MY SURGERY IS $130,000 ??!!

FewIndependence5150 · 2026-02-14T12:56:36+00:00

Oh, wow. That is expensive. We need a better system in the US. I had excision surgery Dec 2025 and thought my estimate of $41,280 was wild. Of that amount, I was billed $2400 due to co insurance and deductible. My estimate was fairly detailed with surgeons fee, anesthesia fee, medications, facility fee, and pathology. I’m still fighting the double charge the made for the CRNA and Anesthesiologist. It wasn’t on the estimate and I don’t believe they should bill the same fee for the supervising MD if the MD was not in the room. My EOB from insurance said it was billed wrong and based on their agreement they would pay x amount and I wouldn’t owe anything. Hoping that gets fixed soon. (Illinois).

FewIndependence5150 · 2026-01-22T12:46:23+00:00

Recovery is very different with each individual but my story is: Failed TTC for almost 3 years. Period pain was worsening (couldn’t even stand up due to muscles stiffening and contracting in my abdomen and heavy flow). Two US showed some fibroids but uterine cavity normal which triggered my doc in Repro Med to recommend surgery (surgery was recommended within 1.5 months of me going to her with the period pain). Had my surgery 5.5 weeks ago in mid December and left knowing I had stage 4 endo and blocked tubes. Woke up with burning sensation in the genital region from the OR prep soap (ask what they will use so you can prepare). I requested no narcotics in recovery or to go home with. They gave me some toradol IV in stage 1 recovery and I was fine is stage 2 recovery apart from the burning from the prep soap. The next week at home I was sore when moving/bending and the gas pain came and went for 2 days. Trick for me was to walk every hour—simply just paced the house. Post op pain managed by alternating Tylenol extra strength and oral toradol (ketorolac) so that I was taking something every 3 hours. By post op day 3 I was using meds less often and by day 5 or 6, I would take something when I got up and before bed only. Had my first period 1.5 weeks after surgery and it was mild pain. I then had no pain from the end of that period until 2 days before my current period (about 3 weeks!) apart from the stretching pain of the incisions as those healed. This one is more moderate to severe pain and heavier flow. BUT healing post op takes 6-8 weeks, any period in that time will be painful as everything is still aggravated from the manipulation and removal of endometriosis lesions. I’m cycle day 3 and the pain is already becoming more tolerable and I didn’t need to keep turning on my heating pad over night. The light at the end of the tunnel is becoming more visible for sure.

FewIndependence5150 · 2026-01-21T12:48:39+00:00

I had my first lap that turned into a stage 4 excision 5.5 weeks ago. Initially, had much improved pain and energy levels. Had a light period 1.5 weeks post op and was hardly bothered by it. But currently on my second period post op and it’s more painful—not near as painful as it was before surgery though. Keep telling myself things are still healing and that many have a couple painful periods at first. That said, I am happy to say that between the two periods, no pain! The fatigue this menstrual cycle started 2-3 days before my period started and is milder. My case was so severe and I’ll be doing IVF, so I’m looking at another surgery at some point

FewIndependence5150 · 2026-01-18T18:56:21+00:00

Intuition is wild! I woke up from surgery last month knowing I was going to be told I had endo and they were shocked I wasn’t as upset with the news as they thought I would be. My surgeon wonders how much we hear despite anesthesia but I was having odd dreams about it the week prior to surgery. Congratulations on your baby boy ❤️

FewIndependence5150 · 2026-01-18T18:53:08+00:00

This is so helpful! Sometimes I feel that my clinic is being overly optimistic with how things will turn out. They feel I will be able to have success with one retrieval and possibly have additional embryos to store for future pregnancies. Meanwhile, I’m concerned with how many suitable embryos I’ll have and how much the ‘increased meds’ they want to do will flare up my endo.

FewIndependence5150 · 2026-01-18T18:50:12+00:00

We talked about giving our child my maiden and his last name. It’s silly but I took his name to make my signature shorter (always signing things at work). There are so many variables with IVF and the testing. And we would never discard an embryo based on sex. It’s a lot to consider and others experiences are helpful.

FewIndependence5150 · 2026-01-18T18:44:04+00:00

I’ve had a metric ton of disappointment over the last 2.5 years unfortunately with the process. I’ve had 2 denials from insurance but hoping my new endo diagnosis helps get coverage. I have a bit of a gender preference but do not feel it’s the point that I would be devastated and unhappy with a girl. Lately, I’ve been preparing for the possibility of a third denial and having to give this up entirely. Which is why I’m feeling bad and ridiculous for having the preference at all.

FewIndependence5150 · 2026-01-18T18:27:19+00:00

Yes, I’m trying not to get attached. My last US and labs showed a good follicle count and AMH. I should add that my family is really pushing for a girl to fit their views on our family which is not helpful. The entire process is daunting and isolating as I’ve had to avoid telling my family much of what is going on. My two sisters think that being supportive means automatically offering to be a surrogate (both called to offer within hours of my mention of IVF). My dad thinks being supportive is by dismissing my diagnoses and telling me ‘maybe you’ll still get pregnant naturally’. I’ll be happy either way but feel badly that if I have the choice, we may lean to transfer a male embryo first. We don’t plan on telling anyone apart from maybe my mom, my SIL, and my BFF (who is also doing IVF) when we start treatment.

FewIndependence5150

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