Vasectomies are generally regarded as permanent contraceptive procedures, but few things in life are permanent. There are a variety of reasons why men or couples want to restore fertility; there may be a desire for more children with a new partner after a break-up or remarriage, or there simply may be a change of heart regarding having more children.
The good news is vasectomy reversal procedures are increasingly common and accessible. As awareness of the procedure is growing, approximately 1,500 men per year will request a vasectomy reversal.
The only factor that really affects whether or not you are a good candidate for vasectomy reversal is whether there were any complications during or following the original vasectomy. If there was infection or scarring after the vasectomy, restoring the vas deferens pathway may be more complicated. However, that doesn’t always mean it’s impossible, especially for skilled urology surgeon Dr. Desi Avilla.
Since most men are candidates for vasectomy reversal, here are a few things to take into consideration if you are thinking about having the procedure done:
- Vasectomy reversal is a simple procedure, performed outpatient with local anesthesia. Many men report less pain following a vasectomy reversal than following their original procedure.
- Vasectomy reversals with Dr. Avila are minimally invasive, as he uses the microsurgical technique. This also helps minimize pain and recovery time.
- Vasectomy reversals require only a short period of recovery. Some couples report conceiving just three weeks following a vasectomy reversal!
- The amount of time that has passed since the original vasectomy does not affect the success rates of reversals, but may impact the fertility timeline. Vasectomy reversals performed within three years of the vasectomy usually are the most straightforward and successful. If it’s been more than three years since the vasectomy, it may take 1-3 months for the sperm quality to return to pre-vasectomy conditions, in which case it may just take some time to conceive. However, many men who have had decades pass since their vasectomy procedure are still able to have successful reversals.
If your partner has no fertility issues of her own and you did not experience any complications during your procedure, you’re a great candidate for a reversal. And even if you had complications, you still may be a good candidate. A brief consultation with Dr. Avila will determine whether he can help you create the family you’re desiring with a simple no-scalpel procedure. Call for an appointment today in Phoenix or Gilbert at (480) 961-2323, or request an appointment online.
