Why does a doctor choose to specialize in tubal ligation reversal surgery?
I am sure this question will be asked by almost every patient who meets me. It is natural for a person to want to know why their doctor chose to specialize in such a unique area of the medical field as is tubal ligation reversal surgery.
As I join the staff of A Personal Choice and provide these life changing surgeries, I want future patients to know I believe I have been led to this calling in my life through my upbringing and life’s events leading up to now.
I believe providing hope to others through reversal of tubal ligation and reversal of vasectomy is my calling.
Tubal Reversal: A Specialized Area Of Infertility
Tubal reversal and vasectomy reversal surgery are a specialized subset of surgery within a specialized area in the field of infertility medicine.
Tubal reversal surgery is a great treatment for infertility caused by blockage of the tubes. Unfortunately, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is the only treatment most infertility doctors offer their patients who have had their tubes tied.
IVF is way more expensive and is not always as successful as tubal reversal. IVF does not allow a woman to repair the guilt she may have over having sterilized her fertility. IVF does not allow a woman to fix a previous decision that impacts their current partner and their desire to have a child together. IVF only allows a one time chance to have a baby. Tubal reversal allows the chance of natural pregnancy every month. I witnessed all of the above first hand in my practice of gynecology.
Vasectomy reversal is a more commonly accepted treatment by urologist. Vasectomy reversal is more widely available than tubal reversal surgery. Unfortunately, most vasectomy reversal doctors charge way too much to reverse a vasectomy.
The sad reality is most infertility specialist offer patients a one way journey on the highway of IVF. A single trip can easily cost $20,000 to $40,000. Even if IVF is successful, an IVF treatment will do very little to fix the other problems caused by getting your tubes tied or having a vasectomy.
Wanting To Make A Difference In Women’s Health Care
I went into medicine to make a difference. I wanted to help others. I wanted to make people’s lives better.
During the early part of my career, I trained in general surgery. I found that taking out an appendix, gallbladder, or treating a nasty surgical site infection was important but this really was not what I wanted to do as a career. I found that most general surgeons were way too insensitive to the everyday needs of their patients.
The field of obstetrics and gynecology was way more appealing to me. I saw this area of medicine as far more inclusive of the whole mental and physical well-being of my female patients, their partners, and their larger extended family.
I felt happier delivering babies. I felt more personal enjoyment and more reward. I could help care for a young teenager, deliver her children as she became older, and continue our professional relationship as she became older.
The field of women’s health was my calling because it allowed me to have a relationship with my patients throughout their lives and during the most significant parts of their lives.
I also loved doing surgery. Almost all other fields of medicine you have to pick… it is only one or the other: doing surgery or talking about medical treatments. The field of Ob/Gyn is one of the few fields where a doctor can treat patients with medicine or counseling, but also do surgery. It was important to me that I not give up my love for surgery.
Loving My Relationship With My Patients
The feedback and affirmations I have received over the many years since I finished training in 2000 have always kept me positive, motivated, and passionate about the decisions I have made.
Early in my career I paid my dues by working hard and long hours in the hospital hallways. I have over performed over 25 years of obstetrical call and care. I have worked many long days, nights, weekends, and holidays. I look forward to providing outpatient surgery every day and every week.
I love the thought of providing tubal reversal surgery and restoring female fertility, but I also love delivering babies and will never give that up! I continue to enjoy an occasional shift at the hospital for labor and delivery. Seeing babies born gives me joy and provides a constant affirmation of my decision to become a full time tubal reversal provider.
The progression of my career towards becoming an exclusive provider of tubal ligation reversal surgery and vasectomy reversal surgery just seemed like the next logical step for me to embark upon. It has been a fantastic process to provide these types of procedures. It has renewed the joy I felt when I first started learning the art of surgery.
I love the deeper understanding I am gaining as I see how tubal ligation has such a tremendous and long lasting impact upon some patients. In my previous career, I performed many tubal ligation procedures. As is the case for most doctors, I really was not aware of what my patients went through after they had their tubes tied and the profound impact tubal ligation has on some of their lives.
Having the distinction of being a tubal reversal surgeon may be unique, but it has become a welcomed and exciting role I plan to play for many years to come.
I feel blessed to have followed this calling.
Paul Harris, MD
Tubal Reversal Specialist Raleigh North Carolina
