Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Pregnancy is possible after Essure reversal

Although the manufacturer of the Essure device states it is not reversible, the tubal reversal doctors at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center have successfully removed Essure coils from women wishing to become pregnant again. Pregnancy after Essure reversal is possible.  

Posted by 11Needles August 12, 2009 02:17 PM:
 
Hello all,
I have been reading the message boards for a couple weeks now and I would like to thank all of you for sharing your stories. It makes me feel good to know that I am not the only one who now longs for a baby after my decision to sterilize. I have not seen any posts about women having the Essure reversed (removed) and I thought it would be a good idea to share my story.

I had the essure done in November 2006. At the time I thought it was the right thing to do and now nearly 3 years later I regret having done the procedure. I am schedule with Dr. Berger on August 26, 2009 to have Essure reversal. I am hopeful that I will become pregnant again.
[Big Grin]
 

Posted by LauraD, RN August 12, 2009 02:32 PM:
 
Hi 11Needles,

Thank you for your post. I think you will find the message board a great place for support for women like you. We are looking forward to meeting you in a few weeks!

Laura
[CHTRC]
 

Posted by startin'again August 12, 2009 02:58 PM:
 
Hello 11Needles,

What is the Essure?? I haven't heard of that. I to am scheduled August 26th with Dr. Monteith. See you then!
 

Posted by 11Needles August 12, 2009 03:18 PM:
 
It is a procedure where they put small metal coils in fallopian tubes to create scare tissue to block your tubes. It is an outpatient procedure that is an alternative to the traditional TL. I do believe there is a page on this web site that explains it better than I do. ha ha
 

Posted by Ericka P August 12, 2009 08:49 PM:
 
11Needles,

Take a look at this link for information regarding the reversal of the Essure http://www.tubal-reversal.net/blog/2007/tubal-ligation/essure-tubal-reversal.html

Ericka
[CHTRC]
 

Posted by 11Needles August 14, 2009 05:34 PM:
 
Thank you. I knew someone could explain it better than me. [Cool]
 

Posted by 11Needles August 14, 2009 06:01 PM:
 
I was surfing the net (yet again) to see if I could find any bfp for an essure reversal and I came across a site that report tube lenghts of Left: 12cm Right: 9cm - after an essure reversal. I don't understan how that can be. I know Dr. Berger has only done a couple essure reversals but I was under the impression that the lengths would be shorter than the average TR length??
 

Posted by AnitaA68 August 14, 2009 08:57 PM:
 
Well then I think that person had above average tubal length because the average uncut tube length is 10cm.
 

Posted by Rsatteson August 22, 2009 10:57 PM:
 
I am so excited, my surgery is in 4 weeks...well 3 weeks and 6 days...but who's counting right? LOL!!
With the initial conversations with the staff they are all wonderful and caring professionals.
My husband and I look forward to the possibility of a baby after the Essure procedure is reversed.
 

Posted by 11Needles August 25, 2009 11:10 AM:
 
Rsatterson, congratulations!! Glad that you have scheduled yout apt. I am hoping that Dr Berger can make it work. My coils are not visable in my uterus so I am so scared. How long ago did you have your procedure done?
Ccoo
 

Posted by 11Needles August 25, 2009 11:12 AM:
 
~ ok that ccoo doesn't mean anything ~ I'm posting from my crack berry! Ha ha
 

Posted by ashtangi August 30, 2009 11:38 AM:
 
Hello 11 Needles & RSatteson,

First, I want to thank you for posting here. I also had the Essure procedure- 10/2006. My PTLS has been so horrific that I sought out Dr B and have placed a deposit to also have a reversal. I am thinking that I will either have the reversal this fall or next spring.

I would love to hear as many details as each of you are willing to share regarding recovery from the procedure and also recovery from PTLS.

My story is this: I am a married MD. I am in my thirties and I am luckily in a "lifestyle specialty" (I work 50 hour weeks instead of 80). As I am a resident physician still in training, there are only certain times of the year that I can take time off to have the reversal. I have also been hesitant because, well I have scrubbed into too many surgeries gone wrong. So, I know that sometimes even the procedures that should not be too complicated can so south, and quickly. That said, the overwhelming majority of surgeries like this are successful and without complications. So, I had a threefold approach when deciding to sign up with Dr Berger: first, I prayed a lot. Second, I did a lot of my own research on the surgery and the available surgeons at this time. Last, I waited and hoped my PTLS would improve.

As far as why I choose Dr B- it came down to his obvious experience in this field. I called the other provider's office (who currently offers the Essure reversal) and was told that the current length of time under general anesthesia would be four hours. Dr Berger is able to do this reversal in approximately one to 1.5 hours (this is what I was told when I spoke with one of his nurses, and as he does not charge any more than for a regular tubal, I assume it to be true- OR time = money). The price was also considerably higher with the other provider. So, the bottom line is that I wanted for myself the most experienced surgeon I could obtain, and I feel that I have found that in Dr Berger.

Regarding the PTLS, it hasn't gone away. I was more than willing to loose the deposit on the procedure- in the hope that it would magically vanish and I would not loose myself 5 -7 days out of the month. So, now that I am three years poost- Essure, I feel confident that having the reversal is worth the risks of surgery. I only hope that the PTLS begins to subside and quickly! As for babies- perhaps now I am ambivalent about that more than the past, but that is not the primary reason I am seeking out this reversal. It is PTLS.

