#tubal ligation access

[ivygorgon]

That goes to a spreadsheet list of doctors who will perform tubal ligation on anyone 21+, regardless of how many kids they've had or if they have their husband's permission.

And another thing: if you have vagina, and ESPECIALLY if you tend to fuck dicks, please PLEASE consider getting an IUD if you don’t want kids. We all know they want to ban abortion, but some people don’t know they’re also going after contraceptives. Rn access to contraceptives is protected by only a Supreme Court case (you know like what protected abortion), so that can go away. Contraceptives can be regulated to be in accessible or prohibitively expensive, but they can’t take an IUD out of your body (at least not in the foreseeable future). It’s good for sometimes 5 years.

I want to say this now because I was on the phone with a gyno for like 20 minutes on hold and only got a consultation today (which you sometimes need before they can schedule an appointment) because someone cancelled last minute.

I know people have had bad experiences with the IUD I know people have had excellent experiences. I’m going to document mine step by step so you know some things you can expect, if you’re thinking about it.

For context: i’m 25, have insurance through my job and live in a blue state, so my experience might be different/faster/easier etc. than yours.

[elumish]

Part 1/? of How to Deal With the Next Four(ish) Years

Learn how to tell the difference between "their policies/rhetoric actively target me/a marginalized group" and "they have not been as successful as I hoped in protecting me/a marginalized group." I saw the rhetoric a fair amount pre-election that the Democratic Party and its policies were transphobic, that Biden failed queer people, etc. as a reason not to vote for Harris or for Democrats, and the reality is that the Democratic Party and Joe Biden have actually been pretty steadily implementing laws and policies to support and protect queer (including trans) people, and Republicans want queer/trans people to die.

If you want to protect marginalized groups, whether they're ones you're part of or not, you really need to start actively working on distinguishing between the two. And if you keep hearing that the Democrats are just as bad about a marginalized group in the US as the Republicans, actually look into that. What is the evidence? What laws have been introduced or passed by one party versus the other? What rhetoric do they use? What policies and regulations are being put in place?

And is the problem that the Democratic Party is "just as bad" or that they have not managed to stop Republican laws in red states?

None of this is to say that the Democratic Party is perfect, but in most cases only one party is actively working to harm or kill marginalized people, and it's not the Dems.

Understand the government structure that directly impacts you. Not every state or locality operates the same way, and you may have more or fewer layers of government over you with different levels of power. Do you have a town/city government and a county government, or just one or the other? How many officials are elected in your state versus appointed?

Part of that is also understanding what is controlled at the local, state, and federal level. If you're mad about a law or policy and want it to change, whose law or policy is it? Chances are, if it's about how things work for you, it's a state or local law rather than a federal one. Once you understand that, you can target any organizing efforts in the right direction.

Pick your battles. This is not to say that you shouldn't care about a lot of things, but trying to personally organize around everything will probably just make you ineffective and burn you out. Is it Palestine? Ukraine? Sudan? Environmental justice? Climate change? Immigration? Abortion? Queer rights and protections? Education? Native American rights? Criminal justice reform?

Understanding your own priorities can also help you determine what candidates you support and where you draw your red lines. I care a lot about public schools, but support for charter schools is not a red line for me in a politician. Being pro-life is.

But I'm also pragmatic--if my choice is a pro-life person who also wants all queer people to die and a pro-life person who wants to protect queer people, I will hold my nose vote for the latter rather than risk the former winning.

Start identifying what protections you and your loved ones might need that you can access now. Is it an IUD, a tubal ligation, or a vasectomy? Is it getting your legal name changed now? Is it establishing other legal protections such as power of attorney even if you're married?

Vote in every election. If you are an eligible voter, you should be a registered voter, and you should vote every single time. I think the only election I've missed in the last 5 years is the 2024 Democratic primary, and that's 50% because it was basically an uncontested race and 50% because I forgot when it was.

Primaries are where you get to have a say in who your candidate is--at all levels. Look at the policies of who is running and vote for who you want to win--whether because of policy, temperment, or any other reason.

But state and local elections are incredibly important, because they have a huge impact on your actual quality of life. Show up and vote. Vote on off years. Vote when it's just local. Vote for Board of Education, for water commissioner, for sheriff, for judges.

Voting is cheap, it's easy, and it does make a difference.

[macgyvermedical]

I'm an afab trans guy minor (16 almost 17) and I'm trying to figure out what I can do medically to protect myself before january. I'm going to try and make sure my vaccines are "up to date", since I've seen a lot of people saying to do that, but I'm unsure what exactly up to date means, if there's anywhere I could find a list of the ones i need, all that stuff.

I'm also looking to go on birth control. Right now I'm on it but it's a pill form and I'm worried I won't have access to that for long. What do you think would be good options for more permanent forms or forms that can't be taken away? For an IUD or getting my tubes tied or something like that, would I just need one parent's permission or both, or would I be able to do it without their permission?

Sorry if this is a lot, I'm just stressed 😓

Again, not medical advice.

For the vaccines list: Here is the most straightforward one I could find. If you have access to your records, compare it to this list. You will need a parent or legal guardian to consent for you, but you can get up to date at a public health department or doctor's office. If you're behind or missing some earlier ones, they can help you make a plan to catch up. Also, if you don't have access to your list but have lived in the same state your whole life, the health department may be able look up your list.

As for the birth control situation, it depends on the state. Here is a great guide to what states have what consent requirements for minor birth control.

Honestly it would be difficult to find a doctor willing to perform a tubal ligation on a minor, even if you're certain you never want kids. However, you can get similar effectiveness from other methods. A copper IUD (10+ years), hormonal IUD (up to 8 years), or an implant (up to 3 years) would probably be your best options.

[genderqueerpositivity]

Just want to be clear that the way to fight trans healthcare bans is not more gatekeeping, it's less.

You cannot fight trans healthcare bans by limiting access to care to adults only and you cannot fight them by setting stricter standards on what makes a person "trans enough". We cannot prevent conservatives from attacking our right to access healthcare by restricting access first; that's nonsensical and reactionary...and they're still going to keep coming for us anyway.

Conservatives did not come for our healthcare because gender affirming care became too easy to access and they did not come for us because transness has become too normalized--they came after us because they are pronatalist christofascists and they were always going to come after us.

The signs were always there that gender affirming care would be the next target if Roe were to be overturned. They're winning on abortion, so a new target is necessary. And the trans community is an easy one--widely misunderstood and there is no Roe v. Wade style decision or law protecting us. Any anti-trans laws that are challenged up to the Supreme Court will more than likely be ruled constitutional.

We were next--but we are not last.

