Almost all vasectomies can be reversed. There are many reasons to reverse a vasectomy like remarriage following a divorce, having a change of heart or starting a family over after the loss of a wife or child. Regardless of your reason, there are now advanced methods to restore your fertility.
Vasectomy reversal is surgery to undo a vasectomy. It reconnects the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles into the semen. After a successful vasectomy reversal, sperm are again present in the semen and you may be able to get your partner pregnant.
Reported pregnancy rates after vasectomy reversal range vary in range. Many factors affect whether a reversal is successful, including the type of vasectomy you had, and the experience of the doctor doing the reversal surgery. One of the main factors influencing pregnancy rates is the obstructive interval, which is the duration of time between your original vasectomy and the reversal. Rates of both the return of sperm to semen and subsequent pregnancy are highest when the reversal is performed relatively shortly after the vasectomy.
WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED AFTER A VASECTOMY REVERSAL?
Recovery from a vasectomy reversal should be relatively swift and fairly comfortable. Any pain that might be experienced after surgery can be controlled with oral medications. The reassuring news is that any pain severe enough to require medication rarely lasts longer than a few days to a week.
Most patients are back to normal routine and light work within a week. Urologists usually want their patients to refrain from heavy physical activity for two to three weeks. If your job requires strenuous work, you should discuss with your surgeon the earliest time you can return to work. You will be advised to wear a jockstrap for support for several weeks. You will likely be restricted from having sex for approximately two to three weeks.
It takes on average one year to achieve a pregnancy after a vasectomy reversal. Some pregnancies occur in the first few months after the reversal procedure, while others do not occur until several years later.
The urologist will request a semen analysis every two to three months after surgery until your sperm count either stabilizes or pregnancy occurs. Unless a pregnancy occurs, a sperm count is the only way to determine surgical success.