Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center Patient Reviews

Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center patients often post testimonials and satisfaction messages on the Tubal Reversal website, here are some of the most recent ones:

Reversing Tubes: Better Than IVF – Testimonial #1433   December 17th, 2012
“Best choice and a lifetime of thankfulness for Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center and giving us this chance to truly be happy and complete” Crystal S., Cleveland, Ohio
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Our First Berger Baby – Testimonial #1432   December 17th, 2012
“We are extremely excited to announce the birth of our first Berger baby! Welcome Declan Douglas! Only 14 1/2 months after having TR!” Amy and Doug L., Springfield, Illinois.
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Reversing A Burned Tubal Ligation – Testimonial #1431   December 16th, 2012
“Thank you so much Dr. Monteith and staff. Our dreams came true with the birth of our daughter Ella. We will never forget the journey and experiences at CHTRC.” Spencer and Nicole S., Claremore, Oklahoma.
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3 Babies After Tubes Untied – Testimonial #1430   December 16th, 2012
“I want to thank Dr. Berger again. I have had three babies since my TR and I’m so grateful to you and your staff at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center for making my journey to get my tubes untied a joyful time in my life.” Lacrecia A., Tolleson, Arizona.
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More Proof Burned Tubes Can Be Reversed – Review #1391   December 19th, 2012
“I did an HPT this morning and it is positive, this is our first month actively TTC.” Geri K., Broomfield, Colorado.
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A Miracle at 40 – Review #1390   December 19th, 2012
“I am 40 years old (will be 41 in a few weeks). To us, this is a miracle from God and an answer to prayers. Thank you Dr. Berger” Rebecca M., Cookeville, Tennessee.
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Pregnant With One Fallopian Tube – Review #1389   December 18th, 2012
“I’m So Very Happy and Blessed to be looking at a POSITIVE pregnancy test. Words can not possible begin to express the Appreciation and Thanks that I have for Dr. Berger and the Wonderful staff that he has at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.” LaQuenda W., Tyler, Texas.
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Happy To Be Pregnant After Tubal Reversal – Review #1388   December 18th, 2012
“I am so happy. After two years of waiting I’m finally pregnant.” Maritza N., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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+Dr. Gary S. Berger 

Living Proof Children After Tubal Reversal Possible

“I’m living proof having children after a tubal reversal is possible… we have 4 reversal children ages 8, 3, 2, and 2 months! Dr. Berger is the best!” Diana M., Fort Polk, Louisiana

In 2005 Diana wrote a book called "Tubal Reversal - Our Journeys" this was not long after the birth of her first TR baby. Now another 7 years later her journey continues with the arrival of her 4th Tubal Reversal Baby.

Restoring the ability to conceive naturally is the main benefit of Tubal Reversal when compared to the alternative treatment IVF TR patients continue to have the chance of becoming pregnant over time.

Reversing Essure Or IVF: Which Is Better?

Which treatment is better: reversing an Essure or IVF? The preliminary data provided by Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center suggest in-vitro may offer the higher pregnancy success rate when compared to Essure reversal. The reversal specialists offer readers clarification about what IVF success really means and also provide reasons why women may still choose Essure reversal over IVF.

Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center have published a review comparing of the pregnancy success of Essure Reversal with the pregnancy success of in-vitro fertilization.

We offer a clear understanding of what the average chance of IVF success really means for an individual woman and also discuss reasons why many of our patients will still choose Essure reversal over IVF.

Essure Reversal Or In-Vitro Fertilization?

Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Patient Testimonial #1267

"We couldn't be more happy with our tiny precious Essure Reversal  Baby! Thank you for the gift you gave us Dr Berger!!"
Kristin M., Alexandria, Virginia

How to conceive after tubal ligation?

Deciding to have children is a big step just as the decision not to have them also is.  Most times women will take precautions to prevent further pregnancies- including tubal ligation, which is when the fallopian tube is cut to prevent an egg from becoming fertilized. This is generally the most popular method and is considered to be a permanent form of female sterilization.

So, what happens when a woman changes her mind and decides she wants another child?  The first question they want to know is how to conceive after tubal ligation?

Even though this is meant to be a permanent procedure it doesn't mean that the future is set in stone. In fact, a woman can opt to have it reversed. It is a procedure called tubal ligation reversal and it has proven to have a high success rate. The doctor usually performs them in the office in less than an hour.  

Many women choose to have this procedure when they have changed their mind about more children, or if it has been changed for them. Sometimes this decision is their own doing and sometimes it is strictly based on life circumstances. Divorce, death and remarriage of a spouse or something as simple as just changing their mind can all lead to making this monumental choice.


