What is Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation

Laparoscopic tubal ligation is a procedure to close the fallopian tubes. This is done so that you cannot get pregnant. When the fallopian tubes are closed, the eggs that your ovaries release cannot enter the uterus, and sperm cannot reach the released eggs.

A laparoscopic tubal ligation is sometimes called “getting your tubes tied.” You should not have this procedure if you want to get pregnant someday or if you are unsure about having more children.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• Any past pregnancies.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Injury to surrounding organs.
• Side effects from anesthetics.
• Failure of the procedure.

This procedure can increase your risk of a kind of pregnancy in which a fertilized egg attaches to the outside of the uterus (ectopic pregnancy).

What happens before the procedure?

• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking restrictions.
• Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.
• If you go home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.

What happens during the procedure?

• You will be given one or more of the following:
  • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
  • A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
  • A medicine that is injected into an area of your body to numb everything below the injection site (regional anesthetic).
• An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins. It will be used to give you medicines and fluids during the procedure.
• Your bladder may be emptied with a small tube (catheter).
• If you have been given a general anesthetic, a tube will be put down your throat to help you breathe.
• Two small cuts (incisions) will be made in your lower abdomen and near your belly button.
• Your abdomen will be inflated with a gas. This will let the surgeon see better and will give the surgeon room to work.
• A thin, lighted tube (laparoscope) with a camera attached will be inserted into your abdomen through one of the incisions. Small instruments will be inserted through the other incision.
• The fallopian tubes will be tied off, burned (cauterized), or blocked with a clip, ring, or clamp. A small portion in the center of each fallopian tube may be removed.
• The gas will be released from the abdomen.
• The incisions will be closed with stitches (sutures).
• A bandage (dressing) will be placed over the incisions.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• You will be given medicine to help with pain, nausea, and vomiting as needed.

Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation, Care After

Refer to this sheet in the next few weeks. These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• A sore throat.
• Discomfort in your shoulder.
• Mild discomfort or cramping in your abdomen.
• Gas pains.
• Pain or soreness in the area where the surgical cut (incision) was made.
• A bloated feeling.
• Tiredness.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not take aspirin because it can cause bleeding.
• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.

Activity

• Rest for the rest of the day.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.

Incision care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incision. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
  • Leave stitches (sutures) in place. They may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer.
• Check your incision area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • More fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.

Other Instructions

• Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves. You may take showers.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
• Have someone help you with your daily household tasks for the first few days.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your incision.
• Your incision feels warm to the touch.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from your incision.
• The edges of your incision break open after the sutures have been removed.
• Your pain does not improve after 2–3 days.
• You have a rash.
• You repeatedly become dizzy or light-headed.
• Your pain medicine is not helping.
• You are constipated.

Get help right away if:

• You have a fever.
• You faint.
• You have increasing pain in your abdomen.
• You have severe pain in one or both of your shoulders.
• You have fluid or blood coming from your sutures or from your vagina.
• You have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
• You have chest pain or leg pain.
• You have ongoing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.