Tubal Reversal Information
Tubal reversal information is plentiful on the internet, but not everything that you read is accurate or factual. Of the websites that provide information about tubal ligation reversal, the one from Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is most complete and accurate. It describes the various types of tubal ligation procedures and the different tubal reversal procedures that can be used. If you are interested in learning about tubal reversal, spend some time looking at the different pages on this extensive site. There is a search box at the top of every page that can direct you to specific information about any issues relating to tubal ligation reversal. Take a look also through the many topics of information on the Tubal Reversal Blog.
Tubal Reversal Surgery
Tubal ligation reversal is usually considered to be a major operation, taking several hours and requiring a hospital stay of 1 to 5 days. Complete recovery is often described as taking 4 to 6 weeks. However, the tubal reversal procedure that Dr. Berger has developed is performed as outpatient surgery with no hospital stay required and with complete recovery generally within 5 to 10 days. Since hospitalization is not required, the cost of the tubal reversal procedure is reduced by half or two-thirds of the cost when performed in a hospital. Patients are more comfortable during their post operative recovery and are able to return to work and other normal activities much faster. A free video or DVD of Dr. Berger’s tubal reversal procedure is available on the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center website.
Risks of Tubal Reversal
As with any surgery, complications are always a possibility. Although rare, these may include bleeding, infection, damage to other organs, or complications of anesthesia. The most significant risk associated with tubal ligation reversal is the long term risk of having an ectopic pregnancy. This risk is increased from approximately 2% of pregnancies in the general population to approximately 10% after tubal reversal. Fortunately, the medical problem of a ruptured tubal pregnancy can be prevented by following an early pregnancy monitoring protocol that has been described by Dr. Berger and is recommended to all women after a tubal reversal procedure.
Alternative Treatment
Rather than “untying” their tubes, some women are advised to be treated by in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, IVF is more complicated and expensive, the pregnancy rate after IVF is not as high as after tubal reversal, and there is a very high incidence of multiple births (approximately 30%) after IVF. Further, there is concern about the possible long term effect of the use of potent hormones to stimulate the ovaries to produce many eggs (called “super-ovulation”) and the suspicion that it might increase the risk of ovarian cancer later in life.
Am I a Candidate for Tubal Reversal?
Although most women have been told that tubal ligation is permanent, in fact, the vast majority of tubal ligation procedures are reversible. The operative report from your tubal ligation will give a good indication if the procedure can be reversed. When there is any doubt about this, diagnostic laparoscopy can be performed to examine the fallopian tubes and then decide whether to proceed with the reversal operation.
Pregnancy Rates After Tubal Reversal
Pregnancy and birth rates after a tubal reversal are significantly better than after IVF. Neither procedure, however, can guarantee that pregnancy leading to birth will occur. Even when the fallopian tubes have been repaired, other factors – such as age, menstrual cycle regularity, ovulation or other hormonal disorders, and the fertility of the male partner - may determine when, or whether, conception will occur.
Women under the age of 30 who have a tubal reversal have an 82% pregnancy success rate; between 30-34 the pregnancy rate is 76% and for women ages 35-39, the pregnancy rate is 67%. The pregnancy rate declines for women 40 and older in accordance with the natural decline in fertility with age. However, pregnancy rates are higher for women of any age following tubal reversal than after IVF.
More Tubal Reversal Information
If you would like to discuss your individual situation with a Tubal Reversal Nurse, call (919) 968-4656. The experienced nurses at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center are always happy to provide information about tubal ligation reversal. You can also exchange information with other women on the Tubal Reversal Message Board.
April 5th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Providing accurate and complete information about tubal ligation reversal is one of the missions of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.
April 5th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I hear from patients all the time say that the information that is available to them on the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center website made them very comfortable and at ease prior to coming for surgery. There can be misleading information out there and I am thankful for Dr. Berger’s dedication to patient care and even more so that it begins even before the patients walk through the door.
April 5th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is about which doctor to choose for reversal surgery. Experience is an important indicator on whether surgery will be performed if a woman has a difficult situation due to short tubes, missing tubal segments, fimbriectomy, or inherent diseases of the tubes. While most doctors would be unwilling – or unable - to perform a reversal in one of these situations, Dr. Berger is able to repair the tubes in 98% of cases, regardless of the type of sterilization that has been performed.
On the Internet, claims about tubal reversal pregnancy rates are often made without supporting information or documentation. While any doctor may say that his patients have a particular success rate, Dr. Berger supports his statistics with actual data.
April 6th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Another good way to find Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center website pages that do not have a direct link is to use our Site Map. You will find a link to it near the bottom of each page. Dr. Berger strives to educate patients by offering the most accurate and comprehensive information available about tubal reversal surgery and related topics.
April 7th, 2008 at 6:23 am
The testimonials are another great influence. I have been told that it is a wonderful feeling to read the stories and to be able to contact the patient to confirm the information.
April 7th, 2008 at 6:25 am
I have already referred the ladies of the message board to this informative blog topic. This is another example of Dr Berger’s dedication to patient education. Thank you Dr Berger.
April 7th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
If you are someone who regrets having a tubal ligation done there is hope! Dr. Berger is able to reverse the tubes 98% of the time. Our website is very informative and we are also happy to discuss this with you over the phone. We can be reached at 919-968-4656.
April 7th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center information, that is made available to women seeking a tubal reversal, can not only be viewed from Dr. Berger’s meticulously kept pregnancy statistics, but from easy to understand illustrations on what a woman’s tubal ligation looks like. From there a patient can visualize the reconnection of her fallopian tubes. Different forms of information are available to help our patients realize their dreams of becoming pregnant again.
April 7th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
It is great to see and already informative website grow to cover every conceivable topic related to tubal reversal surgery!
April 7th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Many patients tell me that our website is one of the best they’ve ever seen. Women are impressed with the accurate statistics and specific details about tubal reversal surgery (both before and after surgery) that can be found on the website.
April 7th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Nice concise summation as to overall better advantages of tubal ligation reversal compared to IVF.