To understand this, you need to know what tubal ligation refers to.  Of course, the tubal part is easy.  That means your fallopian tubes.  The ligation part means to bind up or surgically tie with ligatures (or ties).  While there are several methods such as coagulation, Adiana, Essure, clips, and rings which create tubal blockage, there are only three we will talk about here which involve ligatures.  The good news is that tubal reversal success with each ligature method is very good.

The first tubal ligation procedure which involves ligatures is the granddaddy of all methods of tying your tubes.  It was created by Dr. Pomeroy around a century ago.  It's been around a long time and is where the colloquial of "tying tubes" comes from.  It is still the most common method today.

In the Pomeroy tubal ligation procedure, working on one fallopian tube at a time, the doctor will double it up to make a loop.  At the bottom of the loop, he will apply an absorbable ligature in essence tying the tube.  Not precise, but think of it as tying a string around the bottom.

Just above the ligature, he will cut or resects out the doubled up section leaving two cut ends.  As the ligature is absorbed, the ends will be covered over by the peritoneum essentially being scarred over so no sperm can travel up the tube nor egg from the ovary travel down the tube.  In this manner, you are infertile.  Tubal reversal success for this type of procedure is more than 60% and depends upon how much tube was removed.

The next two types of tubal ligation involving ligatures are variations.  In the Parkland tubal ligation procedure, the fallopian tube is not doubled up.  Instead two non-absorbable ligatures are applied along the mid segment a little distance from each other.  The surgeon then resects, or cuts, the tube between the two ligatures and removes it.  Again, your success rate will depend upon how much was removed and your age as well.

The Irving tubal ligation procedure is a variation on the Parkland.  It is done the same way but finished slightly differently in that the segment that remains attached to the uterus is then sutured to and behind the uterus.  The other segment's cut end is buried in the connective tissue underlying the fallopian tubes.