Question for the Ladies... tubal ligation

[I*heart*MickeyMouse]

I'm not new here, but I made a new ID because I have friends and family on the boards.

Dh and I are done having kids. I am getting up there in age (almost 37) and my OBGYN will not re-prescribe the pill to me once this prescription is up. I've tried every other method of birth control over the years (both IUDs, diaphragm, condoms) and don't like any of them and will not do any other type of hormone b.c. like the shot or implant. I am considering getting a tubal ligation, but don't know anyone IRL who has had one, except one friend but she had it done after her baby was delivered via c-section.

So, have you had a tubal ligation on its own (not after a c-section)? Would you mind sharing your experience with me? Preparation, during the surgery, recovery time, how did you have it done, how is your cycle now, are you glad you did it?

Thanks in advance for sharing! If you want to share, but not on the board, can you PM me? Thanks!

(and ps, because I know someone will ask {this is the dis after all, right?} my dh is NOT going in for the "big V" - it is not an option and we both agree on it not being an option )

 

[monatexasgal]

Hi,
I am a nurse and I have had the procedure. It is a short procedure. Recovery is pretty simple. Just take it easy for a few days. Some people are bloated for a few days. Cramp like pain, not severe. Walking helps. Periods after for me were like always.
Hope that helps.

 

[I*heart*MickeyMouse]

Hi,
I am a nurse and I have had the procedure. It is a short procedure. Recovery is pretty simple. Just take it easy for a few days. Some people are bloated for a few days. Cramp like pain, not severe. Walking helps. Periods after for me were like always.
Hope that helps.

Thanks! Did you have it done laparoscopicaly, a mini-lap or laparotomy? I mentioned in passing to my OB on my last visit that I'm considering it, but at the time didn't know there were different methods. She mentioned that I would be put under general anesthesia and would be "laid up" for a few days and given some pain killers for 2-3 days...

Obviously it was just in passing and she'll describe the different methods in depth at our consultation. But it sounded much like my Csection recovery. I wonder, since I had a c section, if they'd go in through my c-section scar? OK obviously you can't answer that for me LOL! I'm just thinking out loud

Thanks again for your input!

 

[Srackangast]

I had this done 4 years ago...no problems and it was no big deal recovery. I am 37. Sometimes I get a little sad , like really no more babies for me.

 

[Shadowcat70]

I had a tubal-lit a few hours after having my daughter. She was delivered normally (no C-section) and they only had to make a small incision in my belly button to do the proceedure. The scar is very small, about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch, and I do not remember it bothering me at all.

I am very glad I got it done because I could not take birth control pills due to how I reacted to the hormonal changes. The only down-side to the whole thing is that my periods became very heavy/clotty afterwards. They stayed that way until I started premen.

 

[free2div]

Thanks! Did you have it done laparoscopicaly, a mini-lap or laparotomy? I mentioned in passing to my OB on my last visit that I'm considering it, but at the time didn't know there were different methods. She mentioned that I would be put under general anesthesia and would be "laid up" for a few days and given some pain killers for 2-3 days...

Obviously it was just in passing and she'll describe the different methods in depth at our consultation. But it sounded much like my Csection recovery. I wonder, since I had a c section, if they'd go in through my c-section scar? OK obviously you can't answer that for me LOL! I'm just thinking out loud

Thanks again for your input!

I had one done after a miscarriage..they had to put me under to do a dnc..I was 42 so I ask for a tubal to be done while I was out. They went in thru a c-section scar. Hurt like H the first couple of days, but after that I was fine..Just take it easy for a few days. It was done outpatient. Whole thing from getting there to leaving was about 3 hrs

 

[MaumeeMom]

I'm one of the few who has had complications. The TL was not a big deal, I had it done with the Novasure procedure so I can't comment on any changes in monthly cycle.

Not long after the procedure, I developed an incisional hernia and recovering from that repair has been awful. Lots of complications.

If I knew the results ahead of time, I would have pushed harder for my DH to take one for the team.

Good luck, OP.

 

[lamb1961]

My husband and I also are not having any more children. We looked into TL, but then he decided to have a vasectomy...much less invasive and no recovery to speak of!

 

[ancestry]

My husband and I also are not having any more children. We looked into TL, but then he decided to have a vasectomy...much less invasive and no recovery to speak of!

I completely agree. Consider having the hubby get a vasectomy.

 

[nessz79]

Except the OP said they already agreed on him not having one.

I had a similar situation, OP, and had a tubal ligation. They made a tiny incision just below my belly button. I was under general anesthesia. Recovery was pretty easy- 2 days that I felt tired and sore. Maybe several days of feeling more tired than usual, but I think that was just the general anesthesia.

Just be sure that this is what you want. I had mine done after my 2nd son was born and knew I didn't want any more children. However, like a PP mentioned, I still sometimes get sad with the finality of it all. I don't think I want anymore kids, but sometimes I'd just like to know that I *could* if I wanted to. Anyway, if you're positively sure, you can remind yourself of that later if you get sad.

