Hydrosalpinx clipping going private? anyone experienced

[IVFtrip]

Hi Everyone, just on the hunt for a bit of info. I had a consultation n Wednesday confirming both fallopians are blocked with hydrosalpinx. I'm 41 so it was quite devastating to be told I'm now going to have to wait upto 9/10 months as this is the current NHS waiting time for the hydrosalpinx clipping procedure. My IVF can't begin until I've had this sorted and as I said with my age, time is ticking

I've already been waiting for 18 months for appointments / referrals / scans to get this far so just gutted for an even bigger delay.

I've started looking at going private to get the hydrosalpinx sorted so I can get on with the IVF as soon as possible. I've not really been given much advice by the doctor regarding going private (although she did agree it would be to my advantage)but nothing regarding what to ask for specifically or where to approach etc. So many have other procedures listed, and have things such as female sterilisation, tubal ligation, tubal occlusion - which all seem to be the same procedure and outcome (clipping or tying of the fallopian tubes) but no where can I find "Hydrosalpinx Clipping"

Complete removal of the tubes wasn't mentioned by the doctor, just clipping so I've not search for a full salpingectomy.

I've only had one response from many many emails I've sent to private hospitals, and so far I'm looking at nearly £7000!!!

Has anyone had this done private? Could anyone advise on exactly what the procedure is called, any idea on cost?

I really can't afford that much, especially if I end up having to fund the IVF too.

Thanks

[Seren0119]

I had it done on one tube - doctors have their own opinions on this, but I was strongly advised by senior specialists to have complete removal (not clipping) because it reduces the risk of infection and the need for any potential follow-up surgery.

I was also advised to batch egg collections and then do the surgery when it comes to transfer.

Given your time pressure; I would be strategic - stay on NHS for the surgery, meanwhile do as many egg collections as you can to batch embryos, then once you have had the surgery you can transfer them. I think that’s the most effective use of time. Remember it’s the age of the egg, not the womb that matters most x

[psalm18 in reply to Seren0119]

Sounds like a brilliant idea.

[IVFtrip in reply to Seren0119]

Thank you for the reply. I think I'm just being super impatient and I guess it's silly to try and pay for the Hydrosalpinx surgery when there are other options. If my first round of NHS IVF doesn't work we'll be self funding a 2nd or however many we can, so if waiting for the hydrosalpinx surgery saves £££ with eggs harvested regardless it makes sense. Thanks again.

😍

[Purple276]

Hi,I'm so sorry to hear the waiting times and totally understand the frustration and feeling like time is ticking.

Egg batching is a great idea as you then can freeze them and pause their age giving you time to get the tubes sorted.

I had Acupuncture after the procedure leading up to my IVF and he told me that there would have been a possibility he could have helped unblock the tubes. I'm not sure but probably would have given it a go while was on the waiting list so could be something to look into?

Good luck x

[IVFtrip in reply to Purple276]

Thank you for your reply, I think I'm just being impatient! I'm going to give everything a go whilst I'm on this waiting list so I'll deffo add some acupuncture. I've had friends and famly use it for other things with success so everything is worth a shot. Thank again

😍

[Lolalules]

Hi, i had the same issue with one tube. The wait time was 10 months so we went privately, as we didn’t want to delay IVF. I researched gynaecologist surgeons and ultimately found a great private consultant at Nuffield Cambridge. Not sure where you’re located but I highly recommend and it wasn’t as much as you were quoted. His name was Dr. Hackett, from speaking with him to surgery was 2 months. Feel free to reach out to me via DM if you have any more qus 👍 x

[Roobs33]

I had it done privately which was about £5000. My consultant did a laparoscopy to clip the right tube. She did suggest removal but she said it was too infected near the ovary and she didn’t want to damage the ovary before IVF. I had previously had another laparoscopy 6 months prior to that for endemetriosis with the same consultant so a bit of a different approach. It was helpful to find out that my consultant also works in the NHS and I am now under her care there. But like others have said doing egg banking first sounds like a good plan. They said to me that having it done would increase implantation chances by 50% as the fluid is toxic and can leak into the womb. Wishing you all the best and glad they are on the case with things. I hope everything works out for you xxx

[Lioness-icsi]

I have had both tubes taken out because of hydrosalphinx (affects implantation) and they were blocked. I had collection first and then the procedure. Had it done privately (insurance) and wait was 4 months. Now waiting for FET.

[Emilye92x]

Sorry if I’m late to the party and you’ve already got this sorted, but I was in the same boat as you early last year! We opted to go privately also due to the waiting times but still ended up with delays due to unavoidable circumstances - I caught covid then had shingles, then our consultant became too unwell to work and we had to be allocated a new one - about 6 months wait in total which all things considered wasn’t too bad

We paid about £5000 total for a bilateral salpingectomy in November 2021 at the Spire hospital. Be careful with quotes as when we asked around we were quoted for the surgery only, and the pre-op appointments and scans all have additional charges.

In the pre op appointment they said the aim for me was to remove the tubes (which sounds like would be your best option) but if there were adhesions (scarring) to the bowel then they would clip the tubes instead. This is because removing the tubes may cause damage to the bowel. Clipping the tubes would stop the fluid from the hydrosalpinx entering the womb which is what would be the most likely cause of a miscarriage should you go ahead with IVF without any surgery at all.

Good luck and make good use of this forum going forward I’ve had some fabulous advise from these lovely ladies! Xx