February 1, I will be having a tubal ligation. They will do it laproscopically, unless there is some unforeseen circumstance avoiding it. I don’t know what to expect, really. Can someone give me some information? Thanks.
From what I recall (it was done 14 years ago), it was not that big of a deal. It was outpatient surgery, so I was home by early afternoon, and I think I only took one day off from work. I think I had it done on a Friday so I could recuperate over the weekend, and I was back at work (a desk job) by Monday.
I remember feeling pretty crappy that afternoon and evening, like I’d been kicked in the stomach several times, but it didn’t take long for me to recover. I didn’t have much choice - I had two kids under 2 years old at the time.
I had one almost a quarter of a century ago. Heh. Hadn’t realized that it had been that long until I put it like that. Anyway, the procedure itself went well, but I was the second woman to have it done on an outpatient basis at that hospital, and they didn’t give me proper followup care instructions, so I ate something I shouldn’t have and had horrid vomiting and diarrhea afterwards. After a couple of Phenergan suppositories, I was feeling NO pain and quite happy.
My sex life improved dramatically. I’d become pregnant three times in two years (once on the Pill, once using foam and condoms together, and once with the IUD) and I was getting downright paranoid about even looking at my husband. Getting a tubal was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.
From what I understand, even with a lap procedure, the doctor will be moving your innards around, so you won’t feel quite as perky for a couple of days afterwards. Make sure that you get and follow the aftercare handout. You’ll probably be back better than ever after a few days.
I had one last April, done laparascopically too, and the recovery was nothing compared to having my gall bladder out several years before that. The worst thing was the pain from the gases they blow into your abdominal cavity so they can see everything - after the fact, what was left of it migrated around and I had a little pain in my chest for a couple of days, but the doc had warned me of that.
I was up and eating dinner that afternoon, after a one o’clock procedure. I give great thanks to my anesthesiologist, who took my “I puke from anesthesia” complaints seriously, and gave me something that prevented the nausea. I took out my own suture the next week.
I do wish that my doc had warned me about quitting the pill cold turkey. I had some hormonal roller coaster rides before I figured out that was why, and that it’s best to go gradually. But I’m quite glad I had the procedure done.
Lynn, after a couple of phenergran suppositories, I’m amazed you were conscious enough to feel anything. The one time I took that stuff (orally), it knocked me out within twenty minutes, and I slept like something dead for 16 hours. My roommate was getting ready to call my doctor and see if she needed to take me to the hospital when I finally woke up.
I’m also interested in hearing about tube-tying experiences, although I doubt I’ll actually get it done. When this IUD wears out, I think I might just get another instead of a tubal. I’ve become awfully fond of this whole no-period thing. Still, I like to know as much about my options as possible.
Phenergan (promethazine) is an anti-emetic (stops vomiting), and also used for allergies. I’d wager you had promethazine with codeine. I had promethazine while pregnant, for morning sickness.
I had a tubal (laproscopic) about 13 years ago.
My experience was almost identical to that of WVmom.
I was very sleepy though, came home from the morning outpatient procedure and promptly went to bed.
Getting the tubal was a good decision and I wish I’d gotten it done sooner.
I work in the 4th largest birthing center in CA and I circulate in tubals a lot.
I prep patients by taking their vitals and putting them in a gown and starting an IV ( I like the left forearm ) and infusing a liter of Normal Saline or Lactated Ringer’s solution, drawing blood for labs if needed from the same needle stick so I only poke you once. The anesthesiologist comes in and asks if you have had a general before, family history and all that. You’ve likely signed your consents already. I give you 30 mls, about two tablespoons, of Sodium Citrate to drink to prevent surgical nausea. You should be at least 12 hours past your last meal. It smells nice but tastes like a melted super-tart sweettart. I get you up to the bathroom to void, as you probably won’t need a urinary catheter-- you’ll only be out 30 minutes or so. We walk to the OR (I’ll put a cover gown and slipper sox on you ) and I’ll put a cap on us both and I’ll put on a mask. You’ll lie down on the table and I’ll put a blood pressure cuff on your right arm. I’ll stick a big grounding pad to your right upper thigh and cover your legs with a warm blanket, which I’ll fold down and strap your legs to the table so you won’t feel like you’ll fall off. I’ll expose your tummy and use Betadine to swab your bellybutton area, then cover your chest with another warm blanket while the doc puts you to sleep and I help him intubate you when you’re out. The surgeon makes an incision below your bellybutton, like 1/4 below and maybe 2 inches long and when he removes a piece of tube, I label it left or right and send them to path to double check that they are indeed tubes. Surgeon puts in a stitch or staple or two and a bandaid and you get extubated and rolled onto a gurney and into PACU (Post Anest Care Unit ). You’ll be constantly monitored for an hour and transferred to a room and be monitired every half hour for two hours. You’ll be allowed to drink as you are able and can eat your next meal. Most docs will let you go 12 hours after the surgery or the next AM. Depending on your doc, you can get morphine, Demerol or Toradol through your IV and Percocet, Vicodin or OxyContin pills for pain. You will be able to get up to the bathroom with very little help. Walking after the first 12 hours are past will help move the gas out of your body. The staple removal 3 days later is not painful and the scar is tiny.
