Tubal Ligation

1. Tubal Ligation  is a procedure that helps prevent pregnancy 
2. During this surgery, both fallopian tubes are blocked or cut. It is usually done in the hospital or in an outpatient surgical clinic. In most cases, you will be able to go home on the day of surgery. You may have this surgery done under general anaesthesia (being asleep), or local or spinal anesthesia (anesthesia that leaves you awake, but unable to feel pain).

Tubal Ligation procedure 

1. Prevents  pregnancy 
2. It also decreases the chances of Ovarian Cancer

Why is this procedure used?

1. It is a permanent solution for people who don't want to get pregnant shortly. 
2. It doesn't affect your hormones or your menstrual cycle nor does it have any side effects like those of birth pills. 
3. Certain researchers have shown that tubal ligation can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer to up to 50%, though the exact reason for the same is still unknown. 
4. However, it is suggested that tubal ligation should not be performed unless you are assured of the results.
5. The operation might seem smooth, but it has some risks involved with it that you must keep in mind. 
6. Although the procedure appears to be clear and simple, there are some complications to be aware of:-
7.  Doesn’t prevent STD: Tube ligation does not prevent you from sexually transmitted diseases(STDs) unlike condoms. 
8. You might still get pregnant: You might end up having pregnancy in a different place altogether other than the uterus like in the fallopian tubes. This might result in the bursting of the tubes and excessive bleeding. 
9. Bleeding: During the surgery, there are chances that your bowel, bladder, or some major blood vessels might get damaged unexpectedly, substantially leading to bleeding.
10. PTLS: Sometimes it is observed that post-surgery certain women face Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome (PTLS), with symptoms like dry vagina, mood swings, lower sex drive and irregularity in periods. 
11. Infections: Furthermore, there are risks of infection. Infections might occur in the incisions made during the operation. 
12. The anaesthesia might cause some reactions as well.

Procedure 

1. In the beginning, general anaesthesia is injected into the patient. 
2. Two small cuts are made in the belly through your belly button and then inflated with gas, particularly carbon dioxide. Then a laparoscope, which is a thin tube furnished with a camera, is inserted into your abdomen to help the surgeon view the inside of the abdomen and proceed with the operation. 
3. Through the second tube, certain instruments might be inserted by the surgeon to seal the tubes. It is done either by the annihilation of the tube or by sealing them using plastic clips. 

Before Surgery 

1. You might need to consult a medical expert to tell you about all the effects and outcomes of the surgery. They will give you other options available like birth pills etc. 
2. In some situations, they might consider a pregnancy test to ensure that you are not pregnant. 

During Surgery 

1. Two incisions are made, the first incision is made through the belly button to insert the laparoscope. 
2. The second incision is made in the abdominal wall to insert special instruments to seal, cut, tie or block parts of the fallopian tube. 
3. After this, the gas which was used to inflate your abdomen before the operation will be evacuated. 

After Surgery 

1. You will be able to go home after a few hours of the operation. 
2. Some agitation might be felt at the incision points which can persist for a day or two.
3. Sometimes post-tubal ligation syndrome may occur which might include abdominal cramps, vaginal bleeding, dizziness due to anaesthesia or bloating causing shoulder pain, these persist for one or two days. 
4. You can take a bath only after 48 hours of the operation and dry the incision points carefully. 
5. You can resume your normal routine after 2 weeks of the surgery. Until then avoid lifting heavy objects. 

First Follow up Appointment 

1. In the first follow up statement there are a bunch of points that you can discuss with the medical expert. These include:
2. If you can resume your normal routine? 
3. If you are having any acute abdominal pain? 
4. Did the stitches heal properly? 
5. Was there any bleeding at the site of incisions?
6. If there was any discharge from your wound?
7. If your body temperature increased above 102 F

1. Discomfort
2. You may have shoulder pain for a few days. This is from the gas that was pumped into your belly. Lying down for a while often relieves this pain
3. Increasing pain or pain that is not relieved by medicine
4. Any drainage, bleeding, redness, or swelling
5. Fever
6. Vomiting or nausea
7. Dizziness or fainting spells