Tubal Ligation Reversal at 46: Patricia’s Story (Part 3)
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 Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center 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 Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center wish them well…
December 24th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Patricia,
You are quite the inspiration for me. I have been considering tubal reversal for a while now but have been afraid because of my age and the age of my children. Best of luck to you and your husband.
Congratulations!
December 16th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Patti,
I am glad you are feeling so well. I am so happy your tubal ligation reversal surgery had such great results! I wish you and your husband the best and hope your next trip to Jamaica is just as memorable as the first! Please keep us updated on how you are doing! Again, congratulations!!!
December 16th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Congratulations Patricia on your tubal reversal. I enjoyed your story. I hope that you have a BFP soon. Good Luck and keep us informed on your progress. Wishing you a very Happy Holiday!
December 15th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I am going to start a link on the main message board. I hope everyone will join in. I am so excited about next month and ready to get pregnant. My family is starting to come around which is good and I am feeling back to myself after surgery.
Thank you everyone for the encouragement and kinds thoughts!
Patti
December 15th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Best wishes to you, Patricia, and a speedy recovery after your tubal reversal. I know you are happy to be on the other side of your surgery. Please keep us posted on how things are going. I’ll be watching for the Yackle Ball on the store shelves!
December 13th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Hello Everyone,
What a wonderful experience! I feel like Chapel Hill is a second family. The whole team is friendly, informative and makes one feel welcomed! And Dr. Monteith is absolutely wonderful and did a great job for us! Charlie and I feel confident about conceiving and will let everyone know about our progress. I am so excited that I dropped two eggs last month that would be an extra special gift to get pregnant with twins! Thank you everyone who supported me through the QVC airing. It was exciting but scary at the same time to go on TV in front of 90 million households. They asked me back and I will be airing again next Saturday.
Bye for now,
Patti
December 13th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Congratulations, Patricia! Great tubal lengths and I wish you much success with your Yackle Ball!
December 12th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I taped your segment on QVC and was able to watch it later in the day. I was impressed with how at ease you were knowing that you had two very big days ahead of you. I am glad that all went well for you at QVC and of course at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.
December 12th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Patricia,
I hope you had a wonderful experience with us here at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. It was a pleasure meeting you and I’m glad to hear your surgery went so well! Best wishes to you and your family.
Keep in touch