Hello,

I just underwent adrenal myelolipoma removal and right adrenalectomy through a laparotomy on August 27. After about 2 months of feeling variable pain either on the right side of my back, the right side of my abdomen, or the upper right abdominal quadrant in general, I went to my PCP and they ordered an ultrasound. The mass was not well visualized, so they ordered a CT and saw what is likely an adrenal myelolipoma (cannot be confirmed without biopsy results, which are still being processed; however confirmed by surgical pathologist). Due to the great pain that this caused me, where I was increasingly unable to eat due to the pain, or sit down for more than 45 minutes at a time, it was about 10 days from the date I met with the surgical oncologist and the date of surgery. The mass was 481.6 g, 13.2 x 10.1 x 7.2 cm. They had to do a laparotomy due to the large size of the mass. They also did an adrenalectomy since it is so difficult to cut around the tumor as it originated from inside the adrenal gland. The tumor had great effect on my kidney, so the incision was 7cm down and 22 cm across. Overall, I was in the hospital for 4 days. They want to make sure that you have bowel movements or flatus prior to discharge. The digestive system kind of sleeps due to the operation. For the first 2 days, I was given clear liquids only then if labs were okay, I transitioned to regular foods. I did have a Foley catheter in place for the first night. Overall, I have been eating smaller meals due to all the staples— I feel like my abdomen cannot expand to accommodate regular meals. While in the hospital, they really encourage you to walk around to prevent blood clots and promote quicker healing. I think my healing process was easier since I’m 25 with no real health conditions. Good luck on your surgery! Let me know if you have any questions & I will answer to the best of my ability.