Hi Lovelies and Happy Hump Day. So, if you know me I’m not one to get personal on the blog. But, today I want to talk about something that has changed my life. It took me several years and many discussions with my doctor and husband to make this decision and I just can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner. In October I finally made the decision to get Endometrial Ablation and tubal ligation (cutting of the fallopian tubes).
Now, I have to state the obvious I am not a doctor, this is in no way intended as medical advice, please speak to your doctor and make a decision that is best for your body. Finally, everyones body is different so if you do have this procedure your results may not be the same. Ok, now that all that fun stuff is over, I will share my story.
The Back Story
So, for the last two to three years I have had the most insane periods. Like can’t leave the bathroom for four hours. I would get horrible migraines, the cramping and bleeding was unbearable. My doctor recommended this procedure when we made the decision to no longer have children. We put it off for two years hoping things would get better. It didn’t. We finally made the decision to follow through with it. So, here is the process.
The Process
I had to have an ultrasound to check for cysts and measure the cyst that I already had. Then I had to have a biopsy of the tissue inside my uterus. Once all of that was cleared I was ready to go. The procedure included a small incision in my belly button and that was it.
Now I handle pain very well, so my doctor told me I would be fine to go back to work within a few days. The surgery scheduler seemed not convinced and warned me I should not plan on being back up that quickly. Boy, was she wrong. I had my surgery on Thursday, took my girls to school on Friday, went to three parties on Saturday and taught a hot yoga class on Monday.
The Recovery
The incision you see above is from the tubal ligation. The endometrial ablation is inserted down below. The full recovery time is two weeks off and then you can return to your regular exercise and routine. The recovery was easy. The first few days there is quite a bit of swelling, but I was able to return to some what normal activities. However, I do not recommend bouncing back into a hot yoga class. It made my glue come out a little earlier than it should have. It required me to wear a large band-aid over my belly button to insure it didn’t get aggravated by my pants or risk any infection.
My doctor warned me that I may have a period or two, but I didn’t have one. The best part all of my symptoms are gone. I have no more migraines, no cramps, nothing, I actually feel normal. I don’t have to worry about being around a bathroom. It’s the best gift.
This is something that you have to really make sure you are ready for. Once these two procedures are done you should not be able to get pregnant. Now, we all know there are those times when a miracle happens but endometrial ablation will cause a future pregnancy to be high risk. So, that is why we took two years to make the decision. We wanted to be 100% sure we were done having babies.
Suggestions Before You Take The Jump
- Talk to your doctor
- Be 100% sure you are done having children
- Find out your doctors experience and success rate on the endometrial ablation and tubal ligation
- If you are not confident get a second opinion, third opinion etc, until you find someone that you are comfortable with
- Think about it and think about it some more. It took me two years to finally make the choice. Maybe this isn’t what is best for your family, do the research on the products etc.
Want to know how it’s going? Check out my one year follow up over HERE.
I approached my doctor with this very same thing in October after a year of insane cycles. I have been pretty regular and routine since my teenage years. I’ve had 2 babies and I had a tubal ligation after my second. Already made the decision to not have anymore children. That’s the hard part! I am going back this week to schedule this procedure. It has not gotten any better for me and it’s making my whole world crazy. I have tried all of their suggestions with no luck. I’ve heard success stories and the other stories. Was your procedure done in outpatient care or in your doctor’s office? What was the pain level like and were you awake during the procedure?
I was not awake. Completely under and mine was an outpatient surgery center. I have a pretty high pain tolerance and was fine later that day. I just recently had a friend who they recommended against the procedure. There is a small precent of women who it actually makes their periods worse. All the things your doctor will look for and make their recommendations. I had several tests before the procedure was approved. Best of Luck!
I had the endometrial ablation and tubal ligation yesterday. I woke up in tears, I felt like I was having the WORST contractions EVER! ( I’ve had 3 kids). Hot blankets, fentanyl, and morphine in IV, plus a pain pill, relieved it some. Once I made it home, and in my bed, after about 2 hours, I felt relief! No more pain, other than the gas in my shoulder blades and under ribs( but nowhere near as bad as my gallbladder surgery in March.) Today, I feel pretty darn good. Belly still swollen and a little gas pains, but waaay better! Gonna try and go to work tomorrow ( mail carrier lifting up to 75 lbs) , because my doc ok’d it. ( I’m still not so sure, I asked him like 4 times) I feel like I could do it, but didn’t wanna risk anything. We shall see. Thank you ladies!!!
It was amazing how fast you bounce back. Hope everything is good for you now. xo ~ Megan
I’m scheduled to have mine in 2 weeks. I had horrible pain with the gas from my gull bladder surgery so this is something I’m worried about. My periods and spotting seem to be nonstop and have been for a few years. I’m so hoping this is the fix and worth it. Must admit I’m a little scared though.
