Charles W. Monteith, M.D.

Dr. Charles W. Monteith -  Tubal Reversal Surgeon talks about PTLS:

"We exclusively specialize in tubal surgery and tubal ligation reversal surgery.We perform over 800 tubal repair surgeries a year and, as a result of our exclusive specialization in tubal surgery, we evaluate many patients who have experienced abnormal symptoms after their tubal ligation procedures.

Approximately 10% of our patients come to us for surgery with complaints of tubal ligation side-effects."

In this blog post Dr. Monteith says "Many of our patients have reported dramatic improvement after surgery." He points readers to Personal messages submitted by patients about PTLS and says "These messages and stories have been shared by our patients for the benefit of others who may be going through similar experiences."

Read More from Dr. Monteith's Blog:
Tubal Ligation Symptoms: Not All In Your Head!

Paying For Tubal Reversal Surgery

Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center offers low cost tubal reversal surgery. There is a way to receive the reduced fee of $5900 by paying payment in-full within 24 hours of scheduling surgery.

If scheduling is not possible due to financial constraints, there is also the option of opening up a prepayment account that allows patients to make long-term payment arrangements. This account can be opened with a $250 cashier’s check or money order. Once the $5900 payment is made in full surgery can be scheduled.

For more information see Tubal Reversal Cost

Contact one of the Tubal Reversal Nurses at  (919) 968-4656  for further details.

Today...my life will change

Today I am having a Tubal Ligation Reversal

Ok, ladies....just wanted to update before I jump out of bed and start my pre surgery stuff!! Met with about 4 or so different people yesterday and to be completely honest....this practice is absolutely amazing. I feel so excited and I feel like I'm in very good hands. Dr. Berger is a soft spoken kind of man (which helped calm me down yesterday) but also just went out of his way to listen to me and he already offered to contact my OB in Jacksonville and bring him up to date after my surgery, and to tell him about the early pregnancy protocol that I should do when I get a positive test. (i.e. betas drawn every 2 days, and u/s when they hit 1500-2000!) just made me so happy to know he would do this to Save me time when I get home and hopefully avoid some confrontations if my OB doesn't know how to handle a TR patient!

Anyways, he also gave me great info on ptls and showed me a study he is working on about that...I know I'm rambling but I just feel so happy that I like this place!! Lol

Anyways, I'll be on the other side before lunch, Lord willing!!!! Thank you ladies for all your support! It's been a looooong 3years!!! Glad to close this chapter of my life and hopefully move on!!!

After Reversal

Thx ladies! I'm exhausted! But in absolutely NO pain! And no bloating as of yet either! I have had the best experience here at chapel hill! I ended up with 5.5 centimeters on my right and 5 on my left! He said that is plenty of tube left to conceive. He also said that the OB who tied my tubes did a great job and a very clean and precise job! No damage to my tubes... just a cut and a suture. He didn't have to take much to reconnect them!

I can believe I'm on the other side now! Dr. Berger left my room saying, I'm just going to wait for your call to tell me you are pregnant!

Ladies, I'm extremely tired but I couldn't be more humbled and grateful to my Lord for giving me this opportunity and as well for using Dr. Berger to correct my mistake!!

Source: http://community.babycenter.com/post/a37502791/today...my_life_will_change

More information on Dr. Berger and Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center

Essure reversal baby Sydney Elisabeth

Dr. Charles Monteith and Dr. Gary Berger of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center the authors of "Successful pregnancies after removal of intratubal microinserts" published in the February 2012 edition of Obstetrics and Gynecology pages 470-472. Their patients who experienced successful reversal of intratubal microinsert (Essure) sertilization have become pregnant and are now reporting the arrival of their babies.

This photo posted by Kristin M. from Alexandria, Virginia is of essure reversal baby Sydney Elisabeth

"We couldn’t be more happy with our tiny precious Essure Reversal miracle baby! Thank you doesn’t seem enough for the gift you gave us Dr Berger!" Read More >>

Tubal surgery for blocked fallopian tubes

With the invention of in vitro fertilization many years ago, some doctors are no longer performing tubal surgery on a regular basis. In fact, doctors are being trained and taught to do IVF but not getting information on how to do to tubal surgery. For women who have blocked fallopian tubes, this type of surgery can often be the only way that they can get pregnant. Because IVF is an expensive procedure that has a lower success rate than tubal surgery, women have a limit as to how many times they can attempt pregnancy with it.

However, tubal surgery provides a permanent fix for the problem of blocked fallopian tubes. This means that women can pay to have the surgery one time and continue to try to get pregnant each and every month. The cost of tubal surgery is considerably less than IVF also on average. Unless there are problems with scarring or adhesions after tubal surgery, women should continue to have open tubes and the ability to get pregnant.

This, of course, assumes that the woman and her doctor find the cause of her blockage and treat it so it will cause no further blockage. Since most often it is caused by a disease, and a sexually transmitted disease at that, taking care of the cause is usually done with a full antibiotic treatment.

Then, too, a woman needs to find a doctor who is experienced and knows what he is doing with regards to the surgical alternative. As training in this field is not a top priority these days, it is important to be selective in your choice.

If both of the fallopian tubes are blocked, the only way that a woman will get pregnant is either with IVF or tubal surgery. Finding a good doctor who understands and does tubal surgery on a regular basis is important because they can assess your particular situation to see if you would be a good candidate for the surgery.

For women who have blocked fallopian tubes, tubal surgery is a great option due to its relatively inexpensive price and its long-term potential to allow the woman to get pregnant. Blocked fallopian tubes do not always get symptoms, so if a woman is experiencing infertility for no known reason then she should see her doctor to have the situation assessed. The cause needs to be determined so that it can be treated appropriately and so there are no further episodes.

Tubal Ligation Side Effects

Are you suffering from tubal ligation side effects? Of course, first off you would have to have had your tubes tied for this to be the cause of what is happening to you. As we can assume you wouldn't be questioning these things being side effects of tubal ligation if you hadn't had your tubes tied, then we can proceed with the knowledge that you did indeed have a tubal.

So what are these side effects you may be suffering from? While many women complain of much heavier bleeding, severe cramping, fatigue, loss of libido and hot flashes, these are not the only symptoms you may suffer. So just because yours doesn't fall in that list doesn't mean it's not one of the side effects of tubal ligation.

If you have gone to your doctor complaining and questioning your symptoms and that they may be related to having your tubes tied, you might have been met with skepticism. You might be told that your body is just getting older or these problems are a result of the stress in your busy life. Many women have been told flat out that there are no side effects to tubal ligation and that they need to seek counseling or take medications for depression.

However, there are the doctors who believe that the side effects of tubal ligation are really nothing more than what happens because a woman has gone off the birth control pill. Maybe that's the case for some of the women. The pill has been regulating their hormones, they get their tubes tied, and go off birth control pills only to no longer have it regulating their hormones which causes some changes to their bodies.

The problem with that assumption is the many, many women who suffer from tubal ligation side effects and had a tubal at or right after the birth of their last child. On the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center message board, you can find case after case of this. This means going off birth control pills is not the cause of their tubal ligation syndrome.

Birth control pills can be the answer to these symptoms for some women. One woman's doctor finally prescribed the pill for her and told her that most women end up on birth control after their tubal in order to regulate their hormones. But that's not the only alternative.

The other alternative is having a hysterectomy. One source says that women who have had a tubal are over 3 times as likely to end up with a hysterectomy later on. Even then, you will suffer some other effects taking this course such as going through menopausal symptoms.

A last alternative is a ligation reversal. If you should choose this course, you will want to find a doctor or facility where ligation reversal is all that is done. After all, if you have cancer you want a cancer specialist taking care of you, not one who splits his time and knowledge into other fields.

The Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center even did a small population study on the results for women undergoing ligation reversal to counteract their tubal ligation side effects. In that study, there was a 90% success rate for relieving the symptoms of post tubal ligation syndrome. If you want to relieve yours, you should highly consider seeking out these doctors and having them do your ligation reversal.

Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center has a free online forum to discuss PTLS, join the conversation today on the Tubal Reversal Message Board

Is Pregnancy Possible After Endometrial Ablation

Pregnancy After Endometrial Ablation And Tubal Reversal

Dr. Charles Monteith, a microsurgeon at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, explains that many women will have both a tubal ligation and an endometrial ablation procedure. Some of these women will regret their decision and wish to become pregnant. and that a successful pregnancy is possible after an endometrial ablation; however, there are unique risks of pregnancy in women who become pregnant after ablation. Women who are considering pregnancy after an endometrial ablation need to be carefully informed about these risks.

Both uterine artery embolization and endometrial ablation are procedures to treat heavy menstrual periods. Although they both decrease bleeding, each procedure is uniquely different.

The uterine artery embolization is done by a radiologist in a radiology procedure room and involves blocking the uterine arteries to decrease blood flow to the uterus and decrease blood loss during the menstrual period.

An endometrial ablation is a surgical procedure done by a gynecologist either in the office or the operating room and involves removing the endometrial lining of the uterus. This also helps to treat anemia by reducing or eliminating blood loss during menstrual periods.

Both of the above procedures are designed to treat anemia and heavy menstrual bleeding. They each do this through a different process and pregnancy is possible after either endometrial ablation or uterine artery embolization. The purpose of this series of articles is to explain the risks of pregnancy after endometrial ablation.

Pregnancy And Endometrial Ablation Procedure

The goal of the endometrial ablation is to permanently remove the endometrial cells that make up the lining of the uterus. There are many different types of ablation procedures:

Laser ablation
Roller ball electrocoagulation
Transcervical resection (actual removal of the lining)
Cryoablation – Freezing. (Her Option)
Thermal ablation -hot water balloon (Thermachoice)
Thermal ablation -hot water (HTA)
Microwave endometrial ablation (FemWave)
Electrocoagulation (Novasure)

Although there are many different endometrial ablation techniques, these procedures are all intended to have the same end result: removal of the endometrial lining and a reduction in the amount of bleeding during a menstrual period.

Menstrual Period And Endometrial Ablation

Most endometrial ablations are not very effective and will not remove 100% of the uterine lining. A significant number of women will continue to have menstrual periods immediately after or within five years of an endometrial ablation procedure. These are the women who are most likely to be able to become pregnant.

Endometrial Ablation: Tubal Ligation or Vasectomy?

Pregnancy is possible after an endometrial ablation procedure, and, because of the possibility of pregnancy, most doctors recommend a permanent form of birth control in women who undergo ablation procedures. The most common procedures during or after an endometrial ablation are vasectomy or tubal ligation. Some women who undergo endometrial ablations will use a hormonal form of contraception or rely on the protection sometimes afforded by older age.

Menstrual Period After Endometrial Ablation

Women who have a menstrual period after an endometrial ablation can become pregnant and pregnancies after ablation have been reported in the medical literature.

Some women will accidentally become pregnant after an endometrial ablation. The majority of these pregnancies have been among women who were not using birth control or not using a reliable form of birth control or among those who have had a failed tubal ligation or vasectomy. Some pregnancies have been among women who have intentionally had either IVF or tubal ligation reversal.

Pregnancy is most likely to occur in women who have resumption in their normal menstrual cycles because these are the women who still have enough lining to create a menstrual period and support a pregnancy.

Endometrial Ablation And Tubal Reversal: Is Pregnancy Possible?

Many women will regret their decision to have a tubal ligation and endometrial ablation and will inquire about reversal. Most manufacturers of endometrial ablation devices and most physicians who perform endometrial ablations do not recommend becoming pregnant after an ablation procedure. Pregnancy is not recommended because of the higher risk of miscarriage and pregnancy loss.

Pregnancy after endometrial ablation and tubal reversal is possible but there are unique considerations regarding pregnancy after an endometrial ablation.

Readers are welcome to visit our Tubal Reversal Blog and read personal stories about tubal reversal and pregnancy success. We also invite readers to visit our Tubal Reversal Message Board and participate in ongoing discussions about pregnancy after endometrial ablation and tubal reversal.

Is Tubal Reversal After Age 40 Possible?

Sandra Wilson asks "Is Tubal Reversal After Age 40 Possible?"

Sandra says most doctors have negative views about the likelihood of women becoming pregnant in the forties, especially if they have had a previous tubal ligation. The commonly recommended treatment is donor egg (using the eggs from a woman in her twenties) IVF.

Data from a study of tubal reversal patients at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, however, shows that pregnancy is possible for women in their forties using their own eggs and conceiving naturally after a tubal ligation reversal.

Of the 4025 tubal ligation reversal procedures done by Dr. Berger of the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center from 2001 to 2007, 13% were for women wanting a pregnancy after 40. Of these 506 women, his 2007 study shows that 41% became pregnant following their tubal reversals.

Women age 40 and older, however, do have a higher miscarriage rate (approximately 50%) than younger women (35%). Nevertheless, this study shows that tubal reversal is a reasonable treatment option, and it is considerably less expensive than the complex treatment of donor egg IVF.

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Full text of Sandra's article:

There are a great many women who, after reaching the age of 40, then decide that they want to have more children although they have undergone tubal ligation. Today tubal ligation reversal to allow for pregnancy after 40 is becoming an increasingly common procedure. In one tubal reversal center alone during the period of 2001 to 2007, the surgeons carried out 4,025 tubal ligation reversals and 13% of these were for women over 40.

However, any woman who has undergone the original procedure to have her tubes tied must be aware that there are certain factors that need to be taken into consideration when thinking about having it reversed. The chances of a woman conceiving naturally once she is over 44 are greatly reduced. In fact, there is only a 5% chance of women over 44 conceiving naturally in the general population.

What these women who are seeking a tubal ligation reversal for a pregnancy after 40 need to be aware of is that not only are the chances of them becoming pregnant reduced, they also at a much greater risk of miscarrying when they do get pregnant. This concern along with related risk of chromosomal abnormalities means a woman seeking a tubal ligation reversal after 40 should be very aware of all the potential problems and be sure she considers all the alternatives.

For a woman who is trying to become pregnant when over 40 and after a tubal ligation reversal, there are certain things to do that can improve their chances. Below we look at just a few of these things.

1. It is important that before a woman tries to get pregnant after the reversal that she allows her body time to heal properly. One needs to remember that abdominal surgery has been carried out, so not only do the tissues but also the muscles of this part of the body need time to recover and repair.
2. By ensuring that your body has healed properly, you are providing it with the strength it needs to carry a new child. Therefore, it is a good idea for the woman to allow one complete menstrual cycle to take place before attempting to conceive after undergoing tubal ligation reversal surgery.
3. Another thing the woman should do which will help when it comes to a pregnancy after 40 is to track her menstrual cycle. The most effective and efficient way of doing this is by using an ovulation prediction kit, which you can purchase from your local drug store or online. By knowing when ovulation is taking place, the couple can then determine when is the best time to make love to improvetheir chances of conceiving the child they want together.
4. Lastly, once the woman thinks she is pregnant, she needs to follow closely the pregnancy protocol that her surgeon has established to ensure a healthy pregnancy and to be sure that the potential problems, such as ectopic pregnancy, have not happened.

Of the 4025 tubal ligation reversal procedures done by Dr. Berger of the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center from 2001 to 2007, 13% were for women wanting a pregnancy after 40. Of these 506 women, his 2007 study shows that 41% became pregnant following their tubal reversals. Check out the blog at his website and learn more about the concerns for women becoming pregnant after 40 following a tubal reversal.

Tubal Ligation Reversal After Age 40

The tubal reversal doctors at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center have writen a series of articles about the concerns of women over the age of 40 who are considering options for becoming pregnant after tubal ligation.

• Tubal Ligation Reversal After Age 40 | Introduction
  Monday, 26 January 2009 11:36 PM
  This series of articles will discuss adoption, in vitro fertilizaiton (IVF), and tubal ligation reversal. Statistical data and patient submitted stories will also be presented during this series.


