Surgery for ovarian cancer
Before surgery, you have tests to check your fitness and you meet members of your treatment team. You usually go into hospital on the morning of your operation or the day before.
Most people are in hospital for up to 7 days.
You have tests before your operation to check:
you are well enough to have an operation and anaesthetic
that you’ll make a good recovery from surgery
The tests you have depend on what operation you are having and any other health conditions you have. You might have some or all of the following tests:
blood tests to check the level of and how well your kidneys are working
a swab test to rule out some infections
an (electrocardiogram) or (echocardiogram) to check that your heart is healthy - some people might have both
breathing tests (called lung function tests)
a chest x-ray to check that your lungs are healthy
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The pre operative assessment team will explain what these tests are for and how to prepare for them. You might have these tests as part of your pre operative assessment appointment. Sometimes you have them at a separate appointment.
Before your surgery you usually have an appointment at the hospital pre assessment clinic.
Your pre assessment appointment prepares you for your operation.
You see a nurse at this appointment. You might also meet other members of your treatment team so you can sign the consent form to agree to the operation.
Your doctor and nurses might tell you about the enhanced recovery programme. This is a way of caring before, during and after your surgery to help you recover faster after a big operation. It includes advising you about:
being physically active
eating well before your surgery
stopping smoking and drinking less alcohol if this applies to you
Ask lots of questions. It helps to write down all your questions beforehand to help you remember what you want to ask. Remember to take them with you. The more you know about what is going to happen, the less frightening it will seem.
You can ask more questions when you go into hospital. So don’t worry if you forget to ask some.
A team of doctors and other healthcare professionals will be involved in your treatment. You will meet them before your surgery.
A member of the surgical team will tell you about:
the operation you are going to have
the benefits of having surgery
the possible risks
what to expect afterwards
Your surgeon will also ask you to sign the consent form.
Your clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is a qualified nurse who has specialist knowledge of cancers of the ovary, womb, cervix and vagina. They help to organise care between doctors and the other health professionals you need to see. They also support you through your treatment, and make sure you have the information you need to understand your cancer and treatment. Your CNS will support you through any treatment you have.
The anaesthetist gives you the anaesthetic and looks after you during the operation. The anaesthetic is the medicine that keeps you asleep during your operation. They make sure you’re fit enough for the surgery.
They will check your:
general health
weight
blood pressure
pulse
temperature
The nurse asks you questions to check your fitness for the operation. They can organise any further tests you might need. They ask about any medicines you are taking and give you information about what to expect when you come into hospital for the operation.
They also check what help and support you have to see what you will need when you go home.
The physiotherapist assesses how well you can move around. They let the doctors know if there is anything that could affect your recovery.
They also teach you exercises to help you recover from your operation.
Breathing exercises help to stop you from getting a chest infection after surgery. If you smoke, it helps if you can stop at least a few weeks before your operation.
Leg exercises help to stop blood clots forming in your legs. You might also have medicines to stop the blood from clotting. You have them as small injections under the skin.
You start the injections after your operation. You might also wear anti embolism stockings or have pumps on your calves to help the circulation.
Your nurse and physiotherapist will get you up out of bed quite quickly after your surgery. This is to help prevent chest infections and blood clots forming.
This 3-minute video shows you how to do the breathing and leg exercises.
You might go into hospital the evening before or the morning of your surgery. Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to stop eating and drinking before your operation.
Take in:
nightgowns or pyjamas
underwear
dressing gown
slippers
contact lenses, solution, glasses and a case
wash bag with soap, a flannel or sponge, toothbrush and toothpaste etc
sanitary wear or tampons
towel
small amount of money
medicines you normally take
magazines, books, playing cards
headphones and music to listen to
a tablet or smartphone for web browsing, entertainment and phone calls
chargers for electronic devices
a copy of your last clinic letter (if you have one)
Before you go into hospital, it might be worth checking:
whether the ward is allowing visitors
if they have set visiting times
the best number for friends and family to phone, to find out how you are
The letter you receive before your operation may contain this information. But if not, you can phone the ward or hospital reception to find out.
You can use your mobile phone in hospital. But there may be some time before and after your operation when you won’t have your mobile nearby. And you may not feel like talking.
It’s worth sorting out a few things before you go into hospital. These might include:
taking time off work
care for children or other loved ones
care for your pets
care for your house
cancelling your milk, newspapers or food deliveries
Last reviewed: 03 Dec 2024
Next review due: 02 Dec 2027
Most women with ovarian cancer have surgery. Find out about the different types and what happens.
The main treatments for ovarian cancer are surgery and chemotherapy. Your treatment depends on several factors including your cancer stage and grade.
Ovarian cancer is when abnormal cells in the ovary grow and divide in an uncontrolled way.
There is support available to help you cope with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, life during treatment and life after cancer.
After treatment you usually have follow up appointments to check how you are and see whether you have any problems or worries.
Ovarian cancer is when abnormal cells in the ovary, fallopian tube or peritoneum begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way.
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