Tubal litigation

[His_pita]

I’m seriously thinking of having this done. I’m entering a new relationship where I now have to think about birth control and I know for a fact that my days of having a baby are over. I want something permanent with the greatest chance for success.

My questions are:

Have you had it done and how long ago?

Were there any complications?

How was your period afterwards? Did your cycle change at all?

What is the recovery time?

How much did it cost? Does insurance cover it?

Anything else that you can add to this in ways of advice, info or opinions would be very appreciated. Thank you.

 

[bertrande]

I’m seriously thinking of having this done. I’m entering a new relationship where I now have to think about birth control and I know for a fact that my days of having a baby are over. I want something permanent with the greatest chance for success.

My questions are:

Have you had it done and how long ago?

Were there any complications?

How was your period afterwards? Did your cycle change at all?

What is the recovery time?

How much did it cost? Does insurance cover it?

Anything else that you can add to this in ways of advice, info or opinions would be very appreciated. Thank you.

I had my tubes clamped via keyhole surgery - it took half a day in hospital. I had it done four and a half years ago. I had no complications. It around 5 days for the discomfort of small stomach wounds to go. I went to work on day 4 - I worked in a call centre at the time so work consisted of sitting down.

I found the worst part was having the stitches removed ( I am a wuss and they had grown over so they stung a bit). That was all. I was fully recovered after about a week and a half.

My surgery was covered by the public health system here in Australia so it cost me nothing.

I found it was wonderfully liberating to have my contraceptive needs taken care of without having to worry about the pill. Although I should point out that I do take the pill to regulate my period but that is because I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - nothing changed with my cycle after having it done.

 

[loulou34]

I had my tubes tied, four years ago with the birth of my daughter. I had a c section at the same time, but I would still say the recovery time was minimal. I had no complications. My cycle has changed--now I bleed really heavy the first three days. Also my insurance covered it, so no charge to me.

 

[Weird Harold]

I’m seriously thinking of having this done. I’m entering a new relationship where I now have to think about birth control and I know for a fact that my days of having a baby are over. I want something permanent with the greatest chance for success.

I don't know anything about the procedure except I' suggest you use he proper term for it when you ask your doctor -- doctors are justifiable nervous about patients who start a conversation with the word "Litigation." (aka lawsuit)

The procedure is called a Tubal Ligation.

 

[Eilan]

Have you had it done and how long ago? I had a laparoscopic tubal in November of 2003.

Were there any complications? None at all.

How was your period afterwards? Did your cycle change at all? No changes. I've always been very regular, though.

What is the recovery time? I had two small incisions that required no stitches. The steri-strips came off on their own within a few days.

I was uncomfortable for about eight days, but I wasn't uncomfortable enough to fill the prescription for Percocet that the doctor gave me. I was nursing my youngest at the time and despite the pillow that I always put in my lap for support, she kept kicking my belly, and that hurt. At my two week post-op check, I was feeling just fine and was allowed to resume normal activities as long as I felt up to them.

The bruising on my belly lasted for about a month.

How much did it cost? Does insurance cover it?I don't remember the exact cost. I'd say at least $3000, but I'm not sure about that (I asked my hubby, and he can't remember, either!). The cost will likely vary depending on where you live.

Insurance did cover most of the expense. Keep in mind, however, that if you DO change your mind about having children and decide to have a reversal, the insurance probably won't cover that.

Hope that helps.

 

[guitar_kt]

I've never had this done, but I am in a medical related profession. If you have a tubal ligation immediately following a C-section the recovery time is related to the C-section recovery.

Tubal ligations done at other times are normally done laproscopically. That's with little instruments and a video camera. This leaves about 2 or 3 tiny scars that should disappear with time. It is normally done as an outpatient. So you would go into the hospital the morning of the procedure and leave later that day. There is some discomfort that is mostly related to the fact that they have to put air in your abdomen so that they can see what they are doing. This makes your abdomen stretch some. I've been told it feels a little like cramps. Within 4 days to a week you should be able to get back to all your normal activities, but as long as your activities don't include lots of heavy lifting you could potentially return to work 2 days after the procedure.

