I had a tubal reversal in 2003 at the age of 35, my tubes were cut and burned when I was 30. I also went to the Bedford Center. What I learned was that a lot of the success rate depends on how the surgery was done in the first place. Someone who had them really cut and tied off or clipped has a better chance of success than someone like me who had them cut and burned. The heat travels up the tube and destroys more than just the end. Even with that my surgery was successful and they were able to rejoin the tubes. Fast forward to 2006 and after 3 tubal pregnancies, which are very common in tubal reversals, which resulted in the removal of my right tube and being told that my other tube was blocked with scar tissue we decided it wasn't meant to be. I think that is what did the trick (plus a trip to Six Flags that I say knocked the little fella right on past the road block) because I now have a beautiful 20-month-old son.
I don't tell you all of this to be discouraging but realistic. I would definitely tell your friend to go for it, it is painful afterwards, but I never had a c-section or anything so I had never had pain from an incision like that but like anything you really want it is worth it. Just tell your friend to be very mindful of her cycle after that, my first pregnancy happened 3 weeks after my surgery. If she suspects she is pregnant a very early trip to the dr. is what I would recommend to make sure it is not in the tube where they were rejoined. I am sure she also knows that this is not covered by insurance and isn't guaranteed like a vasectomy reversal is. The cost of mine was right around $5000.
I wish her all the best and hope she has the outcome she desires.
