Once you have recovered from the anaesthetic, passed urine and had something to eat, you will be allowed home. If you leave hospital within hours of the operation, ask a relative or friend to pick you up, or take a taxi.
The healthcare professionals treating you in hospital will tell you what to expect and how to care for yourself after surgery. They may give you a contact number to call if you have any problems or any questions.
If you have had a general anaesthetic, do not drive a car for 48 hours afterwards. This is because even if you feel fine, your reaction times and judgement may not be back to normal.
How you will feel
It is normal to feel unwell and a little uncomfortable for a few days if you have had a general anaesthetic. You may have to rest for a couple of days. Depending on your general health and your job, you can normally return to work five days after tubal occlusion. However, you should avoid heavy lifting for about a week.
You may have some slight vaginal bleeding. Use a sanitary towel rather than a tampon until this has gone. You may also feel some pain, similar to period pain. You may be prescribed painkillers for this. If the pain or bleeding gets worse, seek medical attention.
Caring for your wound
If you had tubal occlusion to block your fallopian tubes, you will have a wound with stitches where the surgeon made an incision (cut) into your body. Some stitches are dissolvable and disappear on their own, and some will need to be removed. If your stitches need removing you will be given a follow-up appointment for this.
If there is a dressing over your wound, you can normally remove this the day after your operation. After this, you will be able to bath or shower as normal.
Having sex
Your sex drive and enjoyment of sex will not be affected. You can have sex as soon as it is comfortable to do so after the operation.
If you had tubal occlusion, you will need to use contraception until your first period to protect yourself from pregnancy. If you had hysteroscopic sterilisation (fallopian implants), you will need to use another form of contraception for around three months after surgery. After scans have confirmed that the implants are in the correct position, you will no longer need contraception.
Remember, sterilisation will not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so continue to use barrier contraception such as condoms if you are unsure of your partner's sexual health.