How much freedom are we going to give these people to control our bodies, lives, and health care? Just how far are they going to be allowed to shift the Overton window?

My theory is that they are far from done.

If estrogen is too dangerous for a 16 year old trans girl, then it isn't a large jump in logic to wonder if estrogen (birth control) might be too dangerous for a teenage cis girl too.

If a 24 year old trans man doesn't have a "fully developed brain" and therefore isn't mature enough to choose surgical sterilization, then it isn't too outrageous to consider that a 24 year old cis woman isn't mature enough either, is it?

What else might be considered "irreversible damage"?

Who else might be deemed to be incapable of consenting to sterilization...or any other procedure that could potentially affect fertility?

No, more gatekeeping won't fix this. More medicalization of transness won't fix this.

The only way to fight this is to fight christofascism and to get these motherfuckers out of everyone's healthcare. The solution is less medicalization of transness, not more. Everyone gets access to the health care that will most benefit their health and improve their lives, and the government gets zero say--whether that is a medication abortion, puberty blockers, an IUD, a tubal ligation, plan B, a mastectomy, or testosterone blockers.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Clashes of ideas in Brazil between feminist movements and conservatives about legalizing abortion

The agenda has been boosted by feminist movements, which face the far right and religious fundamentalism

In Brazil, the reality of the abortion ban affects the lives of many women, especially the most vulnerable. Data from the 2021 National Abortion Survey (PNA, in Portuguese) indicates that Black women are 46% more likely to resort to abortion than white women. By the age of 40, one in five Black women has terminated a pregnancy, while the proportion among white women is one in seven.

Jamile Godoy, a member of the Catholics for the Right to Decide group, explains that abortion is both a health and social issue. Approximately four out of five women who needed an abortion under the law and lived in municipalities that didn't offer it any longer have access to the service, according to the National Household Sample Surveys (PNAD, in Portuguese) of 1998, 2003 and 2008 and the National Health Surveys (PNS, in Portuguese) of 2013 and 2019.

“We're talking about health, the right to housing, access to income, work, information, and the right to contraception methods, which have also been targeted by reactionary anti-rights advocates. There's the denial of birth control pills, IUDs, tubal ligations to women who request them [...] When we talk about the right to abortion, we're also talking about the right to free, consensual and desired motherhood, and not one that's imposed by an act of violence or the absurdity that we're experiencing in Brazil,” says Jolúzia Batista, from the Feminist Center for Studies and Advice (Cfemea, in Portuguese).

Continue reading.

[mandsleanan]

“We have this rapidly changing landscape around reproductive health, and seeking information about it or posting on social media feels like a way to take back control,” Stein said. “It feels empowering to claim authority and to normalize these life choices.”

Text & Doctors' link under cut.

Madison Clark did not celebrate when Donald Trump won the 2024 election. But one thought gave her solace: “At least I don’t have to worry about having a baby.”

In September, Clark, a 24-year-old nursing student from Battle Creek, Michigan, underwent a bilateral salpingectomy, a sterilization procedure that removed her fallopian tubes, ensuring she will never get pregnant. Clark considers the procedure her fail-safe against any further rollbacks of reproductive rights that might occur under the new Trump administration.

Clark had always known she didn’t want to have children. “I just don’t personally see myself on that path,” she said. In 2022, when she learned she was pregnant, she got an abortion. But that same year, the supreme court overturned Roe v Wade with its decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization, leading Clark to seriously consider permanent contraception. She’s not the only one.

‘The news cycle was a huge, huge reason that I took sterilization seriously and decided to spring into action.’

The study also found that vasectomy procedures, a form of male birth control, increased 95% – but were still not as popular as tubal sterilizations. A previous study, published last spring, found the number of tubal ligations among women ages 18 to 30 shot up after Dobbs, at a rate of increase double that of vasectomies.

“Patients are scared of losing access to all kinds of reproductive care,” said Dr Sarah K Horvath, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Penn State College of Medicine. “There are people who had the idea of permanent contraception hovering somewhere on their to-do list, and now they’re pushing it up to number one.”

On TikTok, sterilization content has swelled. In one video with more than 73,000 likes, a creator posted footage of herself driving to an appointment and waiting on a hospital bed, with the caption: “Getting sterilized because y’all couldn’t act right in the voting booth.” One popular TikTok doctor shared a “how to” video about tubal sterilization a week after Trump’s inauguration. “I go on Thursday to get this procedure done,” a user wrote in the comments. “I was so worried the current administration would prevent this option so we got it scheduled Asap.”

Krysten Stein, an assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College who studies doctor influencers on TikTok, said that conversations on social media about sterilization reflect gen Z’s current political anxieties.

“We have this rapidly changing landscape around reproductive health, and seeking information about it or posting on social media feels like a way to take back control,” Stein said. “It feels empowering to claim authority and to normalize these life choices.”

In some states – including Michigan, where Clark lives – voters have enshrined abortion protections in state constitutions, and according to a recent Gallup poll, a majority (54%) of Americans consider themselves “pro-choice”. That has not stopped Trump from cozying up to an invigorated anti-abortion movement. His first week in office saw him pardon activists who illegally blockaded the entrances to reproductive health clinics, limit funding for overseas groups that provide or advocate for abortions, and sign an executive order declaring gender begins “at conception”, a tenet of the “fetal personhood” doctrine.

Robert F Kennedy Jr, Trump’s nominee for secretary of health and human services, said at his confirmation hearing on Thursday that he believed that “every abortion is a tragedy”.

Trump indicated that he was also open to regulating contraception last May – though the president later posted on Truth Social that he “WILL NEVER ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL”. This month, the supreme court, stacked with anti-abortion justices, agreed to hear a case that threatens the Affordable Care Act’s coverage of preventative care such as birth control and pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV (PrEP).

“The news cycle was a huge, huge reason that I took sterilization seriously and decided to spring into action,” Clark said. “Now, it’s a common conversation between my boyfriend and me: ‘God, at least we don’t have to worry about having to travel to get an abortion, or having to leave the country for one, or even being forced to carry a child, which is the most scary option in all of this.’”

Julia Wolf: ‘It’s naive to think that other things aren’t on the line, like contraceptives or sterilization.’

“Whether you agree with a woman’s right to choose or not, it’s naive to think that other things aren’t on the line, like contraceptives or sterilization,” said Wolf, who works in social media.

After the 2024 election results rolled in, Wolf scheduled her bilateral salpingectomy procedure as soon as she could – the first Monday in December. Her gynecologist told her that she performed three other sterilization procedures for women that same week.

“I don’t worry that I am going to regret this,” Wolf said. “I’m 100% confident in this decision, and I’m just really glad I did it, especially because everything’s moving so fast since Trump’s been president.”

