Why is this surgery required?

Many women have an ovarian cyst at some point of time during their lives. If the cyst is causing symptoms like pelvic pain, especially during your period or sexual intercourse, surgical removal of the cysts may be the best treatment option.

What happens during this surgery?

Before the surgery begins, you are given anesthesia to make you sleep. A laparoscope – a thin telescope with a camera on one end – is inserted into the abdomen through a small hole. Additional small incisions will be made on your abdomen for entry of other surgical instruments that will be used to remove the cyst.

What are the risks?

There is a small risk of:

• Possible need for removal of the ovary
• Bleeding during surgery
• Infection of the surgical site
• Damage to adjacent organs (bladder, bowel, and ureters)

What should I expect during recovery?

After the procedure, it is normal for your belly to be sore. You may experience shoulder and back pain after the procedure. This results from the gas used in surgery. This is self-limiting and resolves on its own. You may have some vaginal discharge or spotting after surgery.

You will be discharged the very next day. You can take bath but cover the stitches with towel and don’t let them get wet. You can resume light activities but heavy work is to be avoided for first few weeks. The stitches are removed after 7 days of surgery.

Call your doctor if you experience:

• Fever greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
• Severe nausea, vomiting or pain in belly
• Abdominal distension
• Heavy bleeding (more than 2 pads soaked per hour)
• Redness, swelling, or discharge from your wounds