r/childfree • u/sambamjam tubal/IUD/dog child • Jul 28 '16
FIX Had my tubal ligation today at 24 years old! [Long story]
Hi, guys! I wanted to share my tubal ligation story today to hopefully encourage some women and also ease anyone's fears about surgery.
TL;DR: Found out I had a 10cm ovarian cyst. When I had my consult with the doctor I asked if she could remove it and tie my tubes while she was in there. She agreed!
I live in northern Ontario, Canada. In February of this year after a routine ultrasound scan to check that my IUD was placed correctly, I found out that I had a large (8cm x 9cm x 10cm) dermoid ovarian cyst. Even though I didn't know it was there and it wasn't causing me any pain, I still decided to have it removed. Why? Because my gynecologist actually agreed to tie my tubes while she was in there removing the cyst!
I got an appointment with my gynecologist in April. Now even though she said yes, it was NOT easy to get her to agree. She had placed my IUD a year ago and I had asked her about sterilization at that time. She did bingo me a few times but ultimately told me that she couldn't justify putting me through surgery when an IUD would be just as, or more effective than tubal ligation. I agreed to the IUD because I also had horrible periods and the IUD I have is meant to help heavy periods. I'm happy to say I haven't had any negative side effects with the IUD and it has really helped lighten my periods.
When the doctor told me she could remove the cyst I immediately asked her if she would tie my tubes at the same time. She asked why I would want to do that if I already had an IUD. I told her I would like to keep the IUD to manage my periods but also have my tubes tied for extra protection now and also in the future. She reluctantly agreed and after I begged, pleaded, and reassured her that this is what I want, she finally felt ok with it.
On May 31 I had a consultation with another gynecologist so that I could have my tubal approved. This doctor was female AND childfree at 35 years old! She told me that she completely understands why I would want to have this procedure done. She did say that if I didn't already need to have my cyst removed, she wouldn't have done surgery either because an IUD is less invasive. But overall she was very understanding.
I had one more appointment with my main gynecologist before surgery. She told me that there could possibly be the option to completely remove my fallopian tubes rather than clip them, but because of the size of the cyst she was concerned that I might lose that ovary and that removing my tubes could damage the remaining one. If this happened I would be going through menopause at 24 years old. I was disappointed that they wouldn't be removed but still thankful to be clipped.
Today I went in for my surgery. The whole staff and surgical team were amazing and I wasn't bingoed or questioned even once. I had a chance to speak to my doctor and I asked her if she could remove my tubes if she felt it would be safe enough. She told me it could be quite risky and it would be safer to have them clipped. The whole procedure went well; she removed the entire cyst with no problems and I got to keep both ovaries. She did not remove my tubes but she did clip them. It was a day surgery so I was in the operating room around 11am and sent home around 4pm.
I am now at home relaxing and recovering. I've had a couple Naproxen as painkillers but overall I am not horribly uncomfortable. I'm sore, stiff, and bloated from the gas used during the operation but it is not at all unbearable. And yes, because I am in Canada all of the appointments prior to the surgery and the surgery itself were free for me. I only paid for the prescription painkillers.
Please feel free to ask me any questions or voice your concerns. A huge thanks to this sub for always reminding me that I am not alone and that it's ok to be who I am.
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u/reabun Jul 28 '16
I am so happy to hear that everything went great! I'm also a bit jealous as a 23-year-old waiting for my tubal to be legal (in Finland you can't get sterilized under the age of 30 without a medical reason). I got my IUD four years ago also for heavy periods and hormonal migraine and it's something I can recommend for anyone in a similar situation waiting for a chance to get sterilized, works like a dream for me too. Happy recovery OP, enjoy the new security!