 

[Carriemel]

I'm wondering why your doc won't re-prescribe the pill? I'm 37 and mine was all too happy to give me either the bc patch or the pill. There's no extra side effects, unless you're a smoker...at least as far as I can tell...

 

[RMulieri]

I'm wondering why your doc won't re-prescribe the pill? I'm 37 and mine was all too happy to give me either the bc patch or the pill. There's no extra side effects, unless you're a smoker...at least as far as I can tell...

The older you get the higher risk of blood clots,stroke or cancer( more concerns for cancer though) regardless of whether or not you are a smoker.I am 35 and my OB refused to prescribe it after I turned 35.Dh got a vasectomy simply because of thehigher risks assoc with tubal

 

[WantToGoNow]

I had mine done just shortly after my youngest dd's 1st birthday - on my oldest dd's 21st birthday. Best decision I ever made. My dh is a big coward and would not have the V - I reacted very badly to the pill and I didn't want anymore children - I had just turned 40 - this was 5 years ago.

The procedure was simple - went in for the outpatient procedure and went home a few hours later. The incisiion is in my belly button and didn't hurt much at all. I got home around 4:00 and slept the rest of the day (I do have a hard time with general anesthesia - it makes me very ill). The next day I went bed shopping with my oldest dd - was a little sore but nothing bad - I never even got the pain medicine filled. I had it done on Friday and went back to work on Monday.

As for my periods, I didn't notice a change at all - they are the same frequency and heaviness they were before. I can't wait for them to stop.

 

[Suz725]

there's something your doctor can do in his office called Essure...It is soppose to be permanent but a lot less invasive than a tubal

 

[5stljayhawks]

I am a dude and just went this week for a consult for the Vas. going to be snipped in a few weeks. Going to have it done and when it is over, I am still a dude, still producing testosterone and all. Sexual functions will still be the same, less a few million swimmers.

The procedure for the man vs women, is outpatient vs inpatient, local anesthesia vs general anesthesia(all the way out) and recover time is 2-7 days vs several week(not sure exactly how long) Cost is probably less, mine is just $15 with insurance.

Not sure why your man is unwilling or if he is scared of losing his man hood. Not trying to sound gruff, but overall it is easier on everyone and he still can beat his chest.

 

[marcemc]

I had my tubal ligation 4 years ago, about 6 months after my second boy was born.

I am very irregular and didn't want to be on the pill or use anything else, so it was a good option for us.

Ambulatory procedure, a little bit painful for the first couple of days, no complications.

It is a big decision. We feel blessed to have our boys but sometimes I long for more babies. I think it's natural for women to feel like this once in a while, then I remember things like gigantic diaper bags, poopy diapers, pumping milk and sleepless nights and seem to get over it. All worth it though!

 

[SaraJayne]

I am a dude and just went this week for a consult for the Vas. going to be snipped in a few weeks. Going to have it done and when it is over, I am still a dude, still producing testosterone and all. Sexual functions will still be the same, less a few million swimmers.

The procedure for the man vs women, is outpatient vs inpatient, local anesthesia vs general anesthesia(all the way out) and recover time is 2-7 days vs several week(not sure exactly how long) Cost is probably less, mine is just $15 with insurance.

Not sure why your man is unwilling or if he is scared of losing his man hood. Not trying to sound gruff, but overall it is easier on everyone and he still can beat his chest.

These are all the reasons why DH got a vasectomy instead of me having a TL.

Much simpler and easier all around.

 

[nessz79]

I had my tubal ligation 4 years ago, about 6 months after my second boy was born.

I am very irregular and didn't want to be on the pill or use anything else, so it was a good option for us.

Ambulatory procedure, a little bit painful for the first couple of days, no complications.

It is a big decision. We feel blessed to have our boys but sometimes I long for more babies. I think it's natural for women to feel like this once in a while, then I remember things like gigantic diaper bags, poopy diapers, pumping milk and sleepless nights and seem to get over it. All worth it though!

 

[FoundMyPrince]

I had a tubal 7 weeks ago today; dd was born the night before. I was put under general anesthesia for the surgery. My dr. went thru my belly button; I have no scar at all. The procedure took 10 minutes - it took me about 50 minutes to wake up in the recovery room. I hurt but I was sooo groggy that I didn't really know what was going on. I took darvecet for two days - made me incredibly dizzy so the pain meds went in the trash.

I was surprised at how sore I was after the procedure. I went into the surgery blindly - thinking there would basically be no pain afterward. It wasn't really pain, but my ovary area was sore. It wasn't intolerable, just tender.

I had the procedure on a Saturday and by the following Thursday I was fine. I felt completely "normal" from both daughter's delivery and the surgery.

I'm just thrilled at not having to rely on b.c. for another month! We knew we were finished having children (well, we thought that after our second child. Then, SUPRISE and SURPRISE! - you get the idea).

 

[mychicks]

I had my tubal a few years ago. Had an ovarian cyst that had to be removed so had the tubal done at the same time. Not too much pain from the surgery. The worst was when I stopped taking the pain meds after a few days, I had the most horrible gas pains. Felt like I was in labor! Other than that, my experience was fine. Had it laproscopically, three incisions.