Tubal ligation is very successful in preventing future pregnancies. However last I heard there is still a 1/200 risk. Another risk is that if you do become pregnant after a tubal, it will likely be ectopic. That is a pregnancy in the tube itself instead of the uterus.

It shouldn't influence your cycle at all. However many women will have been on birth control pills prior to this, and when they stop these pills their cycle will change. If you had bad cycles prior to starting pills, you might want to think twice before paying for a tubal. You may discover that the inconvience of taking pills is better than living through bad menstrual cycles.

Let me know if that helps at all.

 

[His_pita]

I don't know anything about the procedure except I' suggest you use he proper term for it when you ask your doctor -- doctors are justifiable nervous about patients who start a conversation with the word "Litigation." (aka lawsuit)

The procedure is called a Tubal Ligation.

Thanks Harold! That's what I get for just assuming Word knew what I wanted.

Thanks to everyone you shared their input. Very good to hear that it's farely simple with no complications. I haven't been on any BC for 20 years now and my cycle is very normal. But, now that I am entering a new relationship where I have to think about BC I want one with the best odds I can get. One kid was enough for me and I don't want anymore.

 

[TempWife]

To answer your questions:

Yes, 5 years ago

No complications.

My periods are heavier and longer because I no longer use oral contraceptive. Cycle still relatively regular.

My recovery time was in conjunction with a c=section but was having sexual intercourse by the 8th week

Covered by insurance because it was done during the c section.

Like the other women that responded, it does make sex more liberating and spontaneous.

 

[Emerald Eyed]

I had my tubes done in June of 1997.


One hole in my belly button.

I went shopping 2 days later, without being to uncomfortable.

Same periods, no probs there


My ins covered it 100%, sterilization is usually covered well

 

[fr34k_n45ty]

I've heard of a new procedure where they dont cut you open it's called Hysteroscopic Tubal Sterilization, you can find info on the planned parenthood web site under health info.

 

[eudaemonia]

Had this done in 1982 when I was 19, and it was done as a laproscopic procedure: a tiny incision in the navel, one above the pubic bone. Very slight discomfort due to the bloating for ~2 days b/c of the air pumped into the abdominal cavity. Except in very rare cases (see link below), the procedure doesn't alter the menstural cycle at all, whatever yours might be naturally. Insurance paid for most of it.

Info page from University of California at Santa Barbara

Best thing I've ever done ... and it's quite a convo starter, let me tell ya.

 

[Eilan]

Very slight discomfort due to the bloating b/c of the air for about a day and half.

Oh, yeah--I forgot about this. Bloating and shoulder pain.

 

[eudaemonia]

Oh, yeah--I forgot about this. Bloating and shoulder pain.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the sore shoulders. That was a couple extra days, but again not that uncomfortable. They tip you back so the surgeon has a clearer view of the lower abdominal area.

 

[Bandit58]

Have you had it done and how long ago? I had mine done laparoscopically in 1999 when I was 40.

Were there any complications? Afterwards, due to stopping the pill and the resulting hormone drop, I discovered I had a vaginal prolapse. This was taken care of by physiotherapy and learning how to do kegels.

How was your period afterwards? Did your cycle change at all? I had been on the pill for 10 years beforehand and when I stopped it my cycle went to every 21 days. They seemed heavy to me but being on the pill that long I was used to having lightish ones. They have gradually gotten heavier though and when I started skipping cycles a couple of years ago due to stress and I suspect the start of menopause, I was put back on the pill to regulate me and keep the bleeding under control.

I went to my first appointment with a gyno yesterday (previously have only dealt with GPs) and he suggested I go off that in another year and go on HRT. I told him I did not want to stop taking it because my bleeding had been so severe that I ended up having to go to the emergency doctor Plus I like the convenience of knowing when I'm going to menstruate, and can tweak my cycle if I want.

What is the recovery time? About a week. I did feel like I'd been kicked in the stomach by a horse, but suspect that was mainly due to the surgeon, while he was in there, getting rid of some adhesions he found due to an operation to remove my appendix as a child.

How much did it cost? Does insurance cover it? I got it done for free under New Zealand's public health system but spent 18 months on the waiting list.

