1. Tubal ligations are usually done with laparoscopic surgery performed through a tube inserted through a small incision. This outpatient procedure requires either general or local anesthesia.
2. Surgery involves making a small incision just under a woman’s navel and inserting small, thin instruments through a tiny tube to perform the procedure.
3. The fallopian tubes are cut, clamped, blocked, or tied.
4. A new nonsurgical method of blocking the fallopian tubes can be done in the doctor’s office and involves having a small coil placed into the fallopian tubes to create a barrier.
5. A one-night hospital stay may be required with the surgical method. A woman can generally return to her normal activities one week after surgery.
6. Surgical methods involving cut, clamped, or tied fallopian tubes are effective in preventing pregnancy immediately. However, the nonsurgical methods of blocking the fallopian tubes take between three and six months before they become effective for preventing pregnancy.
