Tubal Reversal

Tubal reversal occurs 6% of the time within 5 years after the first operation. Reasons provided vary from the desire to have more children to the need to reverse the side effects (i.e., worse PMS symptoms, decreased libido) of the ligation. Whatever the reason, successful tubal ligation reversal is now a possibility and affords women to resume other forms of birth control methods.

Tubal Reversal Described

Using microsurgical techniques, doctors will reopen and reconnect the fallopian tube segments remaining after the ligation procedure. When these two segments, called the distal and the proximal, are successfully reconnected, female fertility is restored.

It must be noted, however, that the success of the operation depends on many factors. These include the age of the patient, the number of years lapsed from the tubal ligation to its reversal, the method used in the original surgery (clips or cuts) and the length of the fallopian tubes remaining.

Also, the medical practitioner performing the reversal procedure must be a reproductive surgeon with specialized training and sufficient experience in the method. Otherwise, serious complications and higher costs will ensue.

The operation is performed in a hospital setting with either general or local anesthesia given to the patient. Take note, however, that you can be released from the hospital in as little as 4 hours depending on your condition.

Benefits of Reversal

Well, of course, when the reversal operation is performed by a competent reproductive surgeon, the main bonus will be the restoration of fertility. This is, after all, the main reason most women opt for the procedure!

The success rate in terms of pregnancy one year after the operation is impressive at 70 percent. Again, women will have varying response to the procedure based on age and time elapsed, as previously mentioned.

There are other advantages, too, like the following:

• In majority of cases, the post-operative side effects are minor and the incidence of complications extremely low. Nonetheless, these risks should be of concern, which include bleeding, anesthesia-related complications and infections. Then again, these are normal risks associated with any surgical procedure!

• There is no need for a second procedure when more children are desired by the patient. This is in stark contrast with in-vitro fertilization (IVF), which is an alternative to ligation reversal in getting pregnant.

• Patients need not worry about producing twins and triplets, unlike in IVF.

• Recovery time is relatively short at 5-7 days although strenuous activities must be avoided until the doctor says so.

With all these benefits, the disadvantage are often inconsequential.

Disadvantages of Reversal

Just like vasectomy reversal, tubal reversal is more expensive than the original procedure. That's exactly why patients are intensively counseled about the advantages and disadvantages of these permanent birth control methods.

Keep in mind that insurance will often not cover tubal ligation reversal costs since it is an elective surgery after the fact. Expect to pay at least $6,000 although some doctors and hospitals will charge as high as $14,000 for the operation. Indeed, you must pay to get pregnant again!

And when the procedure is unsuccessful and you still want to get pregnant, IVF is the next option. And remember that IVF is more expensive.

Whatever method of getting pregnant that you opt for, be sure that you have competent medical practitioners monitoring your efforts every step of the way for tubalreversal.