December 24, 2016

Laparoscopic Bilateral Salpingectomy FAQs

In October 2015 I got my fallopian tubes removed, which is called a laparoscopic bilateral salpingectomy. As I'm writing this it's been 15 months since surgery, and I still get a lot of comments on my previous posts about this procedure. To make one easy-to-reference location for the most common questions I've gotten, I made this post.

Anyone is still free to post here or on any of my other posts with new questions! But now no one will have to read through dozens of comments to find out if their question has been answered.

Best of luck to anyone considering this procedure or recovering from it! I do love hearing your stories, so continue to let me know about your experience.

My experience:
About laparoscopic bilateral salpingectomy:
  • What is a laparoscopic bilateral salpingectomy?
    • Salpingectomy is the surgical removal of both fallopian tubes.
    • Laparoscopic refers to how the procedure is done: through a tiny incision with tools that go inside the body, rather than big cuts into muscle. Much faster and easier recovery.
    • Bilateral refers to both sides: both fallopian tubes were removed, so the procedure was done on both sides of my abdomen.
  • Who needs a laparoscopic bilateral salpingectomy?
    • It's a great sterilization procedure! Removing the fallopian tubes is getting pretty darn close to making it impossible to get pregnant. 
    • If you have an ectopic pregnancy this is what you'll get to save your life.
    • I chose this procedure over a tubal ligation and essure because I wanted the most effective form of sterilization and I didn't want anything left inside me. It was the best combination of pain, recovery time, and long term effectiveness for me.
  • Why did you get fixed?
    • I don't want kids.
    • I don't want to get pregnant.

    FAQs 
General
  • Don't a lot of women regret sterilization?
    • Not as far as I'm aware. So far I sure don't!
    • From what I could find online, the women who regret sterilization tended to never want the procedure in the first place. They were coerced into it during childbirth. Many regretted it after their relationships ended and they realized they wanted more children with their new partners. 
    • I've never heard of anyone who never wanted kids regretting sterilization. Doesn't mean it never happens, just that it seems pretty rare.
  • Why not just get an IUD?
    • Because I wanted something permanent that didn't leave anything inside me.
    • Laparoscopic bilateral salpingectomy is as close to being 100% risk-free as you can get. IUDs are great, but not as great as salpingectomy.
  • Do you still worry about getting pregnant?
    • Nope! It's awesome.
  • So you really don't want kids?
    • I really don't.