You
go on a diet, but you continue to gain weight.
You
notice your arms and legs and getting thinner, but your stomach is growing. You
begin to wonder what’s happening. Is there a diet in the world that causes
this? No, there isn’t.
One
24-year-old woman in Mexico experienced just this. Everyone kept telling her
that she was surely pregnant – her stomach had swelled so much in just a few
months.
But
the truth was altogether different – and significantly scarier.
*The following article contains some images readers may find
disturbing. Discretion is advised.
When
her situation became so bad that she had trouble walking, eating and even
breathing, the woman was taken to Mexico General Hospital.
After
being admitted, the 24-year-old met Dr. Erik Hanson Viana.
He
took no time at all in sending the woman for scans. When the pictures came
back, a scary realisation was made.
The
doctors had discovered an ovarian cyst that had grown to such giant proportions
as to threaten her life.
The
cyst, weighing an incredible 33kg, had begun to compress the two main blood
vessels in her body.
As
a result, she was at high risk of a heart attack, and so immediate surgery was
necessary.
“It
was so large that it took up 95 percent of the patient’s abdomen,” Dr. Viana
said, as per The Telegraph.
For
the surgeons, there were two options. Either they could slowly drain the cyst
of liquid and then remove the remnants via an operation, or they could
immediately remove the cyst in its entirety.
Although
sure to leave a big scar, the woman opted for the latter route, which proved to
be an extremely risky procedure.
“To
remove it whole is also difficult because the cyst wall is less than 1 millimeter
thin and needs to be prevented from drying out, otherwise it could easily break
too,” Dr. Vian explained.
Since
up to 20 percent of all giant cysts are malignant, a cracked cyst could have
resulted in tumor cells spreading to the woman’s body.
But
the doctors executed the operation perfectly: The surgery went ahead without
complications and the cyst was removed safely.
After
the surgery, the 24-year-old’s stomach shrank back to normal size.
She
was actually able to leave the hospital just two days later … 33 kilos lighter.
As
expected, the 24-year-old had plenty of excess skin, and some bad scarring, but
they’re small prices to pay for her life.
Six
months later, the woman returned to the hospital for a routine follow-up.
Thankfully,
she was healthy as she’d ever been and could walk about like a normal person,
without the aid of walking sticks or assistance. Great to hear!
“A
big part of what we do is the gratification you feel when you could change a
person’s life completely, and knowing they would never forget you, even if they
forget to say thank you,” Dr. Viana says, as per the NY Post.
It’s truly amazing to see what skilled surgeons and doctors
can achieve these days. Although the pictures are gruesome, it’s difficult not
to be impressed with what the team at the hospital were able to do.
Share this story to pay tribute to Dr. Viana and the team
who saved this woman’s life! Remember, if you’re ever concerned that there’s a
problem with your body, seek medical advice!
Source : newsner.com