We are an insurance-friendly, out of network provider. This does not mean we are ‘cash only’ and that we ‘do not take insurance.’ Please know that no source other than the CEC can offer you actual specifics regarding your personal costs with us - not people on Reddit, Facebook group members, or random internet blogs. Please contact us directly to discuss your specific details, as your case will not be the same as someone else’s situation. More to the point, third parties who are not on staff at our Center cannot comment on your case with any accuracy or authority.

The CEC’s philosophy is to help as many patients as we can. That means, we work with people of all income levels and financial status. Our goal is to try and assist patients to the fullest extent towards being painfree, and if they desire, to preserve fertility whenever possible. We will work with each patient individually both on their procedural plan as well as their financial situation to the fullest extent we can.

Please understand our fee does not include hospital costs or any other surgeon/First Assistant/anesthesia costs, as they are separate and outside our control, and we can only discuss our fees with you. You will be billed separately for other, non-CEC charges. You will need to work with them directly to establish any financial considerations.

Once scheduled and your fee is contracted, you will be advised what your upfront costs with us are. Again – although we have capped fees, each case is different, so please discuss this matter with our offices personally.

While we have capped fees, we are unable to determine your specific fee prior to reviewing your case, as we need to know what is recommended for your specific treatment. Each individual’s situation is unique and thus is handled on private basis with the CEC’s Surgical Coordinators. Please know we strive very hard to make it a possibility for all patients to receive care with us to the extent we reasonably can, and thus fees can only be determined based on the specific patient’s review, their recommended procedures, their personal financial situation (which we are happy to try and work with) and insurance details.

All patients are informed of their costs well before their surgery date, and contracts are issued with the amounts so there are no surprises.

You can visit Insurance — The Center for Endometriosis Care for more information and the range of our average costs (including our cap).

We do take insurance - as an out of network provider. This is one of the biggest misunderstandings we get asked about. We are an Out of Network (OON) provider in private practice, as are many other specialist surgeons across varied medical disciplines including endometriosis. This does not mean we do not take insurance, nor are we “cash only” - and never have been since we opened our doors in 1991. Subscribers who do not have out of network coverage in their respective plan are considered self-pay (and thus eligible for a potential discount). This includes TriCare subscribers.  Please refer to our insurance article here for details.

Yes, of course, as noted above. Please discuss financial considerations directly with our Practice Manager after your case has been reviewed. A financial assistance application can be sent to you with instructions and details on the paperwork and materials needed to support your request. Given the number of pro-bono cases the CEC already performs each year and also donates regularly to established endometriosis organizations annually, please note that not everyone can be approved for one. Thank you for understanding.

No. If we think we can realistically help, we will work with you to try and make care with us a real possibility. However, there are various reasons why we may not accept candidates, ranging from surgery not being appropriate for an individual case to a patient being outside our surgical guidelines and risk factors. Submitting records for review is not a guarantee of being accepted for surgery at the CEC.

No. We know this is a costly inconvenience for the majority of our patients and it is not a requirement to schedule your surgery. We recognize the significant burden it places on patients and their families both in terms of time and expense; thus, we do as much as possible upfront via mail, fax and phone prior to actually requiring you to come in. Northside Hospital approaches our patient’s cases the same way and will do as much as they can before you arrive in Atlanta as well. The same is true for our collaborating colleagues.

Generally, 72 hours before your preop and 72 hours after surgery, but please be sure to refer to our policies and check your surgical paperwork that will be specific to your case. Note international patients may be required to stay up to two weeks in the Atlanta area depending on what is done during their procedures. You will be advised accordingly.

Be sure to check our website for area hotels and travel tips, and remember to ask for medical discount rates when booking. Note that travel costs are the responsibility of the patient and are not part of our fee. Also, we do not assist with travel arrangements, and you are responsible for your own transportation including to/from the airport and our offices/hospital. Please plan accordingly.

