People who consider adding to the number of children in their household after a vasectomy often consider a reversal procedure. However, it is not uncommon for these individuals to wonder about the viability of this option vis a vis their age, health condition and some of the other factors that may mar the success of the procedure. So lets discuss some of the common questions that a person may have in reference to a vasectomy reversal procedure.
What is a vasectomy reversal?
A vasectomy reversal is a surgical procedure that is undertaken to undo a vasectomy which is a permanence form of contraception. In the vasectomy procedure; the vas deferens; the tube responsible for sending the sperms to the urogenital tract is severed. This in turn stops the sperms from reaching the urogenital tract and from there to the vagina.
A reversal procedure involves joining the severed ends of the tube with tiny sutures. Vasectomy reversal surgeries are usually conduced as outpatient procedures, so it seldom takes more than 2 hours to complete the surgery. Also the post surgery recovery time at home is about seven days; however, you will need to follow other precautionary measures for longer such as refraining from sexual activities for at least 4 weeks after the procedure.
You need to give careful consideration to both a vasectomy and the reversal procedure because the former is certainly not a temporary form of birth control that can be reversed at a whim and even though the reversal surgery is not particularly complicated it des not always result in a pregnancy. Also, a vasectomy reversal can up to $20,000 and you will have to foot the bill from your own pockets because the procedure is not covered by insurance.
The Success Rate:
There are several factors that impact the success rate of a reversal procedure such as the time that has passed since the original procedure, your age and the technique used in the initial surgery. If you get a vasectomy reversal done within three years of the vasectomy surgery, the chances of success are greatly increased; on the other hand, a decade between the two procedures can bring down the success rate to a dismal 30%.
When a significant amount of time lapses after the initial surgery; there are chances of a blockage and in some cases; there ma be antibodies in the semen that kill the sperms. So if you are not sure about your vasectomy; you should consider a reversal as soon as possible. Pregnancy occurs in more than 50% of the cases of vasectomy reversal.
The Actual Surgery:
The surgery takes 2 to 4 hours and is usually done under epidural or general anesthesia and you will be required to stay in the clinic for a few hours after the procedure so that the anesthesia can wear off. Most men are allowed to return home the same day. You may feel moderate to mild discomfort and some pain but this usually subsides in a few days and in about three to four weeks you will be ready to resume like as usual.
The Risks
Like all surgical procedures a vasectomy reversal also has certain risks associated with it such as:
. Damage to the arteries and nerves in the scortum
. Infection
. Build up of fluid that may require draining.
However, these can usually be taken care of if you are diligent with the recovery instructions and consult your doctor in case of an abnormality. Your doctor will ask you to get several tests conducted particularly a semen analysis to ensure the success of the procedure. It generally takes a few weeks to a few months for the sperms to find their way back into the urogenital tract. So don't expect to get pregnant immediately; most couples are advised to wait for a year or more after the surgery to see results.
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