Tubal reversal can help patients conceive after having tubal ligation

ife is full of changes, so it makes sense that patients who undergo tubal ligation for birth control sometimes decide they want to have more children. Thankfully, “getting your tubes tied” doesn’t have to be permanent. The Lexington Fertility Center specializes in an advanced micro-surgical procedure called tubal reversal. For qualified candidates, our Lexington fertility specialist can reverse tubal ligation to restore fallopian tube function.

How does a tubal reversal procedure work?

The fallopian tubes play an important role in conceiving a baby. They enable the sperm and the egg to meet for fertilization, and allow the fertilized egg to reach the uterus. When a ligation occurs, the fallopian tubes are surgically blocked in some way. This prevents future pregnancies.

When a patient wants to conceive after having this procedure, they can visit Dr. George Veloudis about reversing their tubal ligation.

• He starts this outpatient, micro-surgical procedure by making a small incision above the patient’s pelvic area.
• During the surgery, our Lexington fertility specialist surgically realigns the fallopian tubes. Often, he will place a stent and sutures to keep the tubes in place for proper healing.

After the patient wakes up in the recovery area, they can return home the same day. However, they will need someone to drive them home. Additionally, most patients can return to their normal routine within two days of the tubal reversal.

As for when patients can attempt pregnancy, they can start trying to conceive one menstrual cycle after the procedure.

Who is a candidate for the procedure to reverse tubal ligation?

Our Lexington fertility specialist will weigh several factors to determine whether a patient is a good candidate for this procedure.

• Age and overall health
• Egg quality and quantity
• Type of ligation procedure

Dr. Veloudis will assess the patient’s medical background and risk factors before performing a tubal reversal. He will then let the patient know whether the procedure makes sense for them.

In some cases, reversing the ligation may not produce the greatest chance of fertility success. For situations like this, Dr. Veloudis will often recommend in vitro fertilization (IVF) as the best path forward. This advanced family-building option bypasses the fallopian tubes entirely to achieve fertilization in the laboratory.

If you have had a tubal ligation and want to grow your family, know that there is hope. Contact us to learn more about your options, including tubal reversal, and get the support you need to bring home a baby.