Having surgery for ovarian cancer

Surgery for cancer of the ovary, fallopian tube cancer or primary peritoneal cancer usually involves removing the womb, ovaries and fallopian tubes.

If you have very early ovarian cancer, it may be possible to have surgery that means you can still get pregnant.

We have more information about types of surgery for ovarian cancer.

You might feel drowsy when you wake from surgery. This is caused by the general anaesthetic. You may not remember much about the first few hours after you wake up.

A nurse will check on you regularly. They will check your blood pressure, so you might be aware of the machine cuff tightening on your arm every so often. Depending on the surgery, you may have inflatable cuffs on your lower legs. These help to prevent blood clots (DVT). You may notice the cuffs gently squeezing your legs as they pump up and down.

You might be wearing a face mask or have small plastic tubes going into your nose. This is to give you oxygen until you are more awake. You may also be wearing a special blanket to keep you warm. You might be aware of the nurses checking your wound. The nurses will explain what they are doing and what to expect. You may feel thirsty or have a dry or sore throat. This is from having a breathing tube during surgery.

When you wake, you may have some tubes attached to your body. These give fluids into a vein in your hand or arm. This is called an intravenous (IV) infusion. The fluids are given through a cannula. A cannula is a small, thin plastic tube that goes into your arm or the back of your hand. If you have a central line, you may have fluids through this. The infusion is to keep you hydrated until you can eat and drink normally.

During surgery, you may have a small, plastic tube placed into your tummy. This is to drain any lymph fluid that collects in that area. The end of the tube will stick out your tummy and be held in place with a stitch. The tube connects to a bag or bottle to collect the fluid. It is usually removed after a few days.

You will have a small, flexible plastic tube called a catheter put into your bladder. This drains urine (pee) into a bag. It is called a urinary catheter. It is usually put in during surgery. It usually stays in until you are out of bed and moving around.

It is normal to have some pain or discomfort after ovarian cancer surgery. If you had keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery, the gas in your tummy can make you feel uncomfortable for a few days. The feeling goes away as your body absorbs the gas.

Painkillers can control pain and discomfort. Your doctors and nurses will be keen to get you up and moving as soon as possible after surgery. This will help your recovery. It is important that you are comfortable enough to move around. Tell your nurses if you are in pain.

Straight after surgery you may need stronger painkillers. You may have these in the following ways:

You only have painkillers in these ways until you can eat and drink normally. After this, you will have painkiller tablets. You will start taking the tablets before you can go home. You will be given tablets to take at home. Your doctor or nurse will tell you how often you should take them.

We have more information about pain and painkillers.

Many people worry about feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting) after surgery. Medications can help with nausea and vomiting.

Your nurse can give you anti-sickness injections or tablets to help prevent nausea or control any sickness. These are also called anti-emetic drugs. It is important to tell the nurses if you are feeling sick. They will want you to eat and drink as soon as possible, as this helps your recovery.

After surgery, the nurses can help you with washing and going to the toilet. But they will encourage you to get up and move around as soon as possible, if you are able.

You may feel anxious about being up and about soon after your surgery. But movement can prevent complications, and help your recovery. This is why it is important that pain and sickness are controlled. You can only move properly if you feel comfortable. If you have drips, drains or a catheter, you can still move around. The nurses can help you and show you how to do this safely.

Your surgeon will close the wound with clips or stitches. These are usually removed by a practice nurse at your GP surgery after you go home.

Before you go home, a nurse will:

• give you contact details for someone to care for your wound or someone to call if you are worried about your wound
• explain how to keep the wound clean and give advice about baths and showers
• tell you whether any dressings should be changed or removed, and when to do this
• give you a letter for your GP practice nurse or district nurses.

The nurse might also ask you to check your wound when you get home. If you have to keep the dressing on, they may ask you to check the area around the dressing. This is to check there are no signs of infection and that the wound is healing well.

Signs of infection can include:

• heat, pain, swelling or redness, or a change in skin colour over the wound, around the scar or both
• fluid coming from the wound (discharge or pus), which may smell.

You may also:

• have a temperature above 37.5°C (99.5°F)
• feel shivery and shaky
• feel generally unwell, even with a normal temperature.

If you have any signs of infection, contact your doctor or nurse straight away on the number you have been given.

If you cannot talk to your hospital team, contact your GP or call the NHS urgent advice number on 111.

Constipation means that you are not able to pass stools (poo) as often as you normally do. It can become difficult or painful. Constipation can happen after surgery. Tell your specialist nurse if you are constipated. They can give you drugs called laxatives to help. If you are taking regular painkillers, they may give you a laxative to help prevent constipation.

You may also have uncomfortable wind. Both constipation and wind usually improve when you are moving around more.

We have more information about bladder and bowel problems.

You may have all kinds of emotions after your surgery. You can feel a sense of loss. It is common to feel low. This is often a reaction to:

• the diagnosis of cancer
• the changes to your body and how you feel about it (body image)
• being in hospital and away from your usual support network.

These feelings may start to get better after a few days. Or you may continue to feel this way. Tell your doctor or specialist nurse if you are not feeling better or you begin to feel very low or depressed. You may need extra help and support.

Some hospitals have local support groups for people who have gynaecological cancers. You may find a support group helpful. Ask your specialist nurse about support groups in your hospital or local area.

You may want to talk about your feelings with an organisation that specialises in your type of cancer. You could also join an online support group such as our Online Community. You can chat with other people who have the same type of cancer. Or you can just read the posts or blogs other people have written.

We have more information about emotions and your feelings after cancer treatment.