Ovarian cysts can be a challenging experience, both physically and emotionally. When I underwent ovarian cyst surgery 15 months ago, I wasn’t sure what to expect during recovery or how the journey would shape my life. Today, I’m sharing my story to help others who may be facing a similar situation, offering insights, tips, and a glimpse into my healing process.
Table Of Content
If you prefer watching, I’ve shared my update on my YouTube channel, where I dive deeper into my journey: Watch the Video Here.
Why I Needed Surgery
Before my surgery, I dealt with a range of symptoms that disrupted my daily life. The cyst was not only a physical burden but also an emotional one. For one, I had no idea that I had an ovarian cyst. I thought my bloat (which was the main issue) was due to dietary problems.
I tried eliminating foods that would commonly trigger bloat. Then, I went further by trying different diets like the FODMAP diet, Keto Diet, and then Carnivore Diet.
I still wasn’t getting better after what many would consider “healthy eating” and decided to see a GI doctor. And now that I am typing this…it triggered a memory I can’t believe I suppressed?! Before seeing a GI doctor I did seek help from a naturopath doctor and long story short…it was a huge mistake.
This naturopath had me buying expensive supplements from him and after one of my sessions with him he shamed me for not eating “clean” and questioned my parenting (it was so freaking weird) after this, I decided enough was enough! I am wasting time seeing the wrong doctors who are not taking me seriously and minimizing my issues.
I wasn’t getting any better seeing him! His counsel and treatment modalities were doing nothing to improve my bloat, fatigue, brain fog, back pain, etc., Seeing him was making me physically and emotionally worse–and all of this was out-of-pocket expenses!
Okay, let’s get back to the GI doctor. Even though, the GI doc did help me realize that eating a variety of foods is best for you–at the time I was a strict carnivore. It was refreshing to eat fruits and vegetables again. However, after this dietary change, I still was feeling sick and my bloat wouldn’t resolve.
This led me to see over 5 other doctors! It was so incredibly disappointing that I wasn’t getting the support and help I needed. The sad truth too was that the female physicians were condescending and lacked empathy. I could say more but it is stirring up angry feelings and I don’t want to go there right now.
The medical gaslighting from some of these doctors was insane! One of these appointments I left crying so hard that my body was shaking! I was so upset that these doctors were so dismissive of me and my experience.
It wasn’t until I met my 6th doctor that everything changed! I felt so defeated and my husband encouraged me to find one more gynecologist who would listen and help. I am glad I didn’t give up and continued on the arduous task of find the right doctor.
This doctor was my angel! He had so much compassion for me. He understood the assignment! I felt seen and heard and he knew immediately that I needed this 8cm ovarian cyst removed. My surgery was scheduled for the next week!
The Surgery Experience
The surgery itself was a major milestone in my health journey. It was both a relief and a source of anxiety. I underwent laparoscopic surgery, which required a recovery period that I wasn’t fully prepared for. While the medical team was incredible, the experience taught me how important it is to advocate for yourself and ask questions.
I had my 8cm ovarian cyst, left ovary removed as well as my left and right fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes needed to go because my doctor wanted to remove any chance of ovarian cancer as it typically occurs in the fallopian tubes. I also had an endometrial biopsy to rule out cancer and I am grateful that after further testing everything was okay.
Immediate Recovery
The first few weeks post-surgery were a mix of physical pain and emotional adjustments. I experienced limited mobility, extreme pain, and low energy to name a few. These early days were humbling and required patience, self-care, and support from loved ones.
I was quite surprised at how painful my entire body felt after the surgery. It definitely caught me by surprise and reminded me of how I felt after getting my appendix removed years ago. My abdomen was in so much pain and discomfort. It wasn’t until week 2 to week 3 post-op that I felt better.
15 Months Later: How I Feel Now
Fast forward to today—15 months after the surgery—I’m happy to report that I’ve made significant progress. My body has healed in ways I couldn’t imagine during those initial weeks. While some changes linger, unfortunately, I still have bloat and now my period is 3 weeks late, I’ve learned to adapt and appreciate my resilience.
The quest to figure out what is going on with my body is still going on.
I am seeing a gynecologist who specializes in pelvic health and hormone replacement therapy. We are working together to get my hormones optimized and that is another journey. Let me know if you are interested in this.
This lingering bloat is so annoying and affects my quality of life! I am thinking tomorrow of touching base with my gynecologist who performed my surgery and go in for a check-up with him.
Lessons Learned
If there’s one thing this experience has taught me, it’s the importance of listening to your body and trusting your intuition. Surgery is a big step, but with the right mindset and support system, it’s possible to come out stronger.
Advice for Others
For anyone facing ovarian cyst surgery, here’s what I recommend:
- Prepare Mentally and Physically: Educate yourself on the procedure and recovery process.
- Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to seek clarity from your medical team.
- Build a Support System: Having loved ones to lean on is invaluable.
- Be Patient with Yourself: Healing takes time, and it’s okay to have ups and downs.
Final Thoughts
This journey has been one of growth, resilience, and self-discovery. I hope my story can offer comfort and guidance to others navigating a similar path.
If you’d like to learn more, watch my video where I share even more details about my experience: Watch Here.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve experienced something similar or have questions. Together, we can create a community of support and understanding.
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