Pat is 47 years of age and she desires a tubal reversal surgery. She and her husband Jason traveled to A Personal Choice from Hardy, Virginia (VA) for her surgery. Pat is the Founder and President of Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue. Her horse rescue center cares for abused horses, provides them a safe environment, and coordinates adoptions for these horses. Jason is a computer systems administrator for a non-profit hospice center. They have been married for eight years. Together, they share a unique and inspiring story.
After Tubes Tied: Life Can Be Unpredictable
Pat has two children (ages 27 and 25) from a previous marriage. Pat and Jason met eight years ago. In fact, they met one week before Pat had her tubal ligation surgery (tubes tied). Pat had a tubal ring sterilization procedure. After her tubes were tied, Pat and Jason began dating and they married three years later.
Tubal Ligation And Breast Cancer
Pat and Jason married on January 1st, 2004. One week later, Pat found a lump in her breast. At age 42 and just after taking her marriage vows, Pat was diagnosed with breast cancer. The honeymoon was placed on hold and Pat and Jason began a new, but temporary path, for their lives.
Pat wanted to have another child and she had long considered having her tubes untied; however, the breast cancer diagnosis forced her to focus on her health and cancer treatment. She was aware she would not be able to become pregnant while undergoing chemotherapy and her doctors advised her to wait until she was free of cancer for five years.
Tubal Ligation Reversal Surgery: After Breast Cancer
Pat’s desire to have tubal ligation reversal gave way to radiation, chemotherapy, and multiple medical visits. Her new marriage held strong and Jason was with her for every step. Pat completed her entire course of cancer treatment and, in 2008, when she was five years without any cancer recurrence she decided to seriously pursue tubal ligation reversal.
Tubal Reversal Surgery: Better Choice For Pat
Pat preferred tubal reversal surgery over in-vitro fertilization (IVF). She was not interested in IVF. She understood given her history and her age the possibility of pregnancy was very low but, at least, she would have the possibility.
She checked with a local physician who performed tubal ligation reversal surgery in Virginia. She was ready to have the surgery until she was informed the cost with that provider was going to be $9,000! Moreover, this was only the doctor’s fee and did not include the fees for the hospital or anesthesia care. The total cost was going to be close to $20,000.
This is when Pat started searching for a more affordable tubal reversal and this is when she decided to call A Personal Choice.
Tubal Reversal Surgery Of Pat
Pat and Jason traveled to A Personal Choice center. I met them the day before Pat’s surgery and we had a thirty-minute pre-operative interview. I asked them if they would participate in our blog series because Pat is a fighter and has a very personal story which could help other women who may be in similar circumstances and considering tubal reversal.
Tubal Length After Reversal
Pat’s surgery went extremely well. Her reversal surgery lasted 59 minutes. Her tubes were in excellent condition. Both tubal rings were found and removed and her tubal lengths were approximately 5-6cm each. Her estimated blood loss was 5 milliliters ( one teaspoon). Pat and Jason where informed in the recovery room of the surgical outcome and were discharged to the local Sheraton Hotel. We evaluated Pat the next day and found her to be doing extremely well. She and Jason then returned home to Virginia by car.
Pat’s Advice On Tubal Reversal To Readers…
I asked Pat if she had any words of advice for other women who may be seeking tubal reversal at an older age. She thought for awhile and responded simply and sweetly, “Just stay positive…”
Submitted by Dr. Charles Monteith
Personal Stories Of Tubal Reversal
More information about tubal reversal surgery for women over the age of 40 can be found in our blog series, Tubal Ligation Reversal After Age 40: Introduction.
Readers can also read pregnancy success stories of Denita Age 41 and Dawne Age 46.
Want More Information About Tubal Reversal Surgery?
Readers interested in having tubal reversal can call our center at (919) 968-4656 for a free nurse consultation. You can also watch our video clip about tubal reversals.