I had mine done 14 years ago and it remains one of the smartest choices I ever made.
Cyn, OB/GYN RN
Wow, Cyn, thank you!!
I was feeling pretty good. I did have my husband take our daughter to a babysitter when he went to work, though. I didn’t think that I’d be capable of taking care of a toddler when I was under the influence of this.
I actually had the Essure procedure done, not a tubal ligation, but I’ll explain it here for the sake of folks who don’t know there’s another option to surgical sterilization for women:
First of all, they have a website: www.essure.com
I went in, they put me on the table and knocked me out, and I woke up a minute too early, before my GYN was done taking all the tools out. Ouchie! I actually was in pain (and in recovery) for longer than the average, so maybe an hour. By the time I left, about an hour later, I was cramping but didn’t need pain medication, even a Tylenol. And I never did need any painkillers after that, either. Three months later I had a hysterosalpingogram (uterine dye study) which was painless, and they declared me to be ‘fixed’.
I really liked the lack of cutting involved. Compared to a laparoscopic procedure I’d had 7 years before, which had a 3-day recovery, the Essure was an absolute piece of cake. And, Essure has (so far) a lower incidence of failures (pregnancies) among the women for whom the implants are placed successfully.
You are welcome: it’s what I do for a living!
Cyn, OB/GYN RN
Tomorrow’s the surgery. I’ll let you all know how it goes.
Wow, I was just going to start this exact thread. I’m going to the doctor in two weeks to talk to discuss having a tubal.
So far, it doesn’t sound that bad. Does anybody have any regrets? I’m about 98% certain that I’m done having babies, now that I have two and the youngest is only 8 weeks old. I’m not getting any younger, and I’m tired.
How did you know for sure that you were finished having kids?
Will I be able to take care of my three-year-old and eight-week-old by myself, or will I need a little help for a day or two? Will I be able to lift a 30+ pound kid, or even a 10 pound one?
Cyn, I’m a little squicked out by the mention of a staple removal. Can I ask for those dissolving stitches instead?
And Ginger, hope yours goes well, and that you’re feeling ok!
I wasn’t going to start a thread, but I’ve got an appointment on Thursday for a tubal consult. Of course reading the above description freaks me out. I thought it would be more of a twilight sedation - a little demoral/versed iv drip. But I’m of an age (or will be in a month) that one’s risk of cancer while on the Pill goes up, so…
Good luck, Gingy!
Mrs. Shibb’s grandmother had four or five kids after her tubal ligation. Not sure if they just botched it or the ovum travelled across a ligament or what. Don’t worry, this was in Thailand about 60+ years ago. I’m sure they’re much better at it now.
:eek: I certainly hope they’re better at it now! I soooo didn’t need to read that!
About 25 years ago in California, one of my neighbors had a baby after a tubal. Not sure what they can do to check to see if the surgery was successful. With a vasectomy, you can count sperm, but with a tubal what can you count besides babies.
My new DIL is talking about undoing a tubal. She’s saying that she’s up against a time constraint and if it isn’t done this year, there’s less of a chance of it being successful. Anyone know if she’s blowing smoke, er, been misinformed?
I was upset about having staples on my belly after my hysterectomy, too, but when it was time for them to come out, it was a very simple procedure. It was much quicker and easier on me than having sutures removed had been (I’ve had some assorted surgeries in my life). So, don’t worry about staples. I’ll bet you’ll have no problem with them.
Thanks, Lynn. I had a mental image of an office-type staple remover, and that sound that it makes. :shuddering:
I’ve always had dissolving sutures, for my appendectomy, laporoscopy, and various other surgeries, and I wasn’t bothered by yanking out my own stitches with a pair of eyebrow tweezers when I couldn’t get back to the doctor’s office and they were itching. The staple thing just sounds horrible, to me. Are they actual metal things, that look like office staples?
Funny, that I could give birth to two children, yet I’m grossed out by surgical staples.