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I've been told my only hope is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), should I
consider tubal reversal?
Many patients have been referred by their own obstetricians for IVF when
reversal would make a lot more sense in every way. Not everyone is a candidate
for reversal after tubal ligation but it should be the first thing you do
rather than the last.
If you have talked to an infertility specialist that does IVF they likely
have recommended that you try IVF rather than tubal ligation reversal. IVF
is generally $10,000 dollars every time you try. Tubal ligation reversals
are $6,300 dollars in our clinic and you can try month in, month out. IVF
has a success rate of about 22% per attempt and the overall success rate
with tubal reversal is 70-75%. The math is not too tough; tubal ligation
reversal makes economic sense.
Because, like everything else, money seems to come into play we occasionally
see patients who can afford tubal reversal but could never consider IVF
because of the cost.
After evaluation, it may be that their chances are not the best for reversal
of their tubal ligation and IVF would be better if they could afford it,
but they can’t. To these patients I say that they may want to consider
tubal ligation reversal even though it may not be the best medical choice
because it is their only economic choice.
Tubal ligation reversal is surgery and that always has its risks. Thankfully
complications of any sort are rare with tubal reversals and a lot less likely
than a complication from IVF. The fertility drugs used with IVF have been
linked to ovarian cancer and they can cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Retrieval of the eggs can be painful and has caused serious infections.
I am glad this technology is available to those that have no other choice
but if you can be reversed, tubal ligation should be your first choice.
With tubal ligation reversal, as an outpatient, you take several days to
get your tubes reversed and several more to recover and its over. IVF requires
visits for ultrasound to monitor egg production, a visit to retrieve the
egg(s), and a visit to put the fertilized embryo back in your womb. If you
have a job, you will need an understanding boss. If you are a stay-at-home
mom you will need childcare. The time commitment with IVF is enormous.
Most doctors do not know of the advances in the past 5 years in tubal reversal
surgery so their advice is often based on old information. Like you, they
have to go to the web to find facilities like ours that specialize in reversing
tubal ligations and have the benefit of extensive experience.
I don’t care who told you to go for IVF. I have enough problems with
my own shortcomings I won’t apologize for others, but I will tell
you if you can be reversed get it done first. Come here, go somewhere else
but consider reversal first.
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"Tubal ligation reversals are $6,300 dollars in our clinic and you
can try month in, month out. IVF has a success rate of about 22% per attempt
and the overall success rate with tubal reversal is 70-75%."
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