Tubal Ligation Reversal

Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Sally Muncy, R.N. Tubal Reversal Operating Room Nurse

Meet Sally, a Tubal Reversal OR Nurse The team at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center wants you to feel comfortable during your time with us. Sally Muncy, RN, an operating room nurse at Chapel Hill Surgical Center, describes what to expect the day of your surgery, and how she plays a part in your tubal reversal care in her latest tubal reversal blog. From preoperatively to recovery, Sally is there for you.

"Dr. Berger has asked me to give a short description of what I do as an Operating Room Nurse so that you will feel that you know me when you come here for your tubal reversal surgery. I am a nurse who accompanies you to the operating room once the preoperative nurses have admitted you and taken care of all your physical as well as emotional needs. I am there for you to make sure that you are comfortable and have no last minute questions or misgivings.

One more time I will check your name on your name band and ask you about allergies and if you have eaten. I will ask you to use the rest room to empty your bladder as Dr. Berger does not use any bladder catheter in your bladder during surgery. I’m not asking these same questions that the other nurses have ask you because I don’t know the answers, but ask them only as one more opportunity to avoid a mistake about something you may have forgotten to mention."

In The Operating Room

"In operating room, you will be made comfortable and warm and everything that is being done will be explained to you. I realize this is a little frightening since everyone in the operating room wears a mask, gloves and gown for your protection. This brings up another point about who will be in the operating room with you. As I said I will be at your side the whole time. There will also be an anesthesiologist or anesthetist, a surgical assistant, and a surgical scrub technician (the person who is responsible for all the sterility of the surgical equipment and for seeing that Dr. Berger has the instruments as he needs them when he is concentrating on surgery). The only other person present is Dr. Berger.

For those of you (and there are many) who have a concern for modesty in the operating room, you really have nothing to worry about. After the surgical area is cleansed you are covered from head to toe. There is only about an 8 inch by 3 inch window of skin exposed on your abdomen. Many ladies also come for surgery while having their menstrual period. This also is handled very discreetly. You will keep your underwear and pad on until the last minute and then you can remove them in the bathroom and we will have a pad on the bed for you. I really want to impress upon you that from the time you walk in the front door to when you leave after surgery you will be treated with the utmost respect and dignity.

Once you are settled in the operating room you go off to sleep fairly quickly after being attached to heart monitors and a final safety check being done. One more time every staff person in the room checks your name, allergies, and other important data regarding your health. At this point everyone takes their designated position in the room and like a finely choreographed dance surgery begins. Because of keeping sterility in the room, no one can touch another person so each one has to know exactly what they are doing and where the other four people are.I am the one who keeps computer records of anything pertinent to your surgery while Dr. Berger dictates in detail. I am also responsible to see that everyone has the sterile equipment, medications, irrigating fluids, or anything else that needs to be brought in to the operating room. And finally I perform, with the scrub technician, a counting of all the instruments and dressings that are used during surgery. This count is also done before you enter the room and two more times. The final count must match exactly. This avoids any concern of a lost instrument or dressing. This is to insure absolute safety. "

On To The Recovery Room

"When Dr. Berger finishes surgery I will put a small dressing on your abdomen. Surgical time will be recorded and you will soon wake up and move back to your original bed. It is then my pleasure to return you to the recovery room where your nurse will greet you and I will bring your family member in to sit with you.

I just want to assure you once again that you will be in good, safe hands throughout your tubal reversal surgery. Every staff member at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center and Chapel Hill Surgical Center is there to meet your needs and we are honored that you have put your trust, first in Dr. Berger, and then in everyone else who has any part in your care. "

Sally Muncy, R.N. Operating Room Nurse Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center

6 Responses to “O.R. Nurse”

Ericka Says: June 27th, 2008 at 6:17 am Sally, this is a wonderful introduction. Thank you. I’m sure it will bring comfort to anyone who wonders what goes on in the OR. It is comforting to know that each and every staff member at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is a highly trained professional who has the patients’ best interests at heart. That is one of the things that makes this the best place for tubal reversal surgery and why women come here from all over the world.

Rhonda Brown RN Says: June 27th, 2008 at 7:12 am I know that this will bring comfort to each and every person that reads this. I know it will hellp answer lots of questions and bring a calmness to those who are wondering what exactly goes on in the operating room. This is just another example of exceptional patient care that is offered by the staff at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.

Jennifer Okun Says: June 27th, 2008 at 8:15 am Thank you for the very descriptive and informative post, Sally. You give a clear understanding of what patients are to expect during surgery. I hope all our patients take the time to read our blog - especially before they come here for their surgery. If they do, they will definitely feel more comfortable about what they can expect during their experience here.
Stephanie, RN Says:
June 27th, 2008 at 12:16 pm Thanks Sally. This will help patients understand the role of a circulating nurse and help calm their fears about why and how certain things are done.