If you decide to go this route there are a few things that you should know about the procedure.  First of all, it is usually not covered by insurance which makes you responsible for the entire bill. Some insurance companies may cover a portion or the doctor’s office may have a payment plan of some kind. The good news is that without complications the recovery time is quick and as the months progress your chances of becoming pregnant should continue to improve.

There is another option, but it does not reverse the ligation. It is called an IVF, or in vitro fertilization. Here, a fertilized egg is placed in the woman's uterus. But it is not the preferred choice for the following reasons.  The procedure is quite expensive and must be done for each cycle where a woman wants to try to get pregnant.  If it doesn't take, which is common, then she must start over. That means more money each time she tries.  

Source: www.tubal-reversal.net

June 21st 2010 (ezinearticles) How to Conceive After Tubal Ligation - What a Woman Must Know

Chances of Getting Pregnant After Tubal Ligation Reversal

When a woman wants to have a baby, she can have the most emotional and gut wrenching feelings in her heart day after day. However, when a woman has had her tubes tied and then realizes that she made a big mistake, the overwhelming sense of guilt and anguish can be too much to bear. She may have changed her mind due to a life change such as the loss of another child or even a new marriage. No matter what the reason, her primary goal becomes how to improve her chances of getting pregnant after having a tubal ligation.

She might go to her gynecologist who would possibly give her incorrect information that the only way she could get pregnant is by having an in vitro fertilization. Anyone who has ever checked into IVF knows that it's extremely expensive and it does not have an overly high success rate. In fact, women who have experienced infertility and have done IVF treatments will often tell you that they spent their life savings doing these treatments month after month. Some women are successful and end up having children. However, there are many others who spent tens of thousands of dollars only to end up with no baby.

It should be good news for women who have had a tubal ligation to know that there is a procedure called a tubal ligation reversal. This procedure is similar to a man's vasectomy reversal as the tubes are reattached so that in an egg can move down the fallopian tubes. Although they are not always successful, nothing is. However, once a woman has a tubal ligation reversal procedure, she has the ability to get pregnant each month which is unlike IVF. With IVF, a woman would only have the chance to get pregnant at the time she has the procedure. Once that month has passed, unless she wants to pay more money, her chances of getting pregnant are eliminated.

During a recent 8 year study conducted by the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, it was found that the pregnancy rate after having tubal reversal was much higher than that of IVF in every age group. Because a woman can get pregnant month after month once having had a reversal, the chances of getting pregnant continue to increase over time. Therefore, the chances of getting pregnant with a tubal ligation reversal surgery are much higher and more stable than those of IVF. If a woman wants to continue trying to have a child, it would be best for her to invest her money in having a tubal reversal surgery rather than repeated IVF unless there is some other medical reason why her doctor thinks she should do so.

Tubal Reversal Surgeons Reverse Adiana Sterilization

Doctors at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center become the first to reverse tubal sterilization by the Adiana technique

October 9th, 2009 (Chapel Hill, NC) – Julia Smith, RN, Nurse Administrator at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, today announced the first successful tubal reversal procedure to repair the fallopian tubes in women who have undergone the Adiana method of tubal sterilization. This is the first pregnancy after Adiana reversal for the newly approved sterilization system.

Adiana sterilization was approved for use in the US by the FDA in July 2009. The procedure can be performed in a physician’s office and involves using radio frequency energy to remove cells in the lining of a small area of the fallopian tubes nearest the uterus. The device itself is then implanted in this prepared area. The Adiana system is similar to the Essure sterilization method in being a non-surgical female sterilization method which promotes scarring to create a tubal blockage.

Dr. Gary S. Berger and Dr. Charles Monteith performed the reversal during a one hour and ten minute tubal surgery procedure. The healthy fallopian tubes were separated from the blockage and tubal implantation was performed through a newly created opening in the back of the uterus. Since the Adiana and Essure sterilization methods involve a small segment of the narrowest part of the fallopian tube, long tubal segments remain after the reversal procedure which is a major factor in tubal reversal success rates. The pregnancy success rates can be found in the latest tubal reversal study available at http://press.tubal-reversal.net/2009/pregnancy-rates-by-age-and-tubal-ligation-method.html

Dr. Berger and Dr. Monteith performed the tubal reversal procedure on a 35-year old woman who underwent sterilization by the Adiana technique as part of an experimental trial to test the new sterilization procedure six years ago. Although she underwent tubal sterilization intending for the procedure to be permanent, the patient’s decision to reverse the procedure was promoted by the unexpected and sudden loss of a child.

Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is the only facility in the United States that specializes in the practice of tubal reversal surgery and repair of blocked fallopian tubes. Patients travel from across the US and from abroad for surgery at the specialty facility with its highly trained and experienced surgeons and staff. Additional information regarding tubal reversal surgery, Adiana reversal and Essure reversal is available at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, including profiles for Dr. Berger and Dr. Monteith, can be found on the website at www.tubal-reversal.net.

Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Study Report 2009

Study Shows Tubal Reversal Surgery is the Best Treatment to Have More Children After a Tubal Ligation

Dr. Gary S. Berger today reported the results of the largest study ever performed of tubal reversal surgery, involving over 5000 women. The prospective study concludes that tubal ligation reversal is more successful than IVF for couples wanting more children after a tubal ligation.

“A simple one-hour outpatient tubal reversal procedure is more successful and costs less than half than the widely used and more complex IVF treatment,” said Dr. Berger, Medical Director of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.

“With increasing divorce and remarriage rates, many couples want to start second families, even after women’s tubes have been tied. Most people, including infertility specialists, think of tubal ligation as a permanent method of birth control,” continued Dr. Berger. Tubal ligation reversal repairs the fallopian tubes to allow pregnancies to occur naturally again.

The Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Report 2009 compared pregnancy statistics from Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center with the latest IVF statistics in the US. Pregnancy and birth rates were higher after tubal reversal than after IVF for every age group.

The study involved 5,046 women who had tubal reversal surgery performed by Dr. Berger between July 2000 and June 2008. This is the largest and most detailed long-term study ever performed regarding tubal reversal surgery results.

At the conclusion of the study interval, 66 percent of the tubal reversal patients had reported pregnancies. The pregnancy rate ranged from 80 percent for women under 30 to 31 percent for women 40 and older. The highest pregnancy rate (90 percent) was among women under age 30 following reversal of a clip method of sterilization.

Dr. Berger, one of the pioneers of tubal reversal surgery, is a reproductive surgeon who specializes in and limits his practice to outpatient tubal ligation reversal. Eliminating the need for hospitalization was one of the main factors in the lower cost of the surgical procedure.

Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Study Report 2009

Tubal Reversal Informed Decision And Recovery

Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center (http://www.tubal-reversal.net) -- Dr. Berger discusses the issue of informed decision about tubal ligation reversal with his patient during her recovery just after her tubal reversal surgery. As a nurse herself, she points out how helpful it is to have a full understanding of the tubal reversal process to make an informed decision about it and why she chose tubal reversal vs IVF

Transcript of Video Interview With Dr. Berger

Dr. Berger: And briefly because of their ages they were told no you can’t and that was really not their place. That is not a decision that a doctor makes for somebody else. I mean that is a personal decision based on the concept of informed consent. Then I suggested we talk a little bit about it because to me that is a really important issue. And informed consent is not just the signing of a piece of paper where someone just sticks a piece of paper in front of you. It is a process of when someone calls or starts to seek information. We try to provide very comprehensive information about everything that we can think of that is related to tubal ligation reversal. All of the pros and cons, how it’s done, what are the various options. I mean in the terms of surgery the various types of surgical procedures, alternative treatments which involves in vitro fertilization or some variation of that.

Tubal Reversal Patient: Your website is excellent as far as finding out. I mean, I am a researcher. I will read something to death before I make a decision. And you do offer a lot of information on your website. And everyone was so knowledgeable too. I mean, I did have questions pop up and it was very easy to have questions answered. Even at home if I did think of something it was easy enough to find it on the website or to find someone that could answer it. And that is being accessible too and that is a really good thing.

Dr. Berger: That’s right it is pretty important and we have nurses generally we have two nurses. Well, during working hours we have a lot of nurses who work here. But, outside of work hours we have two nurses carrying cell phones and myself. And I try to be readily available by email. I check email everyday even multiple times throughout the day. But it’s interesting to me too like you are here this is now and we are sitting in the second stage recovery room. And I think I finished your operation around 11:00am.

Nurse: 11:07am

Dr. Berger: And it is now 12; 35pm, so this is within an hour and a half of surgery. I think one of the things that is important to me that I really try to ensure for patients is that not only is the surgery safe but I do everything I possibly can to make sure it is comfortable.

Tubal Reversal Patient: Nods head and answers yes.

Dr. Berger: Because one of the worst things about surgery is that it can be real painful and that’s one of the disadvantages of a surgical procedure and the recovery time it takes. I find it interesting and the reason I asked if you’d be will to talk about it because as a neonatal intensive care nurse you see things from both the patients perspective and as a nursing professional.