I wanted my husband to have a vasectomy but he refused....reckoned he couldn't spare the time off working on the farm I took all the contraceptive responsibility throughout our marriage and gave birth to his kids and he couldn't do this one little thing.....no wonder he's my EX

 

[Hotred911]

I'm curious to know if anyone that posted about having the tubal done after a pregnancy had a vaginal delivery? I'm 4 1/2 months pregnant, and hoping all goes well, I'll have a vaginal delivery, but want to get a tubal done at the time of birth.

 

[ferntree]

I’m seriously thinking of having this done. I’m entering a new relationship where I now have to think about birth control and I know for a fact that my days of having a baby are over. I want something permanent with the greatest chance for success.

Not a personal experience i'm afraid, but you may find some answers here if you already havent:info

 

[Obfuscated]

I had it done

Had a lap-tubal at the age of 32, a couple of years ago. I am childless and wanted to keep it that way.

Zero complications, no cycle change, recovery time was a couple of days (I never needed anything stronger than Tylenol, it was cake) and my insurance covered 100% after deductible.

Best thing I've ever done.

 

[~hellbaby~]

Your taking them to court?
sorry, I couldn't resist, it's the pms I guess.,

 

[breezybee]

I had it done laproscopically 6 years ago when I was 32. I went to work two days later. They fill your abdomen with gas so that they can see with the scope and some people do get pains in their shoulder from it (gas bubbles traveling up). I didn't have that at all. I didn't really need pain medication. In the hospital they gave me morphine and I have no idea why because a Tylenol would have been sufficient. I had stiches but they fell out on their own. The only problem I had was an infection in the incision by my belly button. Antibiotics took care of it but because of that you can see the scar. You can't tell where the other incision was. Good luck.

 

[Eilan]

I'm curious to know if anyone that posted about having the tubal done after a pregnancy had a vaginal delivery? I'm 4 1/2 months pregnant, and hoping all goes well, I'll have a vaginal delivery, but want to get a tubal done at the time of birth.

I'm fairly certain that this can be done. Talk to your ob-gyn to make sure.

 

[guitar_kt]

I'm curious to know if anyone that posted about having the tubal done after a pregnancy had a vaginal delivery? I'm 4 1/2 months pregnant, and hoping all goes well, I'll have a vaginal delivery, but want to get a tubal done at the time of birth.

This can be done, they do it laproscopically usually immediately following the delivery if you have had an epidural. If not, they will usually do it the following day. Just make sure you have all the paperwork completed on time. In my state you have to sign the consent one month before the procedure.

 

[eudaemonia]

They fill your abdomen with gas so that they can see with the scope and some people do get pains in their shoulder from it (gas bubbles traveling up).

No.

Again, the shoulder pain is simply muscle soreness from being inclined toward your head in the operating room. Gas bubbles don't *travel up* from your abdomen to your higher thoracic area to cause pain. That's anatomically nonsensical.

Please folks, let's not propagate erroneous medical info ... especially in this forum where factual info is most needed.

 

[Eilan]

No.

Again, the shoulder pain is simply muscle soreness from being inclined toward your head in the operating room. Gas bubbles don't *travel up* from your abdomen to your higher thoracic area to cause pain. That's anatomically nonsensical.

Please folks, let's not propagate erroneous medical info ... especially in this forum where factual info is most needed.

With all due respect, I'm googling this as I post and I'm reading things about post-tubal shoulder pain being caused by the remnants of the carbon dioxide gas dispersing.

What breezybee's saying is pretty much what my doctor told me might happen. I don't think he'd give me erroneous medical advice.

 

[guitar_kt]

It's true that you have shoulder pain, but it's not because of the gas bubbles traveling to your thorax. The nerves that supply sensation to the diaphragm also supply the skin and muscles around the shoulder. So the air collects under the diaphragm and irritates the nerves and you feel it in your shoulder.

 

[peachheart]

had my tubal done right after giving birth to my son. didnt have an epirderal (spelling is wrong) he numbed my stomache with a local. made the incision which was only like 2inchs.took me 1 week to recover. wishes i never did it ,my periods are worse. andnow i bleed heavily for 4 days.