• Tubal Ligation Reversal After 40 | Pregnancy and Infertility
  Friday, 30 January 2009 10:44 AM
  This article on the Tubal Reversal Blog from Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center discusses the impact of age upon pregnancy or infertility. Dr. Charles Monteith discusses his experiences practicing high risk obstetrics and the concept of advanced maternal age.


• Tubal Reversal After Age 40 - Adoption
  Tuesday, 3 February 2009 9:27 PM
  This is the third article in a blog series dedicated to women over the age of 40 with tied tubes and who are considering alternatives to become pregnant. This article provides a brief overview of adoption. We discuss the benefits and some of the risks of the adoptive process. Readers are encouraged to leave comments on the Tubal Reversal Blog and/or the Tubal Reversal Message Board.


• Tubal Reversal After 40 - Benefits
  Saturday, 7 February 2009 1:45 AM
  This is the fourth in a series of articles for women 40 and wanting to become pregnant after tubal ligation. This article describes the multiple benefits of tubal reversal compared with IVF (in vitro fertilization).


• Tubal Reversal After 40 | Risks
  Wednesday, 11 February 2009 5:14 AM
  The tubal ligation reversal experts of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center provide a detailed list of the risks of tubal ligation reversal surgery in part four of a series of articles dedicated to women over the age of 40 who may be considering tubal ligation reversal. Using their extensive patient database, they provide estimates of the risk of each occurrence so patients can evaluate whether tubal ligation reversal is the right choice for them.


• Tubal Ligation Reversal After 40 | Tubal Reversal Process
  Friday, 13 February 2009 8:24 AM
  This is the fifth article in a series devoted to women over the age of 40 considering tubal ligation reversal surgery or other alternatives for having more children after a tubal ligation. This article describes the process involved in scheduling an outpatient tubal ligation reversal at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.


• Tubal Ligation Reversal After 40 - IVF Overview
  Tuesday, 17 February 2009 10:23 PM
  The tubal reversal doctors at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center provide an overview of the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF), egg retrieval and intrauterine insemination and also discuss the application of these reproductive techniques in comparison with tubal ligation reversal.


• Tubal Reversal After 40 : IVF Risks
  Tuesday, 24 February 2009 12:57 PM
  IVF is widely accepted as a treatment for infertility for many causes including blocked or tied fallopian tubes. To maximize the pregnancy rate, it is a common practice to implant multiple embryos. This leads to the risk of multiple gestation, which occurs in 1 of 3 IVF pregnancies. The recent birth of octuplets in the US is a dramatic example of the risks of IVF.


• Tubal Reversal After 40 - IVF Benefits
  Friday, 20 February 2009 12:06 AM
  This blog article from the tubal reversal doctors at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center describes the unique medical situations in which IVF has demonstrated benefits in assisting couples dealing with infertility. When the only cause of infertility is a tubal ligation, then tubal ligation reversal is the better treatment option for most couples.

Pregnant After Tubal Reversal Surgery With Dr. Monteith

The good news is in! Dr. Charles Monteith began performing tubal reversal surgery full-time at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center on July 21, 2008. One month later, a patient from his first day of surgery has reported a positive pregnancy test! Dr. Monteith has been training in tubal reversal surgery with Dr. Gary Berger since January 2008 and became certified as a tubal reversal surgeon in July.

This is topic Monteith's First BFP!!! in forum After Tubal Reversal at Tubal Reversal Message Board.

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Posted by pam mills (Member # 617) on August 20, 2008 01:15 PM:
Yes ladies, it is official, Dr Monteith has received news that one of his patients has reported a BFP!!!

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Posted by Amy1234 (Member # 5192) on August 20, 2008 01:16 PM:
No way!!!!!!!!
Wow! Congrats!!!
Amy

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Posted by albmdb (Member # 12062) on August 20, 2008 01:21 PM:
Thats awesome!!!!!
Congrats

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Posted by wantsababyin08 (Member # 12798) on August 20, 2008 01:28 PM:
WOW that is amazing! Congrats Dr Monteith.. Dr Berger must have taught you well!

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Posted by Dr. Monteith (Member # 11996) on August 20, 2008 01:35 PM:
I think I am more excited than the patient. I thought it would at least be 6 months before such an event...I never thought it would have been only 4 weeks.
Just imagine how I felt when I had to go home and tell my wife I helped get another woman pregnant!
Actually, she understands and was happy just as well happy.
I hope every patient can have such news....

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Posted by HisWill (Member # 12511) on August 20, 2008 01:40 PM:
EXCELLENT!!! Woo hoo! Sorry about the caps, but way excited! Congrats! Hey preggo lady, if you are a message board poster, you'd better get to postin! LOL!
Dr. Monteith, that's too funny about telling your wife! I love it, and God Bless your great work!
Blessings,
Andrea

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Posted by SharonVS (Member # 11315) on August 20, 2008 01:45 PM:
That's GREAT! Congratulations Dr. Monteith, and congratulations to the lady with the BFP!!...

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Posted by Kathy, ST (Member # 8285) on August 20, 2008 01:48 PM:
Congratulations to our BFP patient of Dr. Monteith and to Dr. Monteith!
Kathy

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Posted by Matt, ST (Member # 7398) on August 20, 2008 01:50 PM:
Congratulations to Dr. Monteith and to the patient. That is wonderful!
Matt Murphy,ST

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Posted by MS_LICIA (Member # 9456) on August 20, 2008 01:52 PM:
WOW......Congrats Dr. Monteith & Patient......I'm sure there will be many, many more !!! [Big Grin] [celebration]

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Posted by Jennifer K. (Member # 7884) on August 20, 2008 01:55 PM:
Congratulations to both the patient, her family and Dr. M. Have a happy, healthy 9 months!
Jenn

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Posted by Toots (Member # 12733) on August 20, 2008 02:14 PM:
This is great! Congratulations to the lucky lady. I had just posted a question on here yesterday about this. I'm so excited for everyone! I can't wait to see Dr. Monteith in October.
Great work Dr. M..Congrats!

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Posted by klinger13 (Member # 12439) on August 20, 2008 02:18 PM:
Woo-hoo...This is so exciting!!!
Congratulations Dr M & the mommy-to-be!!!
Amanda

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Posted by hopefulin2008 (Member # 11297) on August 20, 2008 02:19 PM:
Congrats to Dr. M and to the patient.... I cant wait until one day when I have my Monteith Miracle....
Jennifer

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Posted by danelle76 (Member # 11177) on August 20, 2008 02:20 PM:
Congrats Dr. M and the new mommy to be!!! I too thought the wife comment was too funny! Happy and healthy 9 months!

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Posted by newdreams_2008 (Member # 12660) on August 20, 2008 05:35 PM:
Congrats to Dr.M and BFP patient!!! This is very exciting! The 1st in a long line of successes! Dr.M, I will see you in Nov. and will shortly thereafter be added to that BFP list!

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Posted by Julia Smith, RN (Member # 10) on August 20, 2008 10:38 PM:
We are all eager to start hearing from ladies who are pregnant after surgery with Dr. Monteith, so this is a great beginning!
Julia Smith RN

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Posted by USMCMP Wife (Member # 9691) on August 20, 2008 10:42 PM:
Let me started with a BIG GIGANTIC WELCOME Dr. Monteith and CONGRATULATIONS for your 1st timer to get some a BFP. I will tell you you are working with the best Dr. B gave us RJ and I got my 1st BFP 2 months after the TR and then mc and then a 2nd BFP and now we have RJ I am 42 right now and RJ is 14months & 20days old so mircles do happen and you picked the right job to do it is such a blessing when someone can get back what we lost and thank you to for doing something as special as Dr. B does. CONGRATULATIONS to the family that is having their blessed event right now.
Hugs,
RJ & Heidi

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Posted by debjim (Member # 8607) on August 21, 2008 08:55 AM:
YEAH! Congrats to all!

