Endometriosis Gyno specialists recommendations?

Submitted by toolatetobeoriginal t3_z14bx3 in pittsburgh

Hi there!

Curious if anyone has any good endometriosis specialist recommendations out there. I know Nancy Nook recommends Dr.Ted Lee. However I couldn’t get in for months, and some of the other reviews I’ve read doesn’t make me feel warm and fuzzy.

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield. I prefer AHN clinics, and would also prefer a doctor in the South Hills (I’ve been going to Dr.Majmudar in the NH for a decade). Trying to start to align my healthcare on this side of the river closer to home.

I’m at 9 years post lap, so I’m due for another. Bonus points if the doctor performs excisions in lieu of ablation.

Also, surprised I didn’t see any r/endometriosis queries when using the search function on this sub!

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SqHill t1_ix91swe wrote

I saw Dr Nicole Donnellan at Magee last year and was able to get in for diagnostic laparoscopic surgery with excision within a few months of the first appointment. It was clear that she had a lot of experience with patients like me and was also compassionate listening to my fears and stresses around the whole situation. (Endo is terrible and it took me 8 years to finally get diagnosed) I felt confident moving forward with her doing the surgery and it has made such a difference in my quality of life.

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AlfieHitchcock t1_ixky2t3 wrote

YES YES YES!!! Dr. Donnellan changed my fucking life and finally gave me my total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at age 33 and 15 years of endo torture and useless ablation or excision surgeries.

Very few gynos would even consider that surgery at that age. Even with me being FTM.

Dr. Donnellan never even had compunction. She respected my wants, my personal story, and my decade+ of endo history. It's a bit of a wait for appointments but it's because she's the best.

I'm going on 3 years pain-free in January from my hysto. I haven't had that much time pain-free since I was in high school!

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dropkickpa t1_ixbmpmg wrote

I don't see her for endo, but Dr. Donellen is wonderful. She's my second doc at Magee and both were wonderful (1st left Pittsburgh sadly). Her NP is also great!

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youtriedincomicsans t1_ix90e9a wrote

I had excision surgery from Dr. Noah Rindos, who's at AHN these days but seems to do most of his work north of the city. He did a great job with the excision and I appreciate that he's an educator in addition to a physician. I was fairly early in my diagnosis and treatment journey when I met Dr. Rindos and he taught me so much about endo and how to manage it alongside my other conditions.

Best wishes on getting your next surgery! This condition is a bear to deal with and access is tough during COVID times.

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toolatetobeoriginal OP t1_ix9a8b9 wrote

I was scheduled for my second ablation on 3/28/2020… so safe to say that didn’t happen! I love doctor maj but she delivered my step sister who has had 4 kids consequently. She’s just getting a little out of date in her current practicex and I really wanted a more endo specialized doctor.

Thank you for the rec!

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AlfieHitchcock t1_ixkya3s wrote

Dr. Maj was out of date on endo back when I saw her c. 2005-2010. No one should go to her for it.

She told me as a 19-21yo to fix it I should "get married, have a baby"....I'm FTM. And also was a 19-year-old dumbass that had no business doing either.

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toolatetobeoriginal OP t1_ixm0m46 wrote

I mean she diagnosed me with precancerous cells and gave me a cryro consequently after my first apt. Then diagnosed me with endo within my first 6 months of obscure complaints. Then had me on the table shortly after my sonograms. I always thought she was fine enough. I know some people take decades to get diagnosed. I do wish she would update her procedures since only doing ablations suck. I think she’s close to retirement now. Sorry to hear you had such a bad time

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labgrownfriend t1_ix9i0bc wrote

I know you prefer AHN and S Hills, but if you’re young and looking for a hysterectomy - the folks at UPMC Magee will give you one. I was terrified to ask due to my age and lack of offspring, and just dipped my toe in saying “can you put in my chart I’d like a hysterectomy by age 30?” And the NP said she could get me one 4 months from my appointment if I wanted it.

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Tough-Excitement7065 t1_ix9iv22 wrote

All 4 docs in the UPMC MIGs department are fantastic (have worked with them for a month on a rotation as a student, seeing all of the successful cases they have performed). Dr. Ted Lee is one of the most renowned laparoscopic gyn surgeons in the world. I personally like Dr. Mansuria’s personality the most.

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toolatetobeoriginal OP t1_ixabev1 wrote

I’m actually scheduled with dr.mansuria for later February (earliest they could get me in).

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sirjamesbluebeard t1_ixb34w0 wrote

Dr. Mansuria is great. He did a laparoscopic excision on me, and then a year or so later put an IUD in when the doc at my regular gyne told me it would be “too much of a hassle” to try to place an IUD because my hip bones are narrow and my cervix is slightly tilted. His bedside manner is excellent.

