Tubal Ligation: Preparing for Surgery

Tubal ligation is a procedure that involves blocking or cutting the fallopian tubes. Having the surgery will permanently prevent any future pregnancies, so it is important to be completely prepared and sure of your decision beforehand.

Before Surgery

 In preparation for the surgery, your doctor will probably go over some things with you, including:

• The benefits and risks of permanent contraception, as well as the alternatives that are reversible and don’t require surgery
• Your reasons for choosing tubal ligation and any factors that might lead to future regret, such as marital problems or young age
• Causes of sterilization failure and the probability of this occurring 
• Tubal ligation reversal information and likelihood of success
• How to prevent sexually transmitted infections, since tubal ligation will prevent pregnancy, but not protect against STIs
• The best time to perform the procedure, such as shortly after childbirth or during a C-section
• The details of the actual procedure, including costs, risks, and recovery time

During Surgery

Most tubal ligation surgeries are outpatient procedures because they are so minimally invasive. Usually, an incision is made near your navel, and your abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide. Then, a laparoscope is inserted, so the surgeon can see what he or she is doing as they seal your fallopian tubes using instruments that are passed through the abdominal wall.

If you have a tubal ligation after delivering your baby vaginally, your doctor will be able to more easily access your still-enlarged uterus and fallopian tubes by making an incision just under the navel. If you choose to have a tubal ligation during a Caesarian section, the surgeon will simply use the same incision that was made to deliver the baby.

After Surgery

The procedure will usually be completed within an hour. After the fallopian tubes are successfully sealed, the surgeon will withdraw any gas that was used to inflate your abdomen and close the incisions made. You will probably be able to go home only a few hours after the procedure is over.

Some side effects you might experience after surgery include:

• Discomfort at the incision site
• Pain or cramping in the abdomen
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Shoulder pain
• Bloating and gassiness

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are fine to take for any pain or discomfort, but try to avoid using aspirin since it can increase the bleeding. You should be able to resume your normal activities within 48 hours after surgery, but you should still try to avoid any strenuous lifting and sexual activity for one to two weeks after surgery.

If you experience any disconcerting symptoms after surgery, call your doctor immediately. These include:

• Running a fever of 100.4 F or greater
• Severe abdominal pain that lasts longer than 12 hours or worsens over time
• Fainting spells
• Discharge from incision that won’t go away or gets worse
• Excessive bleeding from the incision site

Additionally, if you for any reason think you might be pregnant after your tubal ligation, contact your doctor as soon as possible. This is because it is likely to be an ectopic pregnancy, meaning that the fetus is developing outside of the uterus, which requires immediate medical attention.