- Chattanooga: 423.899.0500
- Knoxville: 865.692.3433
- Chattanooga: 423.899.0500
- Knoxville: 865.692.3433
Tubal ligation is one of the most common elective procedures performed on patients. The procedure is a lifelong type of birth control that prevents pregnancy by altering the structure of the reproductive system to a minimal degree. However, some women decide after tubal ligation that they want to have a child. In these cases, tubal ligation reversal may be a viable option. How successful is a tubal reversal? Is tubal reversal painful? Find out the answers and what to expect below.
Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure also referred to as having the “tubes tied” or simply “tubal sterilization”. The procedure is a lifelong form of birth control that works by preventing a produced egg from making its way to the uterus where it can be fertilized. The “tubes” referred to in tubal ligation are the fallopian tubes.
The tubes are either partially removed or cut and cauterized to close them during tubal ligation. A more modern approach to tubal ligation involves using small titanium clips to close off the tubes.
People often choose tubal ligation when they decide they don’t want future children. However, several personal reasons may be behind the decision, such as already having a family size that you want or simply believing you don’t want to have children at all. In rarer cases, tubal ligation is done to lower the risks of certain illnesses, such as ovarian cancer.
The procedure prevents a woman from having to rely on other methods of contraception to avoid pregnancy. However, it should be noted that tubal ligation does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections.
While tubal ligation is designed to be a permanent change, sometimes, the procedure can be reversed. Reversing a tubal ligation is a decision some women make because they want to have a child. Life circumstances can change, which may spur this decision. For example, some women desire to have a child with a new partner after remarriage. Others may realize with age that they would like to have a child because they feel more equipped to be a parent than they did when they made the decision.
Several factors determine if a woman is a good candidate for tubal ligation, including:
Lastly, the type of procedure initially performed can make a difference. Tubal ligation reversal can only be done if there is enough fallopian tube length left to connect the segments.
Before a doctor recommends you for reversal, you will undergo a thorough health evaluation and examination of your medical history. All factors are considered to make sure you have the best chance of a successful reversal and future successful pregnancy.
If you are planning to conceive with a specific partner, the male partner’s sexual health may also be taken into consideration. For example, if you have a male partner, the doctor may recommend a semen analysis to ensure there are no outlying stumbling blocks to a successful pregnancy post-reversal.
Oftentimes, tubal ligation reversal is not covered by insurance. Even when there’s coverage for fertility treatment, most plans have an exclusion that if you have had voluntary sterilization, they will not cover it. Keep this in mind when considering costs and consult your insurance beforehand.
While the physician fee for tubal ligation reversal is much less than IVF (at Fertility Center, we charge around $5,800), the hospital fees start between $24K-$28K for outpatient surgery. If you end up needing to stay overnight, that fee more than doubles. Typically, unless you have coverage for a tubal reversal, as far as cost goes, IVF can be the less expensive option.
For most patients, tubal ligation reversal will take just a few hours. The procedure is done in a hospital setting, and an overnight stay is not typically required. Reversal can either be done via mini-laparotomy or with a laparoscopic procedure. Mini-laparotomy involves making a small incision and using a microscope and small tools to reconnect the tubes. With a laparoscopic reversal, several small incisions are made in the abdomen and small robotic tools are used to repair the tubes.
Risks and complications associated with the surgery are quite low. However, as with all types of surgery, some complications are possible, including infection, damage to other organs, blood clots, or allergic reactions to anesthesia.
One of the more concerning risks of tubal ligation reversal is the risk of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy occurs when an embryo implants inside a fallopian tube instead of in the uterus as it normally would. While this is a known risk, the probability of ectopic pregnancy after tubal ligation reversal is still low at around only two to seven percent of post-reversal pregnancies.
The general tubal reversal success rate is anywhere from 50 to 80 percent. This means as many as 80 percent of women have a successful pregnancy after the procedure. However, it is important to note that several factors drastically influence the overall rate of success. Some of those factors include your age, the time it has been since the initial tubal was performed, what kind of tubal ligation you initially had, and even the skill and experience of the surgeon chosen for reversal.
You will have a few pre-surgery consultation appointments before surgery. On the day of surgery, follow the doctor’s guidance about food and water intake and what to do about the medications you normally take. To enhance the success rate of the procedure and the likelihood of achieving conception, it is also a good idea to avoid alcohol, smoking, and excessive caffeine.
You may have some discomfort after surgery, but nothing too severe. You may also feel a bit groggy due to the anesthesia. The doctor will prescribe medication to keep you comfortable, and your care team will give you advice on how to care for your surgical incisions.
After surgery, you will be allowed to return home with instructions to rest and allow the body time to heal. While you recover, it is a good idea to refrain from heavy lifting or strenuous activities, so many women take a week or two off of work. However, each individual’s circumstances can be unique, so be sure to follow the advice of your surgeon. If, at any time during your recovery, you experience severe pain, excessive bleeding at the surgical site, fever, or signs of infection, reach out to the doctor’s office for immediate advice.
Most doctors recommend waiting through a few menstrual cycles before attempting to get pregnant. This allows time for the body to heal properly and ensures the best chance of a healthy conception. For most women, pregnancy will happen within the first few years after reversal.
While tubal ligation reversal can be successful, having a well-experienced fertility doctor guiding your decision and making sure you are the best possible candidate is crucial. Reach out to our office at the Fertility Center to schedule a consultation in Chattanooga or Knoxville today.