Dermoid Cyst

I had one that I had removed about 1 1/2 years ago that was about the same size as yours. I had the surgery done at UNM and the recovery was not that bad. The worst pain that I had in the hospital was in my shoulder. They sometimes have trouble getting all the air out before they sew you back up and you end up with an air pocket. A popular place for it to travel to is your shoulder.
I think that I stayed on the couch a lot for the first week. After that I was up and walking around, not for long periods of time though. I could not pick up my son, who was about 20 lbs., for 6 weeks.
I have a pretty big vertical scar from my belly button to my pubic bone and I had pain there for about 6 months. But it was not horrible pain, just hurt it you put pressure on it.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions. :)

I am very sorry for your loss.
Although I have not had a Dermoid Cyst, I have known several patients who have had them removed and the surgery has been uneventful. I'm sure your doctor explained what it is and that you have had it since before you were born. It is important to have it removed as soon as it is safe to do so. Leaving it can lead to problems.

I wish you a speeder recover.

I had smaller dermoid cysts removed 8 years ago from both ovaries. It was major surgery but fairly uneventful. While I didn't try to conceive a child until 6 years later there were no problems. I would say you would probably have to wait a little while though, as I was told 8 years ago that the cysts could not be removed lathroscopically and the surgery was similar to my c-section over a year ago. Of course surgical techniques have probably changed since then... Good luck to you

To my understanding a dermoid cyst is a cyst that forms in the layer of skin below the top layer. Some people are born with them, for some people it starts afterwards. My son was born with a dermoid cyst on his forhead and had it removed by a plastic surgon at about age one. The way the Dr. explained it to me is that a miniscule part of the top layer of your skin can get mixed up with the next layer. While this is not harmful in and of itself the skin cells are alive and growing. So the cyst will just get bigger and bigger. He told me the sooner you removed it the better simply because it easier to remove a smaller cyst. I too have had a miscarriage at about 16 weeks. We had been trying for a year to get pregnant so it was real devestating. You don't relize how much you could possible mourn someone you never actually met. A friend of mine told me she thinks of all the babies in heaven are angels now and doing special work for God. I like that image.

I had a large dermoid cyst. My dr. scheduled Laporscopic surgery to remove it (outpatient). The doctor was going to remove both the cyst and my left ovary (because it was attached). When they went in to remove the cyst, they couldn't find it. Apparantly it had dissolved sometime between the ultrasound and surgery. So, I went under anethesia and the stress of all of it for nothing. The only thing the dr. did was took pictures of my uterus and ovaries with the scope. So, maybe it will dissolve before any surgery is required. I never had any pain and didn't even know I had one until my annual exam. Just make sure they check it again via ultrasound prior to surgery. Good luck.

Hey Velika and I am so sorry about the loss of the baby; I too have suffered miscarriages but found a wonderful doctor. Dr. Kathleen Schwartz and for the past 15 years she has performed miracles. One of which was the removal of several large dermoids. The recovery time was approximately 3-5 days...I was up and around, not to sound gross, but having normal bowels,etc. Everyone is going to be different, but I had soreness when you have a D&C and your not able to lift things I believe heavier than 10 lbs. Also, she was able to do the surgery laproscopically w/3 incision along the bikini line. Soon after the surgery, the great news was, I was pregnant within 3 months and delivered my first child @ age 40.

Have faith; your surgery will be fine and your recovery will be good.