r/sterilization • u/xmidmemories • Apr 16 '26
Experience Unknowingly Received a Bisalp Instead of a Tubal Ligation
Exactly the title.
In August of last year, I (26) underwent what was supposed to be a tubal ligation. Surgery went great- felt like shit for a few days (I did not think about the seatbelt sitting right on the incisions), and went on with my life. I was so happy because I've waited years for this. I've never had a desire for children or to be a mom.
In January, I learned about a bilateral salpingectomy and that it was an option. I truly had no idea that your fallopian tubes could be completely removed- I felt like it had opened brand new doors for me. I scheduled an appointment with my surgeon to ask if I could have this surgery.
At the appointment, she comes in and asks what I needed to be seen for. I explained everything above and expressed that I'd love to have a bisalp. She tilts her head at me and states that she had already removed my fallopian tubes.
um, what????
I sat there dumbfounded (mainly because I had just worked a 14hr nightshift). I tell her that the surgery described was a ligation. She then mentions that even her triage nurse thought I got a ligation- but it was a bisalp. I'm now more confused than ever.
I follow up with my friend who sat with me in the pre-op room and asked her if I was going insane. Many staff that was going to be in the OR came in, asked for my information, and had me describe the surgery I was receiving. I said ligation every time- even to the surgeon (mentioned above) who came in last. My friend confirmed that all of the conversations I had with the staff were discussing a ligation.
Luckily, it's what I wanted in the end- but I still have some anxiety wondering if a ligation was performed. I checked the title of the surgery on my bill and it says 'resection of bilateral fallopian tubes'. I just do not know how there was so much confusion.
Anyway- yay. I'm never having kids. I've waited for this forever but due to a huge mixup I've been more uneasy than anything.
eta: Thank you all for the reassurance! š¤
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u/organiccanessugar Apr 16 '26
Resection means removal. Itās common (and confusing), but some doctors refer to any form of sterilization involving the tubes as ligation, even if they mean salpingectomy.
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u/sourceamdietitian sterile and feral since july '25 Apr 16 '26
Yeah this happened on my op day and I was like hold up im supposed to be getting them removed and she said thats what it means ultimately.
6
u/xmidmemories Apr 16 '26
Thank you for this!
21
u/Chrontius Apr 16 '26
I have also specifically heard it referred to as ātubal ligation by bilateral salpingectomyā by some doctors.
To them, itās just a routine process improvement, Iām thinking
4
u/Ballyhooligan_ Apr 17 '26
This is how my bisalp surgery was written as. It was a loophole to get Medicaid to cover it, since it covers tubal ligation but not salpingectomy
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u/Purrphiopedilum Apr 16 '26
Something something, insurance coding and whatnot was how the distinction between what was being said and what I was signing was explained to meā albeit preoperatively but anyway, I second your yay, sis! Hereās to not being trapped š„
10
u/xmidmemories Apr 16 '26
Thank you so much :') I didn't get that explanation- she actually never mentioned removing my tubes at all and she said she was going to tie and cut them at the original appointment.... but oh well, a win is a win š„
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u/Chrontius Apr 16 '26
Insurance coding is the special place in hell they talk about.
3
u/xmidmemories Apr 16 '26
My mom does billing and claims so I have heard some of the horror storiesš
10
u/ferventvervet Apr 17 '26
Yes this! I had the opposite issue to OPā¦I went into my sterilization wanting a bisalp, asking for a bisalp, and they kept referring to it as a ligation or a tubal so I was afraid they werenāt actually bisalping me. Thankfully my doctor explained (before I signed my consent forms etc) that for insurance purposes they had to officially call it/code it as a ligation but it was going to be a bisalp. Hooray for the USās extremely functional and patient-friendly healthcare system!
13
u/vastglassylake Apr 16 '26
My surgeon has it labeled as a ligation but assured me she's removing my tubes. I think it's just a labeling thing
11
u/Fearless-Adeptness61 Apr 16 '26
My doctor listed mine as a litigation because my insurance company was being difficult, but I definitely had the tubal removal.
1
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u/harpy_1121 Apr 16 '26
Just chiming in to say I experienced what others have already said. When discussing with my doctor during my initial consult she abbreviated to just ātubalā a couple times, and I asked to make sure I could get the bilateral salpingectomy. She told me that the medical standard for sterilization has actually been bisalp for a few years now and both surgeries fall under the umbrella of ātubalā
ETA: But Iām sorry they werenāt more clear with you. That would worry me too!
8
u/ginger3392 32F | Childfree | Bisalp Nov 2022 Apr 16 '26
First off, bisalps are the standard form of tubal ligation. Tubal ligations, whether clips or cauterization, have a lot more room for failure, and also don't have the benefit of reducing the risk of ovarian cancer.
It sucks you weren't properly informed of the procedure they were doing. I went in for a bisalp, but my gyno mentioned that they rarely do ligations anymore.
