I will be proud to declare my Essure experience to all!
I had Essure implants inserted into my tubes on Thursday, November 13, 2003. I was 29 (almost 30)at the time. My surgeon had agreed to perform the procedure with a minimum of questioning of my motives, for which I am eternally grateful, having heard horror stories from many other women who requested voluntary sterilization.
I had the procedure done under anesthetic, so I remained blissfully unaware of what went on during the surgery. From research I did and from conversations with my surgeon, I know that they inserted a laparoscopic probe past my cervix, into my uterus, and into each tube. The implants were released from the probe, expanded against the walls of the tubes, and the probe was retracted. I learned that the tubes, upon being touched, may involuntarily spasm and clamp shut if the patient is conscious, which was another reason I chose to be sedated.
The whole operation took 20 minutes, and I woke up in the recovery room after another hour had passed. I felt sore in my lower abdomen as if I had done a few too many situps, and I had bled onto the sheets. I was able to dress myself and walk around within 20 minutes of waking up, and I was on my way home with my dear fiance within 45 minutes. I ate some dinner (bear in mind I hadn't eaten since the night before!) and went to bed with only slight discomfort.
The day after surgery I rested all day and thought happily of my implants nestled within my tubes, already building the scar tissue that would eventually seal them shut and render me sterile. I was in a minimum of discomfort, and had some light bleeding. Saturday the 15th I woke up and my whole body ached, every muscle sore and crying. I am sure it had something to do with the operation, but I'm not sure how. I was immobilized with muscle aches all day, but hey, what else was I going to be doing but laying in bed? Sunday I was up and around as normal, and even helped dear fiance sand drywall in our dining room. Monday the 17th I was back at work, but I had to leave about halfway through the day because sitting in my chair was too uncomfortable.
I wore thin pads for a week after the operation because I was still spotting, and the discomfort of sitting in my chair at work disappeared after a week as well. Now it's been about two months since the operation, and on February 16, 2004, I will head back to the hospital for the HSG (hysterosalpingogram) test to see if my tubes are blocked. My surgeon said that the majority of women have total blockage after three months, and if not, all of them have blockage after six months. I am fervently hoping I fall into the first category! After almost 11 years on birth control pills, I am looking forward to getting to know the "old me," the pre-BCP me, the me I can barely remember.
I have absolutely no regrets at getting sterilized. I have known since I was a young teenager that I never wanted kids, and I have never wavered in my conviction. I was fortunate enough to meet a man who has one kid from a former marriage and who never wants to have any more.
My operation ended up costing me $937 (hospital bill) and about $60 for the anesthesiologist (after insurance). I was rather surprised at the cost, but I am fortunate enough to be on a benefit plan at work that covered 80% of the cost, leaving me with that $937. I consider it money well spent, since I will recoup the cost in about three years by NOT paying for birth control pills!
I highly recommend the Essure procedure to anyone looking to be sterilized. I found their Web site to be very helpful: http://www.essure.com.
Here's to being sterile!