F.A.Q.

1. What is TUBAL LIGATION or Tubal Sterilization ? 
2. On what part of the body is it done ?
3. WHO performs the procedure ?
4. WHERE can it be performed ?
5. What DIAGNOSTIC TESTS should be performed ?
6. Please provide DESCRIPTION of the Procedure ?
7. How long does one stay in the hospital after the procedure is done ?
8. What is the PROBABLE OUTCOME of this procedure ?
9. Is there any for POSTOPERATIVE CARE ?
10. When should the patient regularize her routine ACTIVITY ?
11. When should one contact Doctor ?
12. Will sterilization end an EXISTING PREGNANCY?
13. Will it cause menopause?
14. Will it PREVENT MENOPAUSE?
15. Will it prevent SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE?
16. Will I still have a period?
17. Will I be as feminine?
18. Will I GAIN WEIGHT or develop facial hair?
19. How soon can I have sexual INTERCOURSE again?
20. Will sterilization decrease my SEXUAL PLEASURE?
21. Can sterilization be REVERSED?
22. What POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS may be expected ?

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1). What is Tubal Ligation or Tubal Sterilization ?
It is a procedure of Tying the fallopian tubes to accomplish sterilization in a woman, resulting into permanent birth control. top^

2). On what part of the body is it done ?

Fallopian Tubes. top^

3). WHO performs the procedure ?

Obstetrician-gynecologist or general surgeon. top^

4). WHERE can it be performed ?

Hospital or outpatient surgical facility. top^

5). What DIAGNOSTIC TESTS should be performed ?

• Before surgery: Pregnancy, Blood and urine studies.
• After surgery: Blood studies. top^

6). Please provide DESCRIPTION OF the Procedure ?

• Several techniques are used to expose the fallopian tubes for surgery. The most common are laparoscopy, posterior colpotomy (approach through the rear of the vagina) and minilaparotomy (approach through an incision just above the pubic-hair line).
• Once the fallopian tubes are exposed, a small section of each tube is blocked with silicone ring bands or cut free and removed.
• If an incision was made, the skin is closed with sutures or clips, which usually can be removed about 1 week after surgery.  top^

7). How long does one stay in the hospital after the procedure is done ?

AVERAGE HOSPITAL STAY is normally 0 to 1 day.  top^

8). What is the PROBABLE OUTCOME of this procedure ?

Expect complete healing without complications with sterility for rest of the life. Your menstrual periods will continue as usual. Allow about 2 weeks for recovery from surgery.  top^

9). Is there any for Postoperative Care ?

• Use an electric heating pad, a heat lamp or a warm compress to relieve surgical—wound pain.
• Bathe and shower as usual. You may wash the incision gently with mild unscented soap.

• Consider psychological counseling if you feel sad or depressed after the surgery.
• You may use non--prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen, for minor pain.  top^

10). When should the patient regularize her routine ACTIVITY ?

• Return to daily activities and work as soon as possible to promote healing, but avoid physical or mental stress.
• Avoid vigorous exercise for 2 weeks after surgery.
• Resume driving 3 days after returning home.
• Resume sexual relations when your doctor has determined that healing is complete.
• DIET-Clear liquid diet until the gastrointestinal tract functions again. Then eat a well--balanced diet to promote healing.   top^

11). When should one contact Doctor ?

• If Pain, swelling, redness, drainage or bleeding increases in the surgical area.
• You develop signs of infection: headache, muscle aches, dizziness or a general ill feeling and fever.
• You experience nausea, vomiting, constipation or abdominal swelling.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop.
• Drugs used in treatment produces side effects.    top^

12). Will sterilization end an existing pregnancy?

No. Sterilization will not be preformed if you are pregnant.   top^

13). Will it cause menopause?
No. Sterilization does not cause menopause or any of its symptoms.   top^

14). Will it prevent menopause?
No. You will still experience menopause later in life.   top^

15). Will it prevent sexually transmitted disease?
No.

16). Will I still have a period?
Yes. Your menstrual cycle and flow should be the same after the operation as they were before. However, if you were using birth control pills before the surgery, it may take a while for your cycle to get back to normal. top^

17). Will I be as feminine?
Yes. The hormones that affect hair, voice, sex drive, muscle tone, breast size, etc., are still made in your ovaries. They will still flow throughout the body in the bloodstream. top^

18). Will I gain weight or develop facial hair?
No. Sterilization does not cause weight gain or facial hair. top^

19). How soon can I have sexual intercourse again?
Ask your doctor's advice. Do not have intercourse until you feel comfortable about it. It usually takes about a week after abdominal sterilization. You will have to wait at least four weeks after a vaginal sterilization or sterilization after childbirth. top^

20). Will sterilization decrease my sexual pleasure?
No. In fact, many women and men report that they have less tension about unwanted pregnancy after sterilization. They feel that the lack of tension increases their sexual pleasure. top^

21). Can sterilization be reversed?
If you are thinking about reversal, don't have a Tubal sterilization. Reversal procedures require complicated surgery and cost thousands of dollars. Even though tubes can sometimes be rejoined, pregnancy cannot be guaranteed. Many women cannot even attempt reversals because there is not enough of their tubes left in the reproductive tract.   top^

22). What POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS may be expected

• Inadvertent injury to bowel.
• Shoulder pain (after laparoscopy). top^
  

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