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Posted by Sandra Coleman (Member # 7823) on August 21, 2008 12:16 PM:
Congrats Dr. Monteith and what a great sense of humor. I had my laugh for the day.
Sandra

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Posted by CalifMom (Member # 7194) on August 21, 2008 12:39 PM:
Congrat's Dr. Monteith and his first pregnancy outcome..Kari

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Posted by Brenna RN (Member # 12821) on August 21, 2008 02:02 PM:
Congratulations! What wonderful news!
Brenna

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Posted by caroljean776 (Member # 12436) on August 21, 2008 02:16 PM:
That's awesome...I hope she comes on and announces herself soon!

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Posted by cass3 (Member # 10682) on August 21, 2008 02:30 PM:
When did Dr.M start? That was fast!! Congrats to the lady with with the baby. LOL Good luck.
Cassey

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Posted by wantsababyin08 (Member # 12798) on August 21, 2008 02:49 PM:
I believe that he started on his own July 21st... I may be wrong with the exact date.

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Posted by Tawnee1972 (Member # 11007) on August 21, 2008 02:54 PM:
It was July 21st...I had surgery that day too! Dr. Berger assisted, but Dr. M was indeed the doctor that did surgery.
Congratulations to the new mommy to be.

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Posted by Webmaster (Member # 1) on August 21, 2008 08:09 PM:
Yes Dr. Monteith's first official day as a tubal Reversal Surgeon was Monday, July 21st 2008

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Posted by Ericka Pamplin (Member # 1953) on August 22, 2008 10:14 AM:
Congratulations!!
Ericka

Chapel Hill Surgeon Completes First Tubal Reversal Fellowship

CHAPEL HILL – Dr. Charles W. Monteith completed the first tubal reversal fellowship offered at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. This is the only known fellowship of its kind.

Dr. Gary S. Berger, medical director and world-renowned tubal reversal surgeon, presented the certificate of completion in a private ceremony at the Chapel Hill center.

Monteith began his fellowship training in January 2008, and has assisted in more than 100 tubal reversal procedures under the guidance of Dr. Berger.

“Dr. Monteith’s experience as a gynecologic surgeon and his dedication to achieving the best patient care made him the ideal physician to complete this fellowship program,” said Berger. “He is the first doctor ever to be certified in outpatient tubal ligation reversal surgery. And I welcome him as a colleague at the Tubal Reversal Center.”

As a tubal reversal specialist, Monteith plans to keep tubal reversal surgery a viable option for women wanting to have another baby after tubal ligation surgery.

“I am very fortunate to have been invited into and accepted by the staff and family of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center,” Monteith said. “I feel like I have arrived home.”

Dr. Monteith graduated summa cum laude from Xavier University in Louisiana. He attended medical school at the University of California at San Francisco where he received a Howard Hughes Medical Research Fellowship used to conduct research in molecular genetics.

After completing his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he accepted a clinical assistant professor position with the department of obstetrics and gynecology in 2001. He also served as assistant professor in obstetrics and gynecology at Wake Medical Hospital in Raleigh for seven years where he practiced high-risk obstetrics and advanced surgical gynecology.

To learn more about Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, visit www.tubal-reversal.net.

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Contact information:
Lisa Hourmouzis, RN
919.968.4656 office
252.339.2322 mobile
LisaH@tubal-reversal.net

Patient-Centered Tubal Reversal Care

Providing you a first-class tubal reversal experience is our focus at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. With our patient-centered approach, we listen to your individual health-care needs to help ensure a safe and successful tubal reversal.

In this is message board topic tubal reversal patients talk about their experiences with Dr. Monteith at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.

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Posted by Chloe Grace (Member # 12746) on July 31, 2008 01:47 PM:
Hello ladies,
New to the board, and I wanted to know if any of you had your tubal reversals with Dr. Monteith? What was your experience like with Dr. Monteith? Thanks.
Chloe G.

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Posted by Stephanie RN (Member # 460) on July 31, 2008 01:55 PM:
Chloe,
Welcome to the board! I hope you get some responses from some of his patients. I think you will hear wonderful things.

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Posted by hopefulin2008 (Member # 11297) on July 31, 2008 02:19 PM:
Chloe I have not had my tr yet but I will this monday with Dr. M. I have heard some of the most wonderful things about him. I look forward to meeting him and Im sure all you will hear will be great things.
Jennifer
TR Monday 8/4

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Posted by Chloe Grace (Member # 12746) on July 31, 2008 02:32 PM:
hopefulin2008: I hope you have a wonderful tubal reversal experience. I'd love to hear about it soon! Thanks, Chloe

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Posted by hopefulin2008 (Member # 11297) on July 31, 2008 02:36 PM:
Sure I will def let you know all about it! Are you planning on scheduling soon?
Jennifer

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Posted by Chloe Grace (Member # 12746) on July 31, 2008 02:44 PM:
I'm still thinking about it. It's very overwhelming, I don't like any aspect of having surgery. It's a big step to take. I've thought about it for a few months. IVF is so expensive and I'd rather get pregnant naturally if possible.

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Posted by hopefulin2008 (Member # 11297) on July 31, 2008 02:54 PM:
Oh yeah I agree. Well if you do decide to go with a tubal reversal surgery you most def have cometo the right place. GL to you.
Jennifer

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Posted by Tawnee1972 (Member # 11007) on July 31, 2008 03:32 PM:
Chloe,
I had surgery with Dr. M on 7/21/2008. It was a wonderful experience. Dr. Monteith is very soft spoken, sweet, with a sense of humor.
He was wonderful!
Tonya

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Posted by Chloe Grace (Member # 12746) on July 31, 2008 04:41 PM:
Tonya - Thanks for your encouraging comments. I hope you are recovering well.
Jennifer - Thank you for the kind words. I do feel like this is the best place to go. I've looked at other websites and nothing compares to Chapel Hill.

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Posted by beebeekinsers (Member # 12115) on July 31, 2008 04:42 PM:
I had my TR done by Dr. Monteith on 7/24. In my opinion, he was a very gentle and caring person.
There is a new blog by Dr. M, and you can also read comments to the blog. Go to the homepage, and find the Blog tab from the list on the left.
I think Dr. Montieth did a fine job with my surgery, and I am healing up just fine. All in all it was a great experience.
GL, HTH
~Louise

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Posted by Chloe Grace (Member # 12746) on July 31, 2008 04:48 PM:
Thanks Louise! I will check out his blog. I'm glad to hear so many positive comments about Dr. Monteith. I like doctors who will take their time with me and show a compassionate side. I feel like Dr. Monteith does.

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Posted by RebeccaJ (Member # 12216) on July 31, 2008 05:14 PM:
Chloe,
I am sure you will be very pleased with your decision if you choose to have Dr. Monteith perform your surgery.
I had my TR on July 28, 2008 by Dr. Monteith and was very pleased with the conversations I had before the surgery and after. He has a true passion for what he is doing and that is so important with this procedure.
I am healing quickly and feel very good about my results.
Good Luck
Rebecca

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Posted by Chloe Grace (Member # 12746) on July 31, 2008 06:25 PM:
Thanks Rebecca!

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Posted by praybelieving (Member # 12149) on July 31, 2008 06:51 PM:
chloe,
I had my TR tODAY with Dr. M. He is wonderful! Kind, gentle, intellegent! He is trained by the best! I can't say one bad thing! He's awsome!! You can't go wrong...AND the cool thing is that Dr. B and Dr. M assist each other n their surgeries...so it's a perfect set up!
Hope this helps!
I'm praying and believing for a "MONTEITH MIRACLE"!!!

