Tubal Reversal Surgery Risks

Tubal reversal surgery option and alternative risk and benefits

Tubal ligation reversal surgery is an abdominal surgery that uses a microscope to reconnect the Fallopian tubes. Like with any surgery, there are risks associated with the surgical procedure. Your doctor will review these risks with you as part of the new patient consultation and again as part of the pre-operative visit. Our center performs the surgery on an outpatient basis.



The risks of the procedure are typically divided into the immediate surgical risks and longer term post operative risks. The procedure is relatively safe and the risks will be explained to you in detail. You will need to evaluate the risks and decide if a tubal reversal surgery is right for you. In vitro fertilization is an option that is associated with fewer risks compared to a tubal reversal.

Abdominal Incision

Because the surgery requires an abdominal incision, there is a risk of injury to the bladder or intestines. The risk of bleeding is typically minimal. Not being able to reconnect the Fallopian tubes do to the tubes being too short of having too much scar tissue would also be a risk. Having an experienced surgeon is important to reduce your risk of surgery complications and increase your chances of success.

Immediate Recovery Period

Immediately following surgery there is a risk of nausea that can usually be controlled by medications. Post operative pain is managed by pain medications. There is a risk of wound infections that is typically more common in overweight women. Blood clots and lung infections are very uncommon and can be reduced by staying active during the recovery window. Most patients resume normal activity by the post op visit 2 weeks later.

Long Term Risks

Most patients are resuming normal activity within 2 weeks. Delayed recovery will sometimes occur. Menstrual cycles may be irregular for 1 to 2 months after surgery. Ectopic pregnancies are higher after a tubal ligation reversal surgery (see below). The Fallopian tubes may scar closed after the surgery and pregnancy may not occur. Age will limit the chances of success after a reversal surgery. Patients no longer have a form of contraception after a tubal reversal.

Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy or “tubal pregnancy” is a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus. Because the Fallopian tube has gone through a tubal ligation surgery where the tubes were cut, burned, tied, clamped, or banded and then put through a reversal surgery, there is some damage that occurs to the inside lining of the tube. This damage can affect the transport of the embryo from the Fallopian tube to the uterus and increase the risk a pregnancy occurs in the tube instead of the uterus. Patients are advised to track their menstrual cycles carefully. Knowing when a pregnancy likely occurred will help doctors evaluate the pregnancy to determine the potential for an ectopic pregnancy. If an ectopic pregnancy is identified early enough, medications can be used to treat the ectopic pregnancy and avoid emergency surgery.

Patients are advised to notify their doctor of their tubal reversal surgery whenever they are pregnant.

Experience and Affordability

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California IVF Fertility Center is a full service fertility center with our own operating room and team of experts that can help you decide if a tubal ligation reversal surgery is right for you. We offer an affordable package price for our surgery and our surgeon has over 25 years of experience. We also offer IVF and our doctor will review all of your available options so you can be confident in your choice of treatments. Please let us know if you have any questions.

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