Seeking Feedback Regarding Tubaligation Surgery

I had mine done 10 years ago (clips - and they are still holding very strong - had them checked last year). Emotionally, there was a relief afterwards not having to worry about birth control.

Physically, my recovery was different than probably 99.9% of women who have it done, as I didn't have a good doctor. She made a mistake during surgery that was not taken care of, and my post-care was not good, so I landed in the emergency room.

My advice: **TMI INFO MIGHT FOLLOW** Before you're allowed to go home, you're supposed to pass gas and urine. Make sure this happens (I was in an outpatient facility and no one wanted to stay late so they sent me home anyway). And make sure this is happening when you get home, too. If it isn't, talk to a doc right away.

Again, what happened to me is rare. Other than those complications and what happened because of it, everything went fine and I never regretted my decision.

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Hi C.,

I had this done last year. Don't be scared its quick and you will be home resting before you know it. If you have ever had a c-section than this will be a walk in the park. Your going to hurt to laugh, and look out for sneezing and coughing, also going to the bathroom (#2). Just get up and walk around, walk walk, and do not lift anything heavy (yes that means your little ones)believe me you won't want to. Sleep w/a few extra pillows tucked under you if you a side sleeper tuck one under you back so you can sort of lean back on it but still be on your side. Take is slow and easy but most of all walk! I guess because I have had so many women health issues that it wasn't a big deal I have had 4 surgeries in that area including a C-section.
I had my surgery done because the doctors said that having another child could end my life. Im not sad that I can't have another child. I would rather be alive to give my daughter a great life. My husband and I are looking into Adoption. You have 5 children.. if you feel you want more then look into adoption its a lovely wonderful thing to do. Best of luck and your going to do just great. let me know how it goes.

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Hi C.,

Ive had my tubes tide, I was only 25 at the time but do to lots of complications with my last son who is now 8, it needed to be done, of course the choice was mine to make. Yes you go through the thoughts of am I still a "real woman" but wow its really freedom. No more worrying about birth control is great. Your pretty sore for a few days but walking and drinking lots of water helps healing process speed up.

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I was scared too. I had my surgery done by Dr. Marty Roitman in Newport--or maybe it was Huntington... I don't remember exactly; it was 10 years ago (I was 29). The only complication now is that I wish I hadn't done it because my husband of two years would like us to have a child together; I was single/never married with one child when I had it done. Why I did it is a long story, so I won't go into it here.

It sounds like you are doing it for the right reason. Five children is a lot. Especially with the age span you already have. You didn't mention how old you are, but if you have a 21 month old, you can pretty much figure you have another 18 years of mom-ing ahead of you. And at some point in your life, there may be a time when you want quiet time to spend on your own interests or hobbies, and/or time to spend maybe traveling and doing special things with your husband.

As for the surgery itself, it's relatively simple and recovery time is quick. I went in for the outpatient surgery in the morning and had a friend drive me and wait. I think it was only a few (2-3 hours) between the prep, the surgery itself, and the time spent coming out of the anesthesia. The doctor made a small 1/2 inch incision in the lower curve of my bellybutton, then filled my abdomen with some sort of gas (vapor not liquid), pulled the fallopian tubes out enough to tie silicon rubberbands around them, put them back in and sewed me up. I was a little goofy coming out of the anesthesia--repeatedly asking them when they were going to do the surgery.

The most uncomfortable thing about it was the day or two after while the gas dissipated into my system. I felt very bloated and a little crampy--like I had to pass gas, but couldn't. I was back to work at an office job the next day, moving around very slowly, still a little out-of-it, and in pain (not horrible, but achy). But I was a single mom, couldn't afford to take the day off, and my boss was a jerk, so I had to go.

As for the physical after-affects, I have a tiny white scar on the inside edge of my innie bellybutton. No one can see it unless I point it out. It didn't affect my periods or hormones/moods--I've always been a PMS monster and had heavy periods with hit-by-a-truck cramps. The best part of having it done was the liberation of knowing I wouldn't accidentally get pregnant again.

I don't know if I put your mind at ease, but I hope I helped give you enough details so you know what to expect.

Good luck. I think you are making the right choice.

Warmly,
A.

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Hi C.,

Five children must be quite a handful! Kudos to you for taking on such a wonderful role! I can understand why you are raedy to stop adding on to the family, but I'm wondering why you have chosen getting your tubes tied, rather than having your husband get a vasectomy? I have not gone through the tubal ligation, but I know women who have had complications from it, and the vasectomy just seems so quick & easy. I don't want to scare you, especially if this is the only option you feel you have, but I would push for the vasectomy if possible.

