Those who have had a lap please come in

LOVEDBYD

My RE has never mentioned this to me and I suspect it is because I have no symptoms of endo or other issues. Just wondering if this is something I should suggest to him. I don't know what to do, I've never been pregnant so I am wondering if there is an internal issue I don't know about (We've done testing except lap).

Why did you have a lap?

What symptoms (if any) did you have in order for your RE to recommend a lap?

2bKEdwards

I had a lap because of an endometrial cyst.  He got rid of some endo spots while he was in there, but it was only because of the cyst.

k-mart

Hi K - just wanted to send you big hugs!!!

AnnaM2

I've had 2 laps done. One in 3/1999 and one 4/2007.  I was having painful intercourse, and my ob/gyn for the first one said he could feel it upon doing a vaginal exam.  I don't know if that's possible, but he removed several spots during the lap.  I still have some cramping during my period, but nothing too bad.  I don't know if this helps. 

KoCoLoCo

I had a lap because of irregularities on my HSG that suggested endometriosis (lap confirmed stage 1 endo).  I also didn't do it until after 3 (*I think it was after the 3rd at least*) failed IVFs.  If you have no reasons at all I wouldn't think you would need one, but it of course never hurts to at least ask your doctor.

tarajayne

I had to get a polyp removed and he decided to do the lap at the same time so I wouldn't have to do it later on and have 2 surgeries.  I had no endo though.

patchen30

My first RE never suggested a lap before doing IUIs b/c I had no symptoms of endo.  After the IUIs didn't work, he didn't suggest a lap b/c even if you do find endo, the most effective way to get pregnant still is IVF, and I was doing IVF anyway.  After my first IVF didn't work, my RE said that studies show increased implantation after a lap in women who had previously undetected endo.  He said however he didn't suggest doing one after only 1 failed IVF, b/c it could have gone wrong for so many other reasons.  However, if my second IVF doesn't work (praying that it does!), I would do a lap. 

Here's the article about the study: 

https://www.endometriosis.org/research-laparoscopy-for-fertility.html

Trippleb

When I scheduled my first appt with my RE I had no symptoms of endo.  It took three months to be seen by his office and during that time I started to experience a dull pain on my left side.   An ultrasound should a 2.5cm mass on my left ovary.  That's why I had my first lap.

My endo was so severe that it is obvious that it's been around for years. I suspect since I was in my teens.  When I was younger I had terrible periods.  I went on bcp at 18 for a simple cyst and stayed on them until I turned 30.  During that time AF was very mild.  I had no pain and barely ever had PMS.  The next eight years my cycles were like clock work, short and almost pain free.    Then the last two years I started getting spotting exactly 3 days before AF.  Nothing that even required a pantyliner and only for that one day.    I've since learned that spotting is a sign of endo.  My endo was so severe that it required a second surgery three months later.

I also have a sister who had severe endo since her teens.   I always assumed I must be endo free because my cycle were so problem free, unlike her who is constantly dealing with pain.

If it wasn't for the mass on my ovary, I probably would not have done the lap.  However, hindsight it was probably better to have had the lap because I would have wasted a lot of time and money on IUI's before trying IVF.    From everything I read, if you have moderate to severe endo it's best to go straight to IVF.

SallyAnneS

I am having my lap consult tomorrow.  My RE had given me the decision to have the lap or not at our first meeting.  At the time I had decided no.  But I couldn't get it out of my mind that she said "You can have no symptoms and lots of endo, and lots of symptoms and no endo".  So I decided a few weeks ago that I would go ahead with the surgery.  I have since found out that my mom had endo to the point that she had her uterus removed after I was born.  Apperantly it is genetic.  *thanks mom*.   I will keep the board posted about anything else I find out.

Ranita

I had to get a polyp removed and had SUPER painful AF's like to the point that I couldn't function and nothing worked.  They removed the polyp and endo at the same time.  It's not the worst procedure ever but it's not nice either so talk to your doctor about whether it's worth it in your case.

lavitabella17

My first RE suggested doing a lap to unblock tube and check to see if I had endo. If no lap, then I'll have to do IVF. I went for a second opinion and he said their is a blood test to tell if you have endo. I'm waiting for the results (tomorrow). I didn't even know there was a blood test for endo until they told me. I have a lap scheduled but still unsure if I want to proceed. I'll decide after I get results on the blood work. You should ask your RE about the blood test for endo.

carlatron

Have you that the HSG (dye test)? That's how I ended up getting my lap. The dye test showed blockages.

 

Good luck!

lyse2143

For those who saw abnormalities during your HSG, what were they?

At mine, we saw my uterus was completely to the left of my spine and appeared scarred down. When he tugged on it, it stretched out to be the upside down triangle shape but did not move freely like it should.