Preparation for tubal ligation reversal surgery is the same for all patients regardless of age. Any person considering ‘untying tied tubes’ should read this article to understand how to arrange and schedule a tubal ligation reversal.
This is the sixth article in a series dedicated to women considering alternatives for pregnancy and tubal ligation reversal after the age of 40.
The previous article describes the risk of having a tubal reversal surgery and the first article of our series is Tubal Ligation Reversal After the Age 40 | Introduction.
Overview of Tubal Ligation Reversal
Patients who desire pregnancy after having their tubes tied should consider reversal of tubal ligation as their first choice. This summary of the process for having a tubal reversal is for the patients of A Personal Choice .
Tubal Ligation Reversal | Step 1
Potential patients may want to review our Getting Started information and pregnancy statistics data we have available on our website regarding tubal surgery at our tubal reversal specialty center. Potential patients can fax or mail us a copy of their tubal ligation operative report, pathology report of tubal segments (depending on type of ligation), and any other surgical reports regarding surgery of the uterus or ovaries.
The reports are reviewed at no charge by our tubal reversal doctors, Dr. Berger or Dr. Monteith. Patients are notified if they are suitable candidates for tubal ligation reversal surgery. Since we see patients from around the world, we have developed a system of communication, which relies heavily on email, fax, and phone. This results in a streamlined system for patient evaluation and greatly improves communication with our patients.
Tubal Ligation Reversal | Step 2
The majority of patients who contact us will be suitable candidates for tubal reversal at our center. In our experience, over 98% of patients will have tubal ligations which can be reversed. Our nursing staff will obtain complete medical histories and arrange for patients to have blood drawn by their local physician to ensure patients do not have anemia, hepatitis, or HIV infections prior to undergoing reversal surgery.
Tubal Ligation Reversal | Step 3
We offer affordable tubal ligation reversal at A Personal Choice. Occasionally, special time-limited discounts are offered. You can view more information about the cost of tubal reversal here: Tubal Reversal Costs.
Payment for the surgery can be made by cash, credit card, money order, or bank wire transfer. We also offer Tubal Reversal Financing. Regardless of the method, payment for the surgery must be made in full before scheduling can be done. Some health insurance plans may reimburse the patient for some of the cost of tubal ligation reversal surgery. It is the patient’s responsibility to check with their insurance carrier and file for reimbursement if available.
Tubal Ligation Reversal | Step 4
When patients come here for surgery, they must accompanied by a responsible adult over age 18. Patients will stay at one of two local hotels, which provides transportation to our surgical center.
The reversal doctor interviews patients the day before surgery. The surgery occurs the next day, lasts 60-90 minutes, and is performed through a small incision.
The ends of the tube are opened and rejoined together (tubotubal anastamosis) using microsurgical techniques. The surgery is a safe and is designed to be outpatient surgery. Our surgical complication data was reviewed in the fourth article of this series.
After discharge from our recovery room, patients rest in their hotel room and are evaluated by a member of our staff the day after surgery. After their postoperative evaluation, patients may return home. International patients are encouraged to stay for 1-2 additional days before traveling home. All patients are walking and performing daily activities the day after surgery and most patients are back to their normal routine by 1-2 weeks after tubal reversal surgery.
Tubal Reversal Surgery After 40| Safe
The vast majority of our patients do extremely well both during and after the surgery. This is true independent of age. Surgical risk could be increased in any person, regardless of age, who has a significant medical problem such as extensive heart or lung disease. These patients are not candidates for outpatient surgery and will need to have in-hospital surgery elsewhere. As a result of our screening process and skilled anesthesia staff, women over the age of forty should not be concerned about any increased risks or complications from reversal surgery at our center due to age.
When considering any medical or surgical intervention, one should consider the risks of the intervention and the possible benefits. The previous article discussed the risk specific to the reversal surgery and the risk of pregnancy after having a tubal reversal.
Readers are encouraged to read through the archived blog stories and read the many personal accounts and descriptions of surgery from previous reversal patients. The next and final issue of this Tubal Ligation Reversal After 40 series will feature several patients over the age of 40 who have undergone reversal of tubal ligation at A Personal Choice.
The next three articles will provide an overview of in vitro fertilization. The next article in thsi series is Tubal Ligation Reversal After 40 – IVF Overview.
Submitted by Dr. Charles Monteith
