Tubal Ligation Questions

If it's hard for you to wake up, you say you have the most amazing husband. How come he is'nt getting a vasectomy? It is somuch easier for the guy to go through. Yes they may whine and fuss for a few days. My husband will tell you he made a bigger deal over it than he should have. Ibprofen and some ice. A nice three day weekend with a little pampering and some of his favorite movies and he is good to go back to work on Monday.

I know that you said this was the best option for you, but have you considered options for your husband? A vasectomy is much less invasive. Basically he is in and out with very little down time, whereas you will be going through a major surgery. Just something to think about! Good luck in whatever you decide. I'm sure you will be fine, but I'll say a little prayer for you anyway!

Kim,

I am right now pregnant with my third child and have decided that this is my last. I spoke with my doctor at length about this issue and he has repeatedly told me about the essure procedure. With two babies under 5 and a newborn on the way this is the best option. After a ligation you will need to have time to recover. This means no running around after your little one. With the essure there is no down time. Everything remains the same after the procedure just that you will not be able to have babies. Maybe you can talk to your doctor about that. Good Luck and I know that this is a big decision.

M.

As long as you are aware of the situation with being hard to wake up just make sure your Dr. who is doing the procedure is aware of this ahead of time they can give you less or they have other options to it.. I was down for 1 day then up moving around the next (you still need to be careful with alot of lifting) but as long as normally you don't take alot of recovery time after surgeries you should be ok (I've had 4 & each time recovered quicker then normal so it all depends on the person).. The more you sike your self out about the surgery the more trouble you will have going through with it.. Just discuss everything with your Dr. throughly & make sure you are comfortable with your Dr. as well. good luck

Hi K.,
I have 4 children and after number 4, we decided it was time! I also choose the essure procedure. It was done in the Dr.'s office. No anesthesia, just a small prescription for pain meds, one for before the procedure and after and a mild relaxant. There was mild cramping and heavier bleeding after the procedure. But to be honest, after I got home, I slept through most of that. And by the next day, I was up and interacting with my family. I have no regrets from the procedure!

Has your husband considered a vasectomy? Just a thought. If you're nervous about having surgery yourself, a vasectomy is a simple, outpatient procedure that he won't have to be put under for. Recovery is quick too. Might be a better alternative than abdominal surgery for you.

Hi K.,
I have four young kids, and had a tubal ligation 2 months after our last son was born:

What were the pros and cons of it?
Pros: Little/no worry of pregnancy
Cons: tubal ligation syndrome.

Is your period the same as it was before?
It was actually a little heavier.

Did you experience any major hormonal changes?
Yes! Google "tubal ligation syndrome" and read mom's posts.

What was your down time and what did it include mentally/physically? No real down time - I was at the park the next day for a party.

Did you require assistance for your little ones post surgery? That day, but not afterwards.

I recently had the Nova Sure procedure done (dut to excessive bleeding during periods) www.novasure.com I haven't had a real period in about 5 months now :) If you're only wanting a tubal ligation to avoid a pregnancy, I would suggest that you husband get a vasectomy instead. It's MUCH easier for men, it's quick, and doesn't involve the risks that a tubal ligation has. As a sidenote, my husband did have a vasectomy (the weeekend after my tubal) because we wanted to be SURE we wouldn't get pregnant (as we had heard/read about it happening when just one is "fixed") and he had NO problems at all with his vasectomy with Dr. Sheldon Marks in Tucson - great doc! It won't hurt him to just go in and have a consult, or to talk to other men who've had it done - to be reassured!

Best,
C.

K.,

I did a lot of research about what would be best for me, as well (I didn't want to stay on the pill forever and my husband was terrified of a vasectomy.) I ended up having a tubal ligation (through cauterization of the tubes) 3 years ago when my daughter was 3 months old (she and my son were born 15 months apart and we were concerned about our family growing too quickly.) I can honestly tell you that I regret it. My periods last longer (7 stretched-out days as compared to the 3-5 days before) and are much more painful. My libido has decreased and while I haven't had any bloodwork done to prove it, I just feel like my hormones are "off." I chalked all of this up to getting older (I'm now 36), but the more I ready online, the more I read about women noticing these types of symptoms as well. I am not a hypochondriac, and I guess I had dismissed these types of "symptoms" that I had read about before my surgery as being all in the womens' heads. They are very real inconveniences to me now and we are actually researching having the procedure reversed (then again, we also decided we'd like to try for another baby!) Just a few things to think about. I know many people who have been totally happy with this procedure, so I didn't have a single qualm about getting it done initially. I was a bit sore afterwards, but after a nap I was even able to go with my hubby the same afternoon to pick up my kids from daycare, feed them, and give them their baths, etc. that night. I was eager to get back to normal. I had the procedure on Thursday and easily went back to work on Monday. I only took ibuprofen for the discomfort. Feel free to email me if you have any questions. Good luck with your decision. Remember that in your heart, you will know what feels right for YOU. :)

first of all a tubal that you are getting does not require taking hormones afterwards. you maybe thinking hysterecomy or maybe I understood you wrong

as far as down time I had mine done about 18 years ago (and I personally regretted since I wanted more kids and my ex didn't) but my downtime was a few days.

