Tubectomy

A tubectomy, also known as female sterilization or “having your tubes tied,” is a permanent birth control method. During this surgery, the fallopian tubes are either cut, tied, or blocked to prevent pregnancy. This procedure is chosen by women who are certain they don’t want more children or any children in the future.

What is a Tubectomy?

Type	Description	Recovery Time
Laparoscopic	Small incisions, camera guided	3-5 days
Mini-laparotomy	Single small cut	5-7 days
Post-delivery	Done after cesarean	During C-section recovery

Who Should Consider Tubectomy?

Good candidates include women who:

Are sure about not wanting children
Have completed their family
Cannot use other birth control methods
Have medical reasons to avoid pregnancy
Want permanent contraception

Success Rates and Effectiveness

Aspect	Statistics
Success rate	99.5%
Failure rate	Less than 1%
Reversal success	40-85%
Pregnancy prevention	Immediate

Before the Procedure

Required Steps

Medical evaluation
Counseling session
Written consent
Physical examination
Pre-surgery tests

Preparation Timeline

Time	Action
2 weeks before	Stop certain medications
1 week before	Complete all tests
Night before	Start fasting
Morning of	Arrive at hospital

During the Procedure

The surgery involves:

Anesthesia administration
Small incisions
Location of fallopian tubes
Cutting or blocking tubes
Closing incisions

Recovery Process

Immediate Recovery

Few hours in hospital
Monitoring vital signs
Pain management
Initial walking
Discharge instructions

At Home Recovery

Day	Activities Allowed
1-2	Rest at home
3-4	Light activities
5-7	Normal routine
7-14	Gradual exercise
After 2 weeks	Full activities

Potential Side Effects

Common temporary effects include:

Mild pain
Shoulder pain
Light bleeding
Tiredness
Minor bruising

When to Call Your Doctor

Seek medical help if you experience:

Heavy bleeding
Severe pain
High fever
Infection signs
Unusual discharge

Long-term Considerations

Benefits

Permanent birth control
No hormonal effects
One-time procedure
High effectiveness
Peace of mind

Important Notes

Consider it permanent
Reversal is complex
Insurance coverage varies
Counseling recommended
Partner involvement helpful

Common Questions

Is it reversible?

While reversal is possible, consider tubectomy permanent.

Will it affect hormones?

No, your hormones remain unchanged.

How long is recovery?

Most women return to normal activities within a week.