Zen has been in near-constant egg-laying mode for months now with no break in the cycle and has now started plucking feathers off her back and wings. Dr. Sakas thinks she may have an ovarian cyst that is forcing the constant secretion of hormones. Zen will be going back to see him in another 10 days and we'll see if she needs surgery.
Has anyone had experience with surgery of this kind? I want to know what to expect from a pet-owner's perspective.

I wish I had some experience to share with you, Laura. I just want to say that you and Zen will be in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm with Nate. I hope everything turns out okay.

So sorry to hear this. Can't help you although I have a friend who had a hysterectomy done on his female Eclectus. It was quite a success and her attitude is much better. (It was not done for attitude; rather, as a result of the malpractice of a vet who crushed an egg inside her - she was eggbound).

Google (avian ovarian cysts) just like I typed it, there's a generous amount of information in PDF format, I done extensive reading yesturday.
To much to post here on PC.
Good Luck
BrokenWing

Neighbor has a Too with Prolapst. Every time she lays an egg, her whole uterus comes out.
My suggestion is to put fake eggs in cage which may make her think she doesn't need to lay any. Or take one of her eggs hollow it out and leave it in the cage.

Maybe your bird has Endotrimetriosis not an ovarian cyst, that has to do with the uterus and all...but maybe it'd be different in birds. I do know Endo causes a jump in hormones and can be mistaken for Dismenstria and the other like.