Tubal Reversal
A tubal ligation, also known as getting your tubes tied, is a highly effective method of preventing pregnancy. However, circumstances can change, and sometimes women may wish to have children even after undergoing this procedure. If you find yourself in this situation, it is possible to reverse a tubal ligation and fulfill your dream of growing or expanding your family.
During a tubal reversal, a reproductive surgeon reconnects a woman's fallopian tubes, giving her the opportunity to conceive again after having her tubes tied. However, it's important to note that a tubal ligation may not always be reversible if too little tube is left or if the tubes are damaged. An alternative to tubal reversal is in vitro fertilization (IVF), which is popular due to its high success rates.
The Tubal Reversal Procedure
Tubal ligation reversal surgery takes place in a hospital and lasts about two to three hours. Patients can usually go home on the same day as the procedure. During the surgery, the physician will:
- Administer general anesthesia
- Insert a catheter to collect urine during the surgery
- Make a single or multiple small incisions to access the fallopian tubes
- Assess whether the tubes can be reconstructed
- If tubal reversal is an option, they will immediately proceed with the surgery, opening the blocked ends and reconnecting the segments of the fallopian tubes
- Inject dye through the uterus to check if the fallopian tubes are open
- Close the incisions
Tubal Reversal Success Rates
Success rates for tubal reversal surgery can range anywhere from 30% to 80%. The likelihood of a successful pregnancy after the procedure depends on several factors: age, weight, your partner’s sexual health, fallopian tube length, and other health conditions.
Moreover, tubal reversal comes with a 2% to 7% risk of an ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. Treatment for an ectopic pregnancy requires medical intervention to end the pregnancy or surgical removal of the pregnancy.
Tubal Reversal vs IVF
IVF involves stimulating the ovaries to produce eggs, retrieving the eggs, combining them with sperm for fertilization in a lab, and then inserting the resulting embryos into the uterus, hopefully resulting in a successful pregnancy. Because IVF bypasses the need for fallopian tubes (the eggs are retrieved directly from the ovaries), a woman does not need a tubal reversal to undergo IVF and achieve a healthy pregnancy.
Many women choose IVF over tubal reversal because it does not involve surgery, has high success rates, and does not rely on the success of a surgical procedure. Additionally, the time to conception is quicker with IVF.
Tubal Reversal Surgery in Houston
No matter where you are in your fertility journey, you deserve support and exceptional care. At Aspire HFI, our fertility specialists and reproductive surgeons can guide you through your options and help develop a plan that best meets your needs and family-building goals. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
