QuestionI'm 44 yrs old & my fiance is 30. I had surgery for tubal reversal with one of the best in the world Dr. Sherman Silbers in Aug. I've had 3 menstrual cycles and still not pregnant. After my first period my doctor said I may have been to swollen to pass an egg that month, but how long does it take before the swelling goes down for an egg to pass or the normal healing before getting pregnant? Am I expecting it too soon after surgery? Thanks!
AnswerHello Linda from the U.S.,
If Dr. Silbers is so good, why did he not advise you that in addition to the tubal ligation, your age plays significantly in your ability to get pregnant, and that reversing your tubes may not be sufficient or beneficial?
As you have probably heard, but are hoping to not be the case, a woman's eggs deteriorate with time and age such that the natural chances of pregnancy decrease. A woman in her 20's has an 85% chance of pregnancy per year whereas a woman at 40 years old only has a 10% chances of pregnancy per year of trying. At 44, the chances are only 1% per year of trying. So, even if Dr. Silber did a great job in repairing your tubes, this will do nothing for the quality of your eggs. That will be your major obstacle. For this reason, I don't recommend tubal reversal in my patients over the age of 36 years old. All it does is give you the chance to get pregnant at your natural rates. It does nothing to increase your chances. On the other hand, IVF would have increased your chances significantly. Sorry for the bad news.
In terms of your question regarding "swelling", there is no swelling of the tube after tubal reversal, but there is an increased inflammatory reaction from the surgery in general that will impede pregnancy for 6 weeks. By now, you should be totally healed, and if the surgery was successful, the tubes should be fully open.
Good Luck,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf
