Permanent Tubal Sterilization Through Minimally Invasive Bilateral Salpingectomy at AllSafe Medical Group
If you’re looking for a permanent and highly effective birth control method, tubal sterilization may be a great option. This minimally invasive procedure involves removing the fallopian tubes to permanently prevent pregnancy. Historically, this procedure was known as tubal ligation, in which the tubes were “tied” or blocked.
We now know that some of the most severe forms of ovarian cancer can actually originate from the fallopian tubes. So nowadays, when a woman desires tubal sterilization, the preferred procedure is known as a bilateral salpingectomy. This involves the removal of both fallopian tubes, instead of just tying or blocking them. Removing the tubes provides permanent sterilization as well as minimizing ovarian cancer risks. When performed laparoscopically, tubal sterilization offers a fast recovery with minimal pain and scarring.
At AllSafe Medical Group, our experienced surgeons rely on advanced techniques to provide optimal results through tubal sterilization. We offer personalized consultations to help you make an informed decision about permanent contraception. Continue reading to learn about laparoscopic tubal sterilization and why patients choose AllSafe Medical Group.
What Is Tubal Sterilization?
Tubal sterilization or bilateral salpingectomy, known colloquially as getting your tubes tied, is a surgical procedure that permanently prevents pregnancy. It works by blocking, severing, or removing the fallopian tubes, which transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. With the tubes closed off or removed, sperm cannot reach and fertilize an egg.
Tubal sterilization is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy with a less than 1% failure rate. It provides permanent and reliable contraception without the need for any ongoing effort. It involves no changes to menstrual cycles or estrogen levels.
It is one of the most commonly used birth control methods with around 700,000 procedures performed annually in the U.S. Many women opt for tubal sterilization once they are sure their families are complete. It can be a great choice for those unable or unwilling to use temporary contraception like pills, implants, or IUDs.
Tubal sterilization provides an alternative to vasectomy for couples who want a sterilization procedure but prefer it to be performed on the woman. When performed laparoscopically, it requires little downtime and offers fast recovery.
How Does Laparoscopic Tubal Sterilization Work?
Tubal sterilization can be performed through open abdominal surgery requiring a large incision, sometimes made in the same setting as a cesarean section. However, laparoscopic tubal sterilization through tiny abdominal incisions has become the preferred technique.
This minimally invasive approach uses a camera and narrow instruments inserted through small incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon will insert carbon dioxide gas into the abdomen to gently lift the abdominal wall, providing a clearer view of the pelvic organs.
Using the laparoscope, your doctor will be able to see the fallopian tubes. Then narrow surgical tools can be used to remove the tubes. Both tubes are removed to ensure pregnancy cannot occur.
The entire tubal sterilization procedure typically takes only approximately 30 minutes. It is performed on an outpatient basis at our surgery center, allowing you to return home the same day without hospital admission. The surgery is conducted under general anesthesia, so you remain comfortable throughout the process.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Tubal Sterilization?
To determine whether you are a suitable candidate for tubal sterilization, your AllSafe Medical Group doctor will perform a comprehensive evaluation. In general, good candidates include:
- Women who want reliable, permanent contraception after completing childbearing
- Couples who want an alternative to vasectomy for permanent birth control
- Women unable to use temporary methods like IUDs or pills due to side effects or health risks
- Those with medical conditions like heart disease where pregnancy poses dangers
- Patients who do not ever want children or additional children in the future
It is essential tubal sterilization patients do not desire future fertility, as reversal attempts are not possible. We will have an in-depth discussion regarding your medical history and goals for permanent sterilization during your consultation.
What Are the Benefits of Laparoscopic Tubal Sterilization?
There are numerous advantages to choosing laparoscopic tubal sterilization over open surgical approaches:
- Highly effective at permanently preventing pregnancy with failure rates under 1%
- Minimally invasive procedure with tiny incisions, resulting in less pain and scarring
- Short surgical time with many procedures taking 30 minutes or less
- Little downtime required with most patients resuming normal activities within 1 week
- Lower medical risks than open surgery, which requires large abdominal incisions
- Lower costs than more complex inpatient procedures
- No lifelong contraception is needed as sterilization is permanent
- No impact on menstrual cycles or hormone levels
Patients can feel reassured knowing pregnancy is highly unlikely following the procedure. The short procedure and recovery times mean tubal sterilization can usually be scheduled and completed conveniently.
How to Prepare for Your Tubal Sterilization Surgery
If you decide tubal sterilization is the right choice after your AllSafe Medical Group consultation, your doctor will provide detailed instructions to optimize safety and recovery. Preparation steps may include:
- Stopping blood-thinning medications like aspirin for 1 week prior
- Fasting for 8 hours before surgery
- Arranging transportation as driving is restricted after anesthesia
- Taking off sufficient work time for rest and healing
- Completing any medical exams or testing required
- Stopping smoking for at least two weeks before and after surgery
- Setting up post-operative assistance from family or friends
Follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding eating, drinking, medications, and other factors carefully leading up to your procedure. This will help reduce surgical risks and support optimal results.
What to Expect During Tubal Sterilization Recovery
With our minimally invasive approach, recovery after laparoscopic tubal sterilization is much faster than open surgery. You will wake up in our recovery room after the anesthesia has worn off. The incision sites will be closed with absorbable sutures or surgical glue.
You may experience some mild post-operative pain and cramping, which your doctor can prescribe medication to effectively manage. Most patients can go home within a few hours of the procedure; however, you must arrange for someone to drive you home.
Following laparoscopic tubal sterilization, you can expect:
- To resume light activities like walking after 1 to 2 days of rest
- That most pain can be controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers
- That any shoulder pain from gas inflation typically resolves rapidly
- To return to work within 3 to 5 days in jobs without heavy physical demands
- That exercise and sexual activities can resume after 1 week, once discharge ceases
- To have absorbable sutures dissolve over several weeks
Your doctor will want to see you within 2 weeks after the procedure to ensure you are healing properly. They will check your incisions and discuss any persisting symptoms. You should contact our team right away about concerns like excessive pain, bleeding, fever, or other issues.
What Are the Potential Risks or Side Effects?
Laparoscopic tubal sterilization is considered a very safe and low-risk procedure, especially when performed by experienced surgeons like those at AllSafe Medical Group. However, as with any medical procedure, there are some possible risks to consider:
- Bleeding or infection at incision sites
- Injury to organs like the bowel, bladder, arteries, or veins
- Post-tubal sterilization syndrome in rare cases, involving pain or regret
- Higher likelihood of ectopic pregnancy if a pregnancy occurs
- Failures leading to pregnancy in less than 1% of cases
- Risks from anesthesia, like nausea or respiratory issues
We will discuss ways to minimize all surgical risks during your consultation. Our team will closely monitor any complications during recovery. Serious risks are uncommon, especially when proper surgical protocols are carefully followed.
What Are Some Tubal Sterilization Alternatives?
There are various other permanent and temporary birth control options women may want to consider.
- Vasectomy. Male sterilization procedure to cut or block the vas deferens tubes, which offers permanent contraception.
- Birth control implants. Matchstick-sized rods placed under the skin that release hormones for 3 years.
- IUDs. Intrauterine devices are placed into the uterus that prevent pregnancy for 3 to 10 years.
- Birth control shots. Injectable hormones like Depo-Provera provide 3 months of contraception per shot.
- Condoms. Barrier method to block sperm from entering the vagina, with typical 85% effectiveness with real-world use.
- Natural family planning. Tracking menstrual cycles and avoiding sex during fertile days. More variable effectiveness.
We encourage you to discuss your birth control options with your AllSafe Medical Group doctor. We can help determine which methods best suit your needs and preferences.
Why Consider AllSafe Medical Group for Your Tubal Sterilization?
When choosing where to undergo permanent tubal sterilization, surgical skills and experience are essential. AllSafe Medical Group’s experienced surgeons rely on the latest techniques and extensive training to achieve optimal results.
Benefits of Choosing AllSafe Medical Group Include:
- Highly skilled laparoscopic surgeons with thousands of procedures performed successfully
- Innovative techniques and technology for smaller incisions, less scarring, and faster recovery
- Personalized consultations to address your unique medical needs and goals
- Warm, compassionate care throughout your treatment from our compassionate team
- Trusted experience since 2005, providing first-rate women’s health services
- Convenient Southern California locations serving Los Angeles County and Orange County
We put our patients first every step of the way, listening carefully and welcoming all questions. You can feel at ease knowing you are in the most capable hands when you choose AllSafe Medical Group for tubal sterilization or any gynecologic procedure.
Contact AllSafe Medical Group Today to Explore Your Options
If you’re considering your contraceptive options and want to learn more about permanent sterilization through minimally invasive tubal sterilization, we encourage you to reach out to the experienced team at AllSafe Medical Group. We’re a leading service that offers comprehensive consultations, and we can answer any questions you may have as you consider permanent birth control. It’s a big step in anyone’s life, so it should be taken seriously and done with the best OBGYN team possible.
To schedule your appointment and discuss your needs with our compassionate staff, please give us a call today at (562) 904-6031 or contact us online.
We look forward to helping you make the best contraceptive decision for your needs and goals.