Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy anxiety?

I have surgery next week and I’m terrified. They say they can ‘probably’ do it laparoscopically, but this really isn’t reassuring. The thought of the scars, people going inside me, being so vulnerable to others, the pain, the hospital itself, having people feel sorry for me, it’s all making me sick and I’m barely sleeping. I’ve barely eaten either and it’s all a complete mess. Docs also insisting there will be no change to estrogen levels, when everything I’ve read anecdotally and even in medical journals says this isn’t the case. I was on birth control before which messed with my hormones and I was a completely different person, so I feel like my life is over. Can someone please reassure me that this isn’t going to be really difficult - this has come at a time where I thought I couldn’t take any more and I’m in a state of complete breakdown.

[Doggies221]

hi there, I remember those same feelings well, but just hope you’re not diagnosed w cancer bc the rest of the organs will go and this is when you’ll have real problems. One ovary going is nothing to worry about, but it’s still traumatic, until you’ve experienced something even more traumatic. Do you mind me asking what the reason for the surgery and taking the ovary out is? Wishing you the best of luck!

[Hidden in reply to Doggies221]

Suspected borderline tumour and could be cancer, so they have to rule it out. Honestly I’ve just come off of my family abandoning me on Xmas day, 6 months of caring for partner after a TBI, immediately before that 2 years of psychosis myself, and now this - I’m 20 and I am just exhausted with the hand I’ve been dealt. Best to take the whole ovary out as it lowers the risk of bursting during laparoscopy because the mass is 11cm+. Thank you for the luck ❤️

[Doggies221 in reply to Hidden]

Oh mine, I’m so sorry to hear about the tough road you’ve had. So, don’t worry about the one ovary. A woman will function well w one ovary and hopefully this is not cancer. Can they do laparatomy or they insist on laparascopy?

[Hidden in reply to Doggies221]

They’re trying laparoscopy first, but then moving to laparotomy if needed

[Hope2024]

Hi there ..

You say you’re 20. This is a very young age to be diagnosed with Ovarian cancer. It’d be very rare though not unheard of. Younger people tend to be in their late thirties and forties and this group also are more likely to be diagnosed with low grade than older women. Doctors, on average, only see an Ovarian patient once every 5 years. You say your cyst is 11cm. This doesn’t profile for low grade. It’s almost 98% going to be benign.

It’s very unlikely you have Ovarian.

If your doctor says that your hormone level won’t be affected, then I’d go with that. Trust in your doctor is important.

You’ve obviously been through a lot. If you’re still worried, I’d advise contacting Ovacome for advice. They are very supportive and reassuring.

Take care..

[Hidden in reply to Hope2024]

They suspect borderline not benign but thank you

[Fluffyjumper]

Hi

You’ve been through so much recently I can understand why you feel exhausted emotionally and physically, and now you’re having to cope with surgery. It’s perfectly normal to be very anxious about surgery, I was terrified.

You can function. very well with one ovary., but seek further advice and reassurance.

My tumour was over 40cm so I had a laparotomy. I had very little pain (far less than before surgery), I went home 3 days after surgery with painkillers but didn’t need them. My scar faded quickly. I was out of bed the day after surgery. The main feeling I had after my operation was relief.

[0V0J0]

Hi GranolaLover61

I had a bi-lateral Salpingo Ooph last year and being post menopausal my hot flushes from eostrogen had stopped. However they returned and still have them. From my experience I now know that the body produces eostrogen even without both ovaries so you will be fine with just one, I think. As for the operation it was over quickly and pain wise there is good medication. Not too bad. Just ask for urgent to be requested as mine was not and it took 7 weeks before I got my diagnosis. Good luck. 🌈

[Meh2018]

So sorry to hear this, it's a horrible thing to go through at any age but being so young I can only imagine how you must be feeling. I'm now 42, diagnosed in 2022 with borderline tumours on both ovaries and a low grade invasive implant within my omentum. I had everything out and was staged at 3b lowgrade serous oc. Without your ovaries your estrogen will drop, however your body will still produce some in smaller quantities. However, if your tumour is estrogen driven it will probably end up a good thing not having a load of estrogen floating round. If you are estrogen receptor positive they might recommend an estrogen blocker to help prevent anything coming back. Hope it all goes well.