Again, this varies based on the individual, but in general, our surgeries (with the exception of bowel resection, hysterectomy or other major component to your surgery) typically require a minimum 23 hour hold – this is considered outpatient. An overnight stay allows us to treat your post-op pain and observe you before sending you home in the morning. All procedures are done Laparoscopically, but should you have a bowel resection or VATS, for example, you will be held longer; approximately 72 hours.  Again, these are general averages – each case is unique. You will be told how long you can expect to be hospitalized and have to stay in Atlanta post-operatively based on the specifics of your case.

Recovery is different for everyone, and it will largely depend on what you have done. Typically, you can expect around 2-3 weeks for acute post-op recovery; you may be able to return to light activities, work, school, etc. by then. Long-term, however, the internal healing process can take upwards of 1-3 months or even longer for some individuals based on their pre-surgical status (and for those who menstruate, the first few post-op periods may be very painful!). Some patients will recuperate faster, others may take much longer. It also depends greatly on the actual procedures that have been done. As we remind our patients, it is a journey, not a race, and healing is not linear. Expectations will be discussed with each patient. You may also be interested in our Post-Op "Constipation" article.

We record all our surgeries and take images as well. If you would like a copy of the surgical video, please bring a 64 GB 3.0 or 3.1 flash drive with you to the hospital the morning of your surgery. While we will provide all our patients with a set of their surgical images, we do not routinely provide the videos (as they are property of the hospital) and patients will need to provide their own recording drive to obtain their video.

If local or regional and cleared by your surgeon, you may be driven home once you are released, but remember: you will be in pain and we strongly suggest you to stop every 1.5-2 hrs to stretch your legs, use the facilities, etc. Longer drives are not recommended. For travel tips post-operatively, see our website travel page.

Unless you are specifically directed otherwise with regards to your own case, we merely perform a finger stick at your pre-op. Northside Hospital will advise you in your pre-op phone consult if there is anything they require. Any other specific tests that may be needed by our surgeons will be communicated to you directly on a case by case basis (e.g., MRI, thoracic imaging protocol, bowel imaging protocol, etc.).

Never. We always gladly honor, respect and uphold the wishes and beliefs of our very diverse patient population from around the world. Please note that Northside Hospital also respects the needs of and affords accommodations to our patients, including religious and dietary restrictions/requests (e.g., Kosher, Halal, vegan, gluten free etc.).

Yes, of course. Please note, however, there is a minor administrative fee. Please call us to discuss at 770.913.0001.

Yes. These reports and videos/photos will be made available to you in your patient portal as soon as they become available so that you can print and share them with your local care team. Please contact Alex at 770-913-0001 ext 102 if you need an unofficial copy for another physician before your formal/final copy is ready.

While we are always willing and eager to help our patients with all their needs, please understand we are a busy professional surgical practice focused on clinical patient care and have no time to research specific non-medical inquiries. You can find information about the area on the Perimeter Center Chamber of Commerce website.

The CEC requires all patients to bowel prep. This is in keeping with the evidence-based literature, which demonstrates that bowel preparation is important in cases of increased surgical complexity, especially where bowel involvement is highly anticipated as is often the case for our endometriosis patients. Prepping can also help improve the quality of advanced imaging studies used in the presurgical planning of your case and may also be associated with lowered risks of potential surgical complications in some cases. In addition, this approach reduces the risk of infection during and after surgery, especially when the intestines are involved, and supports a smoother recovery process overall.

Our prep typically involves a simple enema/oral laxative combination (click here for a copy of our Bowel Prep Instructions, but this will be addressed with you personally at the time of your booking. We know this isn’t pleasant, but we will try to help make it as quick and painless as possible.

Gürses C, Yavuz A, Kahvecioğlu N, et al. The impact of bowel preparation on MRI scans for confirming rectosigmoid endometriosis detected by transvaginal ultrasonography. Med Ultrason. 2025;27(1):38-43.

