Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure that involves severing and sealing a women’s fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes connect the uterus to the ovaries and are used for the movement of eggs once a month. A more common name for this procedure is ‘tying the tubes’.

Performing a tubal ligation means that the female’s egg cannot reach a man’s sperm and so pregnancy cannot occur following intercourse. A tubal ligation will leave the woman permanently sterile unless a reverse procedure is carried out. The reverse procedure is not always successful (50 to 80 percent success rate) and so patients should be absolutely certain that they do not want to get pregnant again before undergoing a tubal ligation.

Procedure information
Tubal ligation is usual carried out under general anesthetic, in a hospital or in an outpatient clinic. The incisions made by the surgeon are small and usually around the belly button region. These incisions allow the surgeon to access the pelvic region and therefore the fallopian tubes.

The surgeon will insert a narrow tube with a camera on the end, called a laparoscope, into the pelvic area of the patient. The tubes will either be tied or cauterized with tools passed through the laparoscope, therefore minimizing post operation discomfort and scaring.

Recovery time
Most patients leave the hospital or clinic about 1 hour after the completion of a tubal ligation procedure and recover fully from surgery. Generally patients are recommended not to undertake strenuous exercise for a few days and to take painkilling medication if they experience discomfort during the immediate days after the operation. It is possible for patients to engage in sexual intercourse about 1 week after the operation, or when they feel ready.