Tubal ligation surgery disconnects the fallopian tubes which connect the ovaries to the uterus. The tubes may be cut, clamped, tied or plugged. The surgery takes about 30 minutes and patients are usually sent home the same day. It is a relatively safe procedure with few side-effects. Healing usually takes between two and five days. The recovery for tubal ligation can be a couple of weeks. You should look into the new procedure called Essure. This is a non surgical form of sterilization done in the clinic by your doctor. The procedure is done vaginally.