Vasectomy Recovery

Vasectomy Reveral Overview

A vasectomy is considered a permanent method of birth control. Vasectomy reversal (vasovasostomy) reconnects the tubes (vas deferens) that were cut during a vasectomy.

Approximately 600,000 vasectomies are performed in the United States each year. 1 - 6% of the men will eventually want to restore their fertility by means of a vasectomy reversal. The most common reason for restoring fertility is to father a child after remarriage following divorce. Sometimes a death of a child or simply a change of mind prompts a man to have a vasectomy reversal.

Vasectomy reversal is usually an outpatient procedure without an overnight stay in the hospital. Spinal or general anesthesia is commonly used to ensure that you remain completely still during the surgery.

The chances of vasectomy reversal success depend on how much time has passed between the vasectomy and the reversal. Success rates range from 30% to 50%.1 Over time, additional blockages can form and some men develop antibodies to their own sperm.2

The surgery is more complicated and takes more time when blockage between the vas deferens and the epididymis requires correction (vasoepididymostomy).

Vasectomy Reversal Recovery

Vasectomy reversal usually takes from 2 to 4 hours, followed by a few more hours for recovery from the anesthetic. You can expect to go home the same day.

Pain may be mild to moderate. You should be able to resume normal activities, including sex, within 3 weeks.

Vasectomy reversal is performed when you have had a vasectomy and now want to be fertile.

How Well It Works

Overall, pregnancy rates after vasectomy reversal are greater than 50%. Your chances of having a successful vasectomy reversal are greatest within 3 years of the vasectomy. By 10 years after vasectomy, chances of pregnancy drop to 30%.1

Risks

Risks of vasectomy reversal include:

Infection at the site of surgery.

Buildup of fluid in the scrotum (hydrocele) that may require draining.

Injury to the arteries or nerves in the scrotum.

What to Think About

Before a vasectomy reversal is performed, your doctor will want to confirm that you were fertile prior to your vasectomy.

You can have tests to see whether you have sperm antibodies in your semen before and after vasectomy reversal. If there are sperm antibodies in your semen after surgery, your partner is unlikely to become pregnant. In such a case, you may wish to try in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Cost

Total cost for a vasectomy reversal can be somewhere between $4,000 to $20,000, all inclusive. In the United States, $10,000 will be the average and in Canada, $5,000 is the average all inclusive price.

You will want to investigate the complete costs that will be applicable - start to finish - for the vasectomy reversal. There are generally three fees the patient is responsible for: