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  • Writer's pictureTiarraLaTrese'

How I survived a Salpingectomy

Updated: Jun 11, 2018


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So you clicked on this link so I'm guessing that you either are thinking about female sterilization or you may have already had your surgery scheduled or you may be still high off the anesthesia and wondering what can you do to make this process smooth a butter!


Well, Let me tell you it is actually quite simple.


But, first let me lay down some of the framework.


So, what is a Salpingectomy? A salpingectomy is the surgical removal of the Fallopian tubes. This is sometimes done as a bilateral (both tubes) or sometimes maybe just one. There are cases in which they would do only one tube, for example, an ectopic pregnancy. The surgery could also be done in place of a tubal ligation(tubes tied).


So about the procedure... Well, here let me just tell you how it went down for me!


The procedure is done as a outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. I arrived at the hospital and had to check in at the front desk of the surgical building. They called my name shortly after to go back to registration and billing. They sent me back out to the waiting area and about 5 minutes later they called my name to go back to my room and my husband followed along. They had me get undressed and asked some questions. I was given 2 pills; Pecid for gas (since they pump your body with Carbon dioxide) and another pill but I honestly forgot what she said it was or what it did. Anyway, after that they put my IV in and told me that shortly I would be moved upstairs to the OR waiting area. About 15 or 20 minutes passed and the transporter came and took me upstairs and showed my husband the OR waiting area.


Once in the OR waiting area the nurse came over and introduced herself and had me sign my consent form and everything since I wasn't able to go to my Pre-Op appointment because the office was closed due to weather. Then the anesthesiologist came and asked some questions and explained what he was going to do. I sat in the OR waiting area looking at the nurses and doctors walk by for like an hour and a half. Finally, my OBGYN came and stated that she was going to remove my tubes...I was under the impression that I was just going to get a tubal ligation (tubes tied).


That is another story in itself...but....


Anyway, a few minutes later they to came and pushed my bed to the Operating room. Once in the room, they asked me my name and then the anesthesiologist assistant said she was going to now give me my "cocktail". They asked me how many kids I had and how old my baby was and then switched me from the bed to the operating table. Next, thing I know I woke up in the Recovery room.


For more details about my Surgery you can watch my Youtube video at the link below.

*Link coming soon*


So with this procedure they make 3 incisions; One in the belly button and two on the bikini line. I was just 4 weeks postpartum so my incisions were just a little higher than where it would typically be. They fill your abdomen with carbon dioxide and they remove your tubes and then suture you up.


My incisions were sealed with surgical glue.


So now I know you are probably thinking...okay enough with the hoohaw. What can I do to make this most comfortable?


Well let me tell you!


My tips to survive a Salpingectomy


1. Take the medicine as prescribed.

- They normally will give you 2 different types of pain medication that you will have to take about every 6 hours.

-To stay on top of the pain, I took 1 pain medicine at starting at 6am every 6 hours and then the other pain medicine starting at 9am every 6 hours. So that way, I pretty much had some kind of pain medicine in my system and wouldn't feel when the medicine would start to wear off.


2. Take some gas relief medicine.

- I bought the Walmart brand gas relief. You could either take Gas-X or Pecid if you would like.


3. Bring a small pillow to put between the seat belt and your stomach for the ride home.

-The ride home is going to be a little uncomfortable and you are not going to want the seat belt touching or anything touching your stomach.


4. Wear loose fitting clothes.

-Same reason as the previous tip. You are not going to want anything touching your stomach.


5. Use a reading pillow or just a lot of pillows in general.

-The first couple of days is going to be uncomfortable. Using a lot of pillows to try to make it as comfortable as you can. I found that the reading pillow gave me a lot of support and a lot of the time, sitting up was more comfortable than laying down.


6. Your first meal after surgery should be light.

- I actually felt fine after surgery (The meds didn't wear off yet) so I thought I was okay to eat. I ate a grilled chicken salad and lets say a couple hours later it did not agree with my stomach and made me very nauseous. (Which also could have been the anesthesia.)


- Start off with a liquid diet and then increase as you are able to tolerate. *Even if you do feel fine at first!


7. Relax and take it easy!

- Everything is going to be okay! You will be fine! Listen to your body but still follow doctors orders. You may feel fine but your body still needs to heal.


Well hope you found my tips helpful. If you found these helpful or have any tips to add of your own leave a comment below.




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