Hi - I had my tubes tied (finally) in December and it was no sweat. I took painkillers the day of the surgery only and then was taking only ibuprofen after that. I could've gone back to work two days after without any problem.

I did chicken out twice (couldn't make up my mind). I've heard that there are alot of drs that won't do the surgery on young women because it is irreversible (basically). My doc told me that if I want to reverse it and have another baby, it's actually easier to get preg by invitro, so be sure you want it done before you do it. Invitro is EXPENSIVE!

Good luck, whatever you decide.

Oh, by the way, on the lifting thing ... I was lifting my 30 lb son the next day and didn't have any problems. Basically my doc said, if it hurts, don't do it. If it doesn't hurt, go ahead.

Has anyone had any side effects from thier tubal? I am seeing discussions on tubal ligation syndrome. This seems to include amoung other things, heavier, longer periods.

Most of the time you'll see heavier, longer periods because the patient has been on birth control for years, which lightens your periods. I have noticed, since being off birth control for 3 months, that my periods are becoming a little heavier, a little more cramping, a little longer in duration, etc. but not as bad as they were when I was a teenager before I was on birth control. Basically, the way it was explained to me is that my body is reverting back to what it did before I introduced birth control.

Good luck -

Something I forgot to add in there - once I went off birth control, I had a lot more energy and my sex drive increased (much to the delight of my husband!). I've spoken with other women who have had the same thing happen after quitting birth control. I'm SO glad I got my tubal!!!

Hello there - I just watned to put my two-cents worth in here.. I had my tubal last Tuesday and I was back to my normal routine (working mommy!) the next day!! It was an outpatient procedure done under general anesthesia. No real pain at all in my belly - just two tiny stitches in my belly button (but I'll still be able to wear my belly button ring!), and some slight bruising under my belly button but that was it! They gave me some Tylenol w/ Codeine for pain, but I didn't really need it - just to help me sleep the 1st night. I'm 36 years old and have two boys (12 and 5) and was 100% sure I didn't want anymore children (2 c-sections / 2 high-risk pregnancies!)
I'm really happy with my decision - I'm happy to be off the hormones in The Pill!!
~tammy~

Had them burned 1/15/04-have 3 kids and am 35. very happy! : : :

Hey ladies!
I had my tubal last Tuesday, one week ago and for what it's worth my recovery has not been like anyone I've heard. Everybody said it was a piece of cake, much like what you all have said. I've had 3 c-sections so my doctor did about a 3 inch incision on my c-section scar, nothing around my belly button. Anyway I have been really sore and my tummy is still swollen. I'm feeling much better now but still can't lift anything heavy and to sore for . The first few days I felt like I had another c-section, that's how bad it hurt. I had difficulty getting up and down and hobbled around like an old lady! I've called my doctor twice because I'm concerned that my recovery has been so different from everyone else's. He says it's because of the scar tissue from the c-sections but I noticed that the last post had had 2 sections with a much easier recovery. Anyway I'm rambling, but I would like to hear from anyone else with a similar situation. I go for my 2 weeks check next week and I plan to ask a lot of questions!

No body made much comment on the effects of the gas afterwards. I've heard from some that had similar surgeries it can be unbelievably painful! I'm worried and my surgery is scheduled for THURSDAY!

Hi - well, I had my gall bladder out in September 2003 and the gas from that was terrible. I felt like a pinball machine with all the bubbles bouncing around off my ribs, etc. But with my tubal, I had very little gas at all. Not sure why that was, because I was expecting it to be the same as it was with my gall bladder. So, the gas bubbles (if you have them) are uncomfortable and you'll be passing alot more gas than normal from both ends, but it wasn't anything other than a little bothersome. And again, like I said, I didn't really have any of that with my tubal.

Good luck - it wasn't bad at all. I had a lower GI when I was 19 and that was ALOT worse than my tubal was. Go figure.

Thana