Elias Z, Kielar A, Arif-Tiwari H, et al. Optimizing endometriosis detection: a review of technical approaches and interpretative pitfalls. Abdom Radiol (NY). Published online June 27, 2025.

-Many patients are menstruating on their surgery dates. This is not a problem whatsoever.
-Panty liners for a few days following surgery are expected; discuss the specific needs/expectations of your case with your surgeon.
-Nothing vaginally (including tampons) for at least the first 2 weeks or more, depending on your case.
-Intercourse; at least 2 weeks/minimum of 8 weeks if hysterectomy was performed.
-Swimming pools (not hot tubs) are likely okay after approximately 2 weeks.

All expectations and return to normal activity will be addressed with you personally at the time of your surgery. Typically, most individuals can expect around a 4-6 week post-op return to “normal” activity but again, this will be discussed personally with you based on your own case and the procedures performed (e.g., longer for bowel resection or other types of procedures). For post-hyst patients, the time to return to normal activities increases to between 6-8 weeks. Your surgeon will advise you personally based on the nature of your situation.

This will be discussed with each patient personally. There are, however, a number of supplements and medications all patients must come off prior to surgery, however, not everyone will need to stop all their current therapies. This will be reviewed with you at the time of your surgical booking. GLP1 patients (compounded and name brand): you MUST come off Ozempic, Mounjaro and ALL/ANY related drugs no less than 2 weeks prior to your surgical date due to slowed gastric emptying and subsequent risk of aspiration, in accordance with the guidelines from the American Society of Anesthesiologists. GnRH patients specifically: you will need to come off Lupron/Orilissa/Zoladex/Synarel/MyFembree etc. therapy at least 6 weeks prior to your surgical date. CBD/THC (i.e., edibles) must be stopped two weeks prior to surgery as well. Other supplements/medications will be discussed with you on a case by case basis.

Yes, all rooms with the exception of the post-op holding and recovery bay are private. You can learn more about the hospital’s main campus, where our primary OR is, and its secondary Forsyth location here. Please refer directly to the hospital(s) for their pandemic policies.

Generally, partners/loved ones may be able to spend the night with you chair-side – always at the discretion of your nurse. For policy regarding children, see http://www.northside.com/atlanta. HOWEVER, please check with the hospital regarding current policies.

If your desire is to come in and see your surgeon in our office before you leave Atlanta (see our policies regarding out of town patients), you are certainly welcome and encouraged to do so. However, it is not always a requirement as you will be seen in the hospital before being discharged.

As much as we wish we could, our staff works in, has privileges at, and maintains operating rooms at Northside Hospital campuses. We do frequently lecture, teach and present at medical schools, universities, public health depts, nursing schools, hospitals, numerous professional and organizational events and more, however. If you would like to have us speak or present at your meeting, support group or other local resource, please just reach out and let us know!

As noted above, please check your portal to print out your records.

We do not fill prescription requests via email or fax. Requests must be made by the patient verbally via phone at 770-913-0001 during business hours, well in advance of the prescription running out (*72 hours minimum notice*). We will not write or refill any medications in any other way. There will be zero exceptions to this legal requirement. Prescription refills are e-prescribed; in the event a paper copy must be shipped, patients are responsible for the cost of sending any written prescription ($25 two-day; $50 overnight). Again, refill requests must be made well in advance of the prescription running out, so that we have the time necessary to process your request. PLEASE BE ADVISED: CERTAIN STATES DO NOT ACCEPT PRESCRIPTIONS FOR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES FROM OUT OF STATE PHYSICIANS. Please check your state’s policy.

First - know that we believe you. Second - please call us so we can help get to the bottom of the issue. Email/posting on social media/Facebook or the internet is not an acceptable or effective means of communication regarding your personal healthcare, and you MUST speak with a medical team member, so please reach out.

