I am a healthy, active 42 year old mother of three diagnosed with a dermoid tumor in my ovary. I have never had abdominal surgery. My doctor wants to remove it surgically. A second opinion said to remove it with a laparoscopy. The danger with a laparoscopy is that I may lose the ovary (or may not), as well as the posted dangers of "nicking" the bladder or bowel. I am not having any more children.

I think the laparoscopy is less invasive, but now i'm nervous. Should I opt for the surgery even if it is more trauma and recovery time? I would not lose the ovary with surgery, but even if I did, I have another one. How would you remove this pesky tumor?