A vasectomy reversal is the reconnection of the tubes or sperm ducts from the testicles into the semen.
If the reversal is successful sperm will again be in the semen and impregnating your partner will be possible.
This surgery can be attempted if a long time has passed since the vasectomy was performed, but only half of reversals are successful.
Although major complications following a reversal are rare but there are some risks.
Bleeding in the scrotum causes painful swelling, but avoiding aspirin before and after the surgery and resting can reduce this risk.
Infection at the surgery site, inflammation, and damage to nerves and blood vessels are also some types of risk.
Damage to nerves and blood vessels will decrease fertility after the reversal.
As with any surgery there are signs that you should watch for and contact the doctor should any arise.
Some of those conditions are fever, swelling that can't be controlled, bleeding from the incision that won't stop, difficult going to the bathroom to urinate or a lump in the scrotum.
There are two ways in which vasectomy reversals are done.
Both are out patient surgeries with no over night stays needed.
A Vasovasostomy is sewing the cut ends of the tubes (vas derens) back together.
This is the less complicated of the two; however, if the above isn't possible, then a Vasoepididymostomy is performed.
In this surgery vas derens are connected directly to the epidiymis.
Your surgeon may not know which of the surgeries will need to be performed until he is doing the operation.
Sometimes local anesthesia is used or you may have an epidural or a spinal.
Because of the delicateness of this surgery, you must remain absolutely still.
Before having a vasectomy reversal, the doctor will need to confirm that you have healthy sperm and usually proof that you have impregnated a woman before is good enough.
However, a testicular biopsy maybe needed.
This is a test done by inserting a needle to remove fluid from your testicles to check for sperm.
Your spouse or partner will need to be checked for fertility as well.
The physician will need a medical history and a good sign is if your partner has had children before.
This surgery is quite costly and not covered by health plans.
You may talk to the doctor before the surgery to cover having sperm frozen if found during the surgery and the reversal is not successful.
If it is not successful, than you may still have a child through in vitro fertilization.
If successful however sperm is usually present in the semen in a few months but can take longer, up to 15 months and usually leads to pregnancy within a two year time frame.
If the reversal is successful sperm will again be in the semen and impregnating your partner will be possible.
This surgery can be attempted if a long time has passed since the vasectomy was performed, but only half of reversals are successful.
Although major complications following a reversal are rare but there are some risks.
Bleeding in the scrotum causes painful swelling, but avoiding aspirin before and after the surgery and resting can reduce this risk.
Infection at the surgery site, inflammation, and damage to nerves and blood vessels are also some types of risk.
Damage to nerves and blood vessels will decrease fertility after the reversal.
As with any surgery there are signs that you should watch for and contact the doctor should any arise.
Some of those conditions are fever, swelling that can't be controlled, bleeding from the incision that won't stop, difficult going to the bathroom to urinate or a lump in the scrotum.
There are two ways in which vasectomy reversals are done.
Both are out patient surgeries with no over night stays needed.
A Vasovasostomy is sewing the cut ends of the tubes (vas derens) back together.
This is the less complicated of the two; however, if the above isn't possible, then a Vasoepididymostomy is performed.
In this surgery vas derens are connected directly to the epidiymis.
Your surgeon may not know which of the surgeries will need to be performed until he is doing the operation.
Sometimes local anesthesia is used or you may have an epidural or a spinal.
Because of the delicateness of this surgery, you must remain absolutely still.
Before having a vasectomy reversal, the doctor will need to confirm that you have healthy sperm and usually proof that you have impregnated a woman before is good enough.
However, a testicular biopsy maybe needed.
This is a test done by inserting a needle to remove fluid from your testicles to check for sperm.
Your spouse or partner will need to be checked for fertility as well.
The physician will need a medical history and a good sign is if your partner has had children before.
This surgery is quite costly and not covered by health plans.
You may talk to the doctor before the surgery to cover having sperm frozen if found during the surgery and the reversal is not successful.
If it is not successful, than you may still have a child through in vitro fertilization.
If successful however sperm is usually present in the semen in a few months but can take longer, up to 15 months and usually leads to pregnancy within a two year time frame.