Tubal Reversal Testimonials

Testimonials from Dr. Berger's Tubal Reversal Patients

I had a tubal ligation in November 1990. It was not a decision I regret because at that point in my life it was the correct decision. As I changed my life I changed my mind to have additional children. I went back to the Dr. that did the sterilization to see if there was a chance to have the sterilization reversed. In July 1993 he performed a diagnostic laparoscopy and assured me that tubal length was ideal and he could do the reversal. My physician kept emphasizing that it was a simple procedure and he was more than capable of performing the surgery. (Not true)

I had the reversal in September 1993. During my five day hospital stay I endured numerous tests which I felt were unnecessary and painful. I missed sleeping in my own bed. I missed having my family, and most of all I didn’t like giving up my life for five days. I kept telling myself that the end result would make it all worthwhile, my physician said the surgery was a success.

I continued my recovery at home. I was instructed to take off work for 4-5 weeks. My activities were very limited, and I was in pain.

Seven months later thanks to a hysterosalpingogram I learned the surgery was not a success. In those seven months I was on an emotional roller coaster. Every month I thought for sure I was pregnant, then I would start a new cycle. I used ovulation predictors, took my temperature, and kept my husband from taking hot baths (he did take showers).

I went to a new doctor who was a fertility specialist. He felt a second attempt at reversal was useless; in first attempts he had a 55% success rate. In my case trying a second time he would give us a 10% success rate……try IVF. I had briefly read about IVF and was against it. I hated needles and would rather eat glass than get daily injections. I found another physician who was a fertility specialist. He performed a diagnostic laparoscopy only to tell use there was not enough tubal length to perform a second reversal. He desired 3 cm of fallopian tube, and both of mine were less than that. He offered IVF as our only hope.

Our hopes were totally crushed. My husband and I finally agreed to IVF, due to the cost we could and would try it two times. (My husband terms IVF as the first step to divorce.)

Our first attempt at IVF failed. I started buying books on infertility, pregnancy, clinical studies, and IVF. I wanted to know as much as possible for our next attempt. I read anything I could get my hands on. I even shopped around with other fertility clinics. In the books and articles I read, Dr. Berger’s name seemed to jump out at me. He was in North Carolina which just seemed to be so far away, so I tired to push it out of my thoughts. We went ahead and scheduled the second IVF cycle, but I was still curious about Dr. Berger.

I gathered my medical records and forwarded them to Dr. Berger asking if he felt there was anything he could do. Our IVF cycle was scheduled to begin March 24, 1995. On March 22, 1995 Teresa from Dr. Berger’s office called to say she got my letter and wanted to review my situation. Teresa went on to explain Dr. Berger’s procedure and his success rate. She could supply me with previous clients that I could speak to. She told me of articles I could read and a film of the surgery I could watch if I wanted her to send it to me. The last thing we talked about was the cost. It was comparable to IVF. However, IVF was a one shot deal, surgery could produce additional pregnancies.

I was walking on pins and needles. My husband and I discussed it at length. We had to make a decision due to the IVF cycle. We decided to postpone the IVF for another month, not giving our Dr. any reason.

We received an assortment of information from Teresa. We watched the video on the surgery. We reviewed the list of attractions in the area and decided to select a motel. I called Dr. Berger’s office the next day and scheduled the surgery for May.

We saw his staff on a Thursday. It was impressive and comforting the way everyone made us feel. We reviewed the surgery with Dr. Berger and he answered all our questions. We received a tour of the facilities, and were given suggestions on where to enjoy a good seafood meal. Surgery was scheduled for the next day.

Friday morning we arrived at the Surgical Center for the surgery. All my last minute questions were answered. Dr. Berger was very energetic and positive. The staff was great. I was treated as if I was the nicest person on earth when I was treating them really bad. I’ll admit I embarrassed myself the way I acted after coming out of the anesthesia. I was given final instructions and with the TENS unit in place I was discharged shortly after lunch.