I’m sorry that you had that experience. I would definitely discuss your concerns with your doctor. I asked so many questions about my doctors success with the procedures and about the results of my pre-op tests I had. If you are concerned schedule an additional appointment with your doctor. You can never be too cautious. xo ~ Megan
I have a question…what procedure for tubal ligation did you have done?
Hi Jessica,
I had mine cut and cauterized. So far so good. Still no babies. 🙂 xo ~ Megan
Did you have tubal ligation and ablation done at the same time. I am considering that now to go ‘under’ just once.
Yes I had both done at the same time and I don’t regret it at all. If you have any other questions let me know. xo ~ Megan
Hi Megan, I am needing to have both these procedures done. I am an avid runner and etc. How long to health be able to do exercise? I’m also worry about gaining weight from hormones getting messed up? Some people post horrible things about this on the Internet. Did you find everything seemed better or worse? I’m tired of bleeding like a waterfall and having low iron and Ferritin. Did it effect orgasm/sex? Better or worse? Thank you so much!
Hi Lori, I sent you an email to answer your questions. 🙂 ~ Megan
Megan, I have the same questions Lori did above. I go in for the ablation/tubal in about 2 weeks. Can you msg me with your responses to her email? Please and thank you!
Hi Taunia,
I’m so sorry I missed your comment. I hope your surgery was a success and that everything went well. xo ~ Megan
I would also like to know if there was weight gain or loss
I’ve been considering having both done
I’ve been on the pill since I was 14 so I thought it might help with weight
And hopefully it doesn’t decrease sex drive
I did not lose or gain weight with this procedure, but I have never taken the pill. Also, I did not see a decrease or increase in sex drive. I would definitely discuss both of these with your doctor, best of luck. xo ~ Megan
I’ve done some reading and see that it says it is possible for bad periods to continue after both of these are done. Do you know the chances of this? I have mine in 2 weeks and want as much info as I can get:
Hi Misty, unfortunately, I do not know the chances of this. This is just my personal experience. I do have a friend that did have periods after her procedure. I hope that yours is successful. xo ~ Megan
I’ve had issues with heavy and painful periods for years. My postpartum period was extremely hard and seriously traumatic. I’m scheduled to get an ablation next month but am afraid to get the tubal ligation too bc of all I’ve been through. My husband is willing to get a vasectomy so I don’t have to do both procedures but I’m wondering if getting both won’t be as scary as I think it is. Any advice?
Oops to “heal”
Not health lol! Thank you!
Thank you so very much for this blog. I just got cleared for the ablation today by my doctor . I was going to ask about getting tubal ligation at the same time. This was so helpful
You’re so welcome! Since ablation puts you in high risk to be pregnant again, I think it is definitely worth asking about. ~ Megan
I met with my dr today. After two years of different BC and continues bleeding. We have decided to look into other options. We spoke about the ablation and a hysterectomy. After reading your experience I feel better about the ablation and tubal ligation. Thank you so much.
You’re welcome Angela! I had the same options and decided to try this first. I have a family member who had a hysterectomy and had a lot of long term side effects. I figured trying this first was a better option. xo ~ Megan
I’m getting both the abrasion and tube’s tired soon! I have about 5 fibroids. Never had children neither my husband I want any kids. Ivworked in daycare. My question is after I get it done will I need to be on birth control? I have been on depo for years and it’s not working for the fibroids any more!
Hi Dana,
Best of luck with your surgery! I would confirm with your doctor, but no I have not been on birth control since my procedure. I have had no periods and no pregnancies. I hope all goes well for you. xo ~ Megan
Having my surgery in 10 hours and reading this really calmed my nerves. Thank you ❤️
I hope your surgery was a success. xo ~ Megan
I have surgery scheduled a week from today— I’m super nervous but after reading this, I feel a bit more at ease. Thank you 💕
I read you have a high pain tolerance— how bad did it hurt to pee? How sore were you “down there”?
Hi Kay. I am sorry for the late reply. I had to step away from my website for a bit. I hope everything went well with your procedure and you had a speedy recovery. xo ~ Megan
Hello, quick question…I had the biopsy Friday 😩but not too bad. They haven’t set a date for the ablation yet but I’ve been reading about patss God I forgot what that stood for but they were talking about cyclic pain or something…did you have any problems after doing both? Thanks
I didn’t have any problems with any of this. I have no pain, and still no periods. I do spot when I go to bathroom for about a day once a month, but other than that it is still the best decision I have ever made. Of course I am not a doctor, and everyone is different, but this was just my personal experience. Hope that helps. ~ Megan
I am scheduled for an ultrasound and biopsy next week. My Dr and I have spoken about doing the ablation and tubal ligation or possibly a partial hysterectomy. After reading all the post, it has helped me feel better about doing this. Can you email me so I can ask some questions as well.?
Hello!
I am in the process of doing some initial tests (ultrasound) to get both procedures done simultaneously and have been reading some very concerning stories about failed ablations online but your story gave me hope. Which method of ablation did you have performed?
Thanks!