in my tummy button, so as long as the waist bands were above those points, I was OK. It took me 3 weeks to get back into jeans though, as bruising makes you a bit bloated and the idea of pressure there was not a pleasant one. I wore high waisted jogging bottoms and graduated to leggings. Loose and warm were priorities in the first days.

For the above reason, I'd recommend some granny pants too.

When I was in I got given mesh pants. They sent me home with extra and those are amazing. Disposable and no pressure anywhere. Ask for a good few extra if you can. You'll need at least 2 per day as can have some bleeding after, so need pants and a pad over night. also stock up on pads!

Worth asking for some extra wound dressings when you leave too. They're normally happy with them being open to the air from 24hrs after, but you might want extra padding as you move around for the first few days.

Also, if you stitches don't dissolve in 10-14 days, get them out at the GP. My GP said they take months to dissolve when they're not internal and my got quite uncomfy -fine as soon as they came out though.

My V pillow was a hangover from my partner's shoulder surgery some years ago. It was from Argos, but amazon would be just as good. A travel neck pillow is a saviour too, for sleeping upright.

For the first week, expect to feel markedly better each day (assuming all is smooth), then much, much better at 3 weeks, and normal(ish) by 6 weeks. Only thing I had by then was some tugging on my tummy button scar if I slept too long on my back.

Hope that's helpful, sorry it's a bit of an essay!xx

[Endowarrior36 in reply to GranolaHippo]

This is so useful GranolaHippo, thank you very much!I'm sure it was very stressful when you were brought in and then prepped 3 times. No wonder it went over your head. Thank you for the reassurance.

I'm going to create a list - I would never have thought about the mesh pants or the wound dressings.

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond with such useful advice xxx

[Endofitall]

Good luck. Stairs one at a time so not stretching tummy was ok. But yes be on same level as a toilet to limit number of times up and down. Keeping moving and peppermint tea are a must as you know now. A body pillow/V pillow was my best friend for weeks I got this one direct.asda.com/%23category...

Squatty potty for easy toilet trips and having meals prepped also good tips

Have a look at these posts too:

healthunlocked.com/endometr...

healthunlocked.com/endometr...

I took 4 weeks to recover to return to work after the emergency ectopic pregnancy rupture surgery but did still have leaky wounds for 8 weeks that were literally a pain. I had a horrible vulval haematoma after my endometriosis lap excision which was quite extensive work and that took 8 weeks for me to be back in mainly as couldn’t sit or stand for any length of time! Be patient with yourself and accepting everyone heals differently. Will also depend massively on nature of work and if can WFH (mine very demanding active and cannot be done from home). 🤞🏼All goes smoothly xx

[Endowarrior36 in reply to Endofitall]

Thank you so much Endofitall ❤️ I will have a look at the links you sent too. That will be really useful. You have had a tough time of it too. The vulval haematoma sounds awful, you poor thing. I hope all is going well with you now. Thanks again for your great advice xxx