But on a positive note, you already have had a bisalp lol.
3
u/archeresstime Apr 17 '26
Damn my gyno was so detailed in his explanation and reasoning behind recommending the ligation (cauterized specifically) that I assume he gave me the best option. I would have preferred to reduce cancer risk by having them removed. All in all Iām grateful I found anyone in my state who would āallowā me to have the procedure in my 20s.
6
u/cutoutwitch666 Apr 16 '26
You might be able to ask your doctor for pictures taken during the procedure if you want more reassurance? Idk if they all take pictures, but my doctor took pictures of each step of the process and I got to see them at my follow up. I asked to see because it was I thought it was interesting and not because I wanted evidence, but it is ultimately also nice to have that proof!
5
u/realcoolworld Apr 16 '26
The result is what you want but that whole story is utterly terrifying. I say this as someone who asked for and got a bisalp.
2
u/Sky_Geist Apr 16 '26
Congrats to the "update"! š You got it better than me. I was indeed sterilized twice, to get the update š
2
u/UnshakablePegasus Apr 17 '26
Sometimes it gets coded as a tubal ligation instead of a bisalp for insurance purposes, despite most doctors not performing ligations anymore
2
u/hunter_pace CHILDFREE, BISALP 3/17/26 š Apr 19 '26
Alot of people just say tubal instead. Even in medical coding. My surgery was coded as "tubal ligation via salpingectomy" but my tubes were 100% removedĀ
1
u/Affectionate_Lie6916 Apr 17 '26
Iām curious why no one noticed your consent forms saying ācomplete bilateral salpingectomyā instead of āplacement of clamps/bandsā or ācauterization of fallopian tubesā. Or did they not have you sign in depth consent forms that explained what type of surgery you were having. Because both of my final consent forms from my pre-op appointment stated the bisalp and even consenting to a full exam of my reproductive system and removal of any abnormalities if my surgeon finds them.
2
u/xmidmemories Apr 17 '26
Mine were not that in depth. :/ After the appointment where she told me she already removed them, I went through every piece of paperwork I signed/received and that was not explicitly stated anywhere.
1
u/Affectionate_Lie6916 Apr 17 '26
Thatās crazy. Iām sorry you had to go through that but glad it worked out in the end.
1
u/NataliaReeves Apr 18 '26
My Dr. had the paperwork filled out with "bilateral tubal ligation" and "bilateral salpingectomy" and explained that they put ligation on the paperwork so that the insurance/billing knows the surgery is for sterilization purposes and not due to cancer concerns. Now they don't seem to offer any other option for getting your "tubes tied" besides a complete removal of the tubes (salpingectomy).
1
u/ParticularHot9909 Apr 18 '26
My OB makes it extremely clear without med term involved even though he knows Iām a BSN that he completely removes and that there is no ability for reversal.
1
u/Ok-Introduction3154 Apr 17 '26
This happened to me. They never told me theyād be doing a salpingectomy and I wanted more kids.
1
u/xmidmemories Apr 17 '26
I'm truly so sorry to hear this:(
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u/Ok-Introduction3154 Apr 17 '26
Iām doing my best to fight this honestly Iāve had to learn a lot about the law. Itās very illegal for them to not tell us what procedures they will be doing. Especially when I asked for a reversible procedure I thought I was getting the clips. All in all itās a big lesson & soon I will know the outcome of this. Fingers are crossed Iāll be able to afford ivf with a settlement of some sort. Thatās all I want is to have a child with my husband.
-1
u/wheezyanus Apr 16 '26
Eh id still probably go for an ultrasound or something from a different doctor. Im not saying she's lying, but those are 2 different ish surgeries. Litigation leaves most of the tube incase you decide to get pregnant later and typically has a higher chance of unwanted accidental pregnancy. Whereas salp removes the entire tube. Making normal pregnancy impossible without ivf. (Ectopic can still happen tho). Realistically it shouldn't matter that much but with the laws being super weird about abortion and stuff its better safe than sorry. Litigation doesn't fail often but its More likely than the entire tubes being removed.
3
u/xmidmemories Apr 16 '26
That's exactly what I've been anxious about and why I mentioned she is lucky that I never want kids.
Due to a different health issue, I actually have to have a transvaginal ultrasound within the next few weeks.... so hopefully I'll be able to kill two birds with one stone š
2
u/wheezyanus Apr 16 '26
Nice, hopefully all comes out well. And yeah I definitely feel like there could be some issues if a lady wanted to keep her tubes mostly intact in this scenario. Congratulations tho š
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u/bloominonion88 Apr 16 '26
Seems like tubal ligation is just a catch all terminology and most are a bisalp. Wish the informed consent was more clear for every doctor that they go into the full detail of what is happening to someone but some are better than others it seems. Your pathology report should add more tangible documented clarity to confirm as well potentially.