Digital Guide: Ovarian Cancer Surgery

If you are undergoing surgery for ovarian cancer, there are a few simple instructions that your doctor will go over with you beforehand. These instructions will vary from patient to patient, and may involve avoiding food for a set number of hours before your procedure or taking certain medications.

Before undergoing ovarian cancer surgery, women may be encouraged to prepare by making changes to their diet and, in some cases, doing a bowel cleanse.

When it comes to ovarian cancer surgery, how long the operation takes will depend on the severity of the disease. Typically, it's between 2 and 4 hours.

Like any surgery, there are certain risks associated with ovarian cancer surgery. However, the likelihood of experiencing complications is very low. According to Dr. Dana Chase, only about 1% of women who get ovarian cancer surgery will experience any type of complication.

Since doctors are making a large incision, most people experience pain after ovarian cancer surgery. However, Dr. Dana Chase explains that advances in medicine have allowed hospitals to take some major steps in helping women manage their post-surgery pain.