Please do not ask others to email, call or write us on your behalf. We will not discuss patient cases with anyone except the patient and/or their legal representative. Our phone number, monitored 24 hrs a day 7 days a week, is 770-913-0001. Our nursing desk can be reached at ext 106.

We recently received a question from a patient who had seen on a certain “Facebook group” that the CEC implemented our social media policy in order to “censor patients” and further, that we have patients “sign an NDA” (non-disclosure agreement). Neither point, claimed by an uninformed individual who has never been treated by our Center, is true. To clarify and confirm: CEC patients do NOT “sign an NDA” and we have NEVER had any such mechanism in place since our Center was founded in 1991. Suggesting otherwise is patently false. We DO suggest to our patients that they safeguard their financial and surgical paperwork in order to protect their privacy and medical confidentiality. That is not an “NDA” - that is a privacy measure.

As for claims about ‘social media censorship,’ you can read the policy for yourself anytime, as it has been on our website and signed by our patients since it was implemented over fifteen years ago in accordance with AMA and other institutional guidelines. Our social media policy IS NOT about patients “reviewing” our Center nor is it a non-disclosure agreement of any kind - anyone who has been treated by us can review us anywhere, outside of our Center, anytime they wish. We have no control over such things. It is, however, about how patients should conduct interactions with CEC staff on the web and social media. This is NOT an “NDA” or ‘censorship’ - it is an instrument informing patients that they should not be ‘inboxing’ their surgeon or tagging them in FB posts or on Instagram to ask personal medical questions or refill prescriptions. Patients who sign it agree and understand that the best way to discuss their personal health matters is with their physician directly - not via social media and Facebook groups, as we don’t conduct business there.

To further expand on this topic:

In accordance with recommendations from the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), most responsible hospitals, physicians and health care organizations, including the CEC, the American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic and many others, have all developed Social Media Policies. The policies are designed to guide proper patient-physician communication and interaction on social media, and above all, to “protect privacy and confidentiality of patients, avoid situations in which online medical advice is requested” and “to make patients aware that information they post online may be available to anyone and could be misconstrued.” Specifically: “physicians are discouraged from interacting with current or past patients on personal social networking sites such as Facebook. Physicians should only have online interaction with patients when discussing the patient’s medical treatment within the physician-patient relationship, and these interactions should never occur on personal social networking or social media websites.” For example:

-Patients should not share photographs of sensitive medical data (records/photos) featuring their home address, billing information, phone number, etc. on social media - this does NOT mean you can't share your surgical photos and operative notes! They are yours to share. But before you do, make sure your DOB, phone number, social security number or other sensitive information that may appear is blocked out. This is for your own safety - not 'censorship'.

-Please do not post to a Facebook group requesting our attention for your personal medical situation. We do not conduct patient business on the web or social media, and will not respond to personal medical inquiries directed to us in such a manner. Patients must call our office directly just as you would any other physician or health practice.
-Patients must follow up with staff personally so we can try and help if issues arise; posting to a private social media group but not notifying our office about your issue does not enable us to offer any care or follow up.
-Individuals must never post or ‘inbox’ a third party’s medical information to us for any reason, with or without that third party’s permission. Patients or their legal representatives must contact us directly themselves.
-Patients must not ‘text’ or ‘message’ our surgeons for prescription refills. Please call the office and refer to the paperwork you have been given by our staff previously. All refill requests require 72 hour notice, no exceptions.
-And again, patients should not post their personal financial contract or other procedural information found within our surgical paperwork on the worldwide web. This is for your safety and privacy and to protect the confidentiality of both the Center and the patient.

These are all real examples of situations that have actually occurred; our guidelines are about safety, not censorship or “NDAs.” Our policies have never stated that patients cannot share their personal experiences with others, nor have we ever had any NDA mechanisms in place. Claims to the contrary are false and lack ‘The Truth’ about what an NDA is vs. a social media policy. Still have questions? Ask us.