Hiyah,
This Wednesday, I see the consultant about my planning oophor-ing. I just wondered what to expect. Do they do an internal gynae examination of your bits? How long after this appointment until the actual op? I just wondered what anyone else’s experience was. Any info would help me prepare and be a bit calmer!
Thanks,
Nicola
Hi there,
Yes, my gynae was inside, examining bits! 6-8 weeks between appointment and op but that was because Christmas/New Year in the middle.
Appointment was relaxed and easy going as he was a very nice man. He explained the op and that I had to sign consent for the laparoscopic and classic incision, as sometimes they can’t tell until they’ve got the camera in if it’s going to work or not. Apparently some ovaries are too big to get sucked out!
Check that they intend to remove the tubes too.
As to the op, it was easy-peasy. In in the morning for usual checks, op at 11.30, home at 7pm after I had eaten my supper and kept it down.
One tip: don’t be embarrassed about belching. They do pump gas in to give them clearer vision and you have to get rid of it if you can. I am a champion belcher and didn’t have any discomfort at all. The other 2 women in that ward must have been really glad I was sent home!!
Thanks for the reply Alloway. I’ll try not to think about it too much. I’ll remember that I’m in good company when I’m burping away!
Nicola
Hi Nicola,
I saw your post and was wondering how you got on yesterday at your appointment. I had my WLE/SNB n a gyne ward and the girl opposite me had had a similar op and was burping like a trooper but she kept me laughing and stopped me thinking about the next day so bonus.
I had my second zoladex injection on the 20th April and was given a 3 monthly one but the oncologist wants me back on the monthly as of June so I am considering having the oopherectomy before the 2 years of zoladex are over so any info would be greatly appreciated.
Hope it all went well yesterday and how is the tamoxifen and hair growth , it must be coming on a treat now.
Love Shonagh xx
Hi Shonagh,
Nice to hear from you. I hope work is going ok and you’re feeling less stressed now.
I got my date for the oophor-ing - 17th June - so will let you know how it goes. It sounds like a fairly minor procedure. It’s just a bit hit and miss what the after-effects are (i.e. menopause symptoms) but I guess I’d be getting those anyway if I was on the zoladex injections.
Hair is very slowly getting longer but still a very short style! It’s ok though.
By the way, the oophor-ing gets done at St Mary’s for me (up the road from Christies, opposite the university) - the doctors there were very nice and helpful so I feel in safe hands. A lady doctor did a (very) quick gynae examination when I went yesterday - it was less trouble/discomfort than a smear test - I guess because they do it all the time and get good at it! Only negative I can think of so far is that the hospital food looked lousy - ah well, you can’t have it all!!
Take care,
Nicola
Hi there Nicola
I know St Marys well, I had an operation for scoliosis (I know I must be the demic of the family!!LOL) when I was 16 and was in there for 3 weeks I know it was a very long time ago but it is well know for being a good hospital.
I get the odd hot flush with the zoladex so presume it would be the same if i was de-oophed.
Thanks for replying nice to hear the hair is coming along and good luck with the 17th June.
S x
Hi
I had my ovaries removed on Thursday last week.
I had my op at Countess of Chester - was admitted at 7.30 am, in theatre at 9, back on ward at 11, home by 7.30 pm.
I am not one for painkillers so I kept on the paracetamol - but I would say that I wished I had had something just a tad stronger!!
The 3 holes along my pubic line are not a problem, but the one through belly button - aches so much - like very bad period pains.
Make sure that you have some loose tracky bottoms or something for after the op - tummy is very swollen.
All in all, its going to be worth it, not to have those Zoladex injections each month!!!
Good Luck!!
Anne xx
Thanks for posting about that Anne. By the way, what do you wear when you go down for the op? Knickers and hospital gown??? After the op, did they want to examine you on the ward? Just wondering whether PJs or nightie would be better.
Have you had much in the way of menopausal symptoms yet?
I got my letter today which says I’ll be admitted at 11am the day before so that’ll be a sleepless night for me!
Also, how long afterwards was it troublesomely painful for?
Hi Nicola
LOL Yes its the lovely hospital gown that awaits you!!!
(I left my knickers behind - floozy!!! - only because when I had orig BC op, I had nice M&S ones on that were never to be seen again!!! I was gutted!!!)
No examinations post-op - but I would go for a nightie - belly is swollen and sore, so when you go for a wee, you have to bend down to retrieve pj bottoms???
Dont forget to take some sanitary-wear with you - just in case!! Sometimes you get a little bloody discharge - I was warned about that and I did (but then I did have smear done at the same time)
Menopausal symptoms - nothing different than what you get with Zoladex for me - at the moment!
That’s horrible that you have to be in hospital from 11 am the day before!!!
I cringed when they told me that I had to be there at 7.30 am - but then when it was explained it was to save me staying in the previous night, I was so grateful.
Had it done on Thursday - Friday was ok - Saturday I felt like sh!t - Sunday was bearable - and today I feel much better. I dont feel as swollen today and have started being able to crouch down - although I am still taking it easy. It is so hard to be waited upon!!! I have an 8-mth old son who gives me the most filthy looks because I cant pick him up or hold him - one, because of his weight and two, in case he kicks me in my stomach!!
Dont forget, that if you are a driver, you are not supposed to be behind the wheel for approx 6 weeks - until you feel confident of doing an emergency stop. It is best to check with insurance company though. (I had a c-section last August and must admit that I felt ok after 4 weeks but was a good girl and waited for the full 6 weeks).
If there is anything else that you would like to know, then please dont hesitate to post and I’ll do my best to answer you. One of the other ladies on the site had her op the week before me, so I will bear her experience in mind also when answering.
Take care
Best wishes
Anne xx