midlife tubal

[carpenterson]

am 55 and my fiancee is 50.  I had a vascetomy in 1973, and a reversal in 1979.  My fiancee is premenapausal, in that she still has periods, but they arrive anywhere from 28 days to 45 days apart. In the past she has encountered problems with taking the pill, so my fiancee is very insistant of a more permanent means of preventing pregnancy.

She was prepared to have a tubal ligatiom.  But, when I asked my doctor about it, he felt the chances of her becoming pregnant (even though she is still menstruating) are so slight that most doctors would not be willing to perform a tubal on her at her age.  Is there any way she can determine whether she is still capable of conception? Unless she is absolutely confidant she will not become pregnant, my fiancee will want to pursue a tubal or some other permanent solution.  It is my understanding that a vascectomy is a simpler proccedure, and is also less costly.  Is this information correct?  If so, are there any other things we should take into consideration in regards to any added problems we might encounter related to our ages and medical history?   Would my previously having had a vascectomy and reversal make another vascectomy more difficult or potentially risky?

[40smama]

I have no idea about whether having a previous vasectomy & reversal will effect risks of getting a woman pregnant.  Vasectomies are a much, much more simple procedure than a tubal.  W/a tubal, a woman undergoes an actual surgery that is performed usually under general anesthesia whereas a vasectomy is only an office procedure as I"m sure you know.  

If I were you, I'd post these questions on the ask-the-expert forum.