Laparoscopy for endo at Liverpool women's hospital

[Sarahdaydreamer1234]

Hi has anyone successfully had endometriosis removed at the women's in Liverpool? Specifically with Dr Monika Oktaba? I'm having mine soon and I've just seen a review that she may not be great. She is definitely the most specialist in the hospital but I think I should have maybe went to the wirral as they seem to have some real experts! I'm just petrified shell not find any and I won't believe that I don't have it - if that makes sense.

Also is it rare that endo is missed? This doctor seems to do endo surgery regularly so I'm hoping I'm just paranoid.

The Wirral hospital is an accredited BGSE centre

www.bsge.org.uk/centre/page/6/

@attilathemeerkat I know so annoyed that I didn't ask to be referred there at the start but to change now would set me back another 10 months possibly and I would rather have the operation before starting IVF.

@attilathemeerkat I think it possible they use laser instead of excision too in Liverpool which I know isn't great. Do you happen to know if laser can still help fertility as much as excision? I know excision will likely clear up the endo for longer but if I can manage to get pregnant within 6 months after laser I don't mind if it then comes back Im just desperate to have a baby the pain would be manageable.

"Do you happen to know if laser can still help fertility as much as excision?"

That is a question best left to the gynae consultant but it may be an idea for you to speak to Endometriosis UK as they operate a telephone helpline. The more you arm yourself with knowledge here the better, after all knowledge is power.

My endometriosis was dealt with via diathermy but the endometriosis at that time was not chronic; also it was pretty much localised within the uterine cavity. That factor and an experienced surgeon with a specialised interest in endo helped me no end. I have had problems during the past year with heavy bleeding pertaining to endometriosis.

www.endometriosis-uk.org/

Unless you’ve got confirmed Stage 3/4 endo you can’t be referred to a tertiary (BGSE) centre on the NHS. But, your laparoscopy should be done by a gynae with a special interest in endo. I can’t see that your surgeon has this listed anywhere.

Endo can easily be missed, I had my first done by a general gynae with a lot of experience in endo, but he missed a lot of it which was then found by a specialist BGSE surgeon 12 months later. It is very difficult surgery.

@porridgeislife she runs the endo clinic in Liverpool and is definately the best surgeon from the womens to be doing it. I suppose I am just going to have to hope for the best and hope they find it all.
Sorry that you had a hard time with it all! Did you manage to concieve after the second surgery? Which method did they use to remove yours?

@attilathemeerkat thank you for that really helpful

My first surgery was ablation and totally pointless. Second was excision. No, haven’t conceived yet.

@porridgeislife I'm sorry to hear that! Hopefully the excision you've had will do the trick.. Was that long ago? My plan is to give it 6 months and go for IVF but I'd hate to think unremoved endo would mess up my IVF but I'm not sure how I will know if I need further surgery

Hi @Sarahdaydreamer1234

I asked the same question to my surgeon (I had a laparoscopy last week) and he said both work - laser and excision - but he said with excision you can be sure it’s fully removed as you’re physically removing it. With laser as it’s ‘burning it’ then it starts on the top layer and parts could be missed if the endometrioma is bigger or quite deep.

He said for all his patients he recommends excision and that’s what I opted for

let me know if you have any questions 😊

@2020ttc oh that makes so much sense.. Ill ask if they can excise..did he say to remove it all would be better for fertility reasons? I suppose it must be but maybe even removing most of it would do the trick if I have to go laser 🤞

@Sarahdaydreamer1234 Yeah so me and my husband have been trying around 1 year now with no luck!

For me, the found two large areas of endometrioma on my right ovary and cysts on my left so they removed all the affected areas.

My concern was complete ovarian failure so I couldn’t have children but the odds are so so low. It should help with fertility but obviously it’s not a promise and it might not.

My issue was I was having very bad pains and ended up in hospital 3 times in 4 months so that’s why I opted for the surgery as I just couldn’t ‘do’ life during that pain!

Is that a reason you’re looking at it? x

@2020ttc hopefully this will sort both out for u!! For me it's fertility been trying two years with one mc in first year.. I get bowel pain during period and quite bad cramps which are signs.. I don't have any cysts but having the lap to check for endo anywhere! I'm hoping I have it and the remove it and that's me 🤞

I don't know why I'm posting this here as I haven't even told my husband yet (waiting until he gets home from work) but it looks like I might have to cancel my op as I got BFP but only an IC so I don't quite believe it yet 🙈freaking out is an understatement

@Sarahdaydreamer1234
Hi, I’m just doing some research, as my daughter is under the same lady as you and it due for an operation next year.
Any feedback would be much appreciated!!

I hope everything went smoothly for you and you are well on your way to recovery now.

Many thanks.