How to Reverse a Vasectomy

Prior to having surgery to reverse a vasectomy your physician may want to ensure that you are producing healthy sperm. Your partner will also need to be tested. If either of you have a fertility problem this needs to be learned before you have surgery for the reversal of a vasectomy.

The majority of times a vasectomy does give the man back his ability to impregnate his partner however, if your vasectomy was performed 15 years or longer you will have a lower chance of having enough healthy sperm.

The main thing to remember when you make the decision for reversing a vasectomy is that it does not always work. There is more to do during the surgery, the cost can be expensive from $5,000 to $12,000, and most insurance companies will not cover this type of procedure.

Preparing for the surgery

Two weeks prior to the surgery do not take any type of aspirin or ibuprofen, which can cause bleeding.
You will have to shave the scrotum prior to surgery and bring an athletic supporter to wear after surgery.
How do you prepare?

What will be done

The tube that takes the sperm from to your testicles will be sewn back or they will be attached to the epididymis. The surgery can take up to four hours but is normally performed on an out patient basis but you still may stay over night.

There are two types of procedures to reverse a vasectomy – Vasovasostomy and Vasoepididymostomy. With a vasovasostomy, the tubes that carry the sperm will be sewn back in place. However, this surgery may not be possible and the other one may have to be performed. Vasoepididymostomy is performed by attaching the tubes to the epididymis.

The second type of surgery is used when there is blockage and that will not allow the sperm to flow through the tubes. There is no way to tell which surgery will be performed until the operation is under way, at which time, your surgeon will make the all-important decision. In a few cases, both surgeries are possible. One side may receive the vasovasostomy while the other side receives the vasoepididymostomy.

You will be given anesthesia of some type whether to make you unconscious or a local anesthetic like an epidural or spinal. The surgery is very delicate and you will need to be perfectly still during the process. A microscope is used that will enhance the area around 5 to 20 times in order to view the area and to perform the procedure properly to ensure all is in order.

A small cut will be done on the bottom of the scrotum, which will allow the surgeon to view the testicle.

He will then cut open the tube and check the fluid inside with a microscope. This will give the surgeon the information he needs so he will know which type of the two surgeries he needs to perform.

If sperm is present and the rest of the fluid is clean, the easier surgery will work.
If there are little or no sperm present and the fluid is thick then the later surgery will need to be done.

Follow your doctor’s instructions and take it easy for a few days. It will take a few months before sperm appear and the chances of pregnancy usually occur within one year.