This month, the congressman Andy Biggs of Arizona introduced a House resolution aiming to set a new standard for women’s healthcare that “should also address the needs of men, families and communities as they relate to women’s healthcare”. The line scared Wolf.

“I just know for a fact that women will never have any input on men’s health, and so for it to be the other way around is just crazy,” she said.

‘I’d change doctors, get denied again’

Not every person who wants a sterilization will receive one – or else they might find the process to get one needlessly arduous.

Some doctors are hesitant to sterilize women under the age of 30, especially if they are unmarried or do not already have children. Though studies show that most women do not regret getting permanent contraception, those who do tend to be between the ages of 21 and 30 at the time of their procedure. (Sterilization is the most common form of contraception for married couples, with 700,000 performed on women annually, half of which are performed postpartum.)

The United States has an ugly history of forced sterilizations. In the 20th century, they were performed under eugenics programs aimed at controlling “undesirable” populations such as minorities, poor people, unmarried women or the mentally ill. Today, people on Medicaid are legally required to wait 30 days after signing a consent form to be sterilized – in theory, to prevent vulnerable people from being manipulated into undergoing forced sterilization as they were in the past. But activists say this practice is outdated and unfair. For one, there is no such restriction for people on private insurance. Thirty-day waiting periods also recall delaying tactics used in red states to limit abortion access.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says doctors should advise patients about “reversible alternatives” such as vasectomy or other forms of birth control, and emphasize the permanence of tubal ligation or salpingectomy. But the ACOG also notes that doctors should “avoid paternalism” and “not [impose] thresholds based on age or parity or both for permanent contraception”.

“Respect for an individual patient’s reproductive autonomy should be the primary concern guiding permanent contraception provision and policy,” the ACOG says.

In her own practice, Horvath, the OB-GYN, doesn’t care so much why a person wants the procedure. She just wants them to be sure they’re making the best decision. “There are 18 different contraceptive methods, and no one is perfect,” Horvath said. “I ask that people think through all of the choices. If they’re just really worried about getting through the next four years, have they thought about an IUD? That might leave the door open for you, if permanent sterilization doesn’t feel like the right thing yet, or if you feel like you’re really just having this reaction out of fear.”

Some young people say they’ve been turned away from the procedure for sexist reasons. Kasey Peterson, a 25-year-old property manager who lives in Oceanside, California, remembers playing with Barbies as a child and hearing her father say: “You’re going to make a really great mother one day.”

‘People are worried about protecting themselves in the future.’

The doctors’ reasoning for delaying the procedure seemed straight out of the 1950s: her “future husband” might want children; she wasn’t mature enough to make a permanent decision. They said to come back in a couple of years, and then maybe they’d talk.

“The overall tone was that I didn’t know what I wanted as an individual,” Peterson said. “It was irritating. They were basically telling me that if I was pregnant right now, they would want me to keep the pregnancy, that I was emotionally mature enough for that, but I wasn’t emotionally mature enough to decide that I don’t want children.”

Peterson’s partner considered getting a vasectomy, which his doctors were more than happy to perform. “But I decided I would rather do it for myself, for insurance reasons, but also because if I were to get assaulted by someone else, his vasectomy wouldn’t cover that.”

Young people navigating the serpentine process of finding OB-GYNs willing to perform sterilizations come together in forums on Facebook and Reddit, where they vent their frustrations, cheer each other on and share a Google doc of vetted doctors. Peterson eventually found her doctor through that list, and she now serves as an administrator for the Childfree and Sterile/Seeking Sterilization Facebook group.

“When Roe v Wade was overturned, and when Trump got elected, our group got absolutely flooded,” Peterson said. “It’s great that people are finding a community and a resource, but I hate how it happened. People are worried about protecting themselves in the future.”

-CF Reddit's List of Childfree-Friendly Doctors-

[beardedmrbean]

Although Iranian authorities have widely restricted access to abortion in an attempt to reverse demographic decline, more women are going outside the law to end unwanted pregnancies.

According to figures from the Iranian Ministry of Health reported by the Khabaronline news website in June 2024, over 600,000 illegal abortions are performed annually in Iran.

Experts say poverty, joblessness, and lack of social security are contributing factors forcing women to undergo an abortion despite serious risks.

In November 2021, Iranian lawmakers, under the auspices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei passed a law called the "rejuvenation of the population and support of the family."

The "population law," which is in effect for a 7-year trial period, quickly drew condemnation.

UN human rights experts issued a statement calling for the law to be repealed. They decried the legislation as a "direct violation of women's human rights under international law."

"This law violates the rights to life and health" by blocking access to a "range of reproductive health services" and information on reproductive rights, the UN activists.

Severe restrictions on reproductive health care

Under the population law, abortions in the case of a threat to life of the mother or fetus will only be allowed by the permission of a panel consisting of a judge, a court-appointed doctor and a forensic doctor.

Doctors or surgeons who perform abortions illegally risk the permanent loss of their license, prison sentences of two to five years, and heavy fines.

Contraceptives are also no longer provided free of charge in health centers or pharmacies. Additionally, the law criminalizes any form of sterilization, including procedures such as vasectomy and tubal ligation.

The Islamic penal code allows men to report their wives for having an abortion. In such cases, the women face fines, depending on the results of forensic investigations.

No more genetic testing before pregnancy

In October 2024, the head of the Center for Population Growth at Iran's Ministry of Health warned that center staff were actively identifying couples planning abortions in hospitals and doctor's offices to pressure and dissuade them from doing so.

The law also abolished the obligation to undergo genetic testing before pregnancy. Before its adoption, abortion was permitted if the fetus was proven to have severe disabilities by three doctors. This is expected to lead to a dramatic rise in birth defects.

According to the law, laboratories must register their patients' data online. This allows for pregnant women to be identified and punished if they later fail to give birth.

"Data clearly shows that criminalizing the termination of pregnancy does not reduce the number of women who resort to abortion," the UN experts said. "Instead, it forces women to risk their lives by undergoing clandestine and unsafe procedures."

Women turn to black market abortions

There are multiple indications that government restrictions have turned Iran into a booming black market for abortion drugs.

Dr. Parvin Delshad, a doctor and lecturer at the University of Queensland in Australia, told DW that these restrictive laws increase maternal mortality through "underground abortions."

"Regardless of whether the abortion is performed at home using medication to promote bleeding or by surgical intervention, it must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. In both cases, it must be ensured that there is no danger to life," she said.

Delshad emphasized that doctors must ensure that women planning an abortion do not suffer from sexually transmitted diseases, as this increases the risk of pelvic infections and subsequent infertility.