Sarah Meachem RN Says: June 27th, 2008 at 2:05 pm Sally’s excellent description of her role as an OR nurse should definitely alleviate patient fears about the OR and general anesthesia. Patients at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center are always in capable hands and receive the best possible care.

Andrea Says: June 27th, 2008 at 5:57 pm Thanks so much for the description, Sally! I can’t wait to meet you, and the rest of the staff. I am scheduled on 7/30. Thanks so very much for taking the time to help ease our fears…one would think that after 2 vaginal births and 2 c-sections, there would be nothing left to fear…not the case!
Thanks again, and God Bless.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Why Women Get Tied Tubes Untied

Some women seek to have their tubes untied for many reasons other than to have another child after tubal ligation. Some of the reasons are to: relieve symptoms associated with a tubal ligation (PTLS), feel whole again, be like God intended them to be, comply with their religious tenants, relieve regret of a prior mistake, correct a decision made during a past and difficult relationship, or fill the emptiness from the loss of a child or another loved one.

Over a year ago, I approached Dr. Berger at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center to start a new career as a tubal ligation reversal specialist. When I started to pursue my interest and training in tubal reversal surgery, I naively thought that only women who wanted to have another child had their tied tubes untied. I have come to realize that some women seek to have their tubes untied for many reasons other than to have another child after tubal ligation.

Of course the number one reason is to have more children, but there are many more and equally important reasons patients give. Some common reasons patients come for tubal ligation reversal are to:

  • relieve symptoms associated with a tubal ligation (PTLS)
  • feel whole again
  • be like God intended them to be
  • comply with their religious tenants
  • feel more like a woman
  • relieve regret of a prior mistake
  • correct a decision made during a bad relationship
  • fill the emptiness from the loss of a child or another loved one
As a generalist ob/gyn, I was always keenly aware of how many women bore both the burden of having children and the burden of sterilization. It was only after I became a ligation reversal specialist I saw how heavy the burden of tubal ligation could be. Now I have the opportunity to help in these situations and feel gratified that my training as a tubal reversal surgeon is progressing nicely under Dr. Berger’s mentorship.

Submitted by Dr. Charles Monteith
Tubal Reversal Specialist in Training
Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center

2 Responses to “Why Women Get Tied Tubes Untied
  1. Joy Bryant Says:
    June 21st, 2008 at 2:33 pm
    There are a few good reasons I chose to have a tubal reversal. The main reason is because my husband now forced the issue since he doesn’t have children of his own. My kids who are older now (13 and 11) would love to have a new sibling who is part of me as well as their stepfather. It is a HUGE decision that needs a lot of thought and time put into it. I will be 32 tomorrow and I had been thinking of doing it since I was 28. I am happy to say we are going to TTC later this summer. Many thanks to Chapel Hill staff. Thanks a bunch for giving me this wonderful opportunity to be a new mother again.
    Joy

  2. Dr. Berger Says:
    June 21st, 2008 at 3:52 pm I find this to be a most interesting topic. Dr. Monteith’s comments update a previous blog topic that I wrote about Why Tubal Reversal.

####

This is topic Why Women Get Tied Tubes Untied in forum After Tubal Reversal at Tubal Reversal Message Board.

Posted by Gary S Berger MD (Member # 3) June 21, 2008 01:55 PM:
Dr. Monteith just posted a new topic on the Doctors Blog section of our website about the reasons women have given to the question why tubal reversal? I thought that this topic may be of interest to some of the members of the message board. You are welcome to post comments on the blog.
Here is a link to his post:
http://www.tubal-reversal.net/blog/2008/tubal-ligation-reversal/why-tied-tubes-untied.html

Posted by jarz (Member # 9286) June 21, 2008 02:38 PM:

It is so true. I did get a TR to have another child but throughout the journey as a matter of fact just soon after my TR I felt like "myself" again, I felt something more was fixed or returned to me that had been taken away without me even really knowing it. I even told my husband a few months after that even if we did not ever have another child, it was money well spent for the what it had given back to my life. Jo

Posted by karend (Member # 10442) June 21, 2008 05:42 PM:

We are so thankful to Dr. B and staff for the chance of becoming new parents again has been a great journey and such a miracle for us!!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Blog Topics Suggested by Tubal Reversal Patients

Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center recently asked Tubal Reversal Message Board members to submit ideas for future topics to be addressed in the Doctors Blog.

Here are some of the topics that have been suggested so far:
• Tubal ligation effects on a woman’s body
• Tubal ligation risks
• Pregnancy outcomes and other issues for older women
• Information to help educate other doctors

If you would like to add suggestions for other topics, please post on the Doctor’s Blog Suggestions thread on the Message Board.

At Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, we are dedicated to patient education about all aspects of tubal ligation reversal. We welcome your ideas and want to address your questions and concerns about tubal ligation, tubal reversal, or pregnancy after a tubal ligation reversal.
Submitted by Dr. Charles Monteith
Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center
DrMonteith@tubal-reversal.net
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Posted by brenda0704
What I would like to see discussed is the effects of TL on a woman's body and how much TR helps to correct these things. My main concern is how much damage is done to the ovaries and can that function be restored. I am very concerned about early menopause, because I am only 36 and not ready for that. I also would like to know exactly what causes sexual dysfunction after TL and if I will get my function back if I get a TR, because right now it almost feels like castration!
Thanks,
Brenda
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Posted by Rhonda Brown, RN
Dear Brenda,
Thank you for your suggestions. Keep your eye on the blog for new information.
Rhonda
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Posted by Scarlet04
I know you asked for the girls to let you know the responses their getting when dealing with their Dr.'s about TR but what about a blog that helps us explain to our Dr.'s what they need to know in dealing with us as TR patients that have become pregnant and some of the misconceptions that doctors have about the success rate of TR's with pregnancy. It took me calling 6 different OB doctors offices to finally get someone to take me seriously. I kept referring them to your website. The doctor I did find, sees a TR patient of yours and she is currently 7 months pregnant. She was totally excited to have me as a 2nd TR patient of yours. Dr. Berger, do you do very many public forums or conferences for Dr.'s to attend? I know you have patients from all over the world come to see you and that would be a big audience to try to get your message out to but I don't think many Dr.'s are doing their research on the internet or they just don't know to look for you. Trisha
ME-37
DH-32
DS-12
DS-10
DS-8
DS-3
TR- 5/22
L-5.5, R-7
Denver, CO
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Posted by Gary S Berger MD
Thanks, Brenda and Trisha. Dr. Monteith and I will address these issues in future blog topics.
I think that Trisha is right about needing to get the message to other doctors at conferences and public forums. Until now, I have been concentrating on developing our website as the primary way to communicate all of the information we have. In the future, I will plan to devote more time to providing information to doctors through publications in medical journals and presentations at medical conferences.
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Posted by Blessings
I think that is a awesome idea Dr. Berger. So many, if not 99% of doctors are ignorant to fact that there are risks with having a TL. If I had known the risks before hand and could have made an intelligent decision knowing all the pros and cons then I would have never had the TL to begin with. But, I spent 7 months talking with my DR. about the TL with my concerns and worries and he assured me that it would not effect anything except I would not have to worry about BC.
I am grateful, if for nothing else that I feel normal again.
I am truly grateful for all that you do and I am so happy that Dr. M will be doing these TR's too. We need more Dr.s doing these out there.
Blessings,
Christie
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Posted by Gary S Berger MD
Dr. Monteith has just posted on the Doctors Blog asking for others to add their suggestions on this message thread. The blog topic is entitled Blog Topics Suggested by Patients. Here is a summary:
"We recently asked Tubal Reversal Message Board members to submit ideas for future topics to be addressed in the Doctors Blog.
Here are some of the topics that have been suggested so far:
• Tubal ligation effects on a woman’s body
• Tubal ligation risks
• Pregnancy outcomes and other issues for older women
• Information to help educate other doctors
If you would like to add suggestions for other topics, please post on the Doctor’s Blog Suggestions thread on the Message Board."
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Posted by Jennifer Okun, R.N.
Please continue to write in with any ideas you have. This really helps us to be able to provide our patients and potential patients with information on topics they are most interested in.
Thank you,
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Posted by PaulnJenn
Here are some more suggestions....
http://forums.tubal-reversal.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/6/3186.html#000000
Jenn
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Posted by momto10
How about a blog about the effect hormones have on a woman's daily life?
OR
The signs of a hormonal imbalance.
Gwen
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Rhonda Brown RN Says:
I think that this is a great idea. It is always nice to know what women are looking for as far as information in regarding to tubal reversal surgery. Information can help a women make the best decision for herself as well as her family. Putting patients first, just another example of exceptional patient care.
Donna Sisson, ST Says:
Another great way for Dr. Berger and Dr.Monteith to be sensitive to women’s needs. Your thoughts and suggestions are very important to Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.
Ericka Says:
Understanding what questions patients have allows us to focus on their specific concerns. Feedback is always welcome!
Stephanie Duncan Says:
We always like questions! I think it is great that women are responding and letting us know what topics are of interest to them.
Jennifer Okun Says:
Asking patients directly to inquire about what topics they are interested in and need more information about is a great idea. This really facilitates meeting the needs of patients when they are able to directly communicate which information they are most in need of.
Pamfmills Says:
Patient education is so important, especially in a field like tubal reversal. Informed patients make better decisions for themselves and can truly participate in their care. I just love the fact that I work at a facility that promotes patient knowledge
Kathy Sronce ST Says:
This helpful idea just opens the door for patient - physician communication. I think it helps patients feel that they are a part of their tubal reversal process. Chapel Hill Surgery Center helps to educate their patients as well as care for them.