Tubal Reversal Patient: Some of the wonderful things you have are the pictures you have and the books in the waiting room and there are people who are wondering are really real and yes they are they are right in the books and that is a wonderful thing. And it really boosts you up a bit.

Dr. Berger: And that is the joy of the whole thing. And obviously, I want know I mean there are various reasons for it. And when it comes back to the issue of informed consent frankly I don’t see how anyone could undergo tubal reversal surgery unless they have a realistic idea of that the success is going to be. That is in the potential benefits and the potential risks. Well if we do not follow up on all the patients that have surgery and find out what the outcomes are how can provide that information? And I don’t know how to say it the sad thing or kind of disgraceful thing is that no one else does this. It does take a lot of effort admittedly. You have to be committed to maintaining that contact which is different then most surgical procedures where once the patient is recovered from surgery and they are no longer a patient. But, to me it’s the only sensible thing to do. It’s exciting to know what is happening. Intellectually, it is gratifying. And it adds useful information to the medical field but it’s absolutely essential for the patients when they are trying to decide what to do. If they don’t have that how could they really decide between IVF or tubal reversal or to go to this place or have a tubal reversal someplace else? These things seem just common sense.

Tubal Reversal Patient: And they are able to decide what to do. When I went to work and told them what I was going to do and they asked if it was going to work and I was able to give them that information because it was right there on the website and plus in speaking with you. I know everyone’s situation is different and every patient that comes through your door has a little bit of a different scenario why they chosen this and what’s going on in their lives and you are right in what you said informed consent is a very personal thing. But the question is will it work for me? And what are the benefits and what are the risks involved to me is I do this? Not just physically but emotionally and it is a big undertaking for anybody. And I really do feel like I was very prepared by you the staff and your website.

Dr. Berger: (To partner) And how about you? How do you feel about it?

Tubal Reversal Patients Partner: The full disclosure of knowing both sides of it it is not a used car sales pitch. It’s here what we offer and here’s the good, here’s the bad and you make the decision on your own. There’s no sugarcoating of anything to get business. You definitely give out the impression of you want people to come in knowing what they are getting into and that they are completely aware of every aspect and every side of it.

IVF or Tubal Reversal?

Pregnancy After Tubal Ligation: IVF or Tubal Reversal?

A Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal patient, Cyndi, describes to Dr. Monteith how she was trapped in an abusive marriage and had a tubal ligation. After divorcing and meeting her current partner, Steven, she wanted to have another child with him. She then describes being talked out of tubal ligation reversal and into IVF by an infertility specialist, only to discover that IVF is illegal for unmarried couples in the state of Arkansas.

The following replies are from those posted at IVF or Tubal Reversal in forum After Tubal Reversal at Tubal Reversal Message Board:

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Posted by cindy0714 (Member # 13204) on January 06, 2009 08:13 PM:

This story is so familiar. My husband and I were also told our chances would be better through IVF than tubal reversal. IVF failed and broke our hearts. Now here we are 4 years later at CHTRC. I will be having my TR in March. Good Luck to you Cyndi.

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Posted by magdvn (Member # 12680) on January 06, 2009 11:30 PM:

I was told by a fertility specialist that IVF was a better option for us since I was almost 40 and would most likely only want one more child. My husband and I were led to believe that since I had had no problem getting pregnant in the past and he had no abnormal tests that we were almost assured to get pregnant. After $15,000 and no pregnancy (and no frozen embryos to try again) we were very disappointed.

We decide to have TR done because at least then we could try every month instead of a one time deal. I wish we would have done the TR much earlier and instead of IVF.

Merill

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Posted by pam mills (Member # 617) on January 07, 2009 05:32 AM:

Thank you ladies for your input. As your stories confirm, this issue is more common than we like to think. Many people are not even aware that tubal reversal is an alternative to IVF. I am so happy that you have found your way to Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center and I look forward to meeting you when you arrive in Chapel Hill.

Pam Mills, CRNA

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Posted by Martha, LPN (Member # 12781) on January 07, 2009 09:03 AM:

Thank you for this blog Dr. Monteith. We get frequent calls where we explain to women that with tubal reversal surgery, once the tubes are repaired, the chance of pregnancy can occur each month naturally. With IVF, medications must be administered by injection and a minor surgical procedure is performed each time pregnancy is attempted. Compared with current national IVF statistics, tubal reversal surgery at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center has a higher pregnancy rate and it is more affordable than IVF.
Martha
Martha

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Posted by BirthdayBaker Judy (Member # 10176) on January 07, 2009 05:13 PM:

Just wanted to add a bit of my story for those over 40. I was 41 when I had my TR and 42 with my perfectly normal PG and delivery.
Judy
TR 10/16/2006
PG --1st try BFP 2/22/07
Delivery 11/2/07 baby boy 10# 7oz and 22.5 inches.
Vaginal delivery -- no pain meds.

