Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Choosing a tubal reversal surgeon

The most frequently asked question I receive involves choosing a tubal reversal surgeon. We know what a leap of faith it takes for a woman to travel across the country for surgery, so it is important to be well-informed as you make your decision.

Dr. Berger is the only physician in the country with a practice that is specifically limited to tubal reversal surgery. That is the only procedure we perform here with Dr. Berger performing four reversals each day, five days a week. We have a high staff/patient ratio with one or two nurses devoted specifically to your care while you are here. All of our nurses have advanced certification in cardiac life support (ACLS) and our anesthesiologists are MD's with board certification in anesthesia. The anesthesiologists are employees here and not anesthesia staff from another hospital or anesthesia service. So everyone here has expertise in caring for and performing reversal surgery. While you are here, you will only be with other women and couples who are here specifically for the same purpose.

We keep very detailed data and statistics on each of our patients (age, tube length, medical history, tube of tubal ligation, pregnancy history, etc.). This is obtained by daily contact with our patients to ensure we have accurate information regarding their surgery and their outcome. To the best of my knowledge, Dr. Berger is the only doctor with published data regarding outcomes following reversal surgery. On the Internet, claims about tubal reversal pregnancy rates are often made without supporting information or documentation - such as a description of the patient population, study method, and follow-up interval. Most Internet sites about tubal reversal do not provide any factual data at all. Any doctor may say that his patients have a particular success rate, but supporting the claim with actual data involves considerable effort. Performing a follow-up study such as this one requires keeping an accurate record of patients and their findings, as well as maintaining ongoing patient contact to determine the outcomes of treatment. That is the only way a doctor can actually know what the pregnancy and outcome statistics are for his patients. Without this detailed type of information, the accuracy of any claim of success rates should be questioned.

At Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, nurses enter information into an electronic patient database at the patient's registration, the surgical procedure, and from regular post-operative communications with our staff. If we have not heard from patients after their recovery from surgery, our nurses contact them at 6 and 12-month intervals. We know of no other doctor, hospital, or clinic that maintains such ongoing patient follow-up records after tubal reversal surgeries. I believe Dr. Berger's commitment to providing accurate, up-to-date data is reflected in the fact that he requires this time-consuming but important procedure to be followed so that valid information can be obtained. Each year we publish the results of our follow-up study, reflecting surgical and pregnancy outcomes. This is the most comprehensive study done to date of tubal reversal surgery and its resulting outcomes, showing that for the majority of women who have undergone a tubal ligation procedure and decide later they would like to have more children, tubal reversal surgery is a better option than in vitro fertilization (IVF).

I hope this information is helpful. If I can answer other questions or assist you in any way, please let me know. Dr. Berger is able to repair the tubes in 98% of cases, including those where the tubes have been cut and burned.

Sincerely,

Julia Smith, RN, ALNC
Nurse Administrator
Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center
T: 919-656-8204 F: 870-934-9211

Friday, October 5, 2007

Tubal Reversal Procedure Scheduling

Scheduled For Tubal Reversal Procedure In Three Weeks

Having chosen Dr. Gary Berger as her tubal reversal doctor, a member of the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center Message Board seeks support from other members and shares her feelings of nervousness. Patients and staff provide input on what to expect before and after a tubal reversal procedure and share their own stories of success following surgery with Dr. Berger.


Posted by Steffp (Member # 11579) October 04, 2007 11:14 AM:

I committed to the TR Procedure two days ago and it is happening in 3 weeks.. I am a nervous reck!! I am 29 and getting married on Oct 20th. This is the honeymoon. I hope thinks go good but I guess I can use someone who understands. Can anyone help?


Posted by wweigand (Member # 11323) October 04, 2007 11:27 AM:

Steff, everything will be fine! You will be sore for your honeymoon tho. But hopefully well worth it. Good luck and long, healthy tubes!!! Dont be nervous. I was also a nervous wreck but the staff at CH are WONDERFUL!! They really make you feel welcome. So much so, that I told my husband, I want to move to NC. I said if everyone is as nice as the staff at CH, I would love to move down there. Wendy [Smile]


Posted by Tanya from VA (Member # 9507) October 04, 2007 11:36 AM:

Welcome to CH and hopefully the best life-changing experience you will have. This is a great place for support and you will find everyone here really understands. [Smile]

Try to relax - the surgury isn't very hard as far as recovery. Like Wendy said - your going to be sore for several days but it's very managable and you will feel better everyday. The CH staff is just awesome and they will answer your questions and assist in anyway they can.

The journey ttc can be filled with ups and downs. Try to pick up a copy of Taking Charge of Your Fertility and do some reading. Most ladies here have never had any issues ttc but after surgury many find ourselves stuggling for longer than we expected. This book is just PACKED with useful information - even if you get a BFP the next month you won't be sorry you picked it up.

Good luck to you! Crossing my fingers for long healthy tubes and a quick BFP for you!! [Smile]

Tanya
TR 9-7-06
edd 5-21-08


Posted by Steffp (Member # 11579) October 04, 2007 11:48 AM:

I just regret my past decision so much that I hope this is a success. I just don't want the surgery to be in vain.. They said everything looks positive. Can I really believe them and start hoping this will actually happen?


Posted by Lori RN (Member # 10610) October 04, 2007 11:57 AM:

Steffp,

We are glad you made the decision to come see Dr. Berger. Here is a website link on What to expect the Day of Surgery. I look forward to meeting you.

Lori RN

[CHTRC]


Posted by Luckypj's (Member # 9974) October 04, 2007 12:07 PM:

Steff,

You are in great hands with Dr. Berger and his staff! You are still young so don't worry and enjoy your new marriage (Congratulations by the way!) and your TTC'ing!

Welcome to the message board. There is so much support and friendship here. I don't know what I would do without it!


Posted by Tanya from VA (Member # 9507) October 04, 2007 12:09 PM:

Steff - I remember feeling the same way but this is going to happen! It feels surreal right now but once you get there and meet the nurses, staff and have your consult with Dr.Berger it won't feel like a dream. With all luck - your life will start a new path that day. You will leave the consult feeling anxious but be assured your in good hands. The nurses in the surgical unit are just AWESOME!! [Smile]

You may not get a quick pregnancy - it may take a few or many months - there may be bumps along the way and life offers no guarentees but be assured he has changed many lives - including mine. [Smile] I'm sure more ladies will jump in and tell you their stories.

Best of luck to you!


Posted by Steffp (Member # 11579) October 04, 2007 12:17 PM:

Thank you so much!! I really hope that we will be celebrating a bfp in the upcoming months. I want to be cautiously optimistic.. But it is hard.. I really want a baby


Posted by Eric'sGirl (Member # 10652) October 04, 2007 01:32 PM:

I got married oct 21st of last year... will be by Dr. B on the 18th... anniversary trip! for my TR procedure. You are in the best hands possible! Best of luck to you!

What day is your surgery? there is a bunch of us on "The Waiting Room" thread (currently on Part 25) - come join us... I will add you to the list of us waiting!

Chrissy


Posted by Steffp (Member # 11579) October 04, 2007 01:41 PM:

Thank you so very much..Good luck to you all


Posted by Jan, RN (Member # 10035) October 04, 2007 02:56 PM:

You are understandably excited and anxious about the upcoming procedure. Anxiety is often due to not knowing- the unknown. Reading on the website, especially what to expect, as Lori suggested might help relieve some anxiety. Please feel free to call with questions. Help us know how we can be helpful to you.
[CHTRC]