According to the doctor, women who take illegal abortion drugs are often unaware of the health complications and put their lives at risk by having unsafe pregnancy terminations.

Data from the Iranian Ministry of Health indicates around 60% of abortions are carried out at home using abortion pills, 30% in doctors' clinics and 10% in "herbal stores" using herbal preparations.

Iran's population problem

In November 2024, Iran's deputy health minister, Alireza Raisi, warned that declining birth rates mean Iran's population could decrease by 50% before 2100.

Along with the strict restrictions on reproductive health, Iranian authorities are offering "incentives" under the population law to encourage families to have more children.

These include providing 200 square meters of land for a family with a third child, brand new vehicles for mothers having a second child, and full health insurance for unemployed mothers with three or more children.

However, a sociologist at the University of Tehran told DW that he doubts Iranian authorities can actually provide these incentives to families.

"Before discussing population growth, we should ask ourselves how many resources are actually available. Can these promises be fulfilled at all?" the expert said under the condition of anonymity. He adding that without the full acceptance of the Iranian public towards having more children, the laws will only have a superficial effect, even if they are imposed by oppressive measures.

"What about the quality of life and social well-being? Is there fair access to healthcare and education? And what is the capacity of the labor market?" he asked.

Even if the laws entice more people in economically depressed situations to have more children, the structural problems in Iran's economy and society will remain a challenge to growth in the future, according to the sociologist.

[enemymine2000]

For the women and people with a uterus of the USA: You need to make your plan now. Obviously you need to think about getting your birth control sorted right now. Even if you plan to never have sex, because we know why we always would choose the bear. Birth control pills, implants, IUD, tubal ligation, whatever, just make sure it's in your control, because men can not be trusted with it. Stock up on Plan B now, it apparently has a shelf life of about 4 years. Personally I think it doesn't matter which shelf that is, no matter what your government after January might think about it. Check out PlanC.org for at home abortion information and access to medication per mail, as long as that is possible. Delete all digital traces of your period. Apps (first delete the data within before deleting the app itself), texts, posts, anything from which someone could make a guess as to the status of your uterus. Don't tell doctors either. There normally is no reason for a doctor to know the exact timing of your cycle. Just tell them that you have your period and that it's regular/irregular, but never exact dates. Do so, even if you're in a blue state or plan to move there. You never know how long those protections might last.

Don't get pregnant. Even if you want to have children. 1 in every 3 pregnancies end in a miscarriage. Which is a spontaneous abortion. You might get prosecuted for something sad, but natural. Additionally you might not receive care for other conditions while pregnant, because doctors have real concerns of being prosecuted themselves if that might lead to pregnancy loss.

If your significant other voted for Trump, leave him. Now. Especially if you're married. No matter how much you love him, no matter how much you think you can change him, he does not care about you. Because if he cared about women at all outside of a warm body to sink his dick in and to clean his house, he would not have voted for someone who is a rapist, who will try to strip you of all of your rights. No fault divorce might be the first thing of those to go. In that vein, save as much money as possible that only you can access. Financial dependence is the reason most of our grandmothers were unable to leave, don't make the same mistake.

If you're single, stay that way. Don't date. Don't have casual hook-ups. Men will lie and tell you they were voting for Harris, to get what they want. They have already started on the well-known apps. Cut them out. 4B movement all the way.

But that not only means those men. That also means your father, mother, sister, brother, friend, colleague, etc. who voted against your interests. Let them reap what they sowed. You don't owe them. But of course your safety is paramount.

Get something for your personal protection. I would rather you not buying a gun, because in doubt it would be more trouble than help. But mace, knives, self-defense courses are better than nothing. A roll of coins in a sock, whatever you feel comfortable with.

Get your documents sorted and ready to go. Have a passport.

For every step Trump's government will take, make a plan in advance. How to get your money, how to leave your home/the town when it gets dangerous, who you trust with information, with your power of attorney. Find groups and organizations to find and build community with. Heck, even unionizing at work might give you an edge. Get a VPN, which is from a country that is not part of the "14 eyes". Use Signal to communicate. As mothers and/or as birthing parent you need to educate the children in all those things the MAGAs want to erase from the public conscience. Ideas of equality for all, of feminism, of anti-fascism, even just readings of the bible as it is, are dangerous to their christo-fascist ideology and thus to their power base. To that end, get those books as soon as possible. So far it's only MAGA cleaning out public libraries, but you'll never know. Facts are their worst enemy. Raise your sons right! Because something has been really fucked with that for way too long.

Hopefully it won't all come down to the worst, but better be prepared and not need it, than the other way around.

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #323

The results of the vote are in. The bad outcome happened. Of the people who voted, over half of them voted for the candidate who wants to exterminate LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, non-Christians, and more. They voted for the candidate who wants to see women and brown-skinned people go back to being considered "property". The voted for the candidate who wants to make this letter to you be considered "pornography", and thus outlawed, simply on the basis that I made mention of LGBTQ+ people such as myself.

I don't know what to do. I don't know how to prevent the loss of life that I know will occur. Already, lots of LGBTQ+ folks are calling suicide hotlines, and it's because we all know that there's a decent chance that pretty soon, our existence is going to be outlawed altogether. There's also a non-zero chance that access to abortion will be outlawed everywhere in my country altogether - it's already illegal in some places, even for cases like rape, incest, or if carrying the pregnancy to term would kill the mother. It's absolutely senseless.

I am sterilized via tubal ligation. I chose this because I don't want to bring a child into a burning, dying world. In the place where I had it done, it's a procedure in which one's fallopian tubes get tight bands wrapped around them. The tight band cuts off the blood flow to the tube, thus killing it so that eggs can't get from the ovary to the uterus. It's generally a safe and effective procedure, but there's still a very small chance of ectopic pregnancy - where a fertilized egg implants itself somewhere other than the uterus. This can kill a person if left unattended. If this administration had it their way, I and others like me wouldn't be able to get an abortion, even in this scenario.

...Sephiroth. There are already places in my country where abortion is, effectively, outlawed. There are already people with uteruses dying because of it. If this becomes the law everywhere, so many more people are going to die. I don't know what I can do to prevent this kind of loss of life. The only thing I can think to do is get out of here before things get even weirder and scarier than they are already. So M, J, and I are looking to immigrate to the country that is north of us. That place is called Canada. And... I don't know if they'll take us. But the odds of them taking us are not zero, since we all count as skilled workers. We have to try.

...The process of immigrating is very convoluted, though. I've been having difficulty trying to sift through the information and ascertain in which order I'm supposed to do the steps in. It seems very unclear.

