Hi
Ive got mt first gynae appt soon and was wondering how long after this will I have to wait for the keyhole surgery? Did you wait long? What happens at this first appt, do they just chat to you and then book you in for op, or do you have to have scans or something first? Also, after my lumpectomy I had to wear calf pumps for 24 hours to reduce risk of dvt, is it the same after this op too?
Hi I had this op in December. I was 36 at the time. I had my op about 5 weeks after seeing gyne but I guess that varies from place to place and nhs wtg lists etc. As mine was purely for preventative cancer reasons, (my cancer was highly ER+) I had no scans and there was not much to discuss at the meeting. I knew the risks/side effects etc and still wanted to go ahead to try to help preserve my future health.
I was in and out within 24 hours, but, I have to say it was not the walk in the park recovering that I thought it was going to be. Do not underestimate the fact that its keyhole surgery and it wont be too bad, I could barely do much else then lay in bed or sofa for about 5 days after. Everyone is different but I can honestly say I was in less pain and had more movement after full mx and node clearance. But having said this a week later and I was fine and havnt had any problems since then and I dont regret for one moment having it done.
The menopause side effects arent really much different then before as chemo stopped my periods and then I had Zoladex for a couple of months before my op.
I dont know about the DVT calf things, but I had to wear those lovely white stockings for my hospital stay but I thought it was common practice to wear these when having anasthetic.
Hope this helps you.
Ness1
x
Thanks very much Ness.
I sound similar to you in that this is also for preventative reasons, and am currently on zoladex and tamoxifen. Were you on tamoxifen? Have they changed you to arimidex since your op?
I have always been on Femara (Letrozle)
Hi ladies. Iwent to see my gyn today for an oophorectomy and now I’m just waiting for a date. Like yourselves it’s preventative. i am on tamoxifen, but not zoladex and and am really quite worried about the menopausal symptoms. When i was on chemo i had some symptoms - periods stopped, hot flushes, irritabilty, irational, depression - I hated it. Since the chemo has stopped, i h ave gradually returned to feeling more normal. Still no periods, but none of the hot flushes or other stuff either. (Apart from annoying dryness and itching which has effectively stopped my sex life).
Anyway, I am really worried all those horrible side effects are going to come back worse and permanently. Have to say I had a bit of a weepy moment after the consultation. It’s so permanent. And I’m back at work and it just reminded me it’s not all done yet, and in a way will never be.
Thanks for reading all this rubbish. I’m just feeling really anxious and hating the changes my body is and has gone through. I feel so old!!!