What I Wish More People Knew About Endometriosis Surgery
What I Wish More People Knew About Endometriosis Surgery
At Our Daughters Foundation, we talk a lot about how knowledge is power — especially when it comes to our bodies. Endometriosis is one of those conditions that’s too often misunderstood or minimized, and sadly, women are often given confusing and misleading information. I receive calls or emails several times per week from women who are suffering with endometriosis. I’m still shocked that doctors who are supposed to be ‘women’s doctors’ are giving out false information or even worse, performing outdated surgery. But the truth is, the type of surgery you have, and who performs it, can completely change your outcome.
So today, I want to share (& expound a bit) on a post by Dr. Lora Liu, Endometriosis Surgeon and Excision Specialist. If you don’t follow Dr. Liu’s social media pages, I wholeheartedly recommend that you do. This post from Dr. Liu details ‘what I wish more people knew about endometriosis surgery — the kind of information I wish every patient had before sitting down with their surgeon.’
1️⃣ There Are Two Types of Endometriosis Surgery
There are two main ways surgeons treat endometriosis:
👉Ablation, which means burning the surface of the lesions.
👉Excision, which means cutting the disease out completely, by its roots.
Here’s the key: only excision removes the disease fully. Ablation can leave behind deeper disease that keeps causing pain, inflammation, and all those familiar symptoms we’re trying to escape.
If you’re considering surgery, ask your surgeon which technique they use — it makes a huge difference.
2️⃣ There’s No Formal Fellowship for “Endometriosis Surgery”
This one surprises a lot of people. There’s actually no official training program or certification for endometriosis surgery.
That means experience varies a lot from one surgeon to another. Some gynecologists might do a handful of cases a year; others dedicate their entire careers to this disease.
So please — don’t be shy about asking questions. Ask about your surgeon’s training, approach, and how many endometriosis cases they handle regularly. It’s your body, and you deserve someone who truly specializes in it.
3️⃣ “High Volume” Means Something Different Here
In general gynecology, doing one endometriosis surgery a month might be considered “high volume.”
But in reality? Endometriosis specialists usually perform 20–30+ complex excision surgeries every month.
That kind of repetition builds skill — and when it comes to a disease as intricate as endo, that level of precision and experience can completely change your outcome.
4️⃣ True Excision Matters
When endometriosis is completely and thoroughly excised, recurrence rates drop dramatically. It is the gold standard for endometriosis treatment.
That’s why finding someone who does true excision surgery (not just burning the surface) is so important. The goal isn’t just temporary relief — it’s long-term healing and reclaiming your quality of life.
5️⃣ Diagnosis Isn’t Based on Symptoms or Scans Alone
I know how frustrating it is when your symptoms are dismissed because your scan “looks normal.” Unfortunately, that happens far too often.
The truth is, the only way to definitively diagnose endometriosis is through surgical tissue confirmation by pathology. Imaging and symptoms can guide the suspicion, but pathology gives the proof.
The Bottom Line
Endometriosis deserves precision, time, and expertise — not shortcuts. This isn’t a “quick fix” kind of disease, and the right surgery can truly change everything.
So if you’re on this journey, take your time finding the right surgeon. Ask questions. Advocate for yourself. You’re not being difficult — you’re being smart.💛
#endometriosis #womenshealth #excision #OurBodiesDeserveFacts