This is the third article in a three part series about Patricia and her quest for tubal ligation reversal surgery at the age of 46. For readers who are now joining this blog series, the first part of Patricia’s story can be read here – Patricia: Tubal Ligation Reversal at 46.
Patricia’s Background
Patricia lives in Mooresville, North Carolina (NC). Since she lives within driving distance, she had her preoperative evaluation with Dr. Monteith a week before her surgery. On her first visit, Patricia’s daughter accompanied her. We had a brief interview and Patricia shared her story with us and agreed to be a participant in our Tubal Reversal Blog.
Patricia had an important engagement the day before her reversal surgery. She had a television appearance on the Nifty Gifts segment of the QVC channel to sell her own design and creation called the Yackle Ball. Her pitch went well, she was able to sell a sizable number of her sports balls, and she was asked to make a return appearance for another sales segment.
Immediately after her QVC appearance, Patricia and her husband Charles flew back home and then drove to A Personal Choice to have her reversal surgery.
Patricia’s Tubal Reversal Surgery
She had her tubes tied 26 years ago during a c-section. Since such a large amount of time had elapsed her operative records were unattainable. Patricia elected not to have a screening laparoscopy, and, instead, wanted to have an exploratory surgery and repair of whatever was possible.
Both of her tubes were repairable. The tubal blockage sites were removed and her tubal reversal surgery was successful. The surgical incision was only 2 inches long, or about half the length of a credit card. Both fallopian tubes were healthy. Her right and left tubes were repaired and her tubal measurements after repair were 5.5 cm and 7 cm. Despite Patricia’s previous c-section, she did not have much scar tissue. The operation took less than an hour.
The most encouraging aspect of the surgery was evidence of recent ovulation. Prior to her tubal reversal, we thought that Patricia was having regular ovulation because she has very regular menstrual cycles. During surgery, we directly observed the ovaries and saw evidence of recent ovulation from both ovaries! Ovulation from both ovaries at the same time is uncommon, but does occur more as women become older. This visual evidence of ovulation from both ovaries suggests Patricia is having brisk and healthy ovulation.
After Patricia’s Tubal Reversal
I meet Patricia and her husband in the recovery room after her tubal reversal. I informed both of them about the surgical results. Patricia was then discharged to the local Sheraton Hotel and was feeling well enough to go home the following morning.
Patricia and Charles will be traveling to Jamaica after the Christmas Holidays. This is a special place for them because this is where Charles proposed to her. They will be trying to make their second trip even more memorable by trying to conceive after Patricia’s tubal ligation reversal surgery.
The staff of A Personal Choice wish them well…
