| When you have been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst, | | | | include a CT scan, an ultrasound; a chest, abdominal |
| whether benign or malignant, it often comes as a | | | | and lower intestinal x-ray; urine and blood tests and a |
| shock; even more so if you are told that you have to | | | | general physical exam. Your doctor may also wish to |
| endure a surgery in order for it to be removed. | | | | extract some fluid from your pelvic cavity for testing. |
| However, today, the procedure for ovarian cyst | | | | Finally, you will be asked to refrain from eating and |
| surgery has changed. Laparoscopy, which involves a | | | | drinking. Most doctors ask that you not eat or drink |
| small incision and a thin tube with a light on it, has | | | | anything after midnight on the night before your |
| allowed this once cumbersome surgery to become | | | | surgery; however, it is generally recommended that |
| quick and easy in terms of the procedure as well as | | | | you abstain from eating or drinking for at least 8 hours |
| the recovery time. | | | | prior to your ovarian cyst surgery. |
| Preparing for a laparoscopic ovarian cyst surgery is | | | | Ovarian cyst removal using laparoscopy allows for a |
| the same as if you were preparing for the open | | | | quicker recovery; generally around 1-2 weeks. In fact, |
| surgery, which is still used if necessary. You will need | | | | most women are able to return to work within this |
| to refrain from using any medications that may thin the | | | | time period. There are, however, some professions |
| blood, such as aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix and ibuprofen. | | | | that require more physically demanding work from the |
| You will also be asked to endure a series of tests, | | | | woman that could delay her return to work for up to 3 |
| most of which are non-invasive. These tests usually | | | | weeks after a laparoscopic surgery. |