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How you prepare
By Mayo Clinic staffTo prepare for oophorectomy, your doctor may ask that you:
- Drink a solution to clear your intestines the day before surgery
- Stop eating the day before your surgery and limit liquids
- Stop taking certain medications
- Take antibiotics to prevent infection
- Undergo imaging tests such as ultrasound and computerized tomography (CT) to help surgeons plan for the procedure
Plan for a hospital stay
Some women may need to stay in the hospital for a few days after oophorectomy. How long you stay depends on how the procedure is performed and the reason for your surgery. Ask your doctor what you can expect.
Plan ahead for time in the hospital by packing:
- A robe and slippers
- Personal items, such as your toothbrush
- Things to help you pass the time, such as books and magazines
Plan for infertility
If you want to have children, talk with your doctor about your options. For some conditions you may need only one ovary removed (unilateral oophorectomy). With the remaining ovary, you'll still have a menstrual cycle and you can still conceive naturally.
If both of your ovaries are removed (bilateral oophorectomy), but your uterus remains, you may be able to become pregnant using assisted reproductive technology. Ask your doctor to refer you to a fertility specialist who can review your options with you.
- Schorge JO, et al. Surgeries for Benign Gynecologic Conditions. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=514. Accessed Feb. 25, 2011.
- Mikio N, et al. Perioperative consideration in gynecologic surgery. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2390832. Accessed Feb. 25, 2011.
- Valea FA, et al. Oophorectomy and ovarian cystectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 28, 2011.
- Parker WH, et al. Effect of bilateral oophorectomy on women's long-term health. Women's Health. 2009;5:565.
- Laparoscopy and ovarian cancer: A paradigm change in the management of ovarian cancer? Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 2009;16:250.
- Medeiros LRF, et al. Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for benign ovarian tumour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010;CD004751.
- Mettler L, et al. Robotic assistance in gynecological oncology. Current Opinion in Oncology. 2008;20:581.
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