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Posted by Chloe Grace (Member # 12746) on July 31, 2008 06:58 PM:
Thank you praybelieving! I'm so happy you had a good tubal reversal experience. I'll be praying and believing for you, too. I hope we hear about a Monteith Miracle real soon. Take care and I hope you have a quick and relaxing recovery.
Chloe

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Posted by Lisa Hourmouzis RN (Member # 12474) on July 31, 2008 07:05 PM:
Praybelieving,
It was a pleasure meeting you and your partner. Please stay in touch with us. We are always here if you need us. Be sure to get plenty of rest and we will be checking on you soon.
Lisa, RN

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Posted by Rhonda Brown, RN (Member # 9485) on July 31, 2008 07:18 PM:
What wonderful comments. Thank you so much for sharing you experiences. I know that there will be lots more comments on here each day.
Jennifer: I look forward to meeting you on Friday and ladies that had surgery over the past two weeks, it was a pleasure meeting each of you.
Rhonda

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Posted by pam mills (Member # 617) on August 01, 2008 05:34 AM:
praybelieving,
I am glad to hear you are doing well. Don't forget the yoga!
Keep in touch.
Pam Mills, CRNA

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Posted by praybelieving (Member # 12149) on August 01, 2008 11:30 AM:
Hi there! I'm doing great this morning!
This poster did not ask about the other staff here at CH! I could write a book about all of you! I just went thru and looked at my pictures from yesterday...I'm so happy I came here and had this beautiful experience! You can't get any more top notch care than CHTRC (and I am a nurse myself)!
I love all of you! Thanks for a great day yesterday!!

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Posted by PastryGirl (Member # 12053) on August 02, 2008 07:45 AM:
All I can say is Ditto to PrayBelieving. Eveyone was amazing. I absolutely loved Dr. M, Lisa, Stephanie and the rest of the staff. They were all so kind and caring. Thanks to all of you at CHTRC

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Posted by Lisa Hourmouzis RN (Member # 12474) on August 02, 2008 11:58 AM:
PastryGirl & praybelieving,
Thank you for all your kind words. It means a great deal to our team to hear from our patients. I am so happy that we could be a part of your tubal reversals. Each of you are amazing women. Take care and keep us posted!
Lisa, RN

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Posted by joph15 (Member # 12449) on August 02, 2008 09:14 PM:
Hello everyone, I have to add my Kudos to the staff and Dr. M as well, not that I remember much but everyone was great! Speedy recovery to all the women we met while we were down there. Hope everyone had a safe trip home, we had a long drive but it was well worth it!

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Posted by Chloe Grace (Member # 12746) on August 03, 2008 08:59 PM:
It's good to hear all the positive comments about the staff and Dr. Monteith. Thanks to everyone who has posted. You've been a tremendous help!

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Posted by hopefulin2008 (Member # 11297) on August 05, 2008 03:14 PM:
Hey ladies, I had my tr yesterday with Dr. M! He was wonderful and all the staff were amazing. I highly recommed their facility to anyone. I felt as if I was the only one having surgery yesterday. I cannot put into words how much I enjoyed my experience and the wonderful people that I met yesterday. I cant remember everyones name but they were all terrific!!! GL to everyone no matter where you are on this journey.
Jennifer

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Posted by Toots (Member # 12733) on August 05, 2008 05:15 PM:
Jennifer,
That's great. It's good to hear you're doing well and had a wonderful experience.
Celeste

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Posted by jskinner (Member # 12763) on August 06, 2008 02:37 PM:
I just had my TR with Dr. M on Monday August 4th. I have nothing but great things to say about you all in Chapel Hill. Dr. M is wonderful, it was truly a wonderful experience all the way around and I'm so glad that you were all a part of it! Thank you again for all the wonderful care I received! I hope I will be reporting a "Monteith Miracle" in the future. Thanks again! Jodi

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Posted by Myrna (Member # 11121) on August 06, 2008 04:50 PM:
Jodi,
Thank you for the kind words and I am wishing you and your husband all the best. Please keep us posted.
Myrna

New Specialist Surgeon Joins Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center

Dr. Gary S. Berger, world-renowned tubal reversal surgeon, welcomes Dr. Charles W. Monteith to the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center surgical team.

Dr. Monteith is the first tubal reversal surgeon to join the practice since the initial tubal reversal microsurgery performed by Dr. Berger in 1982.

Monteith began his fellowship training with the center in January 2008, and has assisted in more than 100 reversal procedures under the guidance of Dr. Berger.

According to Dr. Monteith, his plan is to keep tubal reversal surgery a viable option for women wanting to have children after tubal ligation surgery.

“My interest in becoming a tubal reversal surgeon began when I realized that tubal reversal surgery was gradually becoming less available to patients because of limited training opportunities for younger physicians,” said Monteith.

Dr. Monteith graduated summa cum laude from Xavier University in Louisiana. He attended medical school at the University of California at San Francisco where he received a Howard Hughes Medical Research Fellowship used to conduct research in molecular genetics.

After completing his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he accepted a clinical assistant professor position with the department of obstetrics and gynecology in 2001. He also served as assistant professor in obstetrics and gynecology at Wake Medical Hospital in Raleigh for seven years where he practiced high-risk obstetrics and advanced surgical gynecology.

Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is the only facility in the United States dedicated exclusively to tubal reversal surgery. Dr. Gary Berger has successfully performed over 7,000 tubal reversals using the one-hour outpatient microsurgical technique he developed and refined. His technique has been featured on The Learning Channel and Discovery Health.

References:
http://www.tubal-reversal.net/doctor-monteith.htm
Tubal Reversal Blog

Choose the Best Tubal Reversal Doctor

If you're considering having your tubes untied, knowing what questions to ask is key. Dr. Berger and the staff at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center have put together some frequently asked questions to help you make the right tubal reversal decision. Reversing your tubal ligation is an important decision. Why trust anyone but the best with your health?

When women begin researching tubal reversal surgery, there are several questions that are frequently asked. These questions are typically based on the differences that become apparent when they compare various facilities and doctors.

“How do I choose a doctor?” Considering the number of choices, it is one of the most important questions to consider before a woman moves forward with planning her tubal reversal procedure. Training, experience, availability, and patient support can vary greatly between doctors and facilities.

Most women who research the option of tubal reversal surgery after a tubal ligation are interested in how many reversal procedures the doctor has performed. Many reproductive surgeons have performed a tubal reversal procedure, but few perform the procedure routinely and even fewer limit their practice to this specialty. In the case of tubal reversal surgery, experience is an important factor in predicting the outcome of the procedure. Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is the only medical facility specifically for tubal ligation reversal surgery. Dr. Gary Berger performs 4 reversals a day and has performed more than 7000 reversal procedures in his career.

Another question women frequently ask is whether the doctor uses the dye technique or a stent to ensure the tubes are open following surgery. The use of the dye technique is not the most accurate indicator regarding whether the tubes are open following tubal repair to allow conception. The stent technique is the better approach in our opinion to avoid any doubt. The stent is sterile and does not pass through the cervix. The stent not damage the tubes, and it ensures that they are open so a dye test is not necessary. With the stent technique used by Dr. Berger, there is no question regarding tubal patency following surgery, which puts the woman in a much better position for achieving pregnancy following surgery.

A common question during the process of researching tubal reversal facilities is whether the doctor uses permanent or absorbable suture to repair the fallopian tubes and whether he or she reconnects each of the tubal layers. While some doctors may suture all of the tubal layers, Dr. Berger uses permanent suture and sews the muscular and outer serosal layers together. He does not place suture in the inner endothelial layer as this may increase the risk of scar formation within the tubal lumen. In Dr. Berger’s opinion, this is the best approach. Comparing doctors’ data regarding pregnancy outcomes is the best way to assess their techniques since high pregnancy rates are a clear indication that the techniques are successful.

Ultimately, the most frequently asked – and most important - question regarding tubal reversal surgery is, “What are the doctor’s success rates”. Since pregnancy and its outcome are the primary concerns of most women who choose the reversal procedure, the answer to this question should be based on accurate statistical data. 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. At Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, Dr. Berger and his staff do everything possible to obtain and report this information on an ongoing basis. This allows them to remain informed about the number of pregnancies achieved and what their outcomes were after tubal reversal and to answer questions and guide patients who are waiting to become pregnant.

The decision to undergo surgery to restore fertility after a previous sterilization is a serious one for any couple. Where to go for surgery and with whom care will be entrusted is an important part of that decision. Potential patients should expect that they have been given detailed, accurate information regarding costs and recovery times, as well as careful analysis and reporting of accurate statistics regarding pregnancy and birth rates. This is referred to as “evidence based medicine” and is consistent with the mission of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. It is one of the many reasons why the facility has become known as the best place to have tubal reversal surgery.

