Tubal ligation

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Tubal ligation

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Always tell your doctor or nurse:

• If you are or could be pregnant
• What drugs you are taking, even drugs, herbs, or supplements you bought without a prescription

During the days before your surgery:

• You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), warfarin (Coumadin), and any other drugs that make it hard for your blood to clot.
• Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.
• If you smoke, try to stop. Ask your doctor or nurse for help quitting.
• If you are having the tubal occlusion procedure, you will be asked to take a hormone for at least 2 weeks before the procedure.

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On the day of your surgery:

• You will usually be asked not to drink or eat anything after midnight the night before your surgery, or 8 hours before the time of your surgery.
• Take the drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
• Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital or clinic.

You will probably go home the same day you have the procedure. Some women may need to stay in the hospital overnight.

You will have some tenderness and pain. Your doctor will give you a prescription for pain medicine or tell you what over-the-counter pain medicine you can take.

After laparoscopy, many women will have shoulder pain for a few days. This is caused by the gas used in the abdomen to help the surgeon see better during the procedure. You can relieve the gas by lying down.

You should avoid heavy lifting for 3 weeks, but you can return to most normal activities within a few days.

If you have the hysteroscopic tubal occlusion procedure, you will need to keep using a birth control method until you have a test 3 months after the procedure to make sure it worked.

Most women will have no problems. Tubal ligation is an effective form of birth control for women. You will NOT need to have any tests to make sure you cannot get pregnant in the future if the procedure is done with laparoscopy or after delivering a baby.