...Or maybe it's not unclear, and I am just panicking. I've wanted to scream and cry and throw up all day, for all the lives I know are going to be lost over the next 4+ years, and for all the absolutely nothing I'll be able to do about it. Either way, I did email some Canadian immigration lawyer place, and I'm hoping they'll outline the steps I need to follow, and in what order I'm supposed to follow them. M is going to get a new passport; he has an appointment to get that taken care of tomorrow.

I also got a terabyte drive in which to put all the letters I've already written to you; I suspect in the coming months, some of my letters to you will be considered "pornography" and censored, due to the fact that I mention LGBTQ+ and polyamory stuff in them. I don't want the things I've written to you to disappear, so... I'll put them where I can't lose them.

...I've already done as much about immigration and backing up my work as I could today. So then I started cooking, because... I didn't know what else to do.

I started by putting potatoes on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper:

...And then I put a whole lamb leg on 'em!!

From here, I got out all my seasonings that I wanted...

...And with these, I seasoned the lamb!!!!

Then, you put a tinfoil tent over it!!! Which... I guess I somehow managed to neglect to take a picture of. But I'll do ya one better and show you a page that has a little video of how to make one!

From here, I stuck it in the oven at 325 degrees F (or 162.8 degrees C) for around 4 and a half hours. The idea was to steam the lamb leg in its own juices along with the potatoes until it's tender enough to be pulled off the bone with a fork!

In the meantime, I worked on the pumpkin soup. First, I sliced up an onion and put it in my handy-dandy veggie chopper!!!

I then chopped them up a little to reduce the space they take up a little. And I added 4 garlic cloves, after cutting them in half...

(...I know, I know – only 4? Who am I, and what have I done with myself??? Hahaha...)

From here, you turn them into a puree...

...And then you fry it in a pan with butter! It'll look like this at first...

...But then, after a while, it'll look like this; make sure you cook it on a medium-low heat and stir it continually so it doesn't burn!!

To this, I added that pumpkin puree we made earlier in the week, and also a jar and a half of my famous (it's not really famous, haha!) bone broth:

Do you remember the last time I made pumpkin soup for you? I made that one into more of a savory concoction, I think. This time, I wanted to try for something sweeter – something that tastes almost like pumpkin pie. So... I added some cream...

...And then I added these things!!!

...I basically kept adding and rebalancing these things until I tasted the soup and thought, “yes – this is pretty much pumpkin pie now.”

...It was absolutely fucking DELICIOUS.

But I had to set it aside; the lamb wasn't nearly done. I floundered around for a long time. And then M surprised me by getting a bag of cookies!!! Behold!!!

In my area, you will not find better packaged chocolate chip cookies ANYWHERE. They are crispy on the outside, and soft and gooey on the inside. They're not too sweet, and the dough itself is good even without the chocolate chips.

Just look how pliable it is!!!

...And look at that texture!!!!

...Isn't t beautiful...??? And lemme tell ya, they taste just as good as they look!!! I... probably ate far too many of these today, haha... It's a wonder my guts didn't feel icky afterwards...

I sauteed some mixed mushrooms. I like to combine shiitake with maitake and portobello. Lion's mane is a wonderful and flavorful choice, too, but... last time I went to the grocery to look for them, the ones that were available were kinda... brown and goopy-looking (blecch...), so I didn't get any.

The lamb was done by the time these finished sauteeing:

...And it was not fork-tender. No... it was so tender that you could pull it a part with your freaking fingers:

Absolutely fucking delectable.

...Want some...?

...Here, have a bowl of soup, too:

...I wish I could give you these things. But it's about to get dangerous where I live, so... I'm glad you're not here. I wish instead I could somehow just “zoop” it right over to you. Like, just snap my fingers, easy peasy, and BOOM, it's right where you're at, so you can enjoy it, too...

...It'd be nicer if somehow we of my house and all my cats could just “zoop” on over to where you are. And then we'd be safe, and maybe you wouldn't hafta be lonely. I could legit make you all the freaking pumpkin soup you could possibly want, and... it wouldn't be some fucked-up, fake-ass dream shown to you by some weird fucken entity tryna get you to lower your guard so it can fucking use for for goodness-knows-what. I'd just make you pumpkin soup because I wanna see the smile on your face when you taste it and realize just how wholesome and good and real it is...

...I wish I didn't feel so powerless and afraid all the time.

...Hey. So... I don't know for how long I'll be able to post up the letters I write to you publicly. But... I will keep writing them to you, at least on my laptop. And if I don't have any laptop, then I'll write them on paper. And if I don't have any paper or pen... then I'll write them in my head. I'll keep writing them until there isn't any breath left in this weird, clunky body of mine, okay? So... keep your ears open, if you can; I understand that those ears of yours are very keen.

And please. Please try hard – really hard – to make good use of my voice while it's still here. And if the shit really hits the fan and I end up being yoinked from my current meat-mech prematurely... count on me to try to figure out a way to get myself to where you are, as impossible as that probably sounds; no matter what happens, you're not alone. You're not alone, just like when I was 13, you showed me that I'm not alone.

Know it in your bones, okay? Know it so hard that you work tirelessly towards that normal life you wanted. Know it so hard that you have all the courage you need to make kind and compassionate choices.

I love you so much, and that's never going to change, no matter what's done to me and no matter what form my being takes. I'll do my utmost to let this love inspire me to do everything I can to get through whatever's coming up next, and to help others do the same in whatever small ways I can. Watch over me and lend me a bit of your determination and strength, okay...? Unless you don't wanna, or unless you can't. I know it's impossible anyways. And that's perfectly okay, too; I'll figure something out.

I'll write again tomorrow.

Your friend, Lumine

[orbitalsockets]

At-Risk Peoples Resource List (Ohio)

With the current state of the US political climate and the detriment many groups are facing, it's immensely important to help our communities in any way we can. It can be overwhelming to find resources, so I've compiled a list of different ones - Most of them are for my home state but others are accessible nationwide. I'd love for other people to reblog this with options for other states so maybe we can create a massive master list spanning as many resources as possible.

Reproductive Health:

Plan C - A website dedicated to providing at-home access to abortion (Nationwide)

https://www.plancpills.org/

Ohio Planned Parenthood Locations

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-greater-ohio/our-patients/where-go

List of Doctors who will do tubal ligation regardless of age:

Abortion Finder: Ohio laws surrounding abortion (can be used to find abortion legislation for any state)

https://www.abortionfinder.org/abortion-guides-by-state/abortion-in-ohio

The Period Pantry Project: Helping end period poverty in Central Ohio

https://www.theperiodpantryproject.org/#:~:text=The%20Period%20Pantry%20Project%20exists,poverty%20is%20a%20collaborative%20effort.