Baby Joey is approx. 27# and 33" today at 14 months old. He's walking, reading words, knows colors, and numbers but isn't forming and using words just yet. He was tongue tied at birth and it took us 6 months to find a DR that would fix the issue. (This is a common family birth defect for me.)
I wish you all our same success.

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Posted by mommeeof3 (Member # 11929) on January 07, 2009 06:33 PM:

I think tr and ivf are both wonderful. I did tr first to end up with ectopic and after months of ttc that's all I got. To me with ivf you have 2 be a good candidate 4 it. I did it once transferred 2 eggs and I am currently 15weeks pregnant with twins.I don't regret either decision that I made cause the tr was about being whole again and that's how I feel WHOLE! We try and we get errors. I wish you all happiness with your decisions.

More information about IVF vs Tubal Reversal

National Infertility Week - What About Infertility Because of a Tubal Ligation?

During National Infertility Week, starting today October 20th, a lot of attention in the media will be given to the treatment of In Vitro Fertilitzation (IVF). This is a technologically advanced treatment for most causes of infertility. But what about those couples who want to have a baby but can't because of a previous tubal ligation? There are hundreds of thousands of infertile couples in this group in the US. Is IVF the best treatment for them? Let's compare the two treatments to see which might be the best one for women whose tubes have been tied.

Tubal reversal is a method of rejoining the fallopian tubes where they were cut. The preparation is minimal for the surgery and includes reviewing your tubal ligation operative records. The operation takes about an hour and is done as outpatient surgery at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. This cuts the cost in half or less than if done as an in-hospital operation.

Now let's look at IVF in comparison. There are hormonal shots that you have to get in order to stimulate your body's egg production and also to keep it from going into ovulation prematurely. These can take from one to two weeks or longer and are just the preparation part.

Next will be the removal of your eggs. Of course, the doctor will need to be sure of the right time to do so and will do this by monitoring with hormonal blood tests and ultrasound exams to be sure to catch the eggs at the right time. Your system has been stimulated to produce many more eggs than normal. You will get another shot before ovulation is due. Then, when all is ready, the doctor will use a needle to remove the egg.

Now, comes the part you have been taking all those shots for. You will have the fertilized eggs implanted into your body. This will happen after some time in the lab where the fertilization and the beginning development of the embryo takes place. You will most likely get several fertilized eggs, which actually have begun developing into embryos, placed back into your uterus. You will get more injections at this point as well.

This is when you hold your breath hoping everything will go OK. Of course,this will depend upon things like how skilled your doctor is and how careful he was in implanting the embryos among other things. If it doesn't work, you may have had some extra embryos frozen.

Before you make a decision to have IVF done, you should probably take a look at the success rates. Most commonly the success rates of any one cycle are given as 20 - 30% that you will be successful. You have a higher likelihood of success with more eggs implanted but don't want to go overboard as that could lead to some problems as well. You will find that three embryos is about the most any doctor will implant. Still, one in every three pregnancies that occur after IVF is a multiple pregnancy. Babies conceived as a result of IVF are more likely to be born prematurely and have health problems later in life.

Getting back to the option of tubal reversal, the success rates will vary depending upon your chosen surgeon. This makes choosing the best tubal reversal doctor and center a matter of utmost importance. At the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center - the only facility where they publish their specific pregnancy rates after a tubal reversal, you will see that it is an overall 70%. Your potential success rate will depend upon several things including your age, tube lengths left for repairing, and type of ligation procedure used. The good news is that once the surgery is done, you get to try over and over again to "make a baby" every month without having to pay any more money.

And that's the last thing to cover. One session, or cycle, of IVF will cost on average $10,000 to $12,000 with most patients being told to expect to undergo at least three cycles. That's $30,000 or more for most couples who start treatment by IVF. The average cost of a tubal reversal varies widely, but at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center it ranges between $5400 and $6900 depending upon which option you choose. So with a higher success rate, lower cost, and the opportunity to become pregnant month after month, what do you think tubal reversal now? It may not be as well known or advertised as IVF, but during National Infertility Week, it should certainly be recognized as the best treatment for women wanting to become pregnant again but who are infertile because they had their tubes tied in the past.