Need advice: lap surgery or IVF?

Question

I'm very close to the end of my 3rd IUI cycle. I don't feel like it worked and the test today was BFN. I still have a couple of days to know for sure but want to plan for what's next to feel a sense of hope. I've been planning to go to IVF next but I have not yet had a laparoscopy, and my OBGYN and RE think I have endo. Does anyone have any advice on whether to try lap surgery before IVF or just go forward with IVF? My OBGYN suggested surgery a while back and I didn't want to do it then because it was going to be hard to take time off work. That's when my RE said we could try fertility treatments instead since it seemed like I may not have endo too bad. But I've heard the symptoms don't always match the severity. The IVF nurse also told me that there's really no point to get the surgery if going to IVF, but I've read that endo can interfere with implantation so I'm torn. Anyone have experience with this? Any advice is appreciated.

Answer

Laparoscopy surgery went well today. They found some endometriosis and removed it. They also did a hysteroscopy with D&C to inspect and clean my uterus for good measure. Don't have much more info right now. I'll go back to the doc in a week for a follow up and more details. Feeling pain but the meds are doing a pretty good job.

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Thanks for all of your input! I decided to go forward with having the laparoscopy on July 2nd because I would hate to have IVF, have it not work and wonder if I should have done the surgery. I'll have it done by my Obgyn, who is the one that originally suggested it. My IVF nurse says they (the fertility center) don't think I need it to be successful with IVF but understand my thinking. I have family coming to visit the night after my surgery and they're staying for a couple of days. I hope the recovery doesn't affect my ability to spend time with them.

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Hi Jen! Good luck with your lap. I had mine three weeks ago, and I will also do IVF in August. I'm also chronicling my journey on Instagram: @ellewithendo. I felt really, really terrible after my lap and it was so hard to get through. My doctor said to take 1 week off work, but really I needed almost 2. Be prepared to have no appetite, no energy, lots of nausea, lots of gas pain in your torso and shoulders, etc. (I'm telling you all the bad stuff because I felt like I wish someone had told me how bad it would be!) But I'm also happy to report that today, three weeks post-lap, I feel great! Back to normal completely. So please give yourself enough time to rest and heal, and know that the pain will pass. Good luck!!!!!!!

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Hey I noticed you updated and are getting your lap on July 2nd good luck hang in there! Please update us with what your doc finds. Also I used neem oil to help my incision heal faster and it's like I never had the surgery 😉

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I am having my lap done in 2 weeks. If you have endo, they can often remove any visible spots, scar tissue and any endometrial cysts - both of which don't generally show up in ultrasounds. They also flush your entire system after the surgery which removes anything else (could be left in your system from other pregnancies, miscarriages, or other issues). I understand being hesitant to jump into surgery. You have to do whatever youre comfortable with - its your body. What made my decision clear was when my doctor explained how I could have other issues that would cause the IVF not to work. I didn't want to spend the money and then find that out after - I'd rather just know everything up front. Good luck to you and your journey. Sending positive vibes and strength your way ♡

Answer

I was in the same boat. Do I do lap or do I go to iui then ivf. My doctor recommend that I do the Lapo to see what stage I had and then to see where the endo was inside me. Ultrasound does not always pick up what is happening inside you. I read so many things. What made me do it was there was a lot of people on here that suggest it and then my RE recommend it. The last thing you want is to do ivf then have to go back to doing the Lapo lady. Plus maybe after you have the procedure maybe you can try on your own for 6 months. Which is what must doctor recommend.

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By the way, my insurance covers about 80% of my IVF but very little of the meds. So money isn't much a factor for the decision. It's more about is the surgery worth it if I'm going into IVF?

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Try the lap surgery first. Ivf won't have a good chance of working if everything is still full of tissue. Also increased chance of miscarriage.  I had lap surgery, was told I was infertile after the procedure and got pregnant 8 months later with not really trying

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I've heard that having a lap if you do indeed have endo increases your fertility. just keep in mind that it is surgery (duh) but it's a pretty big deal, I had a horrible time in the hospital and am finding I am experiencing a bit of anxiety following my surgery. I don't know if I would recommend the surgery unless your symptoms were severe! good luck with you choice!

Answer

I have endo and did ivf. I also did a lap about 6 months before but only to clear things up in there do to the severity of my symptoms. I don't think however that the lap has any affect on the result of ivf but I would think your re could tell you. They will do hysterograms of your uterus first any way so they would know if there any problems there first.  Good luck w/ whatever you decide.

Need advice: lap surgery or IVF?

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