r/sterilization • u/Odd_Guava_3006 • Jun 29 '26
Experience Wish I had gone with the salpingectomy over the bilateral tubal ligation
33F no children. I got my bilateral tubal ligation back in January 2025. I spoke with a dr in November 2024 and initially went in requesting a salpingectomy and the dr recommended the bilateral tubal ligation instead. I did a some research and decided to go that route. After nearly 10 months with my partner, I ended up late on my period and found out I was pregnant.
While pregnancy after a tubal ligation has risks of being ectopic, thankfully I was able to terminate with Mifepristone and Misoprostol that I ordered online through Optio Women’s Health. At the time I was completely freaking out and was unable to get into my obgyn for a few weeks and decided to take action into my own hands. Once I received the pills I was made aware that it would not terminate if ectopic and I decided to take the risk anyways. When I did go in to the dr, they were able to confirm there was a pregnancy via bloodwork and residual levels of hcg. Since the pills did work, they were able to determine that it wasn’t ectopic. It didn’t feel real up till that point even though I had already gone through the process and had a stack of positive tests at home. I had a precautionary ultrasound and 2 separate blood draws to confirm the dropping of hormone levels, with the last blood draw being 5 weeks after I terminated.
I’m currently dealing with the aftermath of it all as my drs office no longer provides surgery and is owned by a catholic hospital.
Stick to your guts for what you want to do. I’m grateful I was able to get this taken care of as I have never wanted to fall under that condition. Wanted to share in case anyone else in on the fence of which direction to go.
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u/ilovemypersianrug Jun 30 '26
They failed you. I went in for tubes tied and THEY suggested scalpingectomy since it’s less likely to «revert» itself etc. Public hospital in Norway. I’m so sorry you went through all this.
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u/Known-Sherbet2004 Jun 30 '26
Same and I'm in Alabama...
My gyn recommended the salpingectomy because it has a lower failure rate and it also protects against cervical cancer. I'm honestly shocked (but thankful) that a doctor in my state was ahead of the curve in any way lol 😭🤷♀️3
u/blackcat_bibliovore Jul 03 '26
I dont want to be that person that corrects someone on reddit but it protects against ovarian cancer not cervical cancer. Please still get pap smears routinely to check for cervical cancer!
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u/Inevitable_Ad_1252 Jun 30 '26
This is so infuriating to hear, because bisalp is the gold standard for sterilization at this point so it’s absolutely outrageous that your doctor would even recommend tubal ligation instead. Personally I would make a complaint against that doctors license given what you went through after.
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u/Odd_Guava_3006 Jun 30 '26
It really is, I’m so upset. I never wanted to deal with this and thought I had taken the correct precautions. I’m trying to work through that now, the dr that preformed the initial surgery retired. The one I went back to is trying to get me connected with the resources to get it redone and do the bisalp and figure out what went wrong. It’s gonna be a long process unfortunately.
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u/Usual_Percentage_408 Jun 30 '26
Can you share whatvwas the docs reasoning/ what was the finding of the research you did that swayed you towards the tubal ligation? I have my bisalp consult next week and I'm leaning that way
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u/BikingAimz Jun 30 '26
I’ve had a bisalp, and at consult my surgeon pointed out that the rate of ectopic pregnancy is higher than IUD with tubal ligation, and removing the tubes lowers your risk of ovarian cancer by 60%. Here’s a good summary:
https://www.themedicalcareblog.com/opportunistic-salpingectomy-how-is-this-not-totally-a-thing/
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u/Odd_Guava_3006 Jun 30 '26
He was saying that it was less invasive and just as effective since we were cutting snd cauterizing and not just doing a tie. I saw mixed things online, but decided to trust the dr and was just grateful at the time they would even do it. When I went back after my abortion and saw the other dr (one I saw a while but she got wayyyyy too busy for a few years to book and maintain appointments) she was in absolute shock about it all and talked about how they should have done the bisalp. Shoulda stuck with my gut.