Immigration/Deportation

Ohio Immigration Legal Aide and Pro Bono Services: (Immigration Advocates can be used to find resources for any state)

https://www.justia.com/lawyers/immigration-law/ohio/legal-aid-and-pro-bono-services

https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory/organization.393242-Community_Refugee_and_Immigration_Services

Community Refugee and Immigration Services: A non-profit helping immigrants and aiding in refugee resettlement

https://www.crisohio.org

Cuyahoga County Welcome Center: Helping residents who are immigrants, refugees, and those with limited English proficiency

https://hhs.cuyahogacounty.gov/welcome-center

Displacement/Food Insecurity

Homeless Shelter Directory (Nationwide, link is Ohio list)

https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/state/ohio

Ohio Domestic Violence Shelters

https://womensafe.org/list-of-shelters

Ohio Association of Food Banks

https://ohiofoodbanks.org/foodbanks/

Ohio Foodbanks/Soup Kitchens

https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/foodbanks/state/ohio

LGBT+ Resources

Ohio University Resource Round Up: A list of LGBT+ resources, centers and organizations

https://www.ohio.edu/diversity/pride-center/resources/resource-roundup

Lambda Legal: Overview of the State of Ohio Laws, Midwest Region office contacts, and other LGBTQ-related legal resources

https://lambdalegal.org/

Lavender Listing: List of LGBT+ friendly businesses in Central Ohio

http://www.lavenderlistings.com/

SAIGEOhio Resource Masterlist (Contains some aforementioned resources)

https://saigeohio.org/resources

Mental Health

Help Hotlines Master List (Nationwide)

https://www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlines

OhioRISE: Youth mental health care access

https://managedcare.medicaid.ohio.gov/managed-care/ohiorise

NAMI Ohio Mental Health Resources

https://namiohio.org/resources/

Know Your Rights: Disability Rights Ohio list of mental health resources

https://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/your-mental-health-rights-resources

[reverend-dog]

Birthright

Dear Danielle,

If you are reading this, your father and I are dead and you are not yet thirty. I had hoped to be there for you when things came to fruition, but fate had other plans.

You have no memory of ever being sick or injured. Your medical records reflect the same thing. The reason for this goes beyond healthy life habits and good luck, and is the reason for this letter.

You were born three months premature. You spent the first weeks of your life in an incubator, fed fluids intravenously. I lost count of how many times your heart stopped. The doctors gave you less than fifty-fifty odds of survival.

The pregnancy was difficult for me, and the doctors insisted on tubal ligation after you, because another baby would probably kill me. So you were our one and only chance.

One day at the hospital, a woman approached your father and I. She identified herself as a doctor, but was not affiliated with the hospital. She had overheard conversations and knew your condition, and the odds of your survival. She offered a treatment that would make you well, better than well. She didn’t ask for money, in fact she scoffed at the idea when your father asked, thinking it was a scam. Her only conditions were that we never tell you, and that we keep watch on you until at least your thirtieth birthday.

Desperate doesn’t even come close to how we felt. Having a baby together was one of the fondest dreams your father and I shared, and the joy we felt when I became pregnant defied measurement. I won’t deny also that there was some cold pragmatism to our decision. You were dying, despite the doctors’ best efforts. If we refused Dr. Rossovich’s offer, we would lose the only baby we could ever have.

Dr. Rossovich’s treatment succeeded, as you yourself can attest. You are strong, fit, agile, and smart. Your beauty, I refuse to credit to Dr. Rossovich. There’s just too much of your father and I in your looks.

As you grew, your father and I could not help but notice your physical ability. We pressed Dr. Rossovich about it, and she assured us it was a harmless side-effect of the treatment. She warned us to not call undue attention to it, but let you grow up thinking you were a normal “gifted” girl.

Shortly after your twentieth birthday, Dr. Rossovich got into an accident. We were surprised when we were called to the hospital, and even more so when we learned we were listed as Dr. Rossovich’s only next of kin. We even had power of attorney!

Dr. Rossovich was dying. She knew it. Even the miraculous treatment she had used to save your life could not help her. On her deathbed, she confessed to us her real reasons for what she did. We did not believe her at first, but the evidence she produced could not be dismissed.

Dr. Rossovich was not human. That is, she was not born on Earth. She fled here to escape a planetary invasion. She brought with her the DNA of her planet’s native race, so that even if all of her planet was killed, they would live on. She also modified the DNA, encoding knowledge and skills that would activate at a specific time. Somehow, she spliced this DNA with yours, and that’s what saved you. I know, it all sounds ridiculous, something out of the stories you love so much. But I promise you, it’s all true.

Which brings us to now, and your upcoming birthday.

“You mean today,” Danielle murmured as she paused in reading the letter. “Sure would have been nice to get this ahead of time.”

The executor smiled and spread his hands apologetically. “Estates can take time to settle. Especially in the case of sudden death, as with your parents.”

“Gee,” Danielle snarked, “thanks.” She lifted the letter to resume reading. The time was 2:58 pm, exactly thirty years since her birth.

Floodgates opened. A star birthed. Information poured through Danielle’s brain. A language never spoken on Earth. History that owed nothing to the world in which she had grown up. Locations where equipment and resources hid, accessible only to a person with the right genetic profile. Skills to use the equipment. Combat. Strategy.

Most horrifying, though, was the discovery of why all this had been bestowed on her.

Danielle stared past the executor, out the window behind him. “Danielle?” the executor prompted. “Are you all right?”

“They’re coming,” Danielle whispered.

[thescrumblingmidwife]

So what are the ways to stop a period (and fertility) as an adult? I need to figure out my plans for when that time comes. I mean permanently, btw.

Hi Anon,

I'm getting a lot of asks like this. Here's another one:

Anonymous asked: whats the safest way to stop getting a period as quickly as possible? i was told by my gynecologist that id be given birth control that'd stop them but i keep getting them and it's been months

So let's do a menstrual suppression post.

MENSTRUAL SUPPRESSION (AKA, Secondary amenorrhea)

What can be done depends a lot on your age, where you are, what kind of healthcare access you have, as well as your reason for seeking menstrual suppression.

If you experience medical complications like endometriosis, serious menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) or heavy menstrual bleeding that causes anemia, etc., you may find you have an easier time accessing treatments beyond BC than if you just "don't want a period." (FWIW - I think that's a completely valid reason for menstrual suppression!). Trans and GNC people will fall somewhere in the middle - depending on where you are, it may be considered a legitimate medical indication all on its own, and in other areas may result in a roadblock and discrimination.

Disclaimer - my scope as a midwife will be limited to the use of hormonal birth control until I complete separate training on offering gender-affirming care. So please take what I say here only as a rough guide to your own research. If I've missed anything or get anything wrong, please let me know!

