Tubal Ligation or Essure Procedure

Updated on May 23, 2012
J.S. asks from Sarver, PA
11 answers

I am considering getting either a tubal ligation or the microinserts (Essure). I'd love to hear from anyone who has had either procedure. Are you satisfied? Do you have any side effects or any complications that you weren't prepared for? Thanks!

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S.D.

answers from Tampa on

I had a tubal last year about a day & a half after my 2nd was born. I did not get an epidural for the delivery (though I wanted it, no time), so they did a spinal for the surgery. Took about 15min, then recovery time in the recovery room. They would have left the epidural in place for it if I'd had one for the delivery. I really havent' had any problems. I breastfed so I didn't get my period back for a year. I've only had 2 since then (DS is almost 15mo) and they were normal like they always were. Sometimes I do get sharp pains on one side or the other, but it may also be ovarian cysts as I have PCOS. No other side effects. If you are pregnant now, it is easier for them to do it soon after delivery (or while there in there if you have a c-section) because they can get to the tubes easier. My recovery was pretty easy. I had surgical pain for about 3-4days (took percocet) and then it was just incision pain for about a week or so longer. My incision is at the bottom of my belly button, so it's not noticable. And she placed clamps on the tubes which I think is what they are doing now instead of tying them off something.

C.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

I did the ESSURE and loved it.

Back in business the next day.

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M.Q.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had a tubal in july 2010 the day after i delivered DD4,the procedure itself was tough for me. Based on your post I don't know if you'll just be going in to have it done or if you will be having a baby and plan on doing it after delivering. I had my tubal the day after i delivered DD4, which meant that i had to get ANOTHER epidural just for the surgery. Being that I had allready had 4 epidurals, I had alot of scar tissue in my back and epidurals are extremely hard for them to place in me, very painful.the surgery itself was about 1 hr and i was awake for it. the day of and the 3 days after i felt as if i was hit in the belly with a bat, but day 4 was alot better. I did notice that ibuprofin worked miracles that vicodin couldn't so def get some ibu. I was completely healed by 1 1/2 weeks. However my periods did change quite a bit, they went from being pretty light to horribly strong for the first year, something i was not told would happen. Now they are back to normal 22 months later. I am satisfied now, but I wasn't the first year. I also had horrible cramping and a few months back I had an ovarian torsion which luckily twisted back on it's own or else it would of meant emergency surgery and I was told it was linked to my tubal.

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J.P.

answers from Sharon on

I had a tubal a little more than two years ago, and I have had no problems. I had two c-sections. I waited on the tubal. I was pretty sure I was done, but waited to be really sure. It was very easy. I went in for the day, and the procedure was done laproscopically. I had very little pain, and the bit I had was not major. I have no scar from the incisions. I did have to have general anesthesia. Something to do with the way they fill your abdominal cavity w/air to see the tubes clearly. I did ask about a spinal. I guess they were worried about my feeling like I couldn't breath properly. The whole thing was easy. and I am glad I did it. I didn't like the idea of having something foreign in my body w/the essure. I had also heard that they had more complications. I had not heard about tubal complications until after mine. It made me nervous, but thankfully, I have been all good! :)

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K.K.

answers from Denver on

I got the essure done many years ago when it first came out and I love love love it. I had NO side effects, NO recovery time, was feeling great that some day & back at work the next morning. I never had any pain at all.

This was done when you still had to go to the hospital to have it done, still just a quick in and out, but still had to be there. Now it is just done in your Dr. office. Its great!

You do have to be careful and use a secondary form of BC for 3 months til the scar tissue forms. It is non reversable as well, so make sure 100% you are done having babies. Good luck!!

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L.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I got it last year and had no problems with it and no babies!
Have you been on BC though? because I eneded up back on BC pills even though it has been placed because I started to have painful ovarian cysts and the BC helps with that, so just be mindful of that if you have been on the BC for a while...the procedure though was easy breezy! be careful with either one I saw one post that said their friend got pregnant with it, but I have a friend who got pregnant after her tubal ligation...so there are rare risks with both.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Essure.

It can be tested to look for any leaks or other issues. It is not as invasive as a surgical procedure and it has a very short recovery time.

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Neither.

Essure is too new to know long term effect, and tribals are in MAJOR testing and studies right now for the following side effects that 'theoretically couldn't ' happen

- mood changes (irritability being most common, but all the way up to major rage. Also depression, apathy, etc.)
- cognitive changes (in part related to mood changes /personality changes)
- weight gain / inability to lose weight
- headaches
- cramping/ backaches
- loss of libido
- lubrication problems
- vaginal odor
- fatigue
- blood pressure (often related to constant irritability)
- etc.

Sound like PMS? Yep. Or other hormonal problems? Yep.

THEORETICALLY since the ovaries are still present tubas "shouldn't" cause these hormonal issues. That's been the party line for over 30 years. Well... Women have swamped GYN/OB, Med research, AND a whole generation of tubal mamas have hit menopause. The hundreds of thousands of anecdotal cases are now being taken seriously instead of blown off a "just the lot of some women" / "moms", etc. WHY? Because at menopause OR reversal, these symptoms vanish. Poof. Personality reverts, mood reverts, antidepressants no longer needed, beta blockers not needed, libido returns, etc. So some researchers when "Huh. That's funny." and started pulling up stats on these symptoms, and anecdotal evidence, and went "Holy effing..."

Many offices connected with universities flat out refuse to perforn tubas at this point, even though the results won't be out for awhile (years).

My office is one of them (my doc teaches gynecological surgery at the UW med school, and Michegan Med school). As are all of my med professors who specialize in either fertility, gynob, or surgery. After watching
My own mum change, and thank god, change back to how she was before her youngest was born at menopause? Don't have to tell me twice!!!

So... Instead.... I got a copper IUD.

SAME FAILURE RATE AS A TUBAL LIGATION.
No surgery needed.
Replace every 10 years.

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M.K.

answers from Kansas City on

My girlfriend had Essure three years ago. She's due in 5 weeks. This time she's having a tubal with her C Section.

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

I had the Essure procedure done in January. I was awake for the procedure, watched them do the whole thing on the screen. In and out in 30 minutes - no pain afterwards (or during), and DONE. I had my confirmation test a month ago - also no pain - and I'm all good!

I can't say enough about it. I'm off the pill now, the whole thing was pain free and took all together, an hour with no recovery time.

Go with Essure! It's a piece of cake.

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C.P.

answers from Provo on

Usually when you do the ablation procedure then the doctor will want to tie your tubes. I have had both done and have no problems.

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