At A Personal Choice, we specialize exclusively in tubal ligation reversal and corrective tubal surgery. During our tubal reversal surgery consultations we ask couples,
“Why do you want tubal ligation reversal surgery?”
When we ask this question we often receive a puzzled, eye crossed look in response. Many patients assume there is only one reason to have a tubal reversal: to have more kids.
The reality is that many of our patients seek sterilization reversal for many other reasons.
Reasons For Tubal Ligation Reversal: More Kids Most Common
It is true that the number one reason patients come to A Personal Choice is to allow them to have more children. Through the restoration of normal fallopian tube anatomy, our patients are able to conceive naturally, avoid in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and have the ability to become pregnant more than once without the need for medical assistance. So the most common reason to have a tubal reversal would be to have more children. We have published many personal stories about tubal ligation reversal in our Tubal Reversal Blog.
Tubal Ligation Side Effects: Getting Relief From Tied Tubes
A substantial number of our patient come for evaluation of tubal ligation side effects after having their tubes tied. Most women do not have any side-effects after having their tubes tied but some do experience changes. Many patients report adverse post tubal ligation symptoms and seek relief through reversal surgery.
Many of our patients will experience relief from their tubal side effects after having a reversal of their tubes. Often we will find scarring from prior surgery or from the tubal ligation. We will commonly diagnosis adenomyosis, salpingitis isthmica nodosa, and fibrosis at the tubal ligation sites among our tubal reversal patients. Frequently, we will encounter endometriosis where the tubes have been tied, on the ovaries, or other pelvic structures.
Many patients who come to us for symptoms after tubal ligation want relief. They do not want hysterectomies and many do not wish to have any additional children.
Tubal Ligation Symptoms: Guilt and Regret
Guilt and regret after tubal ligation is the most common side effect or symptom of tubal ligation. Tubal ligation medical studies have demonstrated up to 30% of women will regret having their tubes tied. Our experience at the reversal center supports these observations.
Many of our patients will have tubal ligations to prevent themselves from being further trapped while in abusive marriages, after or during spousal infidelity, or as a result of pressure from a partner or trusted friend. With the passage of time feelings of guilt gradually emerge and can be very profound when they remarry and desire to have more children.
Some women will lose a partner or child to tragic death. Others will lose a close family member. When close loved ones are lost the feelings to create and replace these close connections can be very strong. We have featured these patients in our Tubal Reversal Blog and have termed them our Tubal Reversal Angels.
Tubal Ligation and Religion: Seeking Reversal
Many of our patients will have religious awakenings as they become older. Many have feelings of remorse over having undergone sterilizations and they feel these procedures have gone against the will of God. Many of these patients will come for tubal reversal without the intent of actively trying to become pregnant. Many just want to feel whole again.
Chances of Pregnancy After Tubal Reversal? Why do it?
Why undergo a tubal ligation reversal? Although the most common reason to have a tubal ligation reversal is to have more children there are many other reasons. The chances of pregnancy after tubal reversal are good for most patients. The chances of relieving guilt and regret and restoring the sense of wholeness after a sterilization reversal are excellent.
We exist at A Personal Choice to allow patients the choice to have an tubal reversal as an affordable, safe out-patient procedure. As a result of our unique specialization in sterilization reversal, we experience and understand the wide variety of reasons women choose to have tubal reversal procedures.
Submitted by Dr. Charles Monteith
