Dr. Berger has a great dvd about the tubal reversal surgery and this particular patient (Deborah Martinez) participated in the filming of this video, anyway she only had less than 1 cm. of tubes on each side and amazingly Dr. B repaired them although her tubes were burned all the way back. The dvd only costs $4.95 and I think it is a good investment because it can answer most of the surgery questions and give hope for those who are having doubts. If anyone is interested just email or call Ericka Pamplin at CHTRC.
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BearsGirl My doctor told me she cut and burned and there was no way I would get pregnant. My op report said I had double Hulka Clips. I was so worried that she did BOTH!! Well, Dr. M did the TR and I did indeed have double Hulka Clips!! Don't know why she lied to me!? But...doctors are wrong sometimes. Have the lap. I think you will be glad you did if only to finally have an "accurate" answer. Good luck. Paula
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I don't think your crazy for wanting the final answer from Dr.B or Dr. M I think it is a wise choice I would make the same if I were in your shoes they know much more about what can be fixed and what can't. I think some of the Ob/Gyn need to have better beside manners and understand that is is our choice to do what we like to our bodies. Although I am not in your situation I think that you be smart to go with your gut and let one of the Doc's at CH let you know I hope that helps some.... Miasha
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I have been doing a lot of soul searching regarding what I posted about earlier. I know this sounds crazy.. but I do not think I am going to try the birth control pills. I already did that before and my body did not like the ones the Dr. gave me. He told me to keep taking them even if I don't feel well. Even though I am told I have no tubes, my heart and gut tell me to trust Chapel Hill to find out for sure. Is this crazy? To not listen to my OB/GYN when I can get a lap done by him in 3 months to find out the tube length?
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Ok...I hope this helps. I feel like you are in the same place I was a few months ago!! I got back my op report from my TL and saw that they removed 3.7cm from one side and 3.9 from the other side...I thought Oh, no..that is a lot of tube!(the dr. that did my TL said that her TLs are irreversible) But don't lose hope yet...Dr. B went in for my TR and I still had 8cm left on each side...that's not typical, but all I'm saying is...it's possible, don't lose hope. (BYW, your dr would be able to measure your tubes while doing a lap...but IMO you may as well just schedule a TR and have Dr. B do the lap prior) Also, I was put on BCP for the past 1 1/2 yrs and it did help, but still had PTLS just not as bad. I had my TR 2 wks ago....and it is SOOOOO much better than being on BCP. ~Brittany
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Dearest BearsGirl~If you are planning on having TR, maybe you should seek an alternative to treating hormonal imbalances rather than BC.
I found an alternative physician that was an MD and licensed in Chinese/Eastern Medicine. He had me on 2 natural hormone creams that were made special at a compounding pharmacy. He also had me on supplements to bring up my severely depressed neurotransmitters. After 30 days of therapy I was doing much better, however I was spending about $400/mo in supplements and hormone creams.
I met a lady at church, who is a very dear friend of mine now, and she was a Registered Dietician and was able to get all of my supplements for about $131/mo! Needless to say I got tired of taking supplements and went on a RAW/Living Foods lifestyle for about 2 years, did a detox via Juice Feasting, colonics, liver & kidney cleanse, and parasite cleanse.
All-in-all my moods and night sweats dissipated, but I still had the pains that I never had prior to TL. Since TR I have experienced a sort of tranquility within. I didn\'t't have pain with my first AF and my next one, (I hope doesn't occur), is due next week.
I wish you the VERY best in your search for an answer.
The Lord be with you. Denise-45 TR:5/13/09 R-6.5 L-5.0
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Well I went to my Dr. today and he checked me out. I talked to him about my pain. He prescribed birth control pills to me. He told me that he knows it sounds weird to take them with a tubal but I have a "hormonal" issue it sounds like. I have to get an ultrasound next week. He said after 3 months of BCP if I am not better, he will do a lap on me
There are two types of cautery procedures that can be used for sterilization:
Bipolar tubal coagulation is the most popular method of laparoscopic female sterilization in the United States. Damage to the tube is generally limited to the segment between the cautery forceps. Often, two or three adjacent sites are coagulated resulting in loss of approximately 2-3 cm of fallopian tube. Pregnancy rates after reversal of a bipolar coagulation procedure are approximately 60%.