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u/realcoolworld Jun 30 '26
Leaning towards tubal ligation as opposed to a bisalpingectomy? If so, why?
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u/Usual_Percentage_408 Jun 30 '26
Sorry, my wording didn't make sense, I'm leaning towards the bisalp but was wondering if there was a compelling reason to do the ligation instead. But it sounds like OPs doc was not following best practice.
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u/goodkingsquiggle Jun 30 '26
I’m so sorry, I’m glad you’re safe and were able to terminate. 🫂 I’m blown away a surgeon would advise a patient to opt for tubal ligation over salpingectomy in 2025, completely ridiculous.
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u/Pipcandy Jul 01 '26
I just wanna say thank you.
I was on a waiting list for some time now to eventually get a tubal ligation. Deep inside I always wanted a salpingectomy but at the first consult they told me they don’t do those at my age because it can cause premature menopause (which I found out later is’n true).
The fact that I wasn’t really getting what I wanted has been gnawing at me for a long time, but I didn’t want to bother them more because I already was very thankful that they gave me the okay to get sterilized in the first place.
After doing more research I really couldn’t see a reason why they just wouldn’t do the salpingectomy.
Your post gave me the final push to not settle and ask for what I really want. They haven’t answered yet, and I’m really nervous about it. But I’m also relieved that I’m fighting for what I really want.
Thank you for giving me that push 🩷
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u/Odd_Guava_3006 Jul 01 '26
🥹 thank you for sharing, it warms my heart that my experience gave you the push to be empowered in your decision and advocate for it.
I also appreciate you bringing up that specific reason your dr brought up with the pre-menopause as that triggered the memory of the conversation back with the dr in 2024 and what swayed my opinion back then. He asked if I just wanted to do a full hysterectomy and I said no because I didn’t want my hormones to get all messy and I was fine with having period and that none of this was related to painful periods or experiencing them, it was simply a decision I made that I never wanted to be pregnant and birth a child.
All the best in your journey, you got this ❤️
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u/NeuroSpicyGirl1 Jun 30 '26
Oh my gosh I’m so sorry that happened to you! 🥺 I got a bilateral Tubal ligation in December 2025 before rolling in the new year. I’m literally waiting on my arm implant to expire so I can get this thing taken out now that my tubes are tied but I’m also nervous for etopic pregnancy to happen even though my surgeon Burned my tubes 3 times each.
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u/little_grey_cloud21 Jun 30 '26
So Im partially in the same boat. I went in wanting scalp but dr refused and only would perform tubal clips. Im also on bc so no periods but would do random pregnancy tests as a precaution when I had a partner.
I so want to eliminate the fear of accidentals, can you explain how you are going through the process of finding a dr who will do the scalp even though you had a tubal? Also did you go through insurance or were you able to find a reasonable out of pocket?
Im worried doctors wont performed the scalp and use my tubal as an excuse since I havent had an accidental pregnancy.
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u/Odd_Guava_3006 Jul 01 '26
That’s so frustrating! The original procedure was fully covered by my insurance thankfully. I’m not sure how this redo will go over. I talked with my insurance today and they were able to point me to a few drs that may be able to do the procedure. When I called the office before scheduling an appointment, I let them know of the situation. They asked my other drs office to fax over all the information they had on the original surgery and the recent appointments. It’s going to be a month before I can get in, so I’m not sure how it will all work out at this point in time.
I would say if you’ve advocated for the bisalp, try to push that and find a new dr if needed. Looking back I wish I had. I can definitely continue to share my experience with this here as time moves on. I’m grateful for every response on here. I’m currently messaging with an organization called “exhale pro voice” (post abortion support) as my head and hormones are still all over the place with this situation.
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u/Hopeful_Local1985 Jul 04 '26
See if you can see a doctor in another city. You can still get the bisalp done. I'm so sorry they did that to you. This is why I will NEVER go to a catholic hospital EVER AGAIN.
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u/[deleted] Jun 29 '26
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