Vasectomy Reversal Surgery.

What is a Vasectomy Reversal?

Vasectomy Reversal:

Good information about vasectomy reversal is important. Educate yourself about the reversal process and the more you know the better off you will be when you make the final decision. A vasectomy reversal may not be the answer for everyone. It is not a cheap procedure and the more information you have the better off you should be. Cost of a Visectomy can be found at Cost of a Vasectomy page.

What to Expect from vasectomy reversal?

A surgeon performs a micro-surgical operation that reverses the sterility that was caused by having the original vasectomy. More and more men are reversing the original vasectomy operations that had when they were younger. The operation reconnects the ends of the vas deferens or the small tubes that carry your sperm from your testicles.

This rejoining should then allow for the vas to be a passageway for semen ejaculation at the time of orgasm. This type of operation is known as "vasovasostomy" as indicated by sperm being found in the fluid within the vas after the initial incision by your doctor. Sometimes when a blockage occurs, the blockage has to be bypassed and this type of reversal operation is known as "vasoepididymostomy."

What Kind of Vasectomy Reversal is right for me?

Individual success rates will vary, but the most common type of reversal operation or procedure is the vasovasostomy. This procedure has shown to have the statistically higher chance of success over the more complicated vasoepididymostomy type of operation.

The quality of your sperm will have a lot to do with your partner getting pregnant. The best chance for success is as soon after the vasectomy reversal. The more recent the operation the better the chance of impregnating your partner with good sperm. As the time passes from the actual reversal, your chances of pregnancy will decline. After 15 years or so the, the chances of pregnancy shows to be under 40% chance. So, the best chances of success are as soon after the reversal operation has been performed.

Recovery Time:

The Vasectomy Reversal will take longer than the original vasectomy. The reversal micro-surgical procedure will be more complicated than the original vasectomy. This could take and hour or longer, depending on many factors. The vasovasostomy operation could take up to several hours and if the doctor finds that he/she needs to perform a vasoepididymostomy, this could take even longer. These types of procedures usually require anesthesia which can also add to your recovery time.

After this procedure you will stay in the recovery area until your doctor visits and allows you to be released to go home. Have someone available to drive you from the hospital home. The exact amount of time for recovery will vary, but it is typical for a recovery period of one month or so. Always follow the advice of your doctor. After the surgery you will need to stay in bed or laid up for at least a day or two. After the vasectomy reversal procedure you may be advised to use ice-packs on your scrotal area for a couple days to help with the swelling. Your doctor may advise against any heavy lifting or exertion of any kind for a few weeks or month.

Your doctor will discuss your ejaculation time and what to expect. Thirty days seems to be the number and during this time your doctor should see you and check your semen samples to see what your sperm count is. Your doctor will schedule your semen samples and when they need to be provided.

Will Vasectomy Reversal Work?

The overall success rate of this type of surgery is good.   Nothing can be guaranteed and even if the surgery is successful, this does not mean you will father a child. There are many factors involved including the doctor, elapsed time from the surgery and the sperm health. Sometimes this process will take many months until the sperm is back and it has been found that couples that have existing families together seem to have higher success rates of pregnancy.   If the operation for reversal is not successful, there are still other options that can be looked at. Sometimes a second reversal or re-do is necessary and the doctor will try to get the sperm moving again. Sperm can also be removed and used in vitro fertility procedure. If the sperm is in bad health or pregnancy is just not working naturally the doctor may suggest the sperm being artificially inseminated to help the odds.

How about Sex?

An effective vasectomy reversal simply allows sperm to rejoin the seminal stream during ejaculation and should not affect your sexual drive, your ability to have an erection and orgasm or your ability to have and enjoy sex. Sperm is only a small fraction of the total liquid in your semen. The scars that are showing post-operation should heal and go away with time. The size of the incision could be bigger for a vasectomy reversal than the original vasectomy, but, it should be very hard to see and detect in a natural unshaven scrotum area.

The vasectomy reversal, just like the vasectomy, will not affect your physical attributes in any manner. The biggest problem you could have is the anxiety that you feel about how it may affect you physically and your performance during sexual intercourse. It should not be a problem at all, but, talk with you doctor about this and any other concerns you may have.

Cost of the Vasectamy Reversal?

The cost for a vasectomy reversal was talked about on the page titled Cost of Vasectomy Reversal.   If you are interested, please see the information and cost projections on that page.

Risks or Complications?

Every surgery or medical procedure contains some types of risks and/or complications and that is no different in the case of a vasectomy reversal. There are some small risks including swelling, bleeding, tenderness and infections. Your doctor can help you understand the procedure and the risks or complications that may occur. This procedure is delicate and complicated and it is not without some risk. The pain you experience after the surgery should not be any greater than the pain you had during your vasectomy. The time for recovery from a vasectomy reversal is longer and you can expect up to a four week or month recovery time. The best thing for recovery is resting and not doing any lifting or strenuous exercises. An ice pack is always a good idea and will probably be recommended by your doctor as well as any antibiotics or other medicines required.

Will it be successful?

The odds are good that your operation will be successful, but, it is not guaranteed. The success has to do with the health of your sperm, the experience of your doctor and what other type of damage may have been caused during the first vasectomy. Ask your doctor.

How Soon for Sex?

During the time of recover you should not attempt to have any erections or ejaculations. The recovery time for this type of surgery is about a month, so you should wait till after at least a month before you have sex. It is always a good idea to ask you doctor because he will be monitoring your sperm/semen and at most you need to be in good physical shape before you have sex.

Disclaimer: The information that is contained herein is only intended for informational purposes and is NOT medical advice in any manner. You are encouraged to visit and speak with a licensed and trained medical professional doctor for any medical advice. If you leave this site through any links, we are not responsible for any third party websites content.