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I don't have any experience with Fallopian tube repair, buy I know that they are very delicate and I imagine the potential success of repair would be lower than the possibility of IVF working. I don't think anybody wants to go the IVF route, but it's not that bad and you don't need tubes for it to work!

I hope someone has better info about repairs! But if you need any advice for IVF or general support, you'll find a lot of here! Good luck!!

@Tgilbe1: I hope so too!

@Tgilbe1: I had a friend who had the same situation......she dis do surgeries to try to correct this...for her it did not work, she had thwm removed and did IVF and just had a baby girl....

Not saying that is your journey, but they can try to fix it!!!

Best of luck to you!!!!!!!

oh man @Tgilbe1 I am going through the EXACT same thing. I found out the news last week -- the nurse called me, told me the doc was going to call, he never did, and basically after almost a week and a half, I am finally getting in for a meeting. So I feel your pain re: a month.

I have researched this and read some OB/GYN textbooks now and I think we have a few options (i) repeat the HSG depending on how confident you are in the results (I'm not so confident in my mine, so I think I may try this); (ii) do a diagnostic lap, which I have now extensively researched. I know they are medical people so no need to be embarrassed, but I am VERY hesitant about this option in light of the success rates of de-blockage (though the closer the blockage to the uterus, the higher your chances of success) and the fact that they do put you in stirrups for the whole procedure (esp if you are doing a lap and dye and I am very self-conscious and have unhealthily high anxiety about the OB/GYN/RE), or (iii) proceed directly to IVF.

I am considering the last one if it is offered to me. I am so tired of being sad and according to the OB/GYN textbooks I read, IVF risks appear to be lower than those associated with lap surgery. IVF risks chiefly include multiples, and I would prefer a singleton, and ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome. Both are scary, but so is laparoscopy in its own way, and based on my research and my current very delicate and sad mental state, IVF seems to be a more attractive choice in light of my circumstances.

Laparoscopy risks include those associated with being under anesthesia longer, bowel perforation, hip pain, etc -- again LOW risk of this happening, but there are still risks. Lap may, however, be covered by your insurance, and it would potentially give you a chance of conceiving au natural, so these are things to consider. And your blockage may be easily treatable, so lap may be a good option. But I'm sure your doc will advise you appropriately.

With all that said, I'm not a doc and haven't gone through a lap or IVF, so I defer 100% to ladies with experience on these. Also, I have a poor prognosis of de-blockage given that mine are apparently closer to my ovaries, so some of this is me trying to convince myself that IVF is the right choice for me.

I will let you know what he says. Best wishes to you.

@tgilbe1 -turns out I have a hydrosalpinx which is why the doc thinks I'm not conceiving. Because fluids from a hydro can be toxic to an embryo, my best option at this point is lap surgery. The doc will try to fix my tube (he thinks he can), but if it's in worse shape than he expects when he gets in there he will take it out. I am afraid of what he may find since I do not have any of the typical causes of a hydro I just hope nothing really bad. I only have it on one side and my other tube looks fine.

Sounds like your situation is a little different from mine so you may be able to avoid the lap and skip straight to ivf... Or get the hsg repeated -- they can be wrong especially if the blockage is closer to your uterus than your ovary. Keep us posted. Sending you happy thoughts.

@Tgilbe1 -- I'm actually not sure yet regarding the IVF. I think it will probably depend on why the tube is blocked and what he finds in there. Hopefully nothing too terrible.

I have read the unblocking tubes is just a temporary fix, and the tube seals back up within 3-6 months. Just so disappointing. I hope that IVF may work for me if it comes to that. It's just the doc thinks my tube could be blocked potentially due to endometriosis, and I don't know what that means for my odds with IVF

@Tgilbe1: I'm so sorry you didn't get better news. I hope you're able to get to a resolution soon!

@Tgilbe1: My RE didn't think my remaining tube needed to be removed, so we left it alone. I think had it been a hydro he would have recommended removing it because my research at that time showed often you should remove them in that case. Is it easier to have them tied or removed? So sorry you are going through this. I know the frustration and sadness that comes with the infertility process, but just try to think positive and know that IVF success is great when you have tubal issues since they aren't necessary at all for it. It worked for me and I bet it will work for you!! Let me know if you have any other questions.

@Tgilbe1: From the research i've done, it seems that repairing blocked tubes is tricky business and has a low rate of success. Further more, because it is most likely HVP related, even when the blockage is removed (if it can be), there will more than likely be scarred tissue there which will result in blockage again. From what i've read on the matter, the scarred tissue can *also* be a reason that doctors may even decline the surgery because it can harm more than do good.
But ultimately, you would need the evaluation of an OB to get a definite answer.

Personally, id skip the heartache and go straight to IVF, as it may be the way you end up going after all is said and done anyways. And keep in mind if you have a limit on how much your insurance will cover, you don;t want to "waste" your funds on blockage removal and then find out it failed or you still aren't pregnant and need IVF anyway.

@Tgilbe1: Good luck tomorrow at the OB!

@Tgilbe1: That's great news! Often there can be confusion as to whether it really is hydro or not. When I was undergoing IVF and had to see another RE one day for monitoring because mine was out that day, the RE I saw said I had hydrosalpinx and my husband and I were devastated. This was only a few days before my egg retrieval so we were already about $4000 into the procedure since all the injections were mostly used and so pricey. Anyway, my RE called later that night and said he saw what the other RE had written and that I did NOT have hydro, but that the other RE thought the fluid in my tube looked like it. Anyway, just wanted to point out sometimes it is hard to know without really looking at it, so that is great that your OB doesn't think it is now after looking more carefully. Hopefully, you won't have to have the tubes tied or removed now!

@Tgilbe1: I'm so sorry...hopefully you can move forward with IVF quickly. Hugs.

@Tgilbe1: so sorry you had to have your tubes removed! Good luck with your IVF!! I'm in the middle of my first IVF cycle now. The IVF thread is a great resource for questions!