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.

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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!!

Frequently asked questions regarding operative reports

Operative Reports Before Ligation Reversal Surgery

Undergoing a tubal ligation reversal at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is an important endeavor and we want to maximize every patient's chance of ligation reversal success. Operative reports are important because they allow us to determine the likely success of tubal ligation reversal surgery. When the operative report is not available, we offer the option of starting with a screening laparoscopy. The choice of whether to start with screening laparoscopy is up to the individual patient. Since most tubal ligation procedures are reversible, it is an option, and not a requirement at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.

What is an operative report?

An operative report is a typed report describing exactly what the doctor saw and did during your tubal ligation procedure.

Where can tubal ligation operative reports be obtained?

Tubal ligation operative reports can be obtained from the hospital or health care facility where you had your tubal ligation surgery. Your doctor may have a copy of your operative report in their office. The hospital will have a copy of the report in your hospital record and will keep them on file for a limited time.

How long does the hospital keep my operative report?

The time a health care facility will keep records will vary by state. Most states have laws specifying how long records must be kept. If a state does not have laws regarding keeping medical records, then the state medical board will have guidelines which the board encourages physicians to follow. North Carolina, for instance, has no state laws mandating how long medical records will be kept. The North Carolina State Medical Boards recommends physicians keep records for a minimum of 10 years. Medicare and Medicaid records are recommended to be kept for a minimum of five years.

The physician’s office or hospital will typically keep records in their file room for a limited time and then transfer the files to another storage area for several years. Some facilities will create digital records of your health care information and store this information indefinitely.

How can I obtain an operative report?

Contact the medical records department of the hospital where your tubal ligation was performed. You will have to fill out a medical records release form. The operative report can be mailed or faxed to you and to our facility. Please be aware some medical facilities are very busy and have limited medical record personnel. This means they may take some time to send records and you might have to keep a close watch to make sure the records are actually sent in a timely fashion. Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center has instructions and a form you can use to obtain a copy of your operative report.

What happens if I can not get my operative report?

If you can not get your operative report you can try to get your doctor to give you more information about the type of ligation surgery you had. Although this is not as accurate as an operative report, this can provide some information. Many doctors will do their tubal ligation surgeries the same way over many years and they should be able to tell you how your procedure was done.

Your best option is to consider a screening laparoscopy. This involves placing a small telescope under your umbilicus (belly button) and looking at the fallopian tubes. This provide quick and accurate information about the condition of your fallopian tubes. When the screening laparoscopy is performed here, we proceed immediately with the tubal repair. If the laparoscopy shows that the tubes cannot be repaired, the procedure is ended without the laparotomy incision and a partial refund is given to the patient.

Will Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal do my reversal surgery if I do not have an operative report?

Yes. We frequently encounter many patients who are unable to obtain their operative report. The choice of whether to start with screening laparoscopy is up to the individual patient. Since most tubal ligation procedures are reversible, it is an option, and not a requirement.

Read More about Operative Reports Before Ligation Reversal Surgery

Easy Recovery After Tubal Ligation Reversal Surgery

Pam Mills, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), shares her story of working as part of the anesthesia care team at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. Pam has been working with Dr. Gary Berger spanning two decades and believes her experience with Dr. Berger has given her the opportunity to work one-on-one with tubal reversal patients in an outpatient setting and to ensure they receive the best medical care they have ever experienced. Ms. Mills explains that the anesthesia team talks with patients individually so gather information about past anesthesia experiences and to develop a personalized anesthesia plan. But Pam is also a believer in the power of positive thinking and works closely with patients to ensure they are calm and informed, with the seed of positive thought planted. She and the rest of the anesthesia staff go the extra mile to ensure the patient's safety, comfort, and sense of well-being before, during, and after the tubal reversal procedure.

Anesthesia for Tubal Ligation Reversal

Submitted by Pam Mills, CRNA

Being part of the anesthesia care team at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center has given me the opportunity to work one on one with tubal reversal patients in an outpatient setting and to assure they receive the best medical care they have ever experienced.

For anesthesia purposes, we record pain scores and the incidence of postoperative nausea for all of our patients. We conduct comprehensive reviews of our data and implement changes to our anesthesia protocol, if necessary. This performance improvement activity is the beauty of working in a small private setting.

All of our patients receive individual attention and care. We have had patients tell us, “This is the first time in my life I have not been sick after anesthesia!” and “This was the easiest anesthesia I have ever had!”

I can’t think of anything more rewarding than to have helped our patients have a safe and pleasant experience while they are here for their tubal ligation reversal procedures.

Personalized Anesthesia Plan

If a patient tells me that she experienced nausea after an anesthetic in the past, I sit down with her and discuss our anesthesia plan and how it is designed to optimize her comfort and well being during her postoperative recovery. I want her to be confident that she will be well taken care of and that we will do everything in our power to make this anesthetic different from what she experienced previously. Our patients receive two medications through their IV to prevent nausea, and for patients with special needs I give what is is fondly referred to as my “special cocktail”. This cocktail has a combination of two additional anti-nausea medications, also given through the IV before the patient wakes up. This covers all the possible trigger centers in the body that can cause nausea.

Power of Positive Thinking

I usually end our discussion of postoperative nausea by telling the patient and family member that this will be the last we will mention of this subject, as I am a firm believer in planting the seed of positive thought. So from then on I want them to focus on positive thinking, knowing that she will be well taken care of and anticipating that she will wake up feeling well and free of pain or nausea.

Patient Care at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center

Our dedication to patient care and outcome is evident in our patient follow up care. Every patient is entered into our computerized database. This database includes information from the day of surgery, their postoperative recovery, follow upcontacts by our nurses, as well as every pregnancy following the tubal reversal procedure through to its outcome. There is no better place for women to have tubal reversal surgery than at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. Our anesthesia staff goes to extra lengths to ensure the patient’s safety, comfort, and sense of well-being during and after the tubal reversal procedure.

Tags: anti-nausea medications, chapel hill tubal reversal center, nausea, outpatient anesthesia, pain, performance improvement, postoperative recovery, sick after anesthesia, tubal reversal procedure

1. May 5th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
   One of the benefits of having tubal reversal performed at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is the excellence and dedication of our professional staff that ensures safe and comfortable surgery for our patients. I believe we pay much more attention to the small details that make this a positive experience for each patient. I have received many messages from patients who have said it was the best medical experience they ever had. Pam’s explanation of the anesthesia component helps to explain why this is so.
   


2. Julia Smith RN Says:
   May 5th, 2008 at 6:45 pm

For many women, anesthesia is the scariest part of the surgical experience. I hope that reading about the anesthesia team at Chapel Hill Surgical Center - their experience, compassion, and professionalism - will go a long way toward alleviating some of those fears for our patients.

1. Rhonda Brown RN Says:
   May 5th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
   I think that this is wonderful information for our potential patients wanting to become pregnant after tubal ligation. I think one of the biggest fears that patients have is being put to sleep. I think that we have the best anesthesia team around. They truly put their patients’ safety first. They are dedicated to the best experience for all tubal reversal patients.
   
   
2. Charles Monteith MD Says:
   May 5th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
   The anesthesia team at the Chapel Hill Surgical center is very professional and impressive. It is a pleasure to come to work and experience the positive energy of Pam Mills. She is the best CRNA I have worked with!
   


3. Ericka Pamplin Says:
   May 6th, 2008 at 6:12 am
   Personalized anesthesia plans, documenting pain scores and constant review of performance is evident in the anesthesia team at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center!
   


4. jgokun Says:
   May 6th, 2008 at 8:04 am
   All surgery patients are normally apprehensive about being put to sleep with general anesthesia. Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal patients may rest assured that they are receiving the best possible anesthesia care by a team that works with only our tubal reversal patients. Performing anesthesia for the same surgery and the same type of patient population allows the anesthesia team to provide the most specialized and highest quality anesthesia care possible.
   


