Ovarian cyst & weight gain

I have an ovarian cyst which will be removed surgically in a few weeks time. I'm struggling to lose weight and I can't help feeling that it's because of the ovarian cyst. I stepped on the weighing scales yesterday and had lost a little bit over 1.5lbs. I then stepped on the weighing scales this morning and gained 1lb back. I've no idea how as I walked 10 miles yesterday and ate healthily. I feel like my metabolism is totally messed up and that I'll never lose weight. It's really getting me down- my body image is at all an time low. I'm very self conscious about the abdominal bloating associated with the ovarian cyst and just feel fat & unattractive all the time.

There's a small chance the cyst could be cancerous-a biopsy will have to be done. It's unlikely as the cyst is a dermoid ovarian cyst and they're usually benign. But it's very large (10cm) so that could indicate a malignant tumour. Ovarian cysts under 5cm are almost always benign so the size of the ovarian cyst is worrying me. 

Can anyone else relate? I feel so alone with this..nobody really understands what it's like. 

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  • Hey, so I'm not a doctor, but I've had similar ovarian issues for a very long time, so maybe I can offer a little perspective.

    10 cm is pretty big, my biggest one was between 11-12.  But it wasn't cancer.  My CA125 was also really high and I had horrible bloating - in hindsight, bloating is probably to be expected when you've got something that size in you!  As for the weight, our weight fluctuates normally over the course of a day or week; and changes under five pounds are probably just that.  Weight gain could be a side effect of an ovarian cyst, but it's not something you can really track day to day; weigh yourself weekly and look for a pattern.  

  • Oh thanks for getting back to me. I'm hoping I'll lose weight once the cyst is removed but what if I don't? I'm very anxious about it especially as I won't be able to exercise after surgery. I went clothes shopping yesterday and everything looked horrible on me and I ended up crying at home afterwards. I could only get two tops that looked nice on me. I've put on 2lbs from yesterday- probably due to constipation. Have you experienced any digestive issues? My GP thinks I have IBS. 

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  • Oh thanks for getting back to me. I'm hoping I'll lose weight once the cyst is removed but what if I don't? I'm very anxious about it especially as I won't be able to exercise after surgery. I went clothes shopping yesterday and everything looked horrible on me and I ended up crying at home afterwards. I could only get two tops that looked nice on me. I've put on 2lbs from yesterday- probably due to constipation. Have you experienced any digestive issues? My GP thinks I have IBS. 

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