RECOVERING FROM A SALPINGO OOPHORECTOMY

This is not me. It's just a really cool picture to get my point across. Photo courtesy of Sydney Sims

WHAT IS A "UNILATERAL SALPINGO OOPHORECTOMY"?

Sounds really funny, right? 

I thought so too. 

It's basically the removal of an ovary and fallopian tube.

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HOW I AM HEALING FROM LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY

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This post is specifically written for women. Men can read it too! 

Imagine for a moment you have something growing in you that just doesn't feel like it should be there.

It's not a parasite. Or is it?

No! It is is not. It's your body telling you that you've not taken good care of it. You've held on to stress energy for too long. Now it's growing fast.

Imagine it is the size of a lemon, no - an orange ... or wait, a grapefruit. 

This is not a photo of me ;) Photo courtesy of rawpixel

Said grapefruit-sized object was not a growing baby either. My days of having babies are long gone - phew! I've had three already and been pregnant four times - first was an ectopic pregnancy. That was my first experience with laparoscopic surgery.

The thing growing inside of me that I jokingly called my "hairy toothed ovary" or "gremlin" was actually a dermoid ovarian cyst. Read about my story then you can come back here.

BLOG POST ABOUT AN OVARIAN CYST REMOVAL PROCEDURE AND AFTERCARE

GOING INTO SURGERY

The most scary thing was "fear of the unknown". Then there was also:
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• Not knowing how my body would react to the general anesthesia.
• Not being comfortable with the fact that my body would have all sorts of drugs in it.
• Not having control over my body as I was about to go under.
• The emotions of having a possible ovary removal, along with the cyst.

Even though I was putting on my brave face, inside I knew I had to face this fear like one facing a dark night.

​Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?

This is not the actual hospital. This pic was taken by Piron Guillaume

DAY 1 - FRIDAY, JAN 18th 2019

This was the actual day of surgery. Got to the hospital at 5:30 am. It was an outpatient surgery so I was discharged around 3 or 4 pm.

Surgery took about 2 and a half hours. 

Last thing I remember before surgery was telling Vinny I love him, as the nurses wheeled me towards the O.R.

DAY 1 Continued

I was dreaming when I heard the nurses saying "Lulu, wake up! Surgery is over!" 

As I looked at the clock in front of me with my blurry vision, the time was 11:11 a.m. (magick moment)

I began weeping with joy. Apart from the pain in my belly button, which the nurses immediately took care of, I was so grateful to have made it back. They asked me why I was crying? I told them how grateful I was of how well they had cared for me - and to be alive.

Vinny joined me shortly after. I was so happy to see him. Let me tell, you - it really is nice to have people who truly love and support you by your side.

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HOW TO HEAL FROM OVARY REMOVAL SURGERY

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So, as you can tell this is a pic of me a few months ago. You can't really tell there's a cyst hiding behind in my ovary.

It had a lovely way of showing itself every now and then though.  

This picture is to compare with the bloating you will see next.

WHAT TO PREPARE FOR AFTER OVARIAN CYSTECTOMY

There is going to be a lot of bloating. Especially on Day 1 -3. 

You might also become constipated. Yup, I said it!

Here are some things you can get before surgery:

• Gas X (helps relieve some of the gas that gets pumped into your abdominal cavity).
• Smooth Move Tea (trust me you will need this)
• Essential oils for calming and healing.
• Fruits, veggies and soup/broth.
• CBD oil for pain management.

WHAT NOT TO EAT OR DRINK ON DAY 1, AFTER SURGERY:

• Alcohol. Remember, there are a bunch of drugs inside of you and general anesthesia is wearing off.
• Greasy food. Man, I really wanted to eat truffle french fries, but that would not have helped.
• Avoid beans, broccoli or any other gas producing foods.

OTHER HELPFUL TIPS FOR AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY

• Going to bed was not very comfortable. Thanks to the prescribed pain killers, I was able to feel a bit more relaxed and I had to prop up pillows and sleep in a "sitting-up" position.
• Make sure you really support your lower back.
• Have someone around to help you get up from the bed or couch.
• Try not to bend at the waist.
• Walk around as much as you CAN. This helps the gas come out of your body.
• Grounding or Earthing. Walk barefoot on real grass. This was a real amazing way to speed up recovery.
• For bathing, use a washcloth and try not to get your wounds wet.

This tea is AMAZING to help you go #2

DAY 2 - SATURDAY, JAN 19TH 2019

Still in pain, but more manageable. The painkiller was fabulous. It helped me conk out on the couch.

There was still a lot of gas trapped in my body. Not only in my belly, but also in my shoulders and back.

Still hadn't gone # 2. Uncomfortable!

TIPS FOR POST SURGICAL RELIEF

• The essential oils really helped with that. I used Frankincense.
• Walked around.
• Go barefoot outside.
• You might be constipated at this point. Try not to eat too much.
• Drink water. Stay hydrated.
• Relax. The work isn't going anywhere.

DAY 3 - SUNDAY, JAN 20TH 2019

Still hadn't gone # 2 and my belly seemed to be getting even more bloated. 

I kept eating healthy food like soups, salads, veggies and fruits.

​Vinny was amazing at serving me all the time!

Vinny's Grandma's Famous Escarole Soup

Tomato and cucumber salad

Avocado is awesome source of omega

Still haven't gone #2!

​I don't know why I waited this long but I finally had Vinny buy me the Smooth Move Tea. That's why I mentioned to buy it before hand!

I took the tea right before bed!

DAY 4 - MONDAY, JAN 21ST 2019

Hallelujah! That Smooth Move tea worked! It made me go twice in the morning and once at night!

Bloating went down significantly. 

Gas is subsiding in other parts of my body.

Continued walking around a little. I had to resist the urge to do more physical stuff.

Painkillers still help.

DAY 5 - TUESDAY, JAN 22ND 2019

My sweet friend Sasu came to see me. She brought me soup from one of my fave Vegan Restaurants in South Florida - Screaming Carrots.

It really helps to surround yourself with people who love you, like I said earlier.

Sasu brought me the Mushrooms in Coconut Soup and the Lentil Soup.

I really appreciate when friends check on me and spend quality time with me.

Bowel movements back to normal! YAY!

Only took one painkiller at night this time, before bed.

DAY 6 - WEDNESDAY, JAN 23RD 2019

Woke up with more energy. Pain very low - more of a discomfort than anything.

Walked around a bit. Made myself coffee - boy, did I miss my coffee!

Didn't take any painkillers at all! 

SACRED WOMB CARE

TAKE CARE OF YOUR WOMB

DAY 7 - THURSDAY, JAN 24TH 2019

Bloating has subsided a lot. Still more to go though.

More energy and movement. I have to be careful to not get too active with taking care of household chores.

Doctor's office called with my pathology results: NO CANCER! What a relief! 

No driving allowed until my Dr. clears it. Dr. follow-up is next week! I am recovering quite well, people!

I attribute my post-op healing to:

• Love and support.
• Prayers of healing.
• Taking it easy - caring for my womb and wounds.
• Relaxing.
• Focusing on the positive.
• Gratitude.