Monopolar coagulation of the fallopian tubes is less common than bipolar coagulation tubal ligation. The electrical current spreads outward from the coagulating forceps, so monopolar coagulation damages more of the fallopian tube than bipolar coagulation. In many cases, the tube is also cut after it has been coagulated. When a single site of the tube has been coagulated and divided, tubal reversal can be performed without the need for further diagnostic tests. If multiple sites have undergone monopolar coagulation, screening laparoscopy is recommended to evaluate the tubal lengths remaining for repair. Pregnancy rates after reversal of monopolar coagulation procedures are 40-50%.
Dr. Berger and Dr. Monteith have successfully performed reversal surgery on patients with all types of cauterization techniques. In most cases, good tubal lengths remain and the tubes can be repaired in 98% of cases. We always offer screening laparoscopy in where they type of cautery is not mentioned. The doctor who performed your tubal ligation should be able to verify for you if bipolar cautery was used – making the option of screening laparoscopy less of an issue.
I hope this information is helpful. For additional information and an illustration of the two cautery techniques, please click on the link below to review the cautery page of our website: http://www.tubal-reversal.net/tubal_ligation_coagulation.htm
We understand your concern. With screening laparoscopy, we go in with a small scope and camera and look at the tubes. If good lengths remain, Dr. Berger will go directly to the repair. If the tubes have been extremely damaged, Dr. Berger stops the procedure and you will receive half the total surgical fee in refund. Fortunately, Dr. Berger is able to repair the tubes in 98% of cases.
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Didn't I read a post recently where the lady's doctor told her the same thing? That he had burned her tube off, and she had nothing remaining, but then when she had the lap done, she had enough for a repair. I may be mistaken, but hopefully someone will chime in. I do know that it seems the doctor who has performed the TL often is discouraging of TR. Good luck to you.
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I can't say that I've ever read anything here about a doctor completely burning up your tubes, but I don't think they are overly concerned with preserving any good tube when they perform a ligation. It's sad, but IMHO very true. Most doctors and woman consider it final, and really don't forsee a time when circumstances will change for the couple or woman. There is also the issue of what kind of condition the tube that is left is in. Atophy over the years may cause CH to have to remove even more tube to reconnect two healthy areas.
If CH is recommending a lap, then I'd do that. If they get in and find that there really isn't anything usable left, then at least you tried and you know. It will be heartbreaking, but you will have the choice of moving forward with IVF without dropping the whole pot of money on the TR that will not produce good odds for you.
It's normal to be scared and confused, and your dealing with an additional issue of whether your even a good candidate. I'd highly recommend having the lap done, and that way you will know which is the best course of action for you.
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Well I am really nervous about whether or not I can even get a TR now I already sent my operative report to Chapel Hill and was told that I should probably get the lap done before surgery. I have talked about my issues with PTLS with my regular Dr. and he seems to understand. Another Dr. read my operative report and stated that if my Dr. that did the TL on me took of 3-4 CM of tube, that was not a good sign of any length?
When I went to my Dr. that did my TL and asked for clarification on what kind of TL was done he said it was a "bilateral burning of the tubes". He then added (as he kinda laughed) that I have no tubes left because there is nothing but a nub left. He added that if I am thinking of a reversal it's not going to happen. All I keep thinking now is "did this guy really just burn all of my tubes up?"... I feel horrible about this and am so worried.
Well tomorrow I am going to my new Dr. I switched to so I can talk to him about my pain. I was told it is possible he will want to do a lap on me to check for causes of the pain I have. At that time, I was told that I could ask him to also note the tube lengths? Is this true? Has anyone been told this?
I am so scared and confused right now. I am sure, after reading all of the posts that this is normal. I am so scared of getting to Chapel Hill to find out when I wake that it could not be done
Ug I just wanted to vent .. anyone ever hear of a Dr. burning the tube completely off like my Dr. said he did?
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