Hi there, I was a nurse for a Doctor who did vasectomies, and I was curious as to why your having the tubal ligation rather than your husband having a vasectomy? For your husband to have his surgery is less painfull and he's awake the whole time and it's usually done in the office rather than you going to an outpatient facility, being put under for them to do the ligation. Not to mention, it's probably a lesser copay. As far as afterwards, you will have some discomfort and pain, that's to be expected as with any surgery. My advise is to make sure this is exactly what you and your husband want. I would hate to hear that you feel it wasn't for you after it was done. Good luck and take care!

I have not had a tubal ligation yet myself, but plan to after my second child. I have done lots of research: did you know that you DONT have to go through with traditional tubal ligation procedures? You no longer have to have your fallopian tubes cut and disconnected from your uterus - they can just as easily implant a set of plastic clips on your fallopian tubes that prevent the egg from reaching the uterus, but is NOT permanent if you choose to have it reversed.
I have read that this procedure is just as effective as the classic ligation, and have found that it takes a load off of a womans mind to know that, if one day she should have to urge to have another child, it is possible.
If youre feeling nervous, talk to your doctor about this option before having your fallopian tubes cut.

Like many who responded, i too had my tied during my csection. I asked when i was pregnant if i could have it done at the same time as my csection. They also asked me when i was on the table very legally. "shana B... do you want your tubes tide?" before she could finish that question, it was YES!!! 2 is plenty for me. Ive been happy that i dont have to worry about it every again!! my periods have gotten back to before I started the pill way back in my teens, which i hate cuz they are long and heavy. It seems to get better each time though... I dont regret that decision at all. I love my 2 boys! I have my niece to spoil for girly stuff!

I had my tubes tied when I was 23. Yes 23. I had it done after giving birth to my 3rd child. My marriage was in a bad place and I wasn't sure if I would remain married to him. None of that mattered. I already had three children. It was what I wanted. I couldn't imagine marrying another man and wanting to have more just because I didn't have any with him. I ended up staying with my husband. there were no physical difficulty. It is an outpatient surgery and I was up and shopping the next day. No change in periods, no emotional issue. I am 35 now and no regrets. Ever. There has been one or two times, especially when friends are just starting their families, that I have thought, what if? But I think those thoughts lead to us having babies for the wrong reasons. So I am glad that in order for me to have another it would take extreme thought and planning(reversal or adoption). It doesn't chage your being a woman.

Well I dont have any experience with a tubal.. I just had mine done 2 months ago when my daughter was born.. I had it done along with my c section.. I have 2 kids and i dont want anymore.. I am 24 yrs old.. so yes im young.. I mean at first i was kinda sad bout it.. but im over it now.. im grateful that i have my 2 beautiful kids and I dont have to worry bout pregnancy.. Even tho for the first year we are using condoms.. with it being fairly new im not trusting it right now...

I had a tubaligation when I had my last child (3rd child) via c-section so it was all in one. He's now 5 years old so I guess that means I had mine five years ago.
My hubby and I both decided we didn't want any more children, so he also had a vasectomy (actually he had it done before i knew my child was breech and I'd have to have c section, then when i found out I asked them to tie my tubes as well).

Since mine was done during the c section I"m pretty sure they do it differently if it's JUST a tubal. I've heard from others that it heals really fast and doesn't hurt too badly.
Emotionally, Well that depends. If you're set on not wanting anymore children then it works out great because you won't have to worry about accidents happening. If you're having second thoughts it may not be a good idea because it IS permenant ....so no more babies. It's hard to reverse and sometimes impossible. PLus insurances don't usually cover reversals.
Good luck.

My mom had tubal ligation after the birth of her fifth child. I'm the oldest. Right now we're 35-20. There was a big gap between my first sister and the other two. I was 12 1/2 and 15 when they were born. I always thought it was just going to be three of us. My dad admitted he always wanted 4, and then my youngest made 5. Anyway, I asked my mom one day if she was sad then she had her tubes tied, or felt weird. She admitted that she did, because being able to become pregnant is such a special thing. So she said she was sad at first but that now she was happy. That was when my youngest was about elementary age. Sorry I can't go into detail about how my mom felt. She's very private. But I hope this brings some comfort that your feelings are normal, and they could soon pass, and there will be a new 'norm' of life. With your oldest at 18 it could be just a few years before you are grandma!

I had my tubes tied 4 1/2 years ago. I had 2 kids and I knew I was done. My husband and I seperated the day I found out I was pregnant. It was the right choice for me.It's a personal thing so I can't say how you will feel about it after. i have 1 scar above my belly thats about 1 1/2 inches wide. It feels bumpy, but its not a big deal to me. It was sore for a little while and I got an infection, but it wasn't too bad.
Just make sure it is what YOU really want to do.

Also, I don't know religion is an issue, but I am Catholic and I think its a bigger sin for me to have kids that I couldn't support than to choose this method of birth control.

i am a mother of 4.after my 4th was born a had my surgery..it wasn't bad at all..just make sure they put you out completly.i just had an epideral.so i was awake during it..that was pretty scary...but after the sugery there wasn't much pain....you'll be fine!!!

I had a tubaligation when I delivered my fourth child. As far as the physical discomfort, I'm not sure. My tubal was done at the same time as my c-section. Therefore, I recovered from both at the same time. Emotionally, I felt great. I did have to continue taking birth control pills. However, I have an existing chemical imbalance, so I needed the hormonal balance of the pill. It was a relief to be able to enjoy being with my husband without having to worry about getting pregnant again.

PLease reconsider!! You are still young and I have been thru losing my tubes. Mine was due to two tubal pregnancies and then my tubes becoming painful from them fixing them. I had 3 children at the time and thought I was doen for sure. then years later after being divorced I met someone else and we wanted a child of our own and were unable to unless we used IVF which we can not afford. I was sick thinking that I made the choice to have them removed ( even though the doctor agreed due to the pain I was having) and now I don't have the child my hubby and I so dearly wanted. I am a grandma now at age 42 but I still would ahve wanted one more baby of my own and that longing is still there even when I hold my grnadbabies. Please think about this long and hard. P.

the name and the surgery sound scary but I did and I have 3 children 16, 14, 12 your welcome to see them in my space.com page
http://www.myspace.com/bluecoast64
my point is they have to go to college, now they are in different activities as marchind band, drumline, jazz, futboll, beisbol, swimming, Junior Miss pAGEANT, PTA, and most of the time I finish almost death fatigue to be with them in all the events, I HAVE TO BE because they ask you in different way, also when we go shopping, nike, adidas, big dogs, hot topic, my final point everything is expensive and we have 3 different business and stores in internet, and still is difficult to give all they want, and also they love movies, concerts and video games.
the name tubaligation and the surgery sound scary but help you and you body to be strong for the next step of live your children and teens need you.
Please is just my opinion
Mary

Just a question - you've gone through 5 pregancies and births (aren't our bodies amazing?) - why put yourself through this too, have you considered asking "dad" to step up and get a vasectomy? It's done in a doctor's office under a local, it's minimally invasive and down time can be measured in hours instead of days. Personally, I think you've done your part.

Hi C.,

I had a tubal ligation in 1992 and the surgery is ok, so not to worry. I don't regret having it done. I remarried and my husband wanted to have children, I had the tubalreversal and by 2002 I got pregnant. It was a miracle. I now have 2 little children by him. Good Luck

M.

I had one done after my 3rd baby-------Honestly I love my children and all babies but I see a pregnant woman and say OH Thanfully thats not me----I can pretty much rest assured now that I can enjoy the ones i have and not worry about having anymore---even though tubals are NOT 100%--------------------------------BUT on the downside---my periods are VERY, VERY painful, and never seem to be regular and it has been 2.5 yrs-------All in all I am very happy w/ it!!!!

I had it done 6 weeks after my third child. I wanted more children, but my husband did not. I had medical insurance so I did it instead of him. 3 years later we were divorced and he had someone else pregnant, he has had two children since. It was very hard for me, I am remarried and we have dicussed having it reversed but decided not too. There is emotional baggage no matter what, my only advise is do it for yourself. If you are not sure do not do it.
Gina

Believe me I was very nervous when i had mine done,expect some pain.I had mine done after having my fourth child my pain was worse after surgery then from delivering a baby..

Hi C.,

Wow, 5 kids! You beat me by 1. I have 4 children who are now 30, 28, 14, and 11. I have no regrets whatsoever. I had my first when I was 20, and my last when I was 39. They are from 2 different marriages.

I had a tubal ligation when I had my last child (finally a daughter). I Personally, I have no regrets. It was done at the same time as my c-section.

The decision to have a tubal ligation was my own. I did not want to worry anymore. I was extremely hormonal after having my daughter, but I am certain that it had little to do with the tubal ligation.

Since we are all different, predicting emotional,or physical changes is impossible. I think that emotionally, you have to make sure that it is your own decision, and not something that you are talked into.

If nothing else, a tubal ligation represents freedom from the binds of birth control.

Good Luck next Thursday!

D.