We returned to our hotel and Dr. Berger called me later in the day to see how I was feeling. He gave me his beeper number, his office number and even gave me his home phone number. I could call him whenever I wanted, even after I returned home. We went for a drive and to the planetarium that evening.

Saturday we were up and out again. We went for a drive, we went for a walk, we even got lost. I can honestly say I wasn’t in pain. I was uncomfortable, but not pain. Compared to the first attempt at a reversal this surgery was so much better, easier, it’s hard to explain but it was different. The incision was half the size of the incision for the first attempt at the reversal. If a surgery can be termed simple, that’s how I would sum it up. Dr. Berger came to our room for a follow-up later in the day.

Sunday morning Dr. Berger called to see how I was doing. I felt everything was great, I had removed the TENS unit and only took two pain killers (one Friday night, one Saturday morning). I was instructed to follow-up with my fertility specialist back home.

Six weeks after the surgery I was followed up by my local fertility specialist with a hysterosalpingogram. This was more uncomfortable than Dr. Berger’s surgery. I had noticed a startling change in my local specialist. He was angry I went elsewhere for the surgery, and he let me know it. He felt that it was impossible for the reversal to be done a second time. After the procedure was completed he was enthusiastic to inform me that one fallopian tube was totally blocked and the other had obstruction. I was devastated. I called Teresa at Dr. Berger’s office. She was there for me, this was just another disappointment on top of all the others. Dr. Berger had me return for another follow-up surgery. He guaranteed he could get a tube open. I would not be charged for this procedure; they would bill my insurance and accept whatever they paid. Our only costs were for our stay and travel.

The second surgery with Dr. Berger was a small incision in my belly button. One fallopian tube had attached to my stomach fat. He cleared it and my other tube was fine. I’ll never forget Dr. Berger’s support and constant reassurance. After this procedure he said I should be getting pregnant in the next couple of months.

We went to a local specialist for a PCT test. Looking back I wish I never returned to him. This time we were informed that my cervical mucous killed my husband’s sperm. Our only chance of getting pregnant was with artificial insemination. Again I called Teresa at Dr. Berger’s office. I wasn’t ready to give up just yet. I kept redrawing the line I wouldn’t cross. We would try artificial insemination next month.

It was late. I became angry with my body, I felt it was playing another trick on me. I am regular. I was never early, never late. My cycles were regular as a clock. Finally after five days had passed I did a home pregnancy test, angry that my body would be trying to trick me. The test was positive!

I called my local specialist. I knew the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. My specialist told me over the phone that I wasn’t pregnant but to appease me I was to go have a blood test done. The next day he called me to say he didn’t know how but I was pregnant. I called Teresa at Dr. Berger’s office and said "Well, Teresa, Dr. Berger was wrong. He said it would take two months to get pregnant, it took three." This was a very special call for me.

The next step was to get an ultrasound to make sure it was not an ectopic pregnancy. My husband and I decided if it was we would have Dr. Berger remove it. The personalized care and support that Dr. Berger and his office extended to us was deeply appreciated and needed after everything we went through. The feelings I have about Dr. Berger and his staff can never be summed up in words. It’s been an experience that I do not regret. My only regrets are that I didn’t find out about him sooner and that I don’t live closer to his office.

The cost for Dr. Berger’s surgery ended up being considerably less than IVF and IVF doesn’t have any guarantees. My insurance company did reimburse me for a large portion of the fee. I just know I got a bargain compared to IVF and part of my expenses are tax deductible.

I am a real person, feel free to write or call. I’ve learned first hand infertility is not something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. Throughout everything we had our ups and downs, with the downs being too close and too many. My husband has been great. There were times we thought our marriage was going to end over this whole infertility thing, but we made it and our marriage is closer, stronger, better. I fell in love with him all over again.

Our baby is due in July 1996, one year after the last surgery by Dr. Berger. I’ve found a new local specialist whom I adore. We appreciate this pregnancy and realize getting pregnant isn’t an easy task to accomplish.

Thanks to Dr. Berger we did.

Kathi B. T.
R.R. #2, Box 2250
Shickshinny, PA 18866

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