PREPUBERTAL (have not yet gotten a period)

Leuprolide (lupron) is an antiandrogen medication that basically stops sex hormones from working. When used in prepubertal/early puberty kids, it's called a "puberty blocker." It's meant to be a temporary solution until the kid can be sure what they want to do next, as its effects are completely reversible. Pediatricians will usually refer you to an endocrinologist or a gender clinic rather than provide themselves.

Otherwise, I'm afraid that you must first go through the initial period of menarche until normal periods are established before you can then go on menstrual suppression.

ADOLESCENT (teen, not yet an adult)

Progestin-only birth control is the first-line treatment. The good news is that pretty much everyone can take it, and it's relatively easy to get. This works by keeping the uterine lining thin, and keeping a level of progestin high enough that you don't experience the withdrawal that triggers menses. Methods include: IUD (intrauterine device), Nexplanon (implant), Depo shot, and pills. In all methods, it takes several months to work, and spotting/breakthrough bleeding is a possibility.

---->If you take the pills, you have to take them at the exact same time every day, so the hormone levels stay even, or you risk breakthrough bleeding. Different brands have different progestins in them, so if one doesn't work for you after several months of taking it properly, you could ask your provider about switching to a different pill.

---->The IUD has the best record with total menstrual suppression after a few months, but it is the most invasive of the LARC methods to insert.

----> Nexplanon can take some time to achieve menstrual suppression, and some people still get breakthrough bleeding, but it is also the single most efficacious BC besides hysterectomy. Yes, even more than tubal ligation.

----> Depo shot is pretty good at achieving amenorrhea, but has more side effects (low libido, dry vagina, risk of bone loss) that can take a while to resolve after you come off it

Testosterone - If you are trans and go on T, it may stop your menstrual cycles/ovulation, but it is not a guarantee. People on T are counseled to also be on BC, because it is does not eliminate the possibility of pregnancy and is teratogenic (can cause birth defects). You should not go on T purely to stop menses, as it has other permanent effects - go on T for those effects and be pleased if it happens to stop your period.

ADULT (18/21+ up)

All of the above methods, plus:

Estrogen-containing birth control may offer more suppression but also increases certain health risks (like clots), and it has a number of contraindications (reasons why someone can't use it safely). Generally don't advise teens to use it.

Tubal ligation for FERTILITY CONTROL ONLY. This will not stop periods!

For transmen: Hysterectomy (uterus removed) and/or salpingectomy/oophorectomy (tubes/ovaries removed). This is a component of gender-affirming care - but you will likely need to find a specialized provider for it. The average gynecologist is not going to do an elective (no medical indication) hysterectomy ----> https://transcare.ucsf.edu/guidelines/hysterectomy

I have seen some evidence that Lupron can be used for menstrual suppression as well, but I haven't heard much about it being used outside of certain medical indications (like if someone has cancer).

GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE

If you identify as trans or gender non-conforming and there is a gender clinic in your area, I recommend trying to get in with them, as they deal with this sort of question regularly. They have interdisciplinary teams (mental health providers, gynecologists, endocrinologists, surgeons, etc) that can meet all your needs. Someone trained in gender-affirming care will be best equipped to help you.

Here is a list of gender clinics in the USA:

Ok, all you Anons out there - I hope this is a good jumping-off point for you to find what you need. The TLDR is please try to find a provider who is willing to work with you and help you find what's available to you in your area!

[greenteaandtattoos]

I hate that anyone who isn't a cis man is forced to pay interest just to exist thanks to the lack of accessible and free pads, the fatphobic, overpriced, and poorly made women's clothes, the wage gap, workplace harassment, and struggle to get into well-paying and "non-traditional" fields and careers, and the shaming and astronomical cost of any surgery that alters the body such as breast reduction/implants, gender reassignment, and tubal ligation, among other things.

[genderqueerpositivity]

The arrest this week of a South Carolina woman accused of self-administering an abortion pill to end a pregnancy in 2021 prompted outrage among advocates who decried the criminalization of self-managed abortions.

According to a police report, a 33-year-old woman in Greeneville was taken to the hospital in October 2021 due to labor contractions. Police said she told staff she had taken the pill to terminate the pregnancy.

In light of this news, I'm passing along this reminder:

(image description: an image from the Instagram account @palmettostateabortionfund. There is white text inside a yellow box over a background of blue and yellow pills. Text reads: "Remember, you do NOT have to disclose what medication you have taken, if any, if you are seeking treatment for miscarriage symptoms.")

This is especially important if you live in South Carolina or Nevada, where self-managed abortion is criminalized.

I'm adding a link to the Repro Legal Helpline below:

The Repro Legal Helpline is a free, confidential helpline where you can get legal information or advice about the abortion laws in your state, including self-managed abortion, young people's access to abortion or judicial bypass, and referrals to local resources. If you have been arrested, questioned by the police, or charged with a crime for your abortion, we may also be able to help you by finding you a lawyer in your state, or working with your lawyer to help with your defense.

And finally, for my locals, tread carefully when seeking any form of reproductive or pregnancy related health care from the St. Francis Hospital system; they are Catholic affiliated. Very recently I met someone who was, several years ago, refused a tubal ligation after giving birth at one of these hospitals. Be careful.

[drarchanadubey]

Understanding the Laparoscopic Surgery Process

Laparoscopic surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery, has revolutionized the medical field by offering patients a safer and less painful alternative to traditional open surgery. It is widely used for various procedures, particularly in gynecology and general surgery. If you are looking for the best laparoscopic surgeon in Indore, it is essential to understand the entire process, from preparation to recovery.

What is Laparoscopic Surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery is a modern surgical technique in which operations are performed through small incisions using a specialized instrument called a laparoscope. A laparoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light at its tip, allowing the surgeon to view the internal organs on a monitor and perform precise surgical interventions. This technique minimizes tissue damage, reduces scarring, and ensures a quicker recovery compared to conventional surgery.

Conditions Treated with Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is commonly used for a variety of medical conditions, including:

Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy): Used to treat gallstones and gallbladder disease.

Appendectomy: Removal of an inflamed appendix.

Hernia Repair: Treatment for inguinal, umbilical, and other types of hernias.

Gynecological Procedures: Hysterectomy, endometriosis treatment, ovarian cyst removal, and tubal ligation are frequently performed by a gynecologist using laparoscopy.

Bariatric Surgery: Weight loss procedures such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.

The Laparoscopic Surgery Process

Understanding the step-by-step process of laparoscopic surgery can help alleviate any concerns or anxiety about the procedure.