I didn't have care for my kids --- the incision was only a quarter inch (if that)

I have a suggestion for you -- ask your doctor about an ablation --- my downtime was a few hours and it has been a a year and a 1/2 and I have yet to have a period (bleeding)
they talk about it on tv commercials, I have my period except the bleeding. so my hormones are still working LOL.
what happens in this procedure is that your uterus is somewhat burned inside (it never hurt and I am serious about that. not even a little bit- I had the procedure done at 2:30 and home at 4 and by 6:30 after a nap I would have swore that I dreamed I had the procedure done)
my uterus is now not able to get sustain a pregnancy which is ok if you are not wanting a baby.

So, if it's hard for you to wake up, and you say you have the most amazing husband - why isn't he getting a vasectomy? It's an office procedure, takes about 30 minutes or less, is much less invasive, more effective, & nobody gets put under -there is a "no needle procedure for it" also.

Why are you taking the chance of not waking up when you already went through pregnancey and child-birth & your husband could more easily do this? It's also less expensive by the way. When we were done we researched all the options, and this is by far the best way to go. Don't be a marter! Let him have his turn -trust me it's way less painful for him than child-birth was for you, it's not like he'll be even with your contribution of having a baby!

Hi K.,

I had my Tubaligation done when my daughter was 8 weeks old, and there was not any down time. The restrictions they will probably put on you, is no lifting more than a certain amount for a few weeks. For me, I basically felt like I had just started doing sit-ups, so it kind of felt like my stomach muscles were tight and a little sore. My periods did not change. No the hormones do not change, you still go through the same thing as if your tubes were normal. And each person is different on their mental attitude. You will do fine with this! Relax! lol

Good luck and really, relax.

I also recommend the Essure procedure. See http://www.essure.com.

It's relatively non-invasive (no incision), and I was up and about only a few hours after the procedure (I had it done in 2007)! It's an outpatient procedure that can be done with local or general anesthesia. My OB/GYN recommended a light general anesthesia, so that's what I did. I only felt a tiny bit of cramping afterward, and that was it! As soon as my anesthesia wore off, I was taking my kids to a playdate.

K.,

I had my tubal done with my second C-section, so there wasn't any extra downtime, no changes with my period, etc. However, I am now pregant with my third child. My doctor is also treating two other patients that are pregnant after having a tubal. I guess there are a variety of methods that the doctors use, and some are more effective than others. Make sure you discuss this aspect with your doctor pre-surgery so that you know what you can expect down the road.

Good luck!

Hi Kim,

have you looked into esure? I think that's what it's called. i have several friends that have had a tubal ligation and it was outpatient surgery and were limited to housework, work, picking heavy stuff, etc for about 2-3 weeks. And i have 1 friend that had this e-sure done and it seems like she had less down time and was up and going within a few days and has had no problems with periods etc. The only down to that is she had to use protection for about 3 months before this process does its course.
I had a tubal myself after my 3rd child but it was done through c-section. I did have issues myself with heavier periods and after 5 yrs i had to get a partial hysterectomy.
but after asking so many people and researching the tubal it seemed like if you asked 10 women what they think, 5 will tell you it's great and 5 will tell you that they have issues. So ultimately i think it was my choice to go with the tubal. And after looking into e-sure i think i would have gone with that procedure instead but it wasn't available 15 yrs ago.

K.,
I too just went through the same thing. I thought I would have the ligation then the thought of being under didn't sit well with me either. I decided to try Essure. At first the thought of having something foreign in my body bothered me. Now that I have had the procedure I am happy with my choice. It was quick, easy and no down time! I had a little cramping but that was it! My Dr. Is amazing. His name is Dr. Burt Webb. He delivered both of my children and I trust him completely! I don't know if this helps or confuses you but I just heard myself in your request and thought I would share my experience. Good luck with whatever you choose!

When it came for me to make the decision to get my tubes tied, do you know what my doctor told me? He told me that tubal ligation was a major surgery and that my husband should get a vasectomy since it's in in/out "procedure" for them and not a surgery. If your husband is so amazing, ask him to get the vasectomy and spare you from the serious surgery that you're so afraid of and have had anesthesia scares! Cancel your surgery and talk to your husband. He should make some kind of sacrifice. Heck, you carried his child for 9 months and gave birth. It's the least he could do! Good luck.