Question:
If you have had a tubal ligation during WLS, where are your scars located?
I have been reading everywhere that WLS increases fertility. This has not been the case for me. I have been trying for 6 months to become pregnant without success. Before I had RNY, it was extremely easy for me to become pregnant. My surgery was performed by a military doctor who repeatedly asked me prior to the surgery if I planned to have any more children. At the time I told him no. However, after researching the topic, I have changed my mind. When I signed the consent form for the surgery, the only surgeries that were marked were to have a LAP RNY, and remove gallbladder, if necessary. The surgery took 8 hours! Is this even a normal time frame? My gallbladder was not remover, but I'm beginning to suspect that I may have had an involuntary tubal ligation. The military usually has this attitude that they can do whatever they want to your body. My question is, if you had a tubal during LAP WLS, where are your scars located? I have 2 about halfway down my abdomen on either side, 2 about 2 inches above my belly button on either side, and one in my belly button. Is it possible based on where my scars are located to have even done a tubal? I would really appreciate any input or information to help put my mind at ease. Thank you! — Melissa B. (posted on November 17, 2003)
November 16, 2003
Well I didnt have my tubal and WLS togeter, I had my lap tubal done after
WLS, and they went in right at the belly button.
8 hours for 'just' a Lap RNY is very very long... Mind quoted 3 1/2... Did
they say why 8? was there problems?
I dont know for sure, but you think there would be a test to check if you
had a tubal... call your OB/GYN
— star .
November 17, 2003
I had my tubal done a month before WLS... I have 2 visable scars that are
about an inch in length and about 5 inches from each side of my belly
button.. I also had it done lap.. My WLS was open...
— baybekmbrly
November 17, 2003
I had a Lap tubal two years prior to WLS. The only scar I have is in my
belly button. That procedure took 20 min, so you can't judge by the time
in surgery. However, you can request the surgical notes from your surgeons
office. It will state in there, exactly what was performed.
— RebeccaP
November 17, 2003
That seems like an extremely long time for surgery. I would say to get a
copy of your op notes, with the new HIPPA laws you are entitled to every
document concerning your healthcare. I would also advise having a
hysterosalpinogram done which would show if both tubes are still open.
— torran P.
November 17, 2003
It might be possible that you have developed natural adhesions from the
surgeries that caused your tubes to become blocked. Adhesions are pretty
common after abdominal surgery of any sort. Asking your ob/gyn for an HSG
test is probably a good idea.
I read your profile, and I can understand why experiencing the horror of
waking up during a surgery would shake your faith in doctors. However, I
don't think any doctor would risk getting into serious legal trouble by
doing a tubal without consent nowadays. I hope you find out what happened
and that things work out for you. good luck.
— K M.
November 17, 2003
Melissa,
I would be afraid too. Military doctors are not the pick of the litter in
my opinion. My tubal ligation scars are in my belly button, however, my
procedure was done post-partum, not during wls. 8 hours seems awfully
long, most surgeons say 2 - 3 hours max. That is what I have read. There
are several sites that have a diagram showing where the lap incisions
should be. I believe there should be one above and below your belly
button. Maybe you are just having difficulty conceiving. Why not express
your concerns to the surgeon?
— Danyelle K.
November 17, 2003
My tubal ligation scars are right at my belly button and then in my pubic
area. I would say if you don't have one in your pubic area, your probably
ok.
— Patty H.
November 17, 2003
I had my tubes tyied several years ago- but they did it thru my belly
button- no other scars.
Your sound like normal Lap GB scars-
You could request your records-
— ~~Stacie~~
November 17, 2003
Hey Melissa~ Military doctor's do seem to think they are God. But as
someone else mentioned, they are required by law to adhere to the new
'HIPPA' laws. Those allow you to view your medical records ad lib, and to
have anything take out of your records that you do not feel belong there.
With that said, your doctor also should have included an
"intra-operative report" into your permanent medical records.
This report *should* describe in detail the reasons for a lap RNY taking 8
hours, the reason for not removing your gallbladder and finally if any
other procedure was performed during the lap RNY. Theoretically and
legally, no doctor is supposed to do any thing other than what was
consented for; hence the reason it's called a "Consent Form". If
you are not comfortable asking your surgeon directly what he did, then you
should request a copy of the "Intra-operative report" through
your hospital's medical records or Health Information office. (that is a
new fangled name for medical records) Best of luck!
— Marni
November 18, 2003
If you so mistrust the military medical care system, why on earth would you
trust them with your life? Drop the Tricare Prime, get on Tricare
Standard/CHAMPUS and find your care off post.
— Leslie R.
November 21, 2003
I have never heard of anyone having a tubal ligation during WLS other than
me! I made a comment in passing to his nurse to the effect of, if you want
me to sign a contract saying I promise not to get pregnant for one year
after surgery then tie my tube while you are in there. She said she had
never heard of that being done before but she would check. They got tied!
I had to jump through all sorts of sterilization hoopes. Forms to sign
authorizing the procedure etc. I have no additional scars as he was able
to reach the area through one of the LAP RNY potrals. As many have said,
you have a right to a copy of your complete medical chart. But from the
exterior, you may not have any additional scars so the only way to tell
would be through the records.
— smummert
November 22, 2003
Wow Melissa: Yes, eight hours is a really long time for WLS. I hope your
suspicions are unfounded because that would be horrible if you were given a
tubal against your knowledge and permission. I feel awful to be the one to
say this, BUT... sometimes things we want to happen don't, and things
happen we don't like, for a reason. I'm hoping that your desired pregnancy
will occur, but at a time safer for you and the baby. Please everyone, do
not try and get pregnant until a year or more post op. Melissa, I know
you'll be a year post op next month, so this is more for the rest of the
amos people. I do understand wanting to get pregnant, and not being able
to, and how disappointing that can be. I went through years of infertility
treatments with no success. But it's always best to do things when it's
the optimal time. I'm sure you have your reasons for wanting to get
pregnant now as opposed to waiting. Maybe you want your kids x amount of
years apart or whatever. But, IMHO it's far more important to do what will
be healthiest and other considerations should be a distant second. I hope
you'll all forgive me for not being 100 percent supportive of the poster,
but I just couldn't see letting it go without commenting. Sherry
— sherry hedgecock
Click Here to Return