Specializing in tubal surgery and the treatment of infertility in women who have had tubal ligations (tubes tied), we meet many patients who share many different stories with us. In the fall of 2008, I was conducting a preoperative evaluation with a patient for a tubal ligation reversal after she had an unsuccessful IVF treatment cycle. Here is her story.
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Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center offers an excellent alternative to in vitro fertilization (IVF) – namely, tubal surgery to untie tubes and correct tubal blockage. If you have had your fallopian tubes tied (tubal ligation) or have blocked tubes and want to become pregnant, then tubal surgery may be the best treatment for you.
The tubal reversal doctors at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center perform over 800 tubal ligation reversals every year. We perform tubal reversals on patients from all over the United States and across the world. We have become experts in unblocking blocked tubes.
Every one of our patients brings with them a unique story. Periodically, we like to present their stories so readers can see the diverse walks of life from which our patients come.
On December 1st 2008, I meet Dorinda and asked her if she would participate in our Tubal Reversal Blog. She agreed and here is her story:
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.
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This is part two of a three part series on Patricia and her decision to have tubal ligation reversal. Part one is Tubal Ligation Reversal at 46: Patricia’s Story.
Twenty-two years ago, I was talked into getting my tubes tied after the birth of my third child. I was led to believe my life would be threatened if I had another baby, so I agreed to it. I am now 46 years old and remarried to a man who has never had a child. When he asked if it were possible for us to have a baby, my first reaction was no – I am too old. But after thinking about it, I decided to check into my options. I went to a specialist to have tests and be examined to see if my tubal ligation could be reversed. I also wanted to know if it was safe for me to have another baby. My husband also had his sperm count checked to make sure he was in good condition.
At Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center we perform over 800 tubal ligation reversals a year. We have patients who travel from across the United States and from around the world for tubal ligation reversal. Our patients come from many walks of life. Our current blog is about Patricia, a nearby patient from Mooresville, North Carolina (NC). She is a 46 year old mother of three older children. Her determination to succeed provides inspiration for readers who are struggling with some of life’s ordeals.
In the Fall of 2008, I was preparing to meet with a patient who was traveling to Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center from Fort Campbell, Kentucky (KY) for a tubal ligation reversal. The patient’s name was Catrina. She is 33 years old and newly married to, Chris, an Army Staff Sergeant.
Catrina sent us an operative report from a diagnostic laparoscopy (camera surgery), that discovered she had a tubal ligation. During our interview, I asked her why her general gynecologist had done this surgery. I was surprised by the story she had to tell.
Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure that blocks the fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy. Many people commonly refer to tubal sterilization as having their ‘tubes tied’. The more correct medical term is tubal occlusion (occluding or closing the tube), because not every fallopian tube is ligated or tied when it is closed. There are many different ways to perform a tubal ligation, but all the procedures cause some destruction of the fallopian tubes. There are many ways to perform a tubal ligation: tying and cutting, cauterizing (burning) and clipping or banding the fallopian tubes are the most common techniques.
I am a Registered Nurse and have worked most of my career in Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit. I took a three year break and worked in Labor and Delivery and really loved that, as you can imagine…EVERY day was THE best day of each of my patient’s lives. I loved being a part of it and was emotional during just about all of my deliveries! My husband is a wealth builder…he owns his own financial firm and does investment/financial advising.
We have a happy family with 5 children and would feel blessed with another child biologically or through adoption; unfortunately both of us were sterilized during our previous marriages. No one ever plans for their spouse to leave, their marriage to be torn apart, and be left infertile. As my new husband and I had very similar stories, morals and beliefs and united in marriage and family, we thought long and hard about adding to our family to essentially “tie” our children together with a half sibling– so that when they are older and we are gone, they will still be close and not drift apart. This is what led me to do my research about tubal reversal surgery and what led me to Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.
Before this point, I had NO IDEA that Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome (PTLS) existed and I did not know all of my many symptoms were probably linked together due to the decision I made to have my tubes tied in 2003 after the birth of my daughter. I researched PTLS even further and found a very long list of symptoms and just cried as I showed the list to my husband one night. I was literally astounded.
I remember my mom telling me before I had my tubal ligation she had always heard a “Tubal ligation makes you have much more severe cramps and heavier periods”.
I asked my OB/GYN this question as I was making my decision (I worked with this doctor in L&D at the time) and she said this was not true at all. It is evident that many physicians do not recognize PTLS as a true syndrome and it’s saddening. I am very blessed that my husband empathized with me and all the symptoms I had and supported me in having the tubal reversal for symptom relief, without a second thought. I had my tubal reversal 7/31/08 and if it is God’s plan to add to our family, He can provide that miracle…but if not or until then…I am extremely happy to have had the opportunity to be “reconnected” by Dr. Monteith.
Below is a list of symptoms that I found on a PTLS website and I listed the symptoms I have (there were many, many more).
1. Bouts of rapid heart rate: In 2005, I was having palpations so frequently that I saw a cardiologist that I worked with at the time. He did a stress echo, which was fine, but placed me on a beta blocker medication due to the symptoms interfering with my everyday life. I have since weaned off of the medication myself and it only happens on occasion now.