5. Dr. Hertz Says:
   May 6th, 2008 at 9:03 am
   The Anesthesia Department works together with Dr. Berger and Dr. Monteith as team to provide the best individualized care for our patients. We look forward to meeting each of our patients, and personalizing their experience!
   


6. Sally Muncy RN Says:
   May 6th, 2008 at 10:44 am
   It is the personal attention and the attention to detail that most of the patients mention when I see them post operatively and in the post operative phone calls that I make. They really appreciate that they were free of nausea and acute pain even though this hasn’t been true for them in the past.
   


7. Stephanie Duncan RN Says:
   May 6th, 2008 at 11:32 am
   Pam and the whole anesthesia team do put a lot of time and thought into making the plan of care specific for each patient. Not everyone is alike and it is great that so much attention to detail is given to everyone who comes to Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.
   


8. Brandon Martin-Williams ST Says:
   May 6th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
   I see it everyday and it still amazes me how well the patients do after their procedure. The anesthesia team here really knows their patients.
   


9. Matt Murphy ST Says:
   May 6th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
   Patients are always say that after there tubal ligation reversal surgery that they are amazed at how well they feel! The extra attention the patients receive is one of the many benefits of having their tubes untied here at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.
   


10. Donna Blalock RN Says:
    May 6th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
    Having the time to devote to each patient and give such personal attention,is one of my top reasons for working at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. The entire anesthesia team here is unlike any other facility I know.
    


11. Sarah Meachem RN Says:
    May 7th, 2008 at 10:54 am
    I have had many patients tell me that they can’t believe how easy the tubal reversal surgery was, particulary the anesthesia. The anesthesia department here definitely works as a team and strives to provide the best patient care for each and every woman.
    


12. Kathy Scrone ST Says:
    May 8th, 2008 at 8:30 am
    Pam has written an extensive and thoughtful description of exactly how individualized each patient is cared for at Chapel Hill Surgery Center. Patients can and do feel rest assured of their anesthesia experience and on their way to a positive recovery from their tubal reversal surgery.
    

New Pregnancies Announced This Week at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center

The Weekly Pregnancy Report for Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is published on the Tubal Reversal Message Board. During the week of April 19 – April 25, 2008, 20 new pregnancies were reported by Dr. Berger’s patients after their tubal reversal procedures. The women’s ages ranged from 33 to 40, and the fallopian tube lengths after their tubes were untied ranged from 3.0 cm to 7.5 cm. The tubal ligation methods among these women included Hulka clips, Falope rings, bipolar coagulation, and ligation/resection. At present, more than 1000 babies have been born following tubal ligation reversal by Dr. Berger.

Pregnancy Report for 4/19/08 to 4/25/08 in forum Weekly Pregnancy Reports at Tubal Reversal Message Board.

Posted by Sarah Meacham, RN (Member # 9766) on April 25, 2008 04:30 PM:

Age DOS Type of Ligation Tube Length

40 1/29/07 lig/res 7.5cm/7.0cm
38 10/10/07 Hulka clips 7.5cm/6.5cm
37 1/28/08 bipolar cautery 7.5cm/3.0cm
37 11/1/07 bipolar cautery 3.5cm/3.5cm
39 9/27/07 Hulka clips 5.0cm/7.0cm
34 2/17/06 lig/res 5.5cm/6.0cm
34 6/19/07 Hulka clips 7.5cm/7.5cm
33 5/1/07 bipolar cautery 3.5cm/5.0cm
35 12/8/06 lig/res 4.0cm/4.0cm
39 10/17/03 lig/res 5.5cm/5.0cm
38 3/31/04 unknown 6.0cm/6.0cm
30 6/3/05 lig/res 3.5cm/3.5cm
33 10/24/07 lig/res 3.5cm/3.5cm
39 10/25/01 lig/res/caut 5.5cm/4.0cm
36 6/12/02 lig/res 6.0cm/6.0cm
26 3/6/08 lig/res 5.0cm/6.5cm
35 7/28/06 Falope rings 8.0cm/6.5cm
34 4/2/05 lig/res 3.0cm/5.0cm
36 7/22/05 lig/res/caut 6.5cm/6.5cm
33 2/4/08 lig/res 6.5cm

Congratulations to everyone this week!

For more information about the new pregnancies, click on the New Pregnancies link at the top of the page. For detailed statistics about pregnancy rates and pregnancy outcomes after tubal reversal procedures performed by Dr Berger, click on the Pregnancy Statistics link at the bottom of the page.

Sarah

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Posted by mamasoup8 (Member # 11212) on April 25, 2008 04:35 PM:

Congrats!! Have a happy and healthy 9 months!

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Posted by Tawnee1972 (Member # 11007) on April 25, 2008 04:39 PM:

This is the longest list EVER!!!!

Congratulations to all of the expectant mommies!!!

Tonya

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Posted by momto10 (Member # 11808) on April 25, 2008 04:48 PM:

WOW! What a list! CONGRATULATIONS Ladies!

Gwen

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Posted by albmdb (Member # 12062) on April 25, 2008 04:51 PM:

Congratulations to all.
Have a Happy and Healthy 9 months.

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Posted by CalifMom (Member # 7194) on April 25, 2008 04:54 PM:

Wow this is great to see so many.
-
Kari

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Posted by ratchet22 (Member # 12240) on April 25, 2008 05:04 PM:

YAY! Congratulations!!!!

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Posted by armywife4 (Member # 9891) on April 25, 2008 05:11 PM:

YAY SARA!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Love ya, ]
Becky!!

CONGRATS to all the new MOMMIES!! Have a healthy Happy 9 months!!

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Posted by Sperow7214 (Member # 9165) on April 25, 2008 05:56 PM:

Looks like Spring is in the air!!!! Congradulations!!!

Tabby

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Posted by beebeekinsers (Member # 12115) on April 25, 2008 06:55 PM:

Whoa....... Holy moley!!!! Somebody's been BUSY!!! lol Congrats!!!!!

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Posted by HopesAndDreams (Member # 11754) on April 25, 2008 08:12 PM:

What a GREAT list!
Congratulations everyone!
Best wishes and have a happy & healthy 9 months!
Dawn H.

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Pregnancy Announcements from Chapel Hill tubal reversal patients are also available. http://pregnancy.tubal-reversal.net/ the following is these pregnancy announcements for the third week of april 2008:

Posted: 04.22.08
Name: Jessie M.
Location: Manalapan NJ
Date of Tubal Reversal: 6/12/02
Date of Pregnancy Test: 4/22/08
Due Date: 12/30/008
Remarks: We weren’t even trying and surprise!! Thanks Dr. Berger! We are truly in 7th heaven!!! (PS this will be our 7th child)

Posted: 04.21.08
Name: Lisa D.
Location: Monclova Ohio
Date of Tubal Reversal: 5/1/07
Date of Pregnancy Test: 4/19/08
Due Date: January 19th???, 2009
Remarks: I’m not entirely sure how this happened!!! LOL - I must have ovulated right after my period stopped??? I don’t really ‘feel’ pregnant yet, the only reason I tested was because I thought I started bleeding/spotting again 2 days after my cycle stopped. Then it stopped after 2 days and started again 2 days later. I’ve never ever had spotting or any kind of break thru bleeding-except when I was pregnant. Also, I was having pain on my right side that was strong enough to wake me from sleep Friday night. We did the hpt and that line came of fast. We aren’t talking a faint line, like I would have expected on CD16!!!(if any line at all) My Dr. sent us to the Hospital since I was having pain on Rt. side. The pain went away and my hcg level was 549. Although it was too early to see anything, they did an ultrasound anyway. Nothing. I test today for 2nd level. I still have some spotting, not like I did on Saturday. Just playing the waiting game and praying for our miracle. Funny how life changes in a moment! Thanks!!

Posted: 04.21.08
Name: Annie C.
Location: Cape Coral Florida
Date of Tubal Reversal: 03/31/04
Date of Pregnancy Test: 03/25/08
Due Date: 11/30/08
Remarks: This is my 6th pregnancy after tr, 4mc and 1 ectopic, I lost my left tube, so I kind of gave up and here I am pregnant and hoping that this one stays. Thank you Dr. Berger and everyone else at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. Annie C.

