Robotic assisted laparoscopic bilateral salpingo oophorectomy +

Posted by frito123 @frito123, Jul 30, 2023

Hi, I am new to this. I am schedule to have this done next week:
XI ROBOTIC- ASSISTED
LAPAROSCOPIC BILATERAL SALPINGO-OOPHORECTOMY, POSSIBLE STAGING (TOTAL HYSTERECTOMY, OMENTECTOMY, PELVIC LYMPH NODE DISSECTION), POSSIBLE LAPAROTOMY, ALL OTHER INDICATED

I am not sure what to expect, I am 65 years old, As far as what I can do, how I should feel. I have 2 dogs, that like to lay on my lay on my lap, on is 12 years old and the other is a puppy, they both weigh over 10 lbs. Sorry if I am rambling. I don’t have any relatives or friends who have gone through this. Please give me some advice. Thank you

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.

@gynosaur42

My experience of robot-assisted, laparascopic total hysterectomy (including cervix) , bilateral oophorectomy, sentinel node dissections, 2/23, etc. was similar. I alternated between ibuprofen and acetopminophen for ~3 days, max. I followed the weight restrictions to a tee, as well. They really sell that to you. I did not drive for over two weeks, but it was mud season here and VERY bumpy on the roads. It was much better once I could drie myself. One purchase I remain happy about was a pillow that I ordered through Hyster Sisters. It has pockets and gel packs that can be warmed or frozen and put inside the pockets. This helped me when I had to fly from after the surgery from MN to VT. It also helped with my 55-pound, "over-attached" dog, who was SO happy to have me home after 10 days (lots of tests beforehand). The pillow was really helpful for me in that it allowed me to sleep on my side, with the pillow wedged under my slightly-distended belly. I put it under the seatbelt on the plane, and my dog could eventually put her paws on my lap without it hurting me. My husband had asked to be allowed to take over the housework, promising that he could get it all done with 15 minutes effort per day. That lasted one week of 0 minutes of effort per day. I then found someone young to come in and clean for 3 hours a week for the 9 weeks that it took before I could go back to MN and be cleared for full exercise. That was a huge benefit for my sanity (even though I wanted to rush around and clean before she got here). It was a lot easier to pick back up after that, as I wasn't digging myself out of a deep hole.

I wish you successful surgery, easy recovery, more support than you could imagine wanting and two pups who "get it" pretty quickly and give your abdomen a rest.

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@gynosaur42 I love the suggestion of the pillow with the gel sacks that can be warmed or frozen. Thank you for sharing that.

Fortunately we already had someone cleaning for us when I had my hysterectomy in 2019. Although my partner was very supportive we have very different definitions and perceptions of what an organized and clean household means.

@frito123 I followed my doctor’s and the discharge instructions. I was told not to lift anything heavier than a grocery bag. That means different things to different people so I decided not do much lifting at all during those first weeks as I couldn’t often assess what was too heavy (more than 10 pounds).

What is the date for your surgery?

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All, I've followed your threads re laparascopic hysterectomy. Did everyone go to the Mayo Clinic for this type of surgery?

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@leeosteo

All, I've followed your threads re laparascopic hysterectomy. Did everyone go to the Mayo Clinic for this type of surgery?

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@leeosteo I live in a rural area of Michigan and this type of surgery isn’t performed where I live. My gynecologist gave me a choice of being referring to the University of Michigan or Mayo Clinic. I chose Mayo Clinic and fortunately had an appointment with a GYNOncologist within a few days of the referral.

I know there are other members who went to Mayo Clinic however our members are from all over the world. I know of members in our Support Group who live Canada, in Northeastern U.S., the Pacific Northwest, California, Texas, and Southeastern U.S. and they had their medical closer to home.

Are you in the U.S.? Many of us went to an academic medical center where there is both clinical care and research and part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health-National Cancer Institute.

— NIH National Cancer Institute

https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers/find

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I had my laparoscopic complete hysterectomy at Mayo and stayed in a local hotel the night after surgery with my husband, daughter, and 28# dog. I had no trouble with the dog getting too close, but I think I used a pillow as a barrier sometimes too. I took the whole 6 weeks off from work, but probably could have gone back after 3 or 4 weeks. My staging ended up being IIIC euterine cancer, so the extra time off was very helpful for arranging consultations and researching my treatment options. I followed the 10# lifting rule. I was told that one possible complication in not doing so was incontinence. For reference, a gallon of milk or water weighs 8 pounds. I took Tylenol, ibuprofen and the few oxys that were prescribed. Best of luck to you!

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@naturegirl5

@leeosteo I live in a rural area of Michigan and this type of surgery isn’t performed where I live. My gynecologist gave me a choice of being referring to the University of Michigan or Mayo Clinic. I chose Mayo Clinic and fortunately had an appointment with a GYNOncologist within a few days of the referral.

I know there are other members who went to Mayo Clinic however our members are from all over the world. I know of members in our Support Group who live Canada, in Northeastern U.S., the Pacific Northwest, California, Texas, and Southeastern U.S. and they had their medical closer to home.

Are you in the U.S.? Many of us went to an academic medical center where there is both clinical care and research and part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health-National Cancer Institute.

— NIH National Cancer Institute

https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers/find

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naturegirl5, thanks for the cancer center info. I'm jumping ahead as I haven't had my hysterscopy/D&C yet. Fingers crossed its not an issue. I was curious where everyone went for robotic hysterectomy. I live in CT. My parents used to live in Phoenix and were patients of the Mayo Clinic for over 20 years. I really respect and appreciate all they care they received at the Mayo. It was a wonderful experience for them despite their medical issues.

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@frito123, checking in. How did surgery go? How are you doing?

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Thanks for asking, surgery went find, no cancer. Still very sore and not eating much

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@frito123

Thanks for asking, surgery went find, no cancer. Still very sore and not eating much

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No cancer is fabulous news!!
Be patient with the healing process.

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@colleenyoung

No cancer is fabulous news!!
Be patient with the healing process.

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Trying to, just frustrating, not use to feeling lousy and sore constantly. Thanks for the advice

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Good news !!

I had the same in April 2023, doing much better after 7-10 days. Overall had a very successful surgery and recovery.

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