2. Irritability/mood swings/PMS: I was never this bad before…I’m a very pleasant, laid back person and the past 4 years or so, my PMS symptoms have increased in length more and more until it was about 2 weeks long, and it would go away two or three days after my cycle was over.
3. Trouble sleeping thru the night: Absolutely! I have had severe insomnia since 2003 or 2004. Of course, my doctor gave me another pill to help this symptom…but I hate having such trouble sleeping and try not to take the medicine. I have tried hypnosis, herbs, melatonin, Benadryl, and acupuncture…many things other than using the prescription medicine.
4. Irregular periods: Not so much irregular, meaning I have 25-28 day cycles, but HEAVY and EXTREMELY painful…To the point of being doubled over in pain for the first two days of my cycle and curled up in a ball. It’s worse than any labor I had before I had to have my C-section. A couple of years ago, I would bleed up to 11-14 days every month and I was advised to have a hysterectomy due to the pain and bleeding. Being age 32 at the time, I refused to go that route.
5. Anxiety: I was never a very anxious person before. I have had increased anxiety, to the point I talked to my doctor about it (I was also going through a difficult time)…and was given yet another medication to try. It did help, but it was an antidepressant used for anxiety and was very hard for me to get off of once I decided I did not want to be on medication anymore.
6. Decreased energy: My energy level has dropped so much, but I just figured it was from getting older. I’ve never been a morning person, but this is much worse…it’s like constantly being tired and sluggish.
7. Feelings of doom/apprehension/despair: Some months, not all (especially a couple years back), my PMS symptoms are so severe, that it makes me think very sad thoughts…and it’s always about 2 days at the end of my cycle (which is the same point my migraines come as well…so it could be related).
8. Depression: I’ve had some bouts of what I call depression (non diagnosed) over the last few years…my “depression” is more in the form of anxiety/overwhelming feelings and wanting to sleep and not face anyone.
9. Headaches: Migraines…I used to have them in college when I was on birth control pills. Finally, when they figured out it was probably the hormones and I came off the birth control pills; I did not have any more migraines, until AFTER my tubal ligation. I’ve been on a migraine medication for over a year and use a different one if it gets out of hand. They can be debilitating.
10. Weight gain: I have had a very difficult time trying to lose my ‘baby weight’ from my last pregnancy from 2003 and tubal ligation. Although I had always been proportioned before, the worst of my weight now is around the middle.
11. GI problems: I have had reflux or heartburn since my tubal ligation as well.
I have only had one cycle since my tubal reversal, so I will be watching for much symptom relief!
A complete discussion of Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome and the stories of other PTLS patients who have undergone tubal reversal can be seen in our blog series on PTLS. The first of fourteen articles is Pain After Tubal Ligation: A Symptom of Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome? .
Readers can also view other patient submitted stories about their menstrual symptoms, reasons for reversing tubal ligation, and outcomes after reversal reversal surgery. Each patient’s story is listed below:
We invite readers to join our Tubal Reversal Message board and discuss and share personal experiences with tubal ligation. We also have a dedicated PTLS forum for readers to share experiences of worsening symptoms after tubal ligation procedures.
Andrea describes her recovery and improvement of symptoms after tubal ligation reversal surgery. Her story prior to ligation reversal is Meet Andrea.
I had my tubal ligation reversal surgery on 7/30/08. I was on my second day of my period that day. After surgery, I bled for only four more days!
This past month was the first month I had NO migraine or cluster headaches, no odd bleeding or cramping, and I have now started my period. I started right on time, and had tolerable cramps with NORMAL moderate blood flow. This isn’t the blood flow that has caused me to leave in the middle of church-weak, nauseated and pale. I am so very happy that I can live without the exhaustion of anemia during my period, and not live in fear that one time will just be too heavy to be OK. I don’t have to live with the pain, constant moisture, showering 2-3 times a day and clotting.
Most importantly, I’ve given God control over my body. I don’t have to cry and grieve over the loss of a possible future child, nor do I have to cry over the pain and turmoil my physical body is in.
Andrea has become pregnant almost two months after her tubal ligation reversal! Her baby is in her uterus and things seem to be progressing well.
The staff of CHTRC wishes Andrea and her family good luck with their first tubal reversal baby. Undoubtedly, there is nothing like a pregnancy to cure bad menstrual periods!
This is the tenth article in our fourteen part series on PTLS and associated medical conditions. Our first article, Pain After Tubes Tied: Symptom of Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome?, reviews symptoms associated with PTLS.
Our next several articles will present patients who have suffered from worsening menstrual, physical, and emotional symptoms after surgical sterilization procedures ( women who had their tubes tied).
Readers can also view other patient submitted stories about their menstrual symptoms, reasons for reversing tubal ligation, and outcomes after reversal reversal surgery. Each patient’s story is listed below:
We invite readers to join our Tubal Reversal Message Board and discuss and share personal experiences with tubal ligation. We also have a dedicated PTLS forum for readers to share experiences of worsening symptoms after tubal ligation procedures.
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Gary S. Berger, M.D. |
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Charles Monteith, M.D. |
Tubal Ligation Reversal News
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