I hope you are recovering well 11 needles. Thanks again for initiating this post. Please keep us updated on your recovery!
 

Posted by Jan, RN August 30, 2009 12:24 PM:
 
ashtangi , you have found the right doctor and facility. CHTRC is a private surgical center where Dr. Berger and Dr. Monteith perform 4-5 surgeries/day Monday - Friday. Tubal Reversal is their focus and thus, they are continually adjusting and improving the surgical and recovery experience. Both doctors are very progressive and appreciate patient suggestions. The surgery only lasts 1- 1 and 1/2 hours. Look forward to having you at the center.
 

Posted by 11Needles August 31, 2009 01:12 PM:
 
ashtangi,
Well I am back at work today (5 days after surgery) I have a desk job and manage a group of 18 people. I feel GREAT!!! I didn't tell anyone at work that I was having surgery and no one has noticed that I went through surgery. as far as PTLS although I was never diagnosed with it I believe that Essure is the result of some of the problems I have been experiencing since I had it done in November 2006. the Main issue is Anemia. I take Iron 3 times a day during my cycles and one pill a day the rest of the time and my blood levels are still low. At this point I am tired of being tired (if that makes sense). I feel really good an am very happy that I had the reversal. You are in excellent hands with Dr Berger. After the surgery my tube lengths are both 9 cm YEAH!!!! I will keep you posted with my progress. If you have any questions at all please let me know. I am happy to share experience with you. . . . Thank you.
 

Posted by in-Gods-hands August 31, 2009 01:52 PM:
 
ashtangi I did not have the same thing done as you but I did have really bad PTLS. Which I am so happy to say has improved greatly. I am working with Dr.B on the PTLS topic. I wish you all the best. If you would like it my email is ranisheets23 at yahoo. You have picked the right doctor. Miranda
 

Posted by ashtangi August 31, 2009 10:21 PM:
 
11 Needles, In God's Hands & Jan,

Wow, thanks for the awesomely quick replies to this thread.

I think it may be of benefit to others in the future, and it has already been helpful to me.
11 Needles: Glad to hear that you are doing so well! Without disclosing too much identifying information, can you please share this with me: what would you describe as your overall "physical condition" prior to the surgery: physically fit, average, overweight, etc... The reason I ask is that I would be curious to hear how well you are recovering. General physical condition has a direct reflection on how quickly folks tend to recover after surgery. Considering the fact that you are just 5 days post- op and going back to work, I take that to be a great sign overall.

I intend to give myself at least a week off, and will shoot for more like seven full post-op days before I return. I also intend to do a whole lot of preventative- holistic interventions (mainly, fish oil, a great multi vitamin, MSM ( a MUST for healing tissues), zero refined foods, no alcohol, and some good old carrot juice and wheatgrass juice. Yes, I am a health- food nut. I am very into healthy living and taking care of myself. Ironically, I think this has contributed to the PTLS- my theory is that my overall state of health tilted me towards localized rejection of the Essure coils- because I am so otherwise well...

So, I am curious how you are feeling in relationship to how you would expect to feel considering your overall health status and prior to the surgery.

Also, I would LOVE to hear if your anemia and fatigue improve. My body literally shuts down a few days prior to menses now, something it just did not do before Essure. Please keep us posted on how and if you feel a "return to normalcy" over the next few months. Also, are you needing to take much medication for the pain? Hopefully not...THANKS!

Congrats on the 9CM tube length. Very nice indeed.

Jan- if you read this... how long post Essure can one resume both exercise and/or sex? I am specifically going to target healing well in order to prevent adhesions... not that "I" really have anything to do with it... I know it is up to God. But as a doctor, you know that I know too much and I just dread the thought of developing adhesions. So, I want to follow all the "rules" and heal well.

In God's Hands- If you want any info on my PTLS, I will gladly share with you!

Thanks everyone here for sharing.
It is MUCH appreciated!
 

Posted by 11Needles September 01, 2009 10:40 AM:
 
ashtangi,
I would say that I am average, 5ft 6in (although Erica RN would say i am 5ft 5in) [Wink] about 130. . . I try to exercise but don't like to. I think I am just lucky. This is my second Major surgery this year (had my thyroid removed in January-nothing wrong with the functionality but had two large nodules in it). I don't take vitamins. . .my diet. . . let me put it this way, there is nothing wrong with eating ice cream for breakfast. . . it has MILK! As far as how I expected to feel. . well I figured I would feel like crap afterward. Surprisingly I feel good. Yes I experiencing some pain but its more of an annoyance than anything and its not constant pain either. Before Essure I was pretty active. . single parent of two boys who play sports I would generally sleep about 2 to 4 hours a night my house was always clean and laundry always done. After essure I pretty much couldn't do anything. I began sleeping about 15 hours didn't want to do anything either. clean house, take kids places, I pretty much became a home-body. 
 



Natural pregnancy is possible after Essure removal, Read Essure reversal patient Michelle's experience  proof that all of the above are possible.