Life changes sometimes. Some men who have already had a vasectomy done may decide to grow their families or even start a new one.
Vasovasostomy or vasectomy reversal is a procedure that helps men father a child again or even for the first time. That is true even when the procedure was done 5-10 years ago.
What Is a Vasectomy Reversal?
It is a surgical procedure that reverses vasectomy results. It encompasses blocking the vas deferens (tubes) through which our sperm cells pass into our semen. During the procedure, our healthcare providers cut and occlude (block) our vas deferens.
In vasovasostomy, our healthcare providers remove scar tissues from both ends of our vas deferens. Then, they align two ends of tubes and sew them.
In some situations, this is impossible, and our healthcare providers will see the tubes to the epididymis (another structure).
What’s the Recovery Time?
The recovery time for the procedure is around one week. So, healthcare providers advise their patients to take one week off of work. This is around twice as long as it is for an original vasectomy.
Who Needs to Have the Procedure Done?
You may consider reversing the procedure if you have changed your mind and want to start or grow a new family. Most men who have lost kids might consider the option, too.
For some men, the procedure can help to relieve pain in their testicles that the previous vasectomy Boise might be causing.
What Happens Throughout the Procedure?
The key goal of vasovasostomy is to bypass the obstruction—the first procedure of vasectomy results in blockage in the tubes. However, additional blockage points may occur after vasectomy. During the process, healthcare providers will:
- Note the blockage level. To do that, healthcare providers collect fluid from the tubes and analyze it using a microscope.
- Examine the fluid’s contents, color, and consistency to determine the kind of vasectomy procedure healthcare providers will perform.
- Carry out two procedures of vasectomy reversal. These procedures include vasoepididymostomy and vasovasostomy.
- The reversal takes about four hours and is often an outpatient procedure. We don’t have to stay overnight to get the procedure.
What Are the Risks?
We can reverse nearly every vasectomy. But that doesn’t guarantee its success in fathering children. You can try vasovasostomy even if it has been 5 or 10 years since the initial vasectomy procedure. However, it is essential to note that the more years there are, the less likely the reversal procedure will work.
Although vasovasostomy hardly results in serious complications, there are still some risks associated with the procedure. These risks include the following:
1. Infection at Surgery Sites
While not familiar, infections are risks associated with surgery. They can be treated with antibiotics.
2. Bleeding in the Scrotum
This may result in blood collection, which can cause painful swelling. We can minimize the risks of blood collection by following our doctor’s instructions to apply an ice pack, rest, and use scrotal support after the procedure.
The bottom line is that it is very possible to reverse the procedure. However, because of the potential for failure and the risks linked to it, vasovasostomy shouldn’t be taken lightly. This is why it is essential to understand the dangers involved before considering the procedure.
