i have just been told i have to have my left ovary removed.

I had an ovary removed becaue of a cyst. The recovery was 6 weeks! My periods became very erratic after that, the doctor told me the one overy would behave normally But if your doctor won't answer your questions, its time to get another doctor

Jules, You might also consider looking into fertility preservation - meaning having some of your eggs removed and frozen. It may provide another alternative for having your baby when you are ready - this way intrauterine insemination or IVF may be possible. Hang in there. And I agree that getting a second opinion would be a wise idea. Finding a surgeon who has experience with removing fibroids - the more the better - better outcomes are more likely.
aaustin

Jules -- I am so sorry you are going through this. I urge you to look at WHY your body is reacting this way. I think there is a good chance that it is because you have a hormone imbalance. I suggest going to a naturopath to get your hormone levels tested. I had fibroids, too. Going to a naturopath changed my life.

Hi I had my left ovary removed via laproscope. I felt so much better after the surgery because I was in so much pain prior. The recovery is worst for the first week. Your shoulders and upper back may hurt because the nerve gets stretched when they are working inside you. I highly recommend getting a few body pillows, it is so much easier to move in and out of bed if you can hug a pillow and it makes sleeping much more comfortable. As for children, women ovulate each month alternating ovaries so your chances are reduced but it doesn't rule out getting pregnant. I recommend one dose of guifenesen each evening, it will increase secretions allowing the sperm longer to try to find the egg. It worked for me and it has worked for 7 of my friends who were told they couldn't conceive, but try to heal up first:) Good luck to you and hugs I know this isn't fun.

hi cary, me and my partner have been trying for a baby for over two years with no luck. my doctor refered me to the hospital had a ultrasound that showed up some dents in my ovary, so they sent me for a M.I.R scan and the results came in as a fibroid. i was totally devastated when he told me i know people might think i am being silly but thats all i want is to have a family i fell like i have let people down. i just have to get a grip of myself and not let it bring me down and just hope that i can still have children. thank you very much for listening to me. its just nice to talk to people who know what i am going through. sorry i was supposed to replay to cary but i pressed the wrong button!!

Hi Jules

I'm sorry you have to go through this. I have not experienced this personally, however, I know a bit about fibroids. Fibroids most commonly grow in the uterus. It isn't unheard of to have one grow on/near an ovary, but it is less common. It can be hard to be sure what is growing on your ovary is definitely a fibroid. How was it diagnosed? Sometimes ovarian cysts or masses can be similar to a fibroid, so you definitely don't want to leave it there in case it really isn't a fibroid, if that makes sense. You would want a biopsy and it would be ideal to remove the tumor.

I think it might be wise to get a second opinion. Actually, it is always wise to get a second opinion when surgery is in the treatment plan. Always. But particularly in this case, because perhaps a surgeon who has done this particular surgery many times before can find a way to save that ovary. Different surgeons have different ways of doing things. I would find a surgeon who does this all the time. Go to the website of a teaching hospital or medical school near you, and browse through the gynecology dept. Find someone who is particularly interested in situations such as yours, and make an appointment for a second opinion. Or even ask your current doc for a referral to someone they would go to in your circumstance. A doctor should never be upset with you for wanting a second opinion before surgery.

The worst thing that could happen is the second surgeon agrees with yours. But it may open the door to other possibilities for you. As for recovery, typically an endoscopic removal of an ovary is not a long recovery at all. It may even be an outpatient procedure, depending on whether they do it through your abdomen or a little endoscopy slit or even vaginally. You will be sore afterward, you will be limited from climbing a lot of stairs or heavy lifting for a few weeks. Recovery is longer if it is an open abdominal incision.

I wish you luck. Keep us posted.