Posted: 04.21.08
Name: Nicole M.
Location: Rome Georgia
Date of Tubal Reversal: 6/9/07?
Date of Pregnancy Test: 2/16/07
Due Date: 10/16/07
Remarks: I’m now 14wks pregnant, this makes berger baby #2 for me!! Thanks Dr Berger!! Nicole M.

Posted: 04.21.08
Name: Shawna D.
Location: Candor New York
Date of Tubal Reversal: 10/24/07
Date of Pregnancy Test: 04/18/08 04/20/08 04/21/08
Due Date: 12/17/2008
Remarks: We were pregnant in February and it ended in an ectopic pregnancy. We will have our first blood draw tomorrow we will keep you posted. Our fingers are crossed for the best. Thank you so much Dr. Berger for making this possible for us - it is a dream come true.

Posted: 04.21.08
Name: Dawn S.
Date of Pregnancy Test: 04/17/08

Posted: 04.21.08
Name: Kandy D.
Location: Vossburg MS
Date of Tubal Reversal: 10/17/03
Date of Pregnancy Test: 03/27/08
Due Date: 12/06/08

Posted: 04.19.08
Name: Jennifer G.
Location: Deer Park Texas
Date of Tubal Reversal: 02/17/06
Date of Pregnancy Test: 04/15/08
Remarks: I have had 2 miscarriages and one ectopic (lost my right tube). We weren’t trying because my HSG showed scar tissue even though I did see with my own eyes the dye go all the way through. We weren’t TTC since I was told I didn’t ovulate without Clomid (I have never test positive for ovulation with test sticks or a fertility monitor without being one Clomid). We are in total shock and of coarse overjoyed and scared at the same time. My 1st HCG number at CD 31 was 21 at CD 33 39 (that was 45 hours apart). I will keep you updated.

Posted: 04.18.08
Name: Alida W.
Location: Albany Georgia
Date of Tubal Reversal: November 1, 2008
Date of Pregnancy Test: April 13, 2008 & April 14, 2008
Due Date: December 6, 2008
Remarks: I used ovulation test sticks (7 stick packs), monitored daily temperature and monitored my cycle. In March (period began 3/1) the peak ovulation day was never indicated. In April I had what appeared to be a very brief (2 1/2 days) period beginning 4/1. Noticed swollen and tender breast on 4/10. Began my usual ovulation stick test on 4/11. On the morning of 4/13 I took both an ovulation test and a pregnancy test and the pregnancy test came up positive. Noticed some spotting that day. Had a quantitative analysis done at ob/gyn on 4/14 which confirmed the pregnancy. Monday 4/14 Progesterone 3.87 and HCG 144.1. Due to the low numbers I was put on Progesterone suppositories and pelvic rest. Wednesday 4/16 Progesterone 22.25 and HCG 176.8. Today, Friday 4/18 HCG 299.00. I continue daily spotting and remain on Progesterone suppositories. I am scheduled for another quantitative analysis on Monday 4/21.

Posted: 04.18.08
Name: Holli B.
Location: VA Virginia Beach
Date of Tubal Reversal: 9/27/07
Date of Pregnancy Test: 4/16/08
Due Date: 12/24/08

Posted: 04.17.08
Name: Nellie B.
Location: West Palm Beach FL
Date of Tubal Reversal: 1/21/2008
Date of Pregnancy Test: 4/10/08
Remarks: Doc, I am a Jan ‘08 girl on the Tubal Reversal Message Board and this is my second cycle since tr and I got a bfp today. THANK YOU!!!! I am scheduled for a dr. appt on monday. Is that too long to wait to get bloodwork done? Today is Thursday and I am 13/14dpo based on my o pain. please give me a call or email me. thank you. thank you. thank you.

Posted: 04.17.08
Name: Tricia B.
Location: Manning Iowa
Date of Tubal Reversal: 01/28/08
Date of Pregnancy Test: 04/17/08
Due Date: 12/22/08
Remarks: Thank you Dr. Berger and staff!!!!!!!!!!!!


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Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center Introduces Dr. Hertz

At Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, the close coordination between the surgical and anesthesia teams makes tubal reversal surgery the safest and most comfortable surgery that is possible. Performing 4 tubal reversal operations together every day, 5 days a week, is unique in the medical field and is one of the factors that makes the tubal reversal experience at Chapel Hill truly exceptional.

Dr. Caryn Hertz, Director of Anesthesia says, “I am dedicated to making each patient’s surgery comfortable and safe. Working regularly with Dr. Berger has enabled me to truly optimize and continually improve the Tubal Ligation Reversal experience for our patients.”

In the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center Blog Dr. Berger welcomes Dr. Split.

Dr. Caryn M. Hertz - Director of Anesthesia

Caryn M. Hertz, MD is a Board Certified Anesthesiologist and has worked in the field for over 20 years. She has devoted her professional career to the subspecialty of ambulatory (outpatient) anesthesia. She has been working with Dr. Gary Berger at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center since 1995.

Originally from Queens, New York, Dr. Hertz attended college at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, graduate school at The University of Pennsylvania, and medical school at the University of Rochester. She completed her residency in anesthesiology at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston (a Harvard affiliate) and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After finishing her residency, she was employed at Duke University Medical Center for 5 years, specializing in preoperative assessment and ambulatory surgery. Dr Hertz has worked at Chapel Hill Surgical Center ever since.

Dr. Hertz says, “I am dedicated to making each patient’s surgery comfortable and safe. Working regularly with Dr. Berger has enabled me to truly optimize and continually improve the Tubal Ligation Reversal experience for our patients.”

Dr. Hertz and her family have lived in Chapel Hill since 1989. Having relocated from the Northeast, they very much enjoyed the mild weather, beautiful environment, and remarkable community here in Chapel Hill.

Dr. Berger’s Comment

One of the many things that makes tubal reversal surgery safe and comfortable at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is the close coordination among the professional staff who work together every day. This makes the tubal reversal procedure go smoothly and without any unnecessary waste of time for the patient who is under anesthesia. It is like a finely tuned orchestra, with each player knowing exactly what the other is doing. This coordinated team work comes only with constant repetition. The surgical and anesthesia staff at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center practice together each day, and doing four procedures a day allows us to work toward the goal of perfection in patient care. It is the goal that we all strive for each day, with each patient, and each tubal ligation reversal. Other doctors and nurses who have visited our facility are amazed at how quickly patients recover from their operations.

6 Responses to “Meet Dr. Caryn Hertz”

1. Rhonda Brown RN Says: April 22nd, 2008 at 6:39 pm I think that it is comforting to patients to know that the person who is in charge of their anesthesia sees each patient as an individual and develops a plan of care specifically for that patient. Teamwork is an important element in exceptional patient care and that is the one thing that comes to mind when I think of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.


2. jgokun Says: April 22nd, 2008 at 6:47 pm I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Hertz for the past 10 years. She is an excellent doctor and very conscientious in her practice. Patients coming to our facility for tubal reversal surgery may rest assured that they will be very well taken care of by Dr. Hertz and her anesthesia department.


3. Julia Smith RN Says: April 22nd, 2008 at 9:24 pm I have worked with Dr. Hertz since 1995 and know that she always keeps patient safety as a priority!


4. Matt Murphy ST Says: April 23rd, 2008 at 6:32 am I have had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Hertz for many a year and I have worked with her for 3 years. She plays a very important role in keeping the safety and comfort of our patients first.


5. Ericka Pamplin Says: April 23rd, 2008 at 6:51 am It’s a pleasure to work with Dr. Hertz! Her dedication and concern for patient safety and comfort, will assist in meeting the daily goal of striving towards perfection in patient care.


6. Kathy Scrone ST Says: April 23rd, 2008 at 12:50 pm Dr. Hertz is an expert in her field and puts the safety and care for her patients first. I would not hesitate to receive anesthesia care from Dr. Hertz. Her work is valued at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.