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toolatetobeoriginal OP t1_ixb3vrl wrote

Good to know!! Thank you. I’ve never had a male gyno so I’m kind of weary. I mean ultimately it’s a doctor. But to know there’s good bedside manner helps my anxiety for sure

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sirjamesbluebeard t1_ixb7sm0 wrote

He was the first male gyne I’d ever seen, so I was super anxious too (more than usual). He never made me feel uncomfortable or unheard or invalidated or anything though. It’s been several years since I’ve seen him, but if I ever have endo pain or complications again he’s the only one I’d go to. He really is great.

Actually, the reason I went to him for an IUD is because the doctor at my regular gyne office told me no and made me feel like there was something fundamentally wrong with my body. I was so defeated and desperate, and Dr. Mansuria was the only other gyne I’d been to. I went into that appointment telling him that I knew it probably wouldn’t be possible to do, and that it was fine, I just wanted to get a second opinion. When he did the exam, he said “it might be a little tricky, but we can definitely try.” He got an IUD in on the first try with no complications. And when I very nearly passed out from the pain when I sat up, he insisted I go to the cafeteria and sit and drink a cup of hot tea before driving myself home.

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Tough-Excitement7065 t1_ixccmcd wrote

Yes Dr. Mansuria is awesome!! I’ve only been on the other side as a student but it’s great to hear patient stories :)

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sirjamesbluebeard t1_ixd1v7a wrote

This was back in 2016-2017. I’ve been singing his praises ever since. If you’re still in circles with him, please give him my thanks. I’m one of thousands of patients, but he’s one of very few doctors that I trust.

The other Dr. Mansuria story I like to tell is from right before my endo excision. I was nervous as all hell, ativan in my IV, laying in the pre-op area waiting. He came in to introduce himself to my family. I don’t remember much of the conversation, but I remember that he ended with “don’t worry, I watched a couple youtube videos, so I think I have a pretty good idea of what I’m doing.”

I guess some people might find that off-putting, but he must be able to read the room pretty well because it made me & my family all laugh.

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Tough-Excitement7065 t1_ixccu1f wrote

Yeah it’s def hard to get scheduled with them because of how busy they are. Dr. Mansuria is easier to get in than with Dr. Lee. Dr. Donnellan/Dr. Allen might be even easier to get in with. Dr. Mansuria also does surgeries at the UPMC Cranberry and Passavant hospitals, in case you’d prefer those locations over Magee hospital.

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toolatetobeoriginal OP t1_ixckwom wrote

Are you familiar with how the insurance portion would function by chance? Like if I needed surgery but it was from an in-house doctor? Dr.Maj operates out of UPMC but was going to do my procedure at west Penn for insurance

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Tough-Excitement7065 t1_ixd7fx3 wrote

I unfortunately don’t know anything about insurance, but you can probably call their office and they can help you

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kaitb1103 t1_ixal1x7 wrote

Another for UPMC Magee. They listen. They will do whatever you need. And I truly truly recommend them.

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toolatetobeoriginal OP t1_ixan1sq wrote

So my insurance (BCBS) said UPMC Magee was in network. I think I’ve had such a horrible experiences with UPMC, that I’m so skeptical that it’ll be ok. Like I’m concerned they’ll mess up my billing or not file a claim correctly to my insurance.

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kaitb1103 t1_ixaneaq wrote

I’m honestly not surprised.

I do think it’s YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary) depending on your doctor AND insurance.

However- you have a few things going for you.

One- if you get an estimate in writing from your insurance side, then it’s fantastic.

Two- the no surprise act was passed in January of this year. Basically- if they tell you it’s covered at no cost, it’s covered. And if they try to bill you later- it’s covered. There’s a whole website in the PA government that will fight it for you.

I know our situations are different but I just got sterilized. They tried to bill me for anesthesia for my surgery. I’m in the midst of fighting it because you cannot have a surgery without anesthesia. It’s a slam dunk case essentially (according to my auditor). It’s worth the fight to me, and I think you’d be ok!

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toolatetobeoriginal OP t1_ixao7fs wrote

Yeah, I was on my fathers union insurance where I could go to either AHN or UPMC for years. I’m just partial but from what I’m hearing, it’s UPMC Magee for any endo specialists

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Argercy t1_ixbijox wrote

The only one I know who was able to help me is Dr Gary Bergman but he's located in Butler County. Idk if he has any offices outside of the BMH circuit. He really is an excellent doctor, I highly recommend.

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AlfieHitchcock t1_ixky02m wrote

Oh dear. I went to Dr. Majumdar and found she was totally unequipped to handle endo. I could tell you horror stories.

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