Story Type: tubal ligation
On September 26, 2001 I had a Tubal Ligation (laparoscopic cauterization of the tubes). I was 28 years old at the time. I took little effort on my part to get this procedure done. My doctors were wonderful and open-minded about it all. My husband was in the military and I was covered by Tricare Prime so my experience may be a little different from civilians. I dealt with Army doctors who gave me little hesitation on it. I did have to wait for four weeks for a "in case you change you mind" period. I was told by my doctor that he usually likes to have people wait SIX MONTHS but I seemed to know what I wanted and he was fine with it if I was.
I had to go in on the 24th to get some lab work done for the surgery. You have to have it done in a 72 hour window prior to the operation. It wasn't too bad that day, although in the lab a woman actually GASPED (like in movies and cartoons) when I told her I had no children and was having a tubal ligation on Wednesday and wanted no children. She went on about how great kids were but then farther into the conversation said things like " I wish I had waited" and "Maybe 3 is too many" ... ah those tiny voices of regret will never pester me.
The morning before the surgery I was a little nervous. I was not nervous about the sterilization. I have never been more certain of anything. I don't want kids, I don't want to spend the rest of my life on birth control or fidgeting with condoms. I had jitters about being under and having surgery. Your usual sorts of thoughts anytime a doctor is going to cut on you. I trimmed off my nails the night before, when I had my gall bladder removed I ended up scratching my cheek when I was waking up because of my long nails.
DH and I were at the hospital at 9:30am. They gave me Zantac and Reglan for stomach acid and such. Then at about 11:30am I was taken back to the operating room and I woke up and could focus on the clock at 1:50pm and I was home by 3pm. I thought I would be sore and tender. I had some bruising and pain in the shoulders and chest from the gas they use to inflate your abdomen.
That night I had a little trouble sleeping. I don't sleep on my back and that caused a bit of a problem and in the morning I woke up stiff and sore. Nothing that walking about didn't help.
My only regret is that I waited so long to even try to get the procedure done. If you are certain you aren't going to have children and want to have this done I hope you don't wait around like I did.