"Was It Really Just Overeating?"... The Shocking Discovery of an 8kg Cyst in Her Abdomen

Abdominal Swelling Neglected for Years
30cm Ovarian Cyst Surgically Removed

A woman who believed her swollen abdomen was simply due to overeating was shocked to discover a massive cyst inside her body. A woman in her 30s living in southern Thailand was found to have an ovarian cyst measuring 30 centimeters in size and weighing 8 kilograms after years of ignoring abdominal bloating and weight gain.

A Thai medical staff is holding an ovarian cyst removed from a woman in her 30s. Photo by Channel7 Facebook capture

According to multiple foreign media outlets, including the UK’s Daily Mail and Thailand’s Channel7, on August 8 (local time), a resident of Satun named Ratchanaphon, 31, recently visited a hospital after experiencing sudden severe shortness of breath and abdominal pain. Medical staff initially suspected pregnancy, but a detailed examination revealed that a giant cyst, which was severely compressing her abdominal cavity, was the cause.

Ratchanaphon’s abdomen had been gradually swelling for several years, but even her family thought it was simply because she was eating more, and did not take it seriously. In an interview with local media, Ratchanaphon’s mother said, “My daughter recently struggled to breathe properly, and her complexion became so poor that her eyes seemed to bulge out,” adding, “Her abdomen was as distended as if she were pregnant with twins.”

The cyst was removed in a surgery performed on July 31. The operation was highly complex, taking about six hours, and after the cyst was removed, Ratchanaphon’s weight dropped by 11 kilograms, from 86 kilograms before the surgery to 75 kilograms afterward.

The local hospital stated, “Recently, there has been a sharp increase in patients visiting for ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and other female reproductive system diseases,” emphasizing, “Even if there is no pain, early medical consultation is necessary if there are abnormal signs such as changes in menstruation or abdominal bloating.”

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms in the ovary. Most are benign, but if they become large, they can cause symptoms such as organ compression, abdominal discomfort, and pain. Typically, many are functional cysts related to the menstrual cycle and may disappear naturally, but some require surgical treatment.

Experts advised, “Ovarian cysts are conditions with a high risk of recurrence, and regular gynecological checkups and ultrasound examinations are the most effective means of early detection.”