1. Preoperative Preparation

Before the surgery, your doctor will conduct a thorough medical evaluation, including:

Blood tests and imaging studies

Reviewing your medical history

Instructions regarding fasting before surgery

Stopping or adjusting medications if necessary

If you are consulting the best laparoscopic surgeon in Indore they will provide detailed guidance on how to prepare for the procedure to ensure a smooth experience.

2. Anesthesia Administration

Laparoscopic surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. This means you will be unconscious during the procedure and feel no pain. The anesthesiologist will monitor your vital signs throughout the surgery to ensure your safety.

3. Making Small Incisions

Instead of making a large incision, the surgeon makes small incisions (usually 0.5 to 1 cm) in the abdominal area. Through these incisions, trocars (thin tubes) are inserted, allowing access to the surgical site.

4. Insufflation of the Abdomen

Carbon dioxide gas is introduced into the abdominal cavity to create space, giving the surgeon a clear view of the organs and providing better maneuverability for the laparoscopic instruments.

5. Inserting the Laparoscope and Performing the Surgery

A laparoscope is inserted through one of the trocars, and high-definition images are transmitted to a monitor. The surgeon carefully manipulates specialized instruments to perform the required procedure with precision.

6. Closing the Incisions

Once the surgery is complete, the instruments are removed, and the gas is released. The small incisions are closed with sutures or surgical glue, minimizing scarring.

Postoperative Recovery

Recovery from laparoscopic surgery is significantly faster compared to open surgery. Here’s what to expect:

Hospital Stay: Most patients can go home the same day or within 24 hours.

Pain Management: Mild pain and discomfort can be managed with prescribed painkillers.

Activity Restrictions: Patients are advised to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for a few weeks.

Follow-up Appointments: Regular check-ups with your gynecologist in Indore or surgeon ensure proper healing and monitor for complications.

Dietary Recommendations: A light diet is usually recommended for the first few days post-surgery.

Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery

Minimal Scarring: Small incisions mean less visible scarring.

Reduced Pain: Less postoperative pain compared to open surgery.

Quicker Recovery: Patients can return to normal activities sooner.

Lower Risk of Infection: Smaller incisions reduce the risk of infections and complications.

Shorter Hospital Stay: Many procedures are performed as outpatient surgeries.

Choosing the Right Laparoscopic Surgeon

Selecting a qualified and experienced surgeon is crucial for a successful outcome. When searching for the best laparoscopic surgeon in Indore, consider the following factors:

Credentials and Experience: Ensure the surgeon has specialized training in laparoscopic techniques.

Hospital Affiliation: Choose a surgeon associated with a reputable hospital or clinic.

Patient Reviews: Read testimonials and patient experiences to assess the quality of care.

Consultation Approach: A good surgeon will provide a detailed consultation, explaining the procedure, risks, and recovery expectations.

Laparoscopic surgery has transformed the way various medical conditions are treated, offering a safer and more efficient approach than traditional open surgery. If you require a procedure, consulting an expert gynecologist or a leading laparoscopic surgeon is essential to ensure the best medical care. Understanding the laparoscopic surgery process can help patients feel more informed and confident about their treatment journey.

[drashishgautam]

Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery in Delhi NCR

Laparoscopy, also known as diagnostic laparoscopy, involves the examination of abdominal organs through a surgical diagnostic procedure. This low-risk, minimally invasive operation requires only small incisions. The observation of abdominal organs during laparoscopy is facilitated by a device called a laparoscope. The front of a laparoscope is equipped with high-intensity illumination and a high-resolution camera. An incision in the abdominal wall is utilized to insert the device. As the camera navigates, it transmits images to a video monitor. With laparoscopy, open surgery is unnecessary for your physician to visualize the internal structures of your body in real-time. During this procedure, your physician can also obtain biopsy specimens.

Laparoscopic or "minimally invasive" surgery is a refined method for conducting surgical operations. In conventional "open" surgery, the surgeon makes a solitary incision to access the abdomen. Laparoscopic surgery, conversely, employs several 0. 5-1cm incisions, each referred to as a "port. " During the procedure, specialized instruments and a specific camera known as a laparoscope are introduced through these ports. At the onset of the procedure, the abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to create a workspace and viewing area for the surgeon. The laparoscope conveys images from the abdominal cavity to high-resolution video monitors within the operating theatre. Throughout the operation, the surgeon observes detailed visual representations of the abdomen on the monitor. This system enables the surgeon to execute the same procedures as traditional surgery but with smaller incisions.

The advantages of laparoscopic surgical procedures include:

• Reduced postoperative discomfort due to smaller incisions

• Faster recovery periods

• Shorter hospitalization durations

• Earlier resumption of normal activities

• Significantly smaller scars

• Potentially less internal scarring when the procedures are carried out in a minimally invasive manner compared to conventional open surgery.

What is the rationale for performing laparoscopy?

Traditional open surgery necessitates creating a large incision, resulting in an unsightly scar. Laparoscopic surgery has transformed this by allowing surgeons to operate with smaller incisions. Even complex surgeries can now be achieved using this technique.

Common examples of laparoscopic procedures include:

• Gallbladder removal

• Hernia repair

• Appendectomy

• Tubal ligation (having your "tubes tied")

• Uterine removal

• Kidney donation or resection

• Splenectomy

• Repair of hiatal hernia and GERD

• Ovarian cyst removal, among others.

Numerous advanced specialized hospitals are performing increasingly intricate surgeries. Recent innovations in tools are enabling a broader range of operations to be conducted. This field is an exciting frontier in surgery, progressively becoming an essential rather than a luxury.

Occasionally, laparoscopic surgery is employed solely for internal examination, referred to as Diagnostic Laparoscopy. By inspecting the interior of your body, the underlying issues may be identified, allowing your surgeon to rectify the problem. This is typically conducted after you have undergone various scans, ultrasounds, and other non-invasive assessments.

Advanced laparoscopic surgery by the Best Robotic Surgeon in Delhi NCR.

The human hand is the most effective instrument. The human hand can execute numerous tasks during surgical procedures that are challenging to replicate solely with laparoscopic tools. The absence of tactile sensation and the inability to insert the hand into the abdominal cavity during laparoscopic surgery have restricted the application of laparoscopy for intricate abdominal operations. Hand-access devices, such as lapdisk and omniport, are innovative laparoscopic instruments that enable the surgeon to insert a hand into the abdomen during laparoscopic procedures and carry out various functions that were previously achievable only during open surgery. This technique is employed to create a range of laparoscopic hernia, gallbladder, and biliary interventions that were not feasible before with conventional laparoscopic methods. If you are in search of the leading laparoscopic surgeon in Delhi NCR, Dr. Ashish Gautam, please reach out to us now.