Help please! How long does it take to conceive after laparoscopy?

[lilly13]

Hi ladies, my big sister has been trying to to conceive for a long time. She has been diagnosed with an advanced endometriosis and needs a surgery (laparoscopy). She is really worried that this would postpone her conception even further (she is turning 39 soon), and is very sad and lost.

Has anyone had any experience with laparoscopy? How long was the recovery period after the surgery? How long did it take you to conceive afterwards?

Many thanks for your responses in advance!

As far as I remember, a laparoscopy is a camera they insert into the uterus to see where any potential problem is.

When I had mine done 20 years ago, that was when they told me I had scar tissue and although that was the cause of my infertility issues, they didn't actually tell me that; I only found that out a couple of years later when I was referred to a clinic after not falling pg.
So I don't know if the answer lies with a laparoscopy in falling pg if that makes sense.

Hi

Sorry to read about your sister's endo.

A laparoscopy can be used as purely a diagnostic procedure (certainly not what is needed here) but it can be used to also remove the endometriosis deposits. This is what needs to happen; she really does not need repeat surgeries (as any type of abdominal surgery can also lead to adhesions forming).

If she is not already aware of it she may want to look at www.endo.org.uk as this can be informative.

She needs a specialist surgeon (i.e not just any old gynae) with plenty of experience in treating endo and up to date knowledge of current procedures. As solo's experience has shown doing a poor initial lap can lead to just more problems later on. Fortunately things have moved on a bit since that time but not all gynaes are as skilled as others are in treating endo.

I would ask plenty of questions of the surgeon before and post lap; she needs to also educate herself too. The more information she herself has the better informed she will be re making treatment decisions.

I have had laparoscopic surgery to remove endometriosis deposits and the recovery time in my case was about 2-3 days post op. My endo though although extensive was classed as stage 1-2. Your sister should certainly have a follow up appt a week post op to discuss the findings of the laparoscopy. Will be happy to put up a list of questions she could ask re that if needed.

Hi Attila and Solo! Thank you so much for your replies. Very informative! My sis lives abroad, but I live in London. I will start looking for a specialist here to treat her privately. I am sure there is plenty of talent on Harley Street. I really want to help as I feel kind of guilty myself (18 wks pregnant now and don't have the guts to tell her yet ). Thank you so much! I am sure I will be back to get your list of questions. In the meanwhile, wishing you both great conception and pregnancies!

I think it varies a lot. I was told there was no reason not to start trying again straight away, although it was unsuccessful. I know someone else who had the same op and got pregnant with twins the next month!

Oh! thanks for the wishes lilly, but I managed to fall pg naturally 4 times from the age of 31 resulting in the two Dc's that are arguing as I type . I got my first born at 34 and my second born at almost 43...although I'd love another, I doubt it'll happen as I'm knocking on 47 and single.

Hope your sister is as lucky as I sometimes when they aren't arguing feel I have been. :)

I hadn't a lap as a diagnostic procedure. I got my result while lying in bed after procedure and was told I was clear. There were no blovkages. I got
Pregnant that month so not sure if the 'clear out' helped even though officially there was nothing there to clear. Before I went under I signed consent to treat anything they did find while they were in so I disn'5 need to go back under BUT said no removal of tubes or anything so she needs to be clear what she is signing.

Good luck! Xx

i had a laparoscopy and removal of endo and fell pregnant the first month trying after it! was trying for a year leading up to the operation so hopefully your sister will be the same

Ive had a few laparoscopy.. was to remove cyst on my ovarie and then they removed my left fallopian tube. As it was blocked swollen and wrapped itseft around my ovarie.. and i had another one just under 2 weeks ago. The recovery time is a few days. But you fully recover in just over a week. I have mine 20th September 19. And now its 3rd October 19 and im feeling more myself.

They found scar tissue and they manged to unblock my right fallopian tube. Ive been trying to fall pregnant for about 8 years.

I had a laparoscopy in June 2018, fell pregnant in August 2019 (didn't ttc in July as still on lots of pain.
Sadly miscarried in October.

Had another laparoscopy in June 2019 and sadly been unable to conceive despite them checking everything is ok.

I'm 42 so time not on my side.

I had laprascopy in January 2018 and had a failed ivf cycle 4 months later.
The endo comes back quite quickly so I believe that they usually only wait 8 weeks before ivf treatment if she is going down that route.
This time (2nd ivf cycle) I did the medication Decapeptyl for 4 months before a fresh ivf cycle and that was successful. Im now 8 week's pregnant. Wishing your sister lots of luck. I know how awful endometriosis is.