Vasectomy Reversal - 5 Things You Need To Know

by Daniel Morris

1.What is a Vasectomy Reversal?

Vasectomy reversal is a microsurgical procedure which restores the flow of sperm through the vas deferens. During the original vasectomy the vas deferens - the tube which carries sperm from the epididymis to the prostate - is cut and clamped. This results in no sperm being present in the semen which is expelled from the penis during ejaculation. A vasectomy reversal involves removing the clamps and stitching the vas deferens together again, (or in a minority of cases actually attaching the vas deferens to the epididymis - a procedure known as a vasoepididymostomy) thereby allowing the flow of sperm once more.

2. How much does a Vasectomy Reversal Cost?

This varies from country to country. In the USA, the price of a vasectomy reversal is anything from between $4000 and $20000. In some cases it may be possible to undergo the procedure under local anaesthetic at the surgeon's offices rather than having to incur hospital fees. This will reduce the cost to as low as $2500 but is not possible in all cases - ask your surgeon if this is a possibility.

3. What Are the Chances of Success?

This depends on how long ago the original vasectomy was performed. The longer the time lapse the greater the chance of blockage or damage to the vas deferens. However the current level of technological advances in microsurgery means that as many as 97% of men who undergo a straightforward vasectomy reversal experience a return to normal sperm counts and 50% of cases resulted in pregnancy. However, if the original vasectomy occurred 15 or more years ago this figures drop to 71% and 30% respectively.

4. What Things Should I Consider When Choosing A Surgeon?

Make sure you are well informed when deciding on a surgeon for your vasectomy reversal. The relative skill and experience of your surgeon will have a huge bearing on whether or not your operation is successful. Ask the surgeon if he is able to perform a vasoepididymostomy using an operating microscope. This is a crucial question since it is usually only possible to tell whether this more involved surgery will be necessary once your operation is underway.

5. How Long Will It Take After The Vasectomy Reversal To Have A Chance Of Making My Partner Pregnant?

It will be at least 12 months after your procedure that your partner has a chance of becoming pregnant, although statistically most pregnancies occur 2 years after the vasectomy reversal. The best advice therefore would be not to delay the procedure and additionally the longer the time lapse between vasectomy and reversal the less chance of success.

About the Author
© Daniel Morris 2005 - All Rights Reserved

Daniel Morris is a writer and webmaster of numerous health-related web sites including www.vasectomy-reversal-info.com, a one stop site for vasectomy reversal information

Fertility Success: Tubal Reversal Clinics

by Elisa Cruz

Did you at one point in your life decide to undergo a tubal ligation and now you would like to have children or more children? Searching for tubal reversal clinics in your area is likely the best next step. If you are looking to conceive the natural way without any other fertility methods involved, tubal reversal clinics can help you reach that goal. It is important to ask questions and to interview a few tubal reversal clinics before deciding which clinic to choose that way you are informed and can make an educated decision about your health.

Tubal reversal clinics may offer various types of fertility assistance, and one of them is tubal reversal, or the untying, unclamping, or re-joining of fallopian tubes and uterus. This procedure is not necessarily as simple as the first as this time around, you have a goal: to become pregnant. Therefore finding tubal reversal clinics that will perform the procedure in a very careful and thorough way is very important. You want to make sure that your ability to conceive is the number one goal, as well as your health and comfort of course.

Surgery and recovery time may be longer when concerning tubal reversal clinics because the process of operating on a site that has already been operated on has unique challenges and involves more awareness. The surgeon of tubal reversal clinics would have to be very aware of your previous surgery, and bringing any post-operative information or medical records is always handy to make sure that they are fully aware of your health and any potential challenges. The right tubal reversal clinics will not necessarily promise short recovery times and short surgical times before knowing and understanding how the initial tubal ligation surgery was performed and anything that arose during surgery. The surgeon of tubal reversal clinics may need to repair areas, re-connect tissues, and do so in a manner that is time consuming and very thorough to increase the chances that an egg can flow freely through the fallopian tubes and into the uterus.

Tubal reversal clinics often must undo and redo certain things that were initially done during the tubal ligation surgery which may require a longer surgery and recovery time. If you are serious about becoming pregnant naturally without any other fertility methods involved, it is important to be aware of the risks and challenges related to undoing a tubal ligation at tubal reversal clinics. Ask plenty of questions and make sure you have your priorities and goals set in the proper order for your lifestyle and budget. Tubal reversal clinics can always go over alternative fertility measures that can be undertaken if you decide that tubal reversal is not the right alternative for your life. There are many other types of procedures and options available to couples who are otherwise fertile aside from having undergone a tubal ligation or vasectomy. Make sure that you are fully aware of the benefits and challenges related to every procedure, its financial cost, and its relevance to your goals and hopes. Also, have a realistic outlook when looking for tubal reversal clinics and be aware that your ability to conceive may not be 100%, especially after having undergone a tubal ligation.

About the Author
Visit FertilityProRegistry.com to find a tubal reversal clinic